Hebrews 9:16-28
What happens when someone leaves a will? It is necessary to prove that the person who made the will has died. A will is in effect only when somebody has died. It never takes effect while the one who made it is still living. That’s why even the first covenant was not put into effect without the spilling of blood. Moses first announced every command of the law to all the people. Then he took the blood of calves. He also took water, bright red wool and branches of a hyssop plant. He sprinkled the Book of the Covenant. He also sprinkled all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant God has commanded you to keep.” (Exodus 24:8) In the same way, he sprinkled the holy tent with blood. He also sprinkled everything that was used in worship there. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be made “clean” with blood. Without the spilling of blood, no one can be forgiven.
So the copies of the heavenly things had to be made pure with these sacrifices. But the heavenly things themselves had to be made pure with better sacrifices. Christ did not enter a sacred tent made with human hands. That tent was only a copy of the true one. He entered heaven itself. He did it to stand in front of God for us. He is there right now. The high priest enters the Most Holy Room every year. He enters with blood that is not his own. But Christ did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again. If he had, he would have had to suffer many times since the world was created. But he has appeared once and for all time. He has come at the time when God’s work is being completed. He has come to do away with sin by offering himself. People have to die once. After that, God will judge them. In the same way, Christ was offered up once. He took away the sins of many people. He will also come a second time. At that time he will not suffer for sin. Instead, he will come to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
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