Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hebrews 9

In teaching the New and Everlasting Covenant, Paul teaches some great symbolism, referring the first covenant or Mosaic Law writing -

"THEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God." (New Testament | Hebrews 9:1 - 6)

It was in the first tabernacle that priests administered outward ordinances and sacrifices that in a sense helped the Israelites repent and become more righteous. But yet there was a vail to the second tabernacle, or the holies of Holy or Holiest of all. This second tabernacle represented in my mind the Celestial kingdom where God dwells. At that time, the Israelites were not allowed to enter. But once each year, in symbolic nature of the Savior and His atonement -

"...into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing..." (New Testament | Hebrews 9:7 - 8)

I note that "all was not yet made manifest". Which would suggest to me that the day would come that it would be made manifest throught the life, death, and atonement of the Savior. We read upon the death of the Savior -

"...the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (New Testament | Matthew 27:51 - 53)

Suggest now the Holiest of all was now available to all that accepted and oobeyed the New and Everlasting Covenant. In other words, by obedience to the laws, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, the veil is now open for all to enter the Celestial kingdom of God -

"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us..." (New Testament | Hebrews 9:24)

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." ((New Testament | Hebrews 9:28)