1 Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service (ceremonies, Day of Atonement), and the sanctuary, an earthly one. (This was our school teacher.)
2 For there was a tent prepared; the first, in which was the lampstand (Ex. 25:31-40. Only 1 in Herod's temple. 10 in Solomon's; see 1 Kings 7:49), and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; (Only Christ could enter.)
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant (see Ex. 25:10-22) overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded (Matt. 13:26. Mark 4:27. James 5:18. See Num. 17:8), and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubim (see Rev. 4:6) of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat (see Rom. 3:25. Ex. 25:17); concerning which we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now these things were been thus prepared, the priests go always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service.
7 But into the second (i.e. the Holy of Holies) went the high priest alone once every year, not apart from blood, which he offered for himself, and for the ignorance of the people:
8 The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the Holiest was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle is at yet standing: (Christ Himself became that tabernacle.)
9 Which is a parable for the time present, according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that serves perfect, as pertaining to conscience; (You can't con God. Only Christ through the Holy Spirit can touch our conscience. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us and us in it. He knows our mind.)
10 Which stood only upon meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances (i.e rites and ceremonies), imposed on them until the time of reformation (the new order).
11 But Christ having come High Priest of the good things to come (after the order of Melchizedek, our kinsman-redeemer), by the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands (see Acts 7:48), that is to say, not of this creation;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having found eternal redemption for us. (For one and all time.)
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats (see Lev. 16), and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean (see Num. 9-20), sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: (If this would do it symbolically)
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered (not sacrificed)Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Plant a seed, work. See Rev. 14:10-14.)
V A 15. The Old Covenant related to the promise of the eternal tabernacle.
B m 16. Death necessary for its making.
n 17. Reason.
B m 18. Blood necessary for its consecration.
n 19-23-. Reason.
A -23. The New Covenant related to the heavenly things themselves.
15 And on account of this He is the Mediator (see 8:6) of a new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were based upon the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promised eternal inheritance. (Cp. 1 Pet. 1:4.)
16 For where a testament is, it is necessary be the death of the appointed [victim] be brought in.
17 For a testament is sure over the dead [victims] (see Gen. 15:9-18. Jer. 34:18): otherwise it is of no strength at all while the appointed [victim] lives. (One of the goats had to die. The 2 covenants referred to above show the necessity of a victim being slain for the validity of a covenant, and the ceremony of passing between the parts thereof. To the unconditional covenant with Abraham, Yehovah was the only party [Gen. 15:17,18]; in the other, note 18,19. The passage here has nothing to do with a "will" or "will-making".)
18 Wherefore not even the first covenant (goat smearing) was inaugurated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, (He divorced Israel and could not marry until death.)
20 Saying, "This is the blood of the testament which God has commanded to you." (Quoted from Ex. 24:8)
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are according to the law purged in blood; and without shedding of blood is not remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the copies ("example" in 8:5) of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (I.e. one greater and better sacrifice.)
24 For Christ is not entered into the (Holiest of holies) made with hands, which are the figures of the true (only symbols); but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
X 01 9:25. Yearly sacrifices ineffectual. Because offered oftentimes.
p1 9:25-28. Christ's sacrifices effectual. Once.
02 10:1-4. Yearly sacrifices ineffectual. Offered continually.
p2 10:5-10. Christ's sacrifices effectual. Once for all.
o3 10:11. Yearly sacrifices ineffectual. Offered oftentimes.
p3 10:12-18. Christ's sacrifices effectual. Having offered One, He sat down for a continuance.
25 Nor yet in order that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the Holy of holies every year (on the Day of Atonement) with blood of others;
26 For then must He often have suffered from the foundation of the ages (see 4:3): but now once in the end of the world has He appeared for putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Only once, no re-incarnation)
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin to salvation.