Beyond The Mere Copies: Hebrews 9:23-24
“23) Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24) For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;” Hebrews 9:23-24
The author again presses the point of the copies and the genuine. His discussion related to the earthy and the heavenly. The mere copies and the true one. Tuck in your thinking the plural word “copies.” It will take on new meaning for you as this post develops.
Note that the earthy copies were cleansed with blood. All the utensils in the tabernacle, the altar, the tabernacle itself and even the people were sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:16-22) The Old Testament was a copy of the Heavenly.
But wait, the New Testament and the church is also a copy of the heavenly. A careful reading of the introduction of the book of 1 Peter says something very similar intriguing about us. “1) … who are chosen 2) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may grace and peace be your in fullest measure.” (1 Peter 1:1-2) I trust some things are starting to click in your thinking.
The book of 1 Peter goes on in chapter two to say that we are part of a living temple and have received a holy priesthood. We are indeed the holy people of God. Suddenly we discover that we are also part of a copy of what is to come. This present age is a mere shadow of the heavenly realm. I will let the Holy Spirit and a personal study of the book of 1 Peter drive this amazing truth into your heart.
But Hebrews 9:23-24 stresses the point that Jesus Christ has entered into the holy place in heaven itself. It is a place not made with human hands. It is eternal in the heavens. He abides in the presence of God for us.
This is a giant step beyond the Old Testament. We are benefactors of everything Jesus did on the cross. We are recipients of his resurrection life and the inner ministry of the Holy Spirit.
But make no mistake, this present age still has many mysteries and unanswered questions. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12; now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face, now we know in part, but then we shall know fully just as God fully knows us. Yet all the benefits of Jesus being seated in the heavenly realm at the right hand of the Father are ours today.
