The Earthly Sanctuary and Its Limitations

1

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.

2

A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

3

Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

4

containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

5

Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6

When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.

7

But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

8

By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

9

It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.

10

They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

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