The Old Pattern of Worship9 Now in the first covenant there were specific rules for worship including a sanctuary on earth to worship in. 2 When you entered the tabernacle you would first come into the holy chamber where you would find the lampstand[a] and the bread of his presence on the fellowship table.[b] 3 Then as you pass through the next curtain[c] you would enter the innermost chamber called, the holiest sanctuary of all.[d] 4 It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of covenant mercy, which was a wooden box covered entirely with gold. And placed inside the ark of covenant mercy was the golden jar with mystery-manna inside,[e] Aaron’s resurrection rod, which had sprouted, and the stone tablets engraved with the covenant laws. 5 On top of the lid of the ark were two cherubim, angels of splendor, with outstretched wings overshadowing the throne of mercy.[f] But now is not the time to discuss further the significant details of these things. 6 So with this prescribed pattern of worship the priests would routinely go in and out of the first chamber to perform their religious duties. 7 And the high priest was permitted to enter into the Holiest Sanctuary of All only once a year and he could never enter without first offering sacrificial blood for both his own sins and for the sins of the people. 8 Now the Holy Spirit uses the symbols of this pattern of worship to reveal that the perfect way of holiness[g] had not yet been unveiled. For as long as the tabernacle stood 9 it was an illustration[h] that pointed to our present time of fulfillment, demonstrating that offerings and animal sacrifices had failed to perfectly cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. 10 For this old pattern of worship was a matter of external rules and rituals concerning food and drink and ceremonial washings which was imposed upon us until the appointed time of heart-restoration had arrived.[i] The Heavenly Pattern of Worship11 But now the Anointed One has become the King-Priest of every wonderful thing that has come.[j] For he serves in a greater, more perfect heavenly tabernacle[k] not made by men. 12 And he has entered once and forever into the Holiest Sanctuary of All, not with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the sacred blood of his own sacrifice. And he alone has made our salvation[l] secure forever! 13 Under the old covenant the blood of bulls, goats, and the ashes of a heifer were sprinkled on those who were defiled and effectively cleansed them outwardly from their ceremonial impurities. 14 Yet how much more will the sacred blood of the Messiah thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit he has offered himself to God as the perfect[m] Sacrifice that now frees[n] us from our dead works[o] to worship and serve the living God. 15 So Jesus is the One who has enacted a new covenant with a new relationship with God so that those who accept the invitation[p] will receive the eternal inheritance he has promised to his heirs. For he died to release us from the guilt of the violations committed under the first covenant. 16–17 Now a person’s last will and testament can only take effect after one has been proven to have died; otherwise the will cannot be in force while the person who made it is still alive. 18 So this is why not even the first covenant was inaugurated without the blood of animals. 19 For Moses ratified the covenant after he gave the people all the commandments of the law. He took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and a hyssop branch, and sprinkled both the people and the book of the covenant,[q] 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commands you to keep.”[r] 21 And later Moses also sprinkled the tabernacle with blood and every utensil and item used in their service of worship. 22 Actually, nearly everything under the law was purified with blood, since forgiveness only comes through an outpouring of blood. 23 And so it was necessary for all the earthly symbols[s] of the heavenly realities to be purified with these animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves required a superior sacrifice than these. 24 For the Messiah did not enter into the earthly tabernacle made by men, which was but an echo of the true sanctuary, but he entered into heaven itself to appear before the face[t] of God in our place. 25 Under the old system year after year the high priest entered the most holy sanctuary with blood that was not his own. But the Messiah did not need to repeatedly offer himself year after year, 26 for that would mean he must suffer repeatedly ever since the fall of the world.[u] But now he has appeared at the fulfillment of the ages to abolish[v] sin once and for all by the sacrifice of himself! 27 Every human being is appointed to die once, and then to face God’s judgment.[w] 28 But when we die we will be face-to-face with Christ, the One who experienced death once for all to bear the sins of many![x] And now to those who eagerly await him, he will appear a second time; not to deal with sin, but to bring us the fullness of salvation.[y]
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Living in the Grace of God4 Since Christ, though innocent, suffered in his flesh for you,[a] now you also must be a prepared soldier,[b] having the same mind-set,[c] for whoever has died in his body is done with sin.[d] 2 So live the rest of your earthly life no longer concerned with human desires but consumed with what brings pleasure to God. 3 For you have already spent enough time doing what unbelievers[e] love to do—living in debauchery, sensuality, partying, drunkenness, wild drinking parties,[f] and the worship of demons.[g] 4 They marvel that you no longer rush to join them in the excesses of their corrupt lifestyles, and so they vilify you. 5 But one day they will have to give an account to the one who is destined to judge the living and the dead. 6 This is the reason the gospel was preached to the martyrs before they gave their lives.[h] Even though they were judged by human standards, now they live in spirit by God’s standards. Prayer, Love, and Gifts of Grace7 Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful,[i] and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer. 8 Above all, constantly echo[j] God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.[k] 9 Be compassionate to foreigners[l] without complaining. 10 Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace. 11 For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak as though God were speaking his words through you.[m] If you have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength God gives you,[n] so that in everything God alone will be glorified through Jesus Christ. For to him belong the power and the glory forever throughout all ages! Amen.[o] Suffering and Glory12 Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests,[p] don’t be bewildered as though something strange were overwhelming you.[q] 13 Instead, continue to rejoice, for you, in a measure, have shared in the sufferings of the Anointed One so that you can share in the revelation of his glory and celebrate with even greater gladness![r] 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are greatly blessed,[s] because the Spirit of glory and power,[t] who is the Spirit of God, rests upon you.[u] 15 Let none of you merit suffering as a murderer, or thief, or criminal, or as one who meddles in the affairs of others. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t consider it a disgrace but a privilege. Glorify God because you carry the Anointed One’s name.[v] 17 For the time is ripe for judgment to begin in God’s own household. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who refuse to obey the gospel of God? 18 And: If the righteous are barely saved,[w] what will become of the wicked and godless?[x] 19 So then, those who suffer for following God’s will should enfold their lives into the Creator, who will never fail them, and continue to always do what is right.[y] |
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