
Part 7: Changes in the Ministry of the Holy Place
And let’s consider that not only has Messiah changed the Law in regard to the priesthood but let’s look at how the requirement for ministry in the holy of holies has changed. Moses was commanded to build within the Tabernacle, the “holiest place”, where was found the presence of God. Only the high priest could enter once a year and had to offer x bullock for his own sin and an offering for the sins of the people (Exodus 26:31-34, Exodus 40:19-21, Leviticus 16:2). Anyone else, who entered the holiest place at anytime, would die:
Hebrews 9:6-8 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But 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:
Christ, who under the Law of Moses was not allowed to enter into the holy of holies, because He was not a Levite of the order of Aaron, has now entered into the holy place:
Hebrews 9:11-12 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Yes, it is true that Jesus did not enter into the “literal” holy place within the “earthly” temple made with hands (a figure of the true) but more importantly Christ entered into the “true tabernacle” not made with hands:
Hebrews 9:24 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:
And now our High Priest, made after the order of Melchisedec and not the order of Aaron, has made it possible for people “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” to enter into the holiest place:
Hebrews 10:19-22 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
The fact is that now believers are not just allowed entrance into the holiest place, we have become the holy place. We now have the presence of God in us by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and are become the temple of God:
John 14:16-17 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any mandefile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, whichare God's.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Whereas only the high priest had access to the presence of God under the Law of Moses, now because Jesus has shed His own blood for our sins, He has changed that Law and all believers now have access to the presence of God continually:
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
According to the Law of the Old Covenant, only those born of the lineage of the sons of Aaron were permitted to serve as high priests. Now under the New Covenant, it is a fact that “all” believers have access to the “holiest”, whereas under the Law of Moses only the high priest one day of a year was allowed access. How does this undeniable change not qualify as “one jot or one tittle” passing from the Law? Let’s look at another obvious change in the Law of Moses.