Protocol of drawing near to God

 

There is no shadow of doubt that there is a completely new procedure in place, by which one draws near to God, as the Holy Spirit indicated that, “The way to the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing” (Hebrews 9:8).

What took place in the earthly tabernacle was symbolic. It was an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper, but dealt only with food and drink and various ceremonial washings, external regulations applying until the time of reformation. 

The time of reformation has come: we no longer serve the shadow and the copy, but the reality itself. We now have the true tabernacle which is not of this creation, but in heaven itself, we now have the real gift and sacrifice that is able to clear the conscience of the worshiper, and the perfect endless High Priest who is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The reformation brought about a new protocol, a new and living way by which we draw near to God. It is no longer a once in a year occasion as on the Day of Atonement when only the high priest went behind the veil. We now have the boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and having a High Priest over the house of God, we can now draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience which was not possible in the earthly tabernacle, and can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Every new dispensation requires a new protocol, but the objective remains the same. The objective is Man’s relationship with God, man drawing near to God and having fellowship with Him in a perfect sinless, and in a irreproachable state. In the earthly tabernacle this was impossible. “For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect” (Hebrews 10:1).

If these sacrifices could have presented the worshiper perfect they would not have ceased to be offered. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year, for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

So when Christ came into the world He said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God” (the will of presenting man perfect and sinless before Him, and to have fellowship with the Father). He takes away the first that He may establish the second, by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:9-10).

To be continued