The Earthly Tabernacle
(Acts 7:44–47)

1Verily, therefore, the first covenant used to have ordinances of divine service, and the sanctuary pertaining to the world. 2For a tabernacle was prepared; the first, in which were both the lamp-stand and the table, and the show-bread, which, indeed, is called "Holy;" 3and, after the second veil, a tabernacle which is called the "Holy of Holies:" 4having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on every side with gold, in which was a golden pot containing the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5and over it Cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; concerning which things we cannot now speak in detail.

6Now, these things having been thus prepared, the priests go continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; 7but into the second, the high priest alone, once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the ignorances of the people; 8the Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the Holies has not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9which, indeed, is a figure for the time present, according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices, which cannot, as to the conscience, make the worshiper perfect; 10being only (with meats and drinks and various immersions) ordinances of the flesh, imposed until a time of reformation.

Redemption through His Blood

11But Christ, having come as a High Priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hand (that is, not of this creation), 12nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, entered, once for all, into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. 13For, if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctifies to the purification of the flesh; 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15And, for this cause, He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that, death having taken place for redemption from the transgressions against the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16For where there is a testament, there is a necessity that the death of the testator be brought in. 17For a testament over dead persons is of force; since it is never valid while the testator is living. 18Wherefore, not even has the first covenant been dedicated without blood; 19for, when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, taking the blood of the calves and of the goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded in respect to you." 21Moreover, both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the service, he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 22And nearly all things are cleansed, according to the law, with blood; and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

23There was, therefore, a necessity that the copies of the things in Heaven should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves, with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ entered not into holy places made with hand, patterns of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God in our behalf; 25nor yet, that He should many times offer Himself, as the high priest enters into the Holies every year with blood not His own; 26else had it been needful for Him ofttimes to suffer since the founding of a world; but now, once for all, at the end of the ages, He hath been manifested for the putting away of sin through the sacrifice of Himself. 27And inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this comes judgment; 28so also Christ, having once for all been offered to bear the sins of many, will, to those who are eagerly waiting for Him; appear a second time apart from sin, unto salvation.