Monday, June 16 The holy spirit makes it clear that the way into the holy place had not yet been revealed while the first tent was standing.​—Heb. 9:8.

[Áine]

Monday, June 16

The holy spirit makes it clear that the way into the holy place had not yet been revealed while the first tent was standing.—Heb. 9:8.

 

The tabernacle and the temples that were built later in Jerusalem had the same basic layout. Inside were two compartments—“the Holy Place” and “the Most Holy”—that were separated by an embroidered curtain. (Heb. 9:2-5; Ex. 26:31-33) Inside the Holy was a golden lampstand, an altar for burning incense, and a table of showbread. Only “the anointed priests” were allowed inside the Holy to perform their sacred duties. (Num. 3:3, 7, 10) The Most Holy contained the golden ark of the covenant that represented Jehovah’s presence. (Ex. 25:21, 22) Only the high priest was allowed to pass beyond the curtain into the Most Holy on the annual Day of Atonement. (Lev. 16:2, 17) He entered with the blood of animals to make atonement for his own sins and for those of the entire nation. Eventually, Jehovah made clear the real significance of these features of the tabernacle.—Heb. 9:6, 7. w23.10 27 ¶12

[daydream]

https://youtu.be/GLG0X4FjkPg?si=yjApHVGT-pBGlKwx&t=6

Inside King Solomon's Temple

Spoiler

 

[dljbsp]

Imagine standing just outside the veil of the Most Holy, watching the high priest disappear behind the embroidered curtain—his footsteps muffled by the sacred stillness. The people would wait. They couldn’t follow him. They couldn’t see what was inside. They only knew that for one day, on the Day of Atonement, he was allowed to enter that space where Jehovah’s presence was represented by the ark of the covenant. And he carried blood. Always blood.

 

Year after year, the same solemn ritual was repeated. The curtain remained closed to everyone but that one man, and only at that one time. It was a powerful arrangement—but also a limitation. Hebrews 9:8 reveals why: The way into the true “holy place”—into real closeness with Jehovah—had not yet been revealed.

 

The tabernacle’s arrangement served as “a shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The Holy and the Most Holy represented distinct aspects of Jehovah’s purpose. The outer room—the Holy—was bustling with daily priestly activity. But beyond the curtain, the Most Holy remained separated, a symbol of Jehovah’s presence in heaven. Only the high priest, acting as a mediator, could approach with blood that temporarily covered sin.

 

But this system wasn’t the destination—it was the blueprint. And Jehovah had something far greater in mind.

 

When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51) That act was no accident of nature. It was Jehovah’s declaration: the barrier is gone. Through the perfect blood of Christ, a new and living way into the real “Most Holy”—heaven itself—was opened. No longer would access to Jehovah be limited to one man, once a year, behind a veil. Now, forgiveness and reconciliation were available to all who exercise faith in the ransom.

 

 

We no longer stand outside the curtain. The way has been revealed. And still, Jehovah honors our reverence, our awe, our recognition that the path into his presence is sacred. While we do not pass through a literal curtain or walk among golden furnishings, our approach to Jehovah is no less holy.

 

Consider what this means when we pray. When we gather with the congregation. When we open our Bible. Every sacred act of worship is now a privilege made possible because Jesus entered not into a holy place made with hands—but into heaven itself, “now to appear before God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24)

 

Are we drawing near with clean hands and a pure heart? Are we approaching the throne of undeserved kindness boldly, yet humbly—recognizing that this access cost the life of Jehovah’s beloved Son? (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 24:3-4)

 

The tabernacle’s curtain no longer separates. But the holiness of the Most Holy remains. And Jehovah still invites us in—not through ritual, but through relationship. Not once a year, but every moment we walk by faith.

 

“The holy spirit makes it clear…”—and now, so must we. May we treasure the spiritual access we’ve been given, never taking lightly the opened way into Jehovah’s presence.

 

He has drawn us near. Let us draw near to Him.