Introduction: Last week our study was the sanctuary built by Moses in
accordance with a “pattern” given to him by God. We learned that this
“pattern” was an actual sanctuary that presently exits in heaven! We
also learned that the sacrificial system of the earthly sanctuary
pointed to the future sacrifice of Jesus, our Savior. Further, we
learned that Jesus, after His life, death and resurrection here on
earth, is presently in the heavenly sanctuary acting as our High
Priest! This week we dive deeper into the heavenly sanctuary and
exactly what it is that Jesus is doing for us in heaven.
- Our Need For A High Priest
- Read Hebrews 4:12. What do you think is the “word of God?”
(Bible commentators have differing opinions. It could mean
Jesus, the Bible, the Gospel or prophecy. The common
denominator is that it is some form of the revelation of
God’s will.) - What are the characteristics of the word of God
according to this text? (List them.) - Living and active;
- Sharper than a sword;
- Cuts between the soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; and, - Judges our attitudes.
- As you look at these characteristics, what lessons do
you learn for today? Let’s go down each of these: - I hear people say that the Bible was for a
different time and a different culture,
therefore we need to “adjust” (modify) its
advice to our culture. What does the “living and
active” description say about this thinking?
(The Bible has a relevant message for today!) - How is the revelation of God’s will sharper than
a sword? Is this a reference to “paper-cuts”
from reading the Bible? (Learning the will of
God “cuts through the nonsense” and reveals what
is right and wrong.) - Why do you think the text refers to “soul and
spirit” and “joints and marrow?” (This seems to
refer to the spiritual (mental) and physical
aspects of our life. God’s will, if we listen,
goes deep into us. If we don’t listen, this
suggests some damage may result.) - How does the revelation of God’s will
“cut” the spiritual and physical aspects
of our life? (It seems that God’s word
applies to all aspects of our life. God’s
will applies to our mental and physical
well-being.) - Why would God’s word judge our thoughts and
attitudes instead of our actions? (The
battleground for sin is your mind, your
attitudes! Your actions follow long after the
war has been won or lost.) - Read Hebrews 4:13. Does this text give you comfort,
considering that it follows immediately the “sword” text?
(This is all very worrisome. We find that God sees
everything, we must “give account” of ourselves –
including our private thoughts – and the standard for the
judgment is this very sharp sword that is alive and well
today! There is no place to run! No place to hide!) - Our High Priest
- Read Hebrews 4:14. Why does this verse start out with
“therefore?” (This links verses 12 and 13 with what is
about to be said next. Since 12 and 13 seem to be
warnings, this is like saying: “Some very large and heavy
trucks come speeding down this road. Therefore…..”) - So, what is the important message that follows about
this dangerous sword and us being held accountable
for our thoughts? (The “therefore” message is one of
comfort considering the dangers that lurk around us.
The message is that we have a great High Priest in
heaven. We have someone on our side.) - What is the faith that we must profess and to which
we must hold tightly? (This is the heart of the
matter. Last week we discussed how the earthly
sanctuary and its sacrifice were a living parable
(and prophecy) of Jesus’ coming sacrifice for our
sins. We also touched on the fact that Jesus is
currently in heaven acting as our High Priest and isoffering His blood in the heavenly sanctuary for our
sins. It is necessary for us to “hold firmly” to our
faith in Jesus’ work. This is part of the word of God
referred to in verse 12.) - Read Hebrews 4:15-16. What is great about Jesus being our
High Priest? (He can sympathize with us because He has
dealt with the same kind of problems that we face every
day.) - If Jesus is our substitute (i.e., He died in our
place), why is it important that He be sympathetic?
(This assurance of sympathy shows that Jesus’ death
in our place is not some sort of mechanical thing. It
is not a simple repeating of “I believe” and then
your Christian experience is done. This shows that
Jesus is looking for people who take seriously their
beliefs and are co-laborers with Him in overcoming
their weaknesses and temptations. He can help us with
this because of His experience.) - Why does verse 16 tell us that we can come
confidently (KJV: boldly) before God? (Because of
Jesus!) - When is our “time of need?” Is this just when
our name comes up in the judgment? (We are
talking in general about the judgment, but I
think this also goes back to the point we were
discussing earlier – Jesus is able to help us in
our daily struggles with sin.) - Let’s skip ahead to Hebrews 7:23-25. What is Jesus’
current work in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf? (He
is interceding for us.) - Read Hebrews 7:26-27. Last week we learned that the
sanctuary on earth had morning and evening sacrifices. Is
that going on in heaven? (This says that Jesus “offered
Himself” and He did this “once for all.”) - If Jesus did this “once for all” then why does verse
25 tell us that “He always lives to intercede” for
us? (This suggests that Jesus’ activities are not the
same as the routines of the priests in the earthly
sanctuary. Instead, we have this ongoing intercessory
(“lawyer”) work by Jesus on our behalf. To get a
better idea about this, I suggest you read Hebrews
chapter 8.) - Headquarters
- Let’s change gears now and look at some of the other
activities that are (or will be) going on in the heavenly
sanctuary. Read Revelation 15:2-4. What scene is pictured
here? (Those who have been saved from earth and who are in
heaven.) - Read Revelation 15:5-16:1. What very different work do we
see being directed from the temple? (Judgment is being
sent to earth from the temple in heaven.) - Why is the temple, the scene of Jesus’ intercession for
us, involved in the judgment? (Read Revelation 11:18-19.
The temple in heaven is not only the place where Jesus
intercedes on our behalf, but after His work of
intercession is done (that is the judgment is completed),
then the temple is headquarters for the final battle
against sin and evil.) - Did you notice that both of these texts (Revelation
15: 5 and 11:19) refer to the temple being “opened.”
What do you think this means? (It suggests that the
temple is “closed” during the intercession of Jesus
(much like the earthly sanctuary could not be entered
except by the High Priest on the day of Atonement),
but when Jesus’ work is over, the temple is “opened”
for the work of executing the final judgment.)
- Read Revelation 16:17. What significance do you find in
the fact that this command, “It is done,” comes from the
temple? (It shows that God has won. He declares when the
battle with sin is over.) - Read Revelation 21:22. This chapter describes the New
Jerusalem. Why does it say the temple is gone from heaven?
Why would it be gone? (The battle with sin is over. Jesus’
intercession on our behalf is over. Instead of needing an
intercessor, instead of needing a “procedure” to deal with
sin, we find that we can now be in the presence of Jesus
and our Heavenly Father!) - Friend, there is a battle going on. Will you choose Jesus?
He not only intercedes for us, but He will bring an end to
sin. - Next Week: The Hour of God’s Judgment.
