HEBREWS 9:11-15 

VERSES 11 & 12 “But Christ being come a 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; 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.” 

The eleventh and twelfth verses lay the ground work of the subjects and the 13th through the end of the chapter the 28th verse, expand on them. 

1) Jesus had become the High Priest, Christ; the Anointed One, not by the pouring over His head of the holy oil of the Mosaic Tabernacle, but by being submerged in the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and that without measure. (Leviticus 8:12, John 3:34) 

2) A High Priest of good things to come in contrast to high priest of those blessings in the present time and of an earthly type; those good things of Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. This High Priest ministers on behalf of those who are to receive the fullness of Salvation through faith in Him, in the heavenly realm in the future Millennial Kingdom and beyond. 

3) Jesus passed through the heavens (typed by the holy place) into Heaven (the holiest place) into the far superior Tabernacle, into the Holy presence of the Father. This is typed by the high priest who once a year passed through the holy place to the holiest place in the earthly Tabernacle. (Leviticus 16:17) 

4) And in that it was the law to enter in to that Holy Presence alone, and only by the means of blood, so He entered alone, and remains alone while in the Holiest place, not with the blood of animals, but by the means and merit of His own far superior Blood. 

5) And He has went in ONCE (as opposed to many times of the high priest of the earthly tabernacle) and for ALL (not just for the Jews, but for all mankind). In the superiority of His own Blood, He is the acceptable Sacrifice, and in His presentation of that Blood, He is the High Priest. In this entrance and means over 2000 years ago into the Heavenly Holy of Holies, He obtained eternal redemption for our souls. (Leviticus 17:11) 

VERSES 13 & 14 “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, (a reference to Leviticus 16) and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, (a reference to the Red Heifer of Numbers 19) sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through (no article the) eternal (no article the) spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? So the effects of the two different offerings, are compared. The argument hinges, for us, on the assumption of the validity of certain power granted in the offering of blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer had a real effective power to cleanse or purify the flesh/the “outer” man (that is to say the sensual body and carnal soul) that he might be thereby made fit then to draw nearer God. That is to say, nearer to His Presence which was then on the Earth. This given, then how much more does the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanse the Inward Man (the subservient soul with renewed mind) made so through the conscience/spirit? The one blood has to do with cleansing and purifying the flesh unto more dead works of service under the Law… as the carnal soul remains unaffected. While the other Blood affords the power to reach beyond the outer man to the purging and empowering of the inward man through the conscience within the spirit unto true service in living works unto a living God. The desired result of God, in the first and in the 2nd case, is nearness, closeness, intimacy unto unity, sonship. To go from people of God to sons of God. In the comparison, both applications must bring eternal life with rebirth of spirit, but what is being declared by Paul is that the blood of animals could not bring the Power of the Holy Spirit to bear upon the soul through yielded conscience. 

THE MILLENNIAL EFFECT of the blood sacrifices…. 

Scripture reveals the blood sacrifices shall be restored in the Millennial Kingdom upon the earth. WHAT…? Has not the Blood of Jesus Christ done away with any necessity of the shedding of the blood of animals? NO. Scripture not only reveals the reinstitution of animal sacrifices but much of the historical Mosaic ritual in the New Covenant with Israel. Some light on the Millennial subject can be seen in the continuation of the animal sacrifices and Temple ritual for some 40 years after Christ’s Ascension into Heaven. He was then established as the High Priest of the Gospel heavenly calling to His followers, yet the Book of Acts records that there were many Christians being still zealous observers of the Law, and certainly were participants in the shedding of the blood of animals in offerings and did so presumably without prick of conscience. (Acts 21:18-26) As Paul did also, although certainly not a zealot for the Mosaic Law, presumably without prick of conscience.  

But these were not like those Hebrew Christians to whom Paul wrote much later, in 63 AD, to those vacillating Christians who under the pressure of persecution thought to forsake Christ and join themselves again to the observance of the Law of Moses. These earlier (Hebrew) Christians from Christ’s ascension until the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD suffered no persecution as they willingly submitted to the Law of Moses in good conscience, being then yet convinced that there was no contradiction. Most likely thinking they had entered into the “New Covenant” with the Messiah of Israel that God had foretold of in the Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, in that time also where the Law, albeit somewhat changed, still observed animal sacrifices. They were not yet schooled in the understanding of the Gospel covenant mysteries that Paul later further expounded upon to the Jewish converts. These earlier (Hebrew) Christians mostly being aware and in accord with the instruction of the Apostles concerning the Gentiles, in their being excluded from keeping the whole Law (Acts 15:14-24) but yet, as Christian Jews held on to the Mosaic Law as God yet to one degree or another warranted or allowed. Paul, having been given the Mysteries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, taught the “one new man” doctrine, (Ephesians 2) that which those Christians zealous for the law had obviously not yet received. And it is supposed here, with Scriptural basis, that Paul was not afraid of death at the hands of the Jews, much less persecution, in that might have caused him to “waver” unto the observance of the Mosaic Law, but that was hardly the case, but that God still sanctioned or at the least tolerated the then fast “vanishing” Old Covenant ritual, with its limited power, priesthood, (Acts 6:7) and observances was a fact Paul was well aware and wrote of, in that God had not completely shut the door upon the Mosaic Law in a yet merciful call to Abraham’s seed. That door that remained cracked until God finally closed it in 70 AD. So, to keep the evangelistic waters calm, He agreed to the council of Christ’s brother James and the elders at Jerusalem. But that which was in the Mind of God, to set the two at enmity one with the other, is shown in the upheaval that followed. So there was a transition period/ a phasing out of that Age of Law unto another Age of Mercy and Grace. And likewise in the future, the Age of Mercy and Grace will not immediately become the Age of Judgment and Righteousness when Christ comes to rule His kingdom with a rod of iron in Justice and Judgment. The transition from the Age of the graciousness of God to one of Justice is seen in the 7 year transition period of the Tribulation/Jacob’s Trouble, after which, there is 1000 years of Justice with a reinstitution of animal sacrifices in Ezekiel’s Temple in order for earthly man to draw night unto God.  

Christ’s Blood = the basis off which the spirit of man cleanses, through the conscience, for those who would draw near to God in Heaven; in the heavenly calling. 

Appointed Animal blood = the cleansing of the flesh for those who are to draw near to God on Earth; and that also in the New Covenant with Israel, when God shall again make His Presence manifest on earth, in Ezekiel’s Temple in Israel, in the earthly calling.  

“…for the child shall die an hundred years old…” (Isaiah 65:20) This long life span answers to the Millennial state upon the earth, in that their new hearts, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant, in conjunction with the animal blood sacrifices again sanctioned; the effects then being, just as Hebrews 9:13 intimates, the blessing upon the earthly flesh. (Was the Tree of Life in the Garden the equivalent of the animals‘ blood offerings sanctifying power? It was much more effective; the Tree of Life having a much more long lasting effect on body and soul. The concern being that fallen man might eat of it and “…to live forever” in that state. But this Hebrew word forever is olam; which does not mean eternally. It has the limited meaning of being a very long time – Genesis 3:22-24.  

If this is the case, Adam and Eve could have partaken of the Tree of Life before the fall. If that was the case, that would possibly explain why, after the prohibition and securing them from eating any longer from that Tree of Life, their bodies yet continued to live on its residual effects, predicted by God in that they continued to live in their bodies for just short of 1000 years. This fulfilling God’s Word that in the DAY (1000 years is like a Day to the Lord) thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Seeing then, that the Tree of life’s effects wore off and their bodies finally died. This “life” from the Tree not only affected their bodies, but had a residual effect on the bodies of their off-spring in that their lives only gradually became shorter and shorter as the effects of the Tree of Life finally wore off, and until generations later man was allotted 70 or 80 years. This possible dynamic sheds light on the eternal state of things when the new heavens and earth are created, without Temple and blood sacrifices, wherein those who reside there on the earth are to be partakers of the Tree of life. (Revelation 22:1,2,14)      

THE RED HEIFER Numbers 19 

The Blood of Christ answers to the blood of animals, whereas the “ashes” answer to Christ’s fuller Sacrifice; to which the living waters (the Holy Spirit) was granted by the Father. After the Blood, comes the need of occasional cleansing. It is on the basis of the Blood that we may receive the further cleansing. Once sealed or consecrated by the Blood, no further application of the Blood is warranted or needed, only the sprinkling of the water mixed with the Ashes of the offering. This symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s work of necessary ongoing cleansing of the defiled soul in constant contact with the World, and the further ongoing revelation of sin pointed out by the conscience in self. This essential on-going Work, based upon the perfect Work of the Blood Atonement of Christ, that of further awareness, repentance, confession of sin and cleansing is through the born again spirit /  divine nature of the believer in communion with the Holy Spirit. In activation or presentation (korban/sacrificial offering) of their soul unto God, they are thereby restored from broken fellowship. Spiritual growth in the soul is to be realized in the cleansing of the Holy Spirit, cleansed from that which inhibits and obstructs it from the fullness of salvation, and is now restored once again in the race for the prize. (1st Corinthians 9:24) This process is typed in the sprinkling of the living water mixed with the ashes, “..the water of separation..” that cleanses from defilement. 

This cleansing through the conscience is far superior to the cleansing of the “flesh”, for the cleansing of the flesh allowed for the Works of the Flesh- what He called “dead works”. They then being accepted by God, though the soul is left in the fullness of enmity with God, enmity with God brings continuing death. But the cleansing of the Holy Spirit, founded upon the Blood offering of Christ, brings life and allows for ‘Living Works” from the heart of the believer, for they are purged as they listen to the Holy Spirit upon their consciences. This offering and its results being far more acceptable to God, as they warrant a “life” beyond that granted to the “flesh” under the blood offerings of the Old Testament. It warrants a future glorious Life to be imparted to the faithful overcoming soul. This is the eternal inheritance; the salvation of the soul. (Eternal life with eternal inheritance as opposed to just eternal life.) 

“Life” to the flesh equates to the material realm, with long lasting physical living on the earth. 

Eternal “Life” is a gift with the rebirth of the spirit /the receipt of His Divine Nature based upon acceptance of Christ’s Blood offering, He then being your Savior.  

Glorious “Life” to the soul can and should follow, from the purging and cleansing, through the conscience in willing communion and loving obedience to Christ’s Words, where He goes beyond being Savior to becoming Lord (Master). This, Jesus equates to “overcoming” the flesh/sensual body and carnal soul. This glorious “Life” is granted exclusively unto these; this being quality of Life granted beyond that of longevity or eternal life. This being the fullness of God’s Salvation Plan for Man, and the greater meaning behind Christ’s Words “I am come that they might have life (eternal), and that they might have it (life) more abundantly (gloriously)…”  

The First Resurrection in Soul–filled Glory is in view. The first resurrected in the power of the quickening spirit…for in His Resurrection He became the “life giving pneuma”, not the life–giving Blood…that we should have that which is corruptible; “blood”. For flesh and blood cannot inherit in the heavenly kingdom of God. In His incarnation, He was a living soul and He had Blood. But in His Resurrection, He had none. As blood is the life–giving force to an earthly body, pneuma/spirit is the life–giving force to the first resurrection body. (1st Corinthians 15:41-58) These people of the First Resurrection are no longer subject to death but are like Christ, raised incorruptible, in immortality, for death is swallowed up in victory.  But those of the 2nd resurrection are subject to the 2nd death. They are not then resurrected as those of the first resurrection, conceivably with their earthly bodies with their blood. This could at least partially explain the need for the Tree of Life and river of living water in the eternal economies of the new heavens and new earth.  

The Word “…shall…” cleanse in the 14th verse speaks to the process of sanctifying the soul. Where the final assessment of each person is realized before the Judgment Seat of Christ. “…Though the body is perishing…” this is the state that Christ’s Atonement Blood leaves the body—whereas the blood of animals worketh a purifying effect on the body of flesh, that one may approach God in earthly Tabernacle or Temple, without which purifying he would die. (This might to some degree explain Paul’s and other Christians’ necessity of blood if they were going to approach Him in the flesh/body. There being entirely two different priesthoods and offerings at that time, as there shall be again in the Millennium. One blood for the body and one Blood for the soul on the earth, when His Presence was not entirely removed from the Mosaic Covenant, and when under the New Covenant His Glory fills the Temple foretold by Ezekiel.) Whereas the inward man is renewed day by day.” This being the Atonement sanction for the spirit’s privilege to approach God in Heaven, and that by the one–time application of the Blood of Christ. But the body of the believer remains the same; fallen and cursed, short of life, just as it was before the application of that Blood. This spirit’s approach for mercy and grace/the divine influence upon the heart has in view the purging and purifying of the soul for worthiness of the First Resurrection in glorious life. So it is that the soul may be renewed and advanced in its sanctifying while the body or flesh remains un–sanctified and corrupting. 

So it is that Paul argues the Old Testament system just revealed God partially, He being hid behind the Veil, and only affecting the outer man. The Gospel System un-veils God and gives us access by the spirit into Heaven’s Holiest place, and purifies the inward man/ the renewed soul, becoming spiritual or spirit–led by conscience in communion with the Holy Spirit. That which was lost in the Garden of Eden is granted again, and more, through the Atonement of Christ, Who reveals God as “Abba” Father. 

To cleanse the soul through the conscience is to repent and reckon oneself dead unto sin, and alive uncritically unto God (Romans 6). This is the presenting of oneself before God in Christ for removal of obstructive spiritual defilement, as opposed to the outward defilement from which the blood of animals is limited to. 

Christ’s Atonement consists of two parts 1) to redeem out of the kingdom of satan 2) to cleanse the new man for service as first–born sons, kings and priests. (Revelation 1:5–6) 

The 14th Verse also says Christ offered/gave HIMSELF without spot (an allusion to the Red Heifer having to be without spot) to God. What does the offering of HIMSELF here mean? His body? The Greek text says He gave Himself up to God “through spirit eternal”; there is no article “the”. Most have supposed by the means of “the” Holy Spirit—but Jesus’ spirit with divine nature, is in perfect agreement with His sinless soul, so to speak, though His soul is Him, to make the perfect offering. This should be comprehended in Jesus’ statement, “not my will, but thine, be done”. [Luke 22:42] Together, the Living Soul/ the Son of Man willingly cooperated with His spirit of the Divine nature / the Son of God in His offering “Himself” to God. Truly this should be comprehended in the giving of “Himself” to God. And that He alone stood “independent” in “Will” in that He, being un-created, was not thereby obligated to Will with His Creator. He was the only one who truly could give “Himself” to God. 

VERSE 15  RECEIVING THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE…. 

Note the contrast of the words eternal redemption (to release on the receipt of ransom) of the 12th verse with the words of the 15th “eternal inheritance”. Eternal inheritance, a part in Christ’s heavenly kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6) is apart and separate from the gift afforded in the Blood alone. Again, these speak to the two parts of the Atonement: the Blood and the Water mixed together; the work of the High Priest upon the saved soul in the Power of the Holy Spirit, after His presentation of His Blood wherein is found the finished work of Redemption. 

God’s Promises in Christ are…. ‘better two in the bush, than one in the hand’. In other words, only having eternal redemption/life is contrasted with having both eternal life AND eternal inheritance.