CHRIST ENTERED HEAVEN ON OUR BEHALF

Passage: Hebrews 9:23-28

Key verse: 26b

NIV

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(A) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;(B) he entered heaven itself,(C) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(D) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(E) every year with blood that is not his own.(F) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(G) But he has appeared(H) once for all(I) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(J) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(K) and after that to face judgment,(L) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(M) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(N) not to bear sin,(O) but to bring salvation(P) to those who are waiting for him.(Q)

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ESV

23 Thus it was necessary for (A)the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places (B)made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God (C)on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as (D)the high priest enters (E)the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, (F)he has appeared (G)once for all (H)at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as (I)it is appointed for man to die once, and (J)after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once (K)to bear the sins of (L)many, will appear (M)a second time, (N)not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly (O)waiting for him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Copies and the real thing (23-25)

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, the priest entered a man-made sanctuary to purify copies of the heavenly things with the blood of animals. Everything, including the priest himself, needed cleansing again and again--every year. This earthly tabernacle points to Christ, who shed his blood on the cross for the sins of the world and entered into the presence of God to intercede on our behalf.

2. Christ died once for all (26-28)

Just as every person is destined to die once, and after that face judgment, so Christ died once for all. He appeared as the climax of God's redemptive history to give his life as a ransom sacrifice for the sins of all who put their trust in him. If we face judgment without Christ, we will go to hell--forever. If we face judgment with Jesus, we will go to be with him in heaven. He will come again to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I trust you. I commit my heart and soul and life to you, my only mediator.

One Word: Eternal destiny: heaven or hell?