The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 67
January 28, 1890
“LESSON 19.—Hebrews 9:1-7” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 67, 4.
E. J. Waggoner
(Sabbath, Feb. 8.)
1. What does the apostle say that the first covenant had? Hebrews 9:1. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.1
2. Were these a part of that covenant? See Exodus 19:3-6; 24:3-8. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.2
3. What is meant by ordinances of divine service? Ans.-Ceremonies of divine appointment. There is no divine service without divine appointment. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.3
4. What is meant by a worldly sanctuary? Ans.-A sanctuary of the world, in distinction from the one in heaven. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.4
5. Where is the only real sanctuary? Hebrews 8:1, 2. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.5
6. What relation did the worldly sanctuary and its services sustain to the heavenly? Verse 5. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.6
7. How many apartments were in the tabernacle? Hebrews 9:2, 3. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.7
8. What were the two apartments called?-Ib. See note. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.8
9. What was in the holy? Verse 2; Exodus 40:23-27. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.9
10. What was in the holiest of all? Hebrews 9:4. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.10
11. What was in the ark? Compare Exodus 25:31; 1 Kings 8:9. See note. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.11
12. What was the cover of the ark called? Hebrews 9:5; Exodus 25:21. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.12
13. Why was it called the mercy-seat? Ans.-It was there that mercy was dispensed. The sanctuary was God’s dwelling-place; the ark represented his throne; and from his throne he dispenses grace, or favor, or mercy. See Hebrews 4:16. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.13
14. How often did the priests go into the sanctuary? Hebrews 9:5. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.14
15. How often was there service in the most holy? Verse 7. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.15
16. Why was this service performed? ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.16
17. What alone is sin? 1 John 3:4. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.17
18. What was the basis of the old covenant? ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.18
19. What, then, was it that made it necessary for that covenant to have ordinances of divine service connected with it? ARSH January 28, 1890, page 61.19
20. Does the new covenant have ordinances of divine service? Hebrews 9:1. The word “also” indicates that it had already been shown that the second covenant had ordinances of divine service. This was done in chapter 7 and 8. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.1
21. Then what must be the basis of the second covenant? ARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.2
NOTES
Hebrews 9:1 is a text that hinders many from seeing that all of God’s blessings to man are gained by virtue of the second covenant, and not by the first. That text reads: “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” This, together with the fact that when men complied with these ordinances of divine service, they were forgiven (Leviticus 4), seems to some conclusive evidence that the old covenant contained the gospel and its blessings. But forgiveness of sins was not secured by virtue of those offerings; “for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4. Forgiveness was obtained only by virtue of the promised sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:15), the Mediator of the new covenant, their faith in whom was shown by their offerings. So it was by virtue of the second or new covenant that pardon was secured to those who offered the sacrifices provided for in the ordinances of divine service connected with the old or first covenant. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.3
Moreover, those “ordinances of divine service” formed no part of the first covenant. If they had, they must have been mentioned in the making of that covenant; but they were not. They were connected with it, but not a part of it. They were simply the means by which the people acknowledged the justice of their condemnation to death for the violation of the law which they had covenanted to keep, and their faith in the Mediator of the new covenant. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.4
In brief, then, God’s plan in the salvation of sinners, whether now or in the days of Moses, is: The law sent home emphatically to the individual, to produce conviction of sin, and thus to drive the sinner to seek freedom; then, the acceptance of Christ’s gracious invitation, which was extended long before, but which the sinner would not listen to; and lastly, having accepted Christ, and being justified by faith, the manifestation of the faith, through the ordinances of the gospel, and the living of a life of righteousness by faith in Christ. ARSH January 28, 1890, page 62.5