The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 67
February 18, 1890
“LESSON 22.—Hebrews 9:20-22” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 67, 7.
E. J. Waggoner
(Sabbath. Feb. 22.)
1. Who spoke to Israel in behalf of the Lord when the first covenant was made? ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.1
2. What did he do with the blood? ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.2
3. What did he then say? Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.3
4. Is there any difference in these texts? Ans.-The first says, made; the second, enjoined. The Hebrew word used has a number of significations. The conditions of the covenant were not arranged between the parties, but were matters enjoined. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.4
5. What similar language did Jesus use in establishing the new covenant? Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.5
6. What more did Moses sprinkle with blood? Hebrews 9:21. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.6
7. In the typical law, were all things purified by blood? Verse 22. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.7
8. What was the nature of the exceptions? See Numbers 19. See note. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.8
9. What is necessary to the remission of sin? Hebrews 9:22. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.9
10. Why was the blood chosen to make atonement? Leviticus 17:11. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.10
11. What is meant in Genesis 9:6 by the words, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood”? Ans.-As the life is in the blood, it is equivalent to saying, Whoso taketh man’s life. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.11
12. What should be the fate of him who sheds the blood of man? Genesis 9:6. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.12
13. What does this teach? Ans.-That only blood, or life, can atone for life. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.13
14. Whose lives are forfeited to the law? See Romans 3:19, 23; 6:23. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.14
15. Must we still depend upon blood to be cleared before the law? 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 1:7. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.15
16. What was necessary in the earthly sanctuary? Hebrews 9:23. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 109.16
17. Were the earthly holy places purified by the blood of bulls and goats? Leviticus 16:14, 15, 19. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.1
18. What are the earthly things called? Hebrews 9:23. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.2
19. Do the heavenly things need purifying?-Ib. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.3
20. How did the patterns become defiled? See note. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.4
21. Who takes away our sins? John 1:29. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.5
22. Why did Christ take our sins upon himself? Ans.-Because he is our High Priest; the priest bears the judgment of the people. Exodus 28:29, 30. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.6
23. Where is he filling his priestly office? See Hebrews 8:1, 2. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.7
24. Are the heavenly things defiled by our sins going to our priest? ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.8
25. With what is it necessary for the heavenly things to be cleansed? Hebrews 9:23. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.9
NOTES
Here again in verse 21 is a statement of that which we do not find in the writings of Moses. But we learn that the Jews had a tradition that such was the case, and in this instance their tradition must have been correct. In the account of the erection of the tabernacle, and the dedication of the holy things, it is recorded that they were anointed with oil, but the sprinkling of blood is not mentioned. This, however, does not involve any contradiction. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.10
The fact that some things, and in some cases persons, were purified without blood, see Numbers 19, does not disagree with the reasonable statement that without shedding of blood is no remission; for, in cases of purification with oil, or water, there was no sin. There were misfortunes, as in certain sicknesses, or accidents, fleshly defilements. But the wages of sin is death, always, and where the penalty is death nothing but life can meet the demand of the law. Now as the blood is the life of man (Deuteronomy 12:23), it is given to make atonement. Leviticus 17:11. The offering of blood for life signifies life for life. Hence the statement that we have redemption through the blood of Christ. It means that our lives are purchased with his life, God’s appointments are in strict accord with reason and justice. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.11
No objection against the true doctrine of the atonement is more persistently urged than this, that there can be nothing in heaven that needs cleansing. Such pleading for heaven reminds us of the zeal of Peter in vindicating his Lord. Matthew 16:21-23. But to prove that the heavenly sanctuary does need cleansing because of our sins taken by our Priest, and that nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse it, is the whole drift of the apostle’s argument. Take away this great truth, and his labored argument would be without any logical conclusion. Not only were the earthly sacrifices typical of Christ’s sacrifice, and the earthly priests typical of his priesthood, but the earthly sanctuary was typical of the heavenly holy places. And of course the cleansing of the sanctuary on earth with the blood of bulls and goats was typical of the purifying of the heavenly things with better sacrifice. In the whole argument of this remarkable letter, nothing is made more plain than this. ARSH February 18, 1890, page 110.12