The Earthly Tabernacle
(Acts 7:44–47)

1Then indeed the first tabernacle also, had ordinances of service, and a sanctuary for this world. 2For the first tabernacle was made; in which there were candlesticks, and the table, and shew-bread; which is called, Holy. 3And after the second veil, was the tabernacle called Holy of holies; 4having the golden altar, and the ark of the covenant overladen on all sides with gold, in which was the golden pot having the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5and above this was the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; concerning which things it is not pertinent to speak specifically.

6And these having been thus adjusted, the priests come continually into the first tabernacle, performing the services: 7and into the second comes the high priest alone once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and the errors of the people; 8the Holy Spirit showing this, the way of the holies has not yet been made manifest, the first tabernacle yet standing: 9which is a figure unto the present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able to make the worshiper perfect, as to his conscience; 10consisting only in meats and drinks, and divers baptisms, ordinances of the flesh, abiding until the time of restitution.

Redemption through His Blood

11But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, through a greater and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this world; 12neither through the blood of goats and bullocks, but through his own blood, came once into the holies, having found eternal redemption. 13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctifies unto the purification of the flesh; 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered up himself without spot to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15And on this account he is mediator of the new covenant, since there being death, unto the redemption of the transgressions unto the first covenant, those having been called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16For where there is a covenant, it is necessary to bear the death of the covenanter; 17for a covenant is valid in case of the dead: since it has no force while the covenanter lives. 18Neither was the first covenant therefore dedicated without blood. 19For every commandment having been spoken by Moses to all the people according to law, having taken the blood of bullocks and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God established unto you. 21And he likewise also sprinkled the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry, with blood. 22And according to the law, almost all things are purified by blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.

23Therefore it is necessary that the pattern of the things in these heavens be purified; and the heavenly things themselves with greater sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not come into the sanctuaries made with hands, the pattern of the true; but into heaven itself, now to be made manifest unto the face of God in our behalf: 25neither in order that he may frequently offer up himself, as the high priest goes into the holies once a year with the blood of another; 26since it behooved him frequently to suffer from the foundation of the world: but now in the end of the ages he has been made manifest unto the removal of sin through the sacrifice of himself. 27And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this is the judgment: 28so also Christ, having once been offered up to bear away the sins of many, will appear the second time apart from sin unto salvation to those expecting him.