The Earthly Tabernacle
(Acts 7:44–47)

1Therefore the first covenant had also rites of worship and a worldly sanctuary. 2For there was a tabernacle prepared; the first part, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the loaves set on it, which is called the sanctuary. 3And beyond the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies, having the golden censer, 4and the ark of the covenant which was overlaid all round with gold, and in which was the golden pot with the manna in it, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat: of which it is not necessary now to speak particularly.

6Now these things being thus disposed, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle to perform their daily services: 7but into the second only the high-priest went once a year; and that not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the sins of the people committed through ignorance. 8The Holy Ghost shewing by this, that the way into the Holy of holies was not yet manifested, the first tabernacle being yet standing. 9Which figure remains to the present time, wherein gifts and sacrifices are offered, that cannot perfect the worshipper as to his conscience, 10relating only to meats and drinks, and different washings, and such carnal ordinances as were required till the time of reformation.

Redemption through His Blood

11But Christ being come an high-priest of the good things to come, hath entered once for all into the holy places, through a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this building, 12nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh; 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works, that ye may serve the living God?

15And on this account He is the mediator of a new covenant, that undergoing death for the redemption of transgressions against the first covenant, they that are called might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. 16For where a testament is, there is a necessity of proving the death of the testator. 17For a testament is valid after men are dead, but is of no force while the testator is living. 18Whence neither was the first covenant entered into without blood: 19for when every command was spoken according to the law, by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the book and all the people, 20saying, this is the blood of the covenant, which God hath enjoined you. 21And the tabernacle, and all the vessels of public worship he likewise sprinkled with blood. 22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

23It was therefore necessary that the representations of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with more excellent sacrifices than these. 24For Christ is not entered into holy places made with hands, which were but types of the true ones; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25nor to offer Himself often, as the high-priest entereth into the holy of holies every year with the blood of others; 26(for then He must indeed have suffered often since the foundation of the world) but now once at the conclusion of the ages He hath been made manifest for the abolishing of sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And as it is appointed to men once to die, and after this the judgement; 28so Christ, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear the second time without sin, to those who are waiting for Him, unto salvation.