SHALOM!

We know it as the “Tabernacle of Moses” but what is it called in the Hebrew Language?

“MISHKAN” – מִשׁכָּן

It is a masculine noun.

• = TABERNACLE
• = PLACE OF RESIDENCE FOR YAH on earth
• = YAH’S Address on earth
• = YAH’S Dwelling Place on earth
• = TENT OF MEETING
• = SANCTUARY OF YAH / GOD

 

The Tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכַּן‎, mishkan, “residence” or “dwelling place”), according to the Hebrew Bible, was the portable earthly dwelling place of YAH/ELOHIM amongst the children of Israel from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan.

 

Where did the idea come from to build such?

Well, certainly not from manking but rather from YAH/ELOHIM the Maker?Creator of the Heavens and earth and everything it them.

 

What was the purpose of building it?

It is all about worship: worship YAHUVEH ELOHIM the only true GOD who exists in the entire world!!!

John 4:24 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

 

• One way to understand YAH / GOD  or who YAH / GOD is, is to study the TABERNACLE that HE instructed Moses to construct for HIM as seen in Exodus 25-31 and Hebrews 9-10.

 

• The Tabernacle depicts our relationship with YAH and why HE created us.

 

Note that Adam and Eve had a very close relationship with YAH/ELOHIM before the Genesis 3 fall (that is to say, fall of man).
Sadly, after the fall, that relationship was no longer as it had been before. There was a breach as a result of sin. A bridge was required to mend the relationship. YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH is the bridge required.

Why say all this?

Well, my point here is that as per the First Book of Adam and Eve, Adam built an altar unto YAH Almighty where he would make sacrifices (particularly sin sacrifices and that thanksgiving sacrifices) unto YAH  and pray unto YAH. Adam knew so much more than we do because he had actually been to the Heavens and back. He observed and learned everything he needed to know about his relationship with YAH and purpose of his creation.

 

• One way of YAH to restore a similar way of worshipping HIM was to have a tabernacle in the likeness of what is in the Heavens to be built on earth.

• One other reason for building the tabernacle was to make the Children of Israel to stand out amongst the rest of the nations around the world.

Nobody else in the world had such and to this day everything else is a copy of this.

 

Note that on the Tabernacle, there is only ONE DOOR IN or ONE WAY IN! The entrance is also the exit!!!

YAHUSHUA  HA MASHIACH is the DOOR and the ONLY DOOR TO THE SHEEPFOLD who are under HIS care.

Anyone who desires to have access to GOD THE FATHER whose name is YAHUVEH, can only enter through YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH!!! There is no other entrance or exit. Every other entrance is that of the thief or thieves and what they are actually trying to do is break in rather than enter thereby creating room for YAHUSHUA to use HIS STAFF/ROD on them as they can cause trouble for YAHUSHUA’S Sheep who are willingly obedient and submissive to YAHUSHUA!!!

Every other way includes all religions that do not encourage belief in and following of YAHUSHUA as the only MASHIACH (that is to say, SAVIOUR, REDEEMER)!

Most people around the world say that there are many pathways to God but is this really case?

The first question is: Which God/god as there are so many gods around the world? These have been created by Satan through mankind over the years. Satan is all those gods combined!!!

Within the 10 Ten Commandments, it is stated that there is only one GOD and worshipping any other GOD apart from HIM is actually spiritual adultery/fornication!

Secondly, if it is YAH/ELOHIM, for you to believe the above statement, it means that you have not come to the knowledge and understanding of:

• who created the world and everything in it as well as
• who holds, maintains and preserves your breath plus life!!!

 

If one is an atheist, then they are really deceived by Satan and their eternal destiny if they do not come to accept YAHUSHUA as their only MASHIACH/MESSIAH is hell, the lake of fire where there is only pain, torture and death forever more.

 

So, What are the Principles of Worshipping YAH/ELOHIM?

In the Old Covenant/Testament, we see that YAHUVEH ELOHIM only grant access to the “Holy of Holies” to one person and that was the High Priest. If anybody else entered that place, they would die instantly.

All the other Priests had access to The Holy Place as well as The Outer Court. That was all.

So, the question is, who is the High Priest of today and and who are the Priests of today?

Well, The New Covenant/Testament throws more light on this particularly through the Book of Hebrews. This has to be related to 1 Peter 2:9.

Well, my understanding is that YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH (a.k.a JESUS CHRIST/YESHUA) came as  HIGH PRIEST to stand represent us mankind the fallen before GOD THE FATHER, whose name is YAHUVEH (a.k.a YAHWEH) however, HE also did more than what all the previous High Priests did, that is to say that HE laid down HIS life for all mankind as the bridge between YAHUVEH ELOHIM and mankind. When the earthquake after HIS death took place, the earth split and YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH’S MIGHTY AND PRECIOUS BLOOD trickled down to the Ark of the Covenant (as revealed through Ron Wyatt) as well as Adam’s remains (as revealed through the First Book of Adam and Eve) thereby effecting the REDEMPTION of all mankind from the power of sin and Satan!!!

 

 

Matthew 27:45-54 Names of God Bible (NOG)

Jesus Dies on the Cross

⁴⁵ At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ⁴⁶ About three o’clock Yeshua cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” ⁴⁷ When some of the people standing there heard him say that, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ⁴⁸ One of the men ran at once, took a sponge, and soaked it in some vinegar. Then he put it on a stick and offered Yeshua a drink. ⁴⁹ The others said, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ Then Yeshua loudly cried out once again and gave up his life.

⁵¹ Suddenly, the curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split open. ⁵² The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many holy people who had died came back to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after he had come back to life, and they went into the holy city where they appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ An army officer and those watching Yeshua with him saw the earthquake and the other things happening. They were terrified and said, “Certainly, this was the Son of God!”

This made YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH to become The GREAT HIGH PRIEST!

Then YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH selected some people on earth to be HIGH PRIESTS like HIM but in a somewhat different way.

The Priests of today are all those people who have accepted YAHUSHUA (a.k.a JESUS/YESHUA) as their MASHIACH/MESSIAH and are lovingly plus willingly obediently following HIM daily having taken up their cross without looking back!

The High Priests are the:

• Apostles
• Pastors
• Prophets
• Evangelists
• Teachers

Some High Priests are only gifted with one or two of the above whereas some others have all. All the above are Shepherds of some kind on behalf of YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH (a.k.a JESUS CHRIST/YESHUA).

Some people still believe in having Rabbis. Rabbis too are YAH’S Shepherds of some kind. They will be held accountable before YAHUVEH ELOHIM on Judgement Day.

All these High Priests have the role, responsibility, obligation unto YAH/ELOHIM to look after HIS people and are to be directed by RUACH HA KODESH (a.k.a HOLY SPIRIT) in their dealings with YAHUSHUA’S Sheep.

They are to keep in mind that YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH is The GOOD SHEPHERD and that even they are sheep within YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH’S Fold. As appointed Shepherds, they are to lovingly obediently follow the GOOD SHEPHERD as well as encourage YAHUSHUA’S other Sheep to do the same.

These High Priests will be the first to be judged on YAHUVEH ELOHIM’S Judgement Day in the future as they ought to know better. Apostle Peter did say this in his writings.

Before YAH, we are all the same. Nobody is greater than the other. Some are vessels unto honour whereas others are not. We are to work towards being vessels unto honour before YAH Almighty.

It is not easy being a High Priest and in fact, many who are truly called run away from their role, for example Jonah. It sometimes takes YAH intervening in a certain very memorable way before one accepts their calling upon them. Every High Priest has somewhat understanding of the price that has to be paid when playing their role. They especially have to be careful in the area of money handling.

They have to be very good examples to others around them. They have to reflect YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH in them in all their ways of life whether privately or publicly, for example practising forgiveness.

The High Priests DO NOT OWN THE SHEEP and the Physical Building where they meet. They have to be ready to let go even if they are the ones who founded the Ministry. They have to be flexible in their thinking when relating with YAH/ELOHIM, that it to say that YAH can ask them to hand over to another Priest within their Ministry who would then become the new High Priest and afterwards relocate to somewhere else where they would be a blessing to the people there. This means that it is advised not to own a house if possible as it can be difficult to sell in time and let go of as a Minister of YAH/ELOHIM.

High Priests are not supposed to live extremely rich lives, like celebrities. High Priests ARE NOT CELEBRITIES! They are not really meant to be receiving awards from the people of the world. If they are receiving awards, that means that they are pleasing the people of the world too much!!!

A good example is Apostle Elisheva Eliyahu of YAH’S Amightywind Ministry. She needs to take great care how she lives her life because many who are unholy and desire to shut her up are looking to find a way to destroy her and her Ministry on earth. She can not live like a celebrity while here on earth if she truly desires to be in the Heavens eternally. She has to live in hiding just like Prophet Eliyahu of 1 & 2 Kings in the Holy Biblical Scriptures.

If one is truly called, they would avoid many things which can put them in harm’s way.

When a High Priest is too rich, he can lose focus on his goal which YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH has set for him or her and end up in hell, the lake of fire instead which I pray and hope that is not our portion in YAHUSHUA’S name.

 

• High Priests are required to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling as well as help YAHUSHUA’S other sheep to do the same. They are actually highly anointed to do so. They just need to realise it.

 

• Some High Priests are called to full time Ministry work whereas others are called to part time Ministry work. It really depends on how YAH designed them. The High Priests are to enquire from YAHUVEH ELOHIM Almighty! Those are called to full time Ministry work are to live by the offerings of the Priests but not in such a way that they fatten themselves and their families. Those who are called to part time Ministry work are also meant to receive offerings from the Priests as it is their right but perhaps less than the person working on a full time basis.

As much as the High Priest are called to take care of the Priests, the Priests too have an obligation to take care of their High Priests.

The Priests’ offerings are not for self-gratification but rather to help with looking after the High Priest’s family in such ways as:

• pay rent,
• pay bills (water, gas, electricity, phone, etc,
• buy food,
• buy vehicle fuel or pay for transport
• pay house-helps,
• pay for school fees and any other related school items like uniforms for the children, lunch, etc.

 

 

So, back to worshipping YAH in relation to the Mishkan/Tabernacle of Moshe/Moses….

In this day and age, we all have access to the Presence of YAHUVEH ELOHIM! The best way to breakthrough is by Praise and Worship. See how YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH taught us to pray:

Matthew 6:5-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Model Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[a] 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.^[b]

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The Model Prayer starts off with worship of GOD THE FATHER whose name is YAHUVEH (a.k.a YAHWEH) ELOHIM and then goes on to talk about HIS WILL. It is after that, we ask for our needs and then end the prayer with YAH’S WILL! Note that within our needs, YAHUSHUA emphasises forgiveness. There are so many sins we commit but unforgiveness seems to be the most outstanding to YAH Almighty. After reciting the model payer, YAHUSHUA still advises the reader/listener to forgive others always if they wish to have their sins forgiven by ABBA YAHUVEH ELOHIM in the Heavens.

 

King David said the following:

Psalm 100 New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Praise for the Lord’s Faithfulness to His People

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
² Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
³ Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;^[a]
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

My focus here is on verse 4. The question is:

How did the High Priests enter the Holy of Holies in those days of old before YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH, The GREAT HIGH PRIEST came to earth in the physical form?

 

 

 

Let us look at Deuteronomy 12, YAHUVEH ELOHIM gave strict instructions to HIS Holy Prophet Moshe/Moses concerning how to worship YAH/ELOHIM (particularly once in the Promised Land but can be applied anywhere because YAH is everywhere):

Deuteronomy 12 Names of God Bible (NOG)

The Proper Place to Worship

12 Here are the laws and rules you must faithfully obey in the land that Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors is giving you as your own. You must obey them as long as you live in the land.

² Completely destroy all the worship sites on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every large tree. The people you’re forcing out worship their gods in these places. ³ Tear down their altars, crush their sacred stones, burn their poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, cut down their idols, and wipe out the names of their gods from those places.

⁴ Never worship Yahweh your Elohim in the way they worship their gods. ⁵ Yahweh your Elohim will choose a place out of all your tribes to live and put his name. Go there and worship him. ⁶ Bring him your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, one-tenth of your income, your contributions, the offerings you vow to bring, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats. ⁷ There, in the presence of Yahwehyour Elohim, you and your families will eat and enjoy everything you’ve worked for, because Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you.

⁸ Never worship in the way that it’s being done here today, where everyone does whatever he considers right. ⁹ Up until now you haven’t come to your place of rest, the property Yahweh your Elohim is giving you. ¹⁰ But you will cross the Jordan River and settle in the land Yahwehyour Elohim is giving you as your own property. He will give you peace from all your enemies around you so that you will live securely. ¹¹ Then Yahweh your Elohim will choose a place where his name will live. You must bring everything I command you to that place. Bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, one-tenth of your income, your contributions, and all the best offerings you vow to bring to Yahweh. ¹² Enjoy yourselves in the presence of Yahweh your Elohim along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levites. (The Levites live in your cities because they have no land of their own as you have.) ¹³ Be careful that you don’t sacrifice your burnt offerings wherever you want. ¹⁴ Instead, sacrifice them only at the place that Yahweh will choose in one of your tribes. There you must do everything I command you.

¹⁵ In whatever city you live, you may slaughter and eat as much meat as you want from what Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you with. Clean and unclean^[a] people may eat it as if they were eating a gazelle or a deer. ¹⁶ But never eat the blood. Pour it on the ground like water. ¹⁷ You may not eat the Lord’s offerings in your cities. Those offerings are: one-tenth of your grain, new wine, and olive oil; the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, or goats; the offerings you vow to bring; your freewill offerings; and your contributions. ¹⁸ Instead, you, your sons and daughters, male and female slaves, and the Levites who live in your cities must eat these in the presence of Yahweh your Elohim at the place Yahweh your Elohim will choose. There in the presence of Yahweh your Elohimenjoy everything you’ve worked for. ¹⁹ Don’t forget to take care of the Levites as long as you live in your land.

²⁰ Yahweh your Elohim will expand your country’s borders as he promised. You will say, “I’m hungry for meat.” Then eat as much meat as you want. ²¹ If the place Yahweh your Elohim chooses to put his name is too far away from you, you may slaughter an animal from the herds or flocks that Yahweh has given you. Eat as much as you want in your city. I have commanded you to do this. ²² Eat it as you would eat a gazelle or a deer: Clean and unclean people may eat it together. ²³ However, be sure you never eat blood, because blood contains life. Never eat the life with the meat. ²⁴ Never eat blood. Pour it on the ground like water. ²⁵ If you don’t eat blood, things will go well for you and your descendants. You will be doing what Yahweh considers right.

²⁶ Take the holy things and the offerings you have vowed to bring, and go to the place Yahweh will choose. ²⁷ Sacrifice the meat and the blood of your burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh your Elohim. The blood of your sacrifices is to be poured out beside the altar of Yahweh your Elohim, but you may eat the meat. ²⁸ Be sure you obey all these instructions I’m giving you. Then things will always go well for you and your descendants because you will be doing what Yahweh your Elohimconsiders good and right.

²⁹ Yahweh your Elohim will destroy the nations where you’re going and force them out of your way. You will take possession of their land and live there. ³⁰ After they’ve been destroyed, be careful you aren’t tempted to follow their customs. Don’t even ask about their gods and say, “How did these people worship their gods? We want to do what they did.” ³¹ Never worship Yahweh your Elohim in the way they worship their gods, because everything they do for their gods is disgusting to Yahweh. He hates it! They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.^[b]

³² Be sure to do everything I command you. Never add anything to it or take anything away from it.

 

 

The following Scriptures give more information or explain Deuteronomy 12:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you^[a] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”^[b]

¹⁷ Therefore

 

 

 

 

Exodus 26 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

26 (A: iii) “You are to make the tabernacle with ten sheets of finely woven linen and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. You are to make them with k’ruvim worked in, that have been crafted by a skilled artisan. ² Each one is to be forty-two feet long and six feet wide; all the sheets are to be the same size. ³ Five sheets are to be joined one to another, and the other five sheets are to be joined one to another. ⁴ Make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set, and do the same on the edge of the outermost sheet in the second set. ⁵ Make fifty loops on the one sheet, and make fifty loops on the edge of the sheet in the second set; the loops are to be opposite one another. ⁶ Make fifty fasteners of gold, and couple the sheets to each other with the fasteners, so that the tabernacle forms a single unit.

⁷ “You are to make sheets of goat’s hair to be used as a tent covering the tabernacle; make eleven sheets. ⁸ Each sheet is to be forty-five feet long and six feet wide — all eleven sheets are to be the same size. ⁹ Join five sheets together and six sheets together, and fold the sixth sheet double at the front of the tent. ¹⁰ Make fifty loops on the edge of the outermost sheet in the first set and fifty loops on the edge of the outermost sheet in the second set. ¹¹ Make fifty fasteners of bronze, put the fasteners in the loops, and join the tent together, so that it forms a single unit. ¹² As for the overhanging part that remains of the sheets forming the tent, the half-sheet remaining is to hang over the back of the tabernacle; ¹³ and the eighteen inches on the one side and the eighteen inches on the other side of that remaining in the length of the sheets forming the tent is to hang over the tabernacle to cover it on each side.

¹⁴ “You are to make a covering for the tent of tanned ram skins and an outer covering of fine leather.

(iv) ¹⁵ “Make the upright planks for the tabernacle out of acacia-wood. ¹⁶ Each plank is to be fifteen feet long and two-and-a-quarter feet wide. ¹⁷ There are to be two projections on each plank, and the planks are to be joined one to another. That is how you are to make all the planks for the tabernacle.

¹⁸ “Make the planks for the tabernacle as follows: twenty planks for the south side, facing southward. ¹⁹ Make forty silver sockets under the twenty planks, two sockets under one plank for its two projections and two sockets under another plank for its two projections. ²⁰ “For the second side of the tabernacle, to the north, make twenty planks ²¹ and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under one plank and two under another. ²² “For the rear part of the tabernacle, toward the west, make six planks. ²³ For the corners of the tabernacle in the rear, make two planks; ²⁴ these are to be double from the bottom all the way to the top but joined at a single ring. Do the same with both of them; they are to form the two corners. ²⁵ Thus there will be eight planks with their silver sockets, sixteen sockets, two sockets under one plank and two under another.

²⁶ “Make crossbars of acacia-wood, five for the planks of the one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷ five crossbars for the planks of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the planks at the side of the tabernacle at the rear toward the west. ²⁸ The middle crossbar, halfway up the planks, is to extend from end to end. ²⁹ Overlay the planks with gold, make gold rings for them through which the crossbars will pass, and overlay the crossbars with gold.

³⁰ “You are to erect the tabernacle according to the design you have been shown on the mountain.

(v) ³¹ “You are to make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. Make it with k’ruvim worked in, that have been crafted by a skilled artisan. ³² Hang it with gold hooks on four acacia-wood posts overlaid with gold and standing in four silver sockets. ³³ Hang the curtain below the fasteners. Then bring the ark for the testimony inside the curtain; the curtain will be the divider for you between the Holy Place and the Especially Holy Place. ³⁴ You are to put the ark-cover on the ark for the testimony in the Especially Holy Place.

³⁵ “You are to put the table outside the curtain and the menorah opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; put the table on the north side.

³⁶ “For the entrance to the tent, make a screen of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen; it should be in colors, the work of a weaver. ³⁷ For the screen, make five posts of acacia-wood; overlay them with gold; and cast for them five sockets of bronze.

 

 

Hebrews 9-10 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

9 Now the first covenant had both regulations for worship and a Holy Place here on earth. ² A tent was set up, the outer one, which was called the Holy Place; in it were the menorah, the table and the Bread of the Presence. ³ Behind the second parokhet was a tent called the Holiest Place, ⁴ which had the golden altar for burning incense and the Ark of the Covenant, entirely covered with gold. In the Ark were the gold jar containing the man, Aharon’s rod that sprouted and the stone Tablets of the Covenant; ⁵ and above it were the k’ruvim representing the Sh’khinah, casting their shadow on the lid of the Ark — but now is not the time to discuss these things in detail.

⁶ With things so arranged, the cohanim go into the outer tent all the time to discharge their duties; ⁷ but only the cohen hagadol enters the inner one; and he goes in only once a year, and he must always bring blood, which he offers both for himself and for the sins committed in ignorance by the people. ⁸ By this arrangement, the Ruach HaKodesh showed that so long as the first Tent had standing, the way into the Holiest Place was still closed. ⁹ This symbolizes the present age and indicates that the conscience of the person performing the service cannot be brought to the goal by the gifts and sacrifices he offers. ¹⁰ For they involve only food and drink and various ceremonial washings — regulations concerning the outward life, imposed until the time for God to reshape the whole structure.

¹¹ But when the Messiah appeared as cohen gadol of the good things that are happening already, then, through the greater and more perfect Tent which is not man-made (that is, it is not of this created world), ¹² he entered the Holiest Place once and for all.

And he entered not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of his own blood, thus setting people free forever. ¹³ For if sprinkling ceremonially unclean persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer restores their outward purity; ¹⁴ then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!

¹⁵ It is because of this death that he is mediator of a new covenant [or will].^[a] Because a death has occurred which sets people free from the transgressions committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a will, there must necessarily be produced evidence of its maker’s death, ¹⁷ since a will goes into effect only upon death; it never has force while its maker is still alive.

¹⁸ This is why the first covenant too was inaugurated with blood. ¹⁹ After Moshe had proclaimed every command of the Torah to all the people, he took the blood of the calves with some water and used scarlet wool and hyssop to sprinkle both the scroll itself and all the people; ²⁰ and he said, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has ordained for you.”^{[b] 21} Likewise, he sprinkled with the blood both the Tent and all the things used in its ceremonies. ²² In fact, according to the Torah, almost everything is purified with blood; indeed, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

²³ Now this is how the copies of the heavenly things had to be purified, but the heavenly things themselves require better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For the Messiah has entered a Holiest Place which is not man-made and merely a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, in order to appear now on our behalf in the very presence of God.

²⁵ Further, he did not enter heaven to offer himself over and over again, like the cohen hagadol who enters the Holiest Place year after year with blood that is not his own; ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer death many times — from the founding of the universe on. But as it is, he has appeared once at the end of the ages in order to do away with sin through the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ Just as human beings have to die once, but after this comes judgment, ²⁸ so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,^[c] will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to deliver those who are eagerly waiting for him.

10 For the Torah has in it a shadow of the good things to come, but not the actual manifestation of the originals. Therefore, it can never, by means of the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, bring to the goal those who approach the Holy Place to offer them. ² Otherwise, wouldn’t the offering of those sacrifices have ceased? For if the people performing the service had been cleansed once and for all, they would no longer have sins on their conscience. ³ No, it is quite the contrary — in these sacrifices is a reminder of sins, year after year. ⁴ For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

⁵ This is why, on coming into the world, he says,

“It has not been your will
to have an animal sacrifice and a meal offering;
rather, you have prepared for me a body.
⁶ No, you have not been pleased
with burnt offerings and sin offerings.
⁷ Then I said, ‘Look!
In the scroll of the book
it is written about me.
I have come to do your will.’”^[d]

⁸ In saying first, “You neither willed nor were pleased with animal sacrifices, meal offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings,” things which are offered in accordance with the Torah; ⁹ and then, “Look, I have come to do your will”; he takes away the first system in order to set up the second. ¹⁰ It is in connection with this will that we have been separated for God and made holy, once and for all, through the offering of Yeshua the Messiah’s body.

¹¹ Now every cohen stands every day doing his service, offering over and over the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But this one, after he had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from then on to wait until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet.^{[e] 14} For by a single offering he has brought to the goal for all time those who are being set apart for God and made holy.

¹⁵ And the Ruach HaKodesh too bears witness to us; for after saying,

¹⁶ “ ‘This is the covenant which I will make
with them after those days,’ says Adonai:
‘I will put my Torah on their hearts,
and write it on their minds . . . ,’ ”^[f]

¹⁷ he then adds,

“ ‘And their sins and their wickednesses
I will remember no more.’ ”^[g]

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed.

¹⁹ So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua. ²⁰ He inaugurated it for us as a new and living way through the parokhet, by means of his flesh. ²¹ We also have a great cohen over God’s household. ²² Therefore, let us approach the Holiest Place with a sincere heart, in the full assurance that comes from trusting — with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.^{[h] 23} Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. ²⁴ And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other.

And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching. ²⁶ For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, of raging fire that will consume the enemies.^[i]

²⁸ Someone who disregards the Torah of Moshe is put to death without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses.^{[j] 29} Think how much worse will be the punishment deserved by someone who has trampled underfoot the Son of God; who has treated as something common the blood of the covenant^[k] which made him holy; and who has insulted the Spirit, giver of God’s grace!

³⁰ For the One we know is the One who said,

“Vengeance is my responsibility;
I will repay,”

and then said,

“Adonai will judge his people.”^[l]

³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

³² But remember the earlier days, when, after you had received the light, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. ³³ Sometimes you were publicly disgraced and persecuted, while at other times you stood loyally by those who were treated this way. ³⁴ For you shared the sufferings of those who had been put in prison. Also when your possessions were seized, you accepted it gladly; since you knew that what you possessed was better and would last forever.

³⁵ So don’t throw away that courage of yours, which carries with it such a great reward. ³⁶ For you need to hold out; so that, by having done what God wills, you may receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For

“There is so, so little time!
The One coming will indeed come,
he will not delay.
³⁸ But the person who is righteous
will live his life by trusting,
and if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.”^[m]

³⁹ However, we are not the kind who shrink back and are destroyed; on the contrary, we keep trusting and thus preserve our lives!