For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Hebrews 9:24

Once a year, the high priest in Israel would enter the tabernacle or temple on the Day of Atonement. He would enter the holy of holies, the innermost part of the sanctuary and sprinkle incense on the altar. In doing so, he would offer the sacrifice and cleanse the community of Israel from their sin. However, this was only a temporary fix. This had to be done year after year because this ritual, these sacrifices, were never meant to fully cleanse the people from their sin.

The Israelites knew this was a temporary solution to their sin problem. Not only because God had told them He would one day send a Messiah to cleanse them from their sin, but because their own consciences also testified to the incomplete nature of the Levitical sacrificial system. 

We are not under the same system. Christ has removed not only our sin, but also our guilt. His work on the cross cleanses our consciences, allowing us to rest in His complete work. The conscience of the Old Testament Israelites could not be cleansed because the work was not yet finished. Today, the work is finished. Christ has completed our salvation through His sacrifice. Our conscience is clear; we no longer need to live in fear of punishment for our sin. It is finished!

Perfect fellowship is attained by His perfect and stainless offering of Himself. All is clear between God and man. For it is “for us” He enters this presence and fellowship; not that He alone may enjoy it, but that we may enter into the rest and blessedness that He has won for us.

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