Hebrews 9:2-3
"For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;"

The writer of Hebrews describes the Tabernacle of the Old Testament as actually being comprised of two tabernacles separated by a barrier. The first area held a candlestick, a table and the show bread which was on the table. The second area had a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark of the covenant was a pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets upon which were written the 10 commandments.

"Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the FIRST tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the SECOND went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:" (vs. 6-7)

Note that there are two locations - the first tabernacle, and the second tabernacle. And there are two types of people - the priests and the high priest. There are two functions - serving God and appeasing God with blood. And, two time frames - continually and once.

Also: The FIRST tabernacle had to be entered BEFORE the SECOND one could be entered.

Any priest could go into the FIRST, but only one special priest could go into the SECOND.

"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: " (v. 8)

The FIRST tabernacle was symbolic of the Law itself. The SECOND tabernacle, the place of God's presence, represented a life of unrestricted access to God Himself. The FIRST was essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made allowing unrestricted access to the SECOND.

The Holy Ghost showed that the way into the SECOND was not yet open to everyone "while as the first tabernacle was standing." As long as the FIRST tabernacle was in place, as long as the LAW existed, there could be no unlimited access to God.

As Jesus died on the Cross and gave up the ghost, something happened within the Temple. "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." (Mark 15:38)

The barrier separating the FIRST area from the SECOND area was torn - a breach was made, and unhindered access to God was granted.

When the veil of the temple was rent, access was given to the SECOND place. That is, the FIRST place had come to an end.

If the way into the 'holiest of all' was NOT made manifest while the first tabernacle was yet standing, THEN once the way was manifest, it could only mean one thing - the FIRST tabernacle had come to an end. The Law had been "abolished."

We have passed THOUGH the FIRST, and have entered the SECOND. The barrier has been removed, and the FIRST has been destroyed behind us. We now sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We sit IN our High Priest at God's right hand.

We sit. In God's presence. In the SECOND place. NOT in the FIRST. God's presence, NOT God's law rules our lives.

We have entered into HEAVENLY places, and the EARTHLY law of Moses no longer applies.


Part 2:

There are a few other things that I'd just like to point out quickly. In the FIRST area, the items were all OUT in the open. In the SECOND area, the three main items are WITHIN the ark of the covenant.

The Ark with its Mercy Seat is Christ. Within Christ, the believer finds resurrected life (Aaron's rod that budded), daily spiritual sustenance (the pot of manna), and a new way of life (the tablets of the Law).

The tablets of the Law represent God's NATURE, His character. The FIRST tabernacle HAS BEEN set aside (the rent veil proves this), the Law has been abolished, but God's nature has NOT been changed.

The tablets within the Ark symbolize the character of God, his holiness flowing out of who he is; holiness is the firstfruit of Love. This character, this holiness, is NO longer to be found OUTWARDLY; it is IN CHRIST. It is INSIDE the Mercy Seat.

And, as we have Christ within our hearts, the laws of God are also inside our hearts. We are partakers of the divine nature after all, and that nature is Love. Love is shed abroad in our hearts.

And THAT is the rule we live by.


I hope this helps. Next time perhaps I'll writer about those cherubims :)

P.S. So saying that God has written his laws upon our hearts is the same as saying that the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost is the same as saying that we are partakers of the divine nature...which is love :)