mplishing the services; but into the second the high-priest
alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for
himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this
signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle is yet standing; which is a
parable for the time now present; according to which are offered
both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience,
make the worshipper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks and
divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of
reformation. But Christ having come a High-priest of the good things
to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made
with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through
the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, entered in
once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the
cleanness of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God?"--HEB. ix. 1-14 (R.V.).

With the words of a prophet the Apostle contrasts the ritual of the
priests. Jeremiah prophesied of a better covenant, because he found the
former one did not satisfy conscience. A description of the tabernacle,
its furniture and ordinances of Divine service, follows. At first it
appears strange that the author should have thought it necessary to
enumerate in detail what the tabernacle contained. But to infer that he
is a Hellenist, to whom the matter had all the charm of novelty, would
be very precarious. His purpose is to show that the way of the holiest
was not yet open. The tabernacle consisted of two chambers: the foremost
and larger of the two, called the sanctuary, and an inner one, called
the holiest of all. Now the sanctuary had its furniture and stated
rites. It was not a mere vestibule or passage leading to the holiest.
The eighth verse, literally rendered, expresses that the outer
sanctuary "held a position."[158] Its furniture was for daily use. The
candelabrum supported the seven lamps, which gave light to the
ministering priests. The shewbread, laid on the table in rows of twelve
ca