Christ entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once, not with animal blood but with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for us.
According to Hebrews 9, Christ came as a high priest of good things to come, serving in a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation but in heaven. Unlike the earthly high priest who entered yearly with the blood of goats and calves, Christ entered once into the holy place by His own blood, securing eternal redemption for believers.
Hebrews 9:11-12 — These verses directly describe Christ's work as high priest, emphasizing the heavenly tabernacle and His own blood.
Hebrews 9:11-12 says, "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." This passage contrasts Christ's once-for-all entry into the heavenly sanctuary with the repeated yearly sacrifices of the Levitical priests. The earthly tabernacle was but a pattern of the true one in heaven, where Christ now serves.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Christ's high priestly work is unique and superior to the Old Testament priesthood. He explains that the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly one, and Christ entered into the very presence of God in heaven, presenting His own blood to obtain eternal redemption. Les highlights that this was done 'once,' not repeatedly as the earthly priests did, and that Christ is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. He stresses the personal application that believers have a high priest who can be touched with our infirmities, interceding for us moment by moment.
Christ passed through a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, signifying that it is not of this creation but is in heaven itself. This is contrasted with the tabernacle built by Moses and Solomon's temple, which were earthly copies.
Unlike the high priest of Israel who entered with the blood of goats and calves once a year, Christ entered the holy place once with His own blood. That one act obtained eternal redemption, which the repeated yearly sacrifices could never achieve.
Christ presented His own blood in the very presence of God, at the mercy seat in heaven. This act fulfilled His role as high priest and secured eternal redemption for all who believe.
The word 'once' is key in Hebrews. It signifies the finality and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, in contrast to the repeated, yearly offerings. Christ entered the holy place once for all time, obtaining eternal redemption.
Christ's Greater Tabernacle
Les points out that the earthly tabernacle was patterned after a heavenly one, and that Christ ministered in the greater, more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.
Entering the Heavenly Holy of Holies
Les explains that Christ, as the high priest, entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption, unlike the yearly entrance of Israel's high priest.
High Priest of All
Les emphasizes that Christ entered the very throne room of heaven, presenting His blood as the high priest of all, fulfilling the order of Melchizedek.
The Place of Sprinkling in Heaven
Les reinforces that Christ's place of sprinkling was in heaven, not on earth, contrasting with the earthly tabernacle.
Once for All and Melchizedek
Les links Christ's once-for-all entry to His high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron, highlighting the eternal nature of His redemption.
The Finality of the Once
Les stresses the significance of 'once' as a key word, indicating that Christ entered once into the holy place and presented His own blood at the mercy seat.
Fulfillment of the Priesthood
Les explains that the earthly high priests pre-typed Christ, who fulfilled the role once and obtained eternal redemption, unlike the human priests who died and were replaced.
Our Compassionate High Priest
Les points out that because Christ presented His blood and passed into the heavens, we have a high priest who can be touched with our infirmities and is constantly aware of our existence.
Hebrews 9:11-12: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
These verses are the core passage describing Christ's high priestly work and the central answer to the question.
Hebrews 4:14-15: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
This reinforces the reality of Christ's heavenly high priesthood and His empathy with our weaknesses.
Hebrews 7:20-21: And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
It explains that Jesus is a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, which Les mentions as fulfilling the priesthood of all.
Christ entered the heavenly tabernacle once with His own blood, not the blood of goats and calves, and obtained eternal redemption for us. He did what the earthly high priest could only picture.
It completed the high priestly work, securing eternal redemption once for all. This is in contrast to the repeated annual sacrifices that could not fully remove sin.
Christ is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. He serves in a heavenly, more perfect tabernacle, entering once with His own blood, whereas Aaron's descendants entered yearly with animal blood.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Enter the Promised Land (Exodus 23 & Deut 1)