In this chapter (Heb. 9:11Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. (Hebrews 9:1)), the first tabernacle is looked at as in contrast with “the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building,” in which the church now worships. Such a sanctuary as this heavenly sanctuary alone befits the “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling.” The spiritual house has nothing tangible in it. It is not adapted to the world, nor does it present attractions to the flesh.
The ministry in the heavenly sanctuary corresponds with all this. All believers now are priests unto God, and hence now all is open to faith. All who worship “in Spirit” must therefore worship in the heavenly sanctuary, for there alone does the Spirit lead.
That is why we worship God in the Spirit — not in sentiment, not in refinement of the imagination, not in fleshly wisdom or in fleshly power, but in the Spirit. And we are able to do this because the resurrection of Jesus has set aside the order of the flesh and of the world. We are introduced into the heavenly things and because the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in the church on earth from Jesus, who is our head exalted in heaven. Any return now, therefore, to a worldly sanctuary must be as insulting to the Holy Spirit as it is contradictory of the finished work of Jesus.
Heavenly Worship
And what should be the characteristic of the worship of the heavenly sanctuary? Surely praise — praise for accomplished redemption. And this sacrifice will not be lacking, if our souls realize our heavenly portion. None, indeed, can withhold their tribute of praise who really worship in that sanctuary. Fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore are at God’s right hand, and every heart led of the Spirit looks up and declares, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever” (Psa. 89:11<<Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.>> I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1)). Eternal redemption is the solid basis on which all such joy rests. It is founded on the perfect work of Jesus — that which He always presents on our behalf in heaven. “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (Psa. 32:1111Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)).
The Worldly Sanctuary
The worldly sanctuary knew nothing properly of this praise. There was no ministry of song prescribed by Moses. He could sing with the children of Israel the song of redemption after passing the Red Sea (Ex. 15), but it was grace which had brought them over; they sung the triumph of grace. The worldly sanctuary had not then been ordered. In it there was nothing ever accomplished, and therefore no groundwork of praise. There was the constant repetition of the same services; the worshipper’s conscience was unpurged, and hence he could never properly raise the voice of praise and thanksgiving. We speak of the tabernacle in the wilderness. But few even of the strains of the sweet psalmist of Israel were adapted to the temple service, because that temple was a worldly sanctuary, and its blessings earthly. The ministry of song instituted by David went beyond all this, anticipating the full and accomplished blessing. Faith could sing then, only because reaching beyond the then present sanctuary, but faith sings now because in its present sanctuary it finds the themes of everlasting praises. Grace and glory, deliverance and victory, and the wondrous salvation of God himself are there the subjects of unceasing praise.
Bondage
Can the person who is taught that he needs daily absolution be tuned to praise? Can such a soul sing, in the Spirit and with the understanding, psalms and hymns and spiritual songs? Can an unpurged conscience praise? Such things are impossible, for the very act of worship is regarded as a duty required by God, and so rendered under a sense of law, instead of a blessed privilege arising from the enjoyment of mercy from everlasting to everlasting. The Apostle teaches us to give “thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:1212Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Colossians 1:12)). This shows the true ground of thanksgiving and praise to be what grace has accomplished for us in Christ. But if this is not seen and remembered, worship must become a burden instead of our highest privilege. It is a solemn thought that many Christians regard the teaching and preaching with which God blesses them far more highly than worship. This is a sure consequence of not remembering the sanctuary in which we worship. If our souls realize this, we will instantly perceive our ground of praise and the character of our worship. But if a worldly sanctuary is established or the order of a worldly sanctuary is introduced, our worship must be degraded, and our souls become lean. Such results must ensue if we take for our pattern the worldly sanctuary, instead of by faith and as led of the Spirit entering into that which is heavenly. There, all is done; there, we have subject for praise.
Biblical Subjects for the Household
of Faith (adapted)