(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
HEBREWS CHAPTER 8: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
This entire letter to the Hebrews is a book study of many topics, which can and should spawn, breed many more studies on so many more topics, from the study of the formation and history of Israel, the prophets from Genesis to Malachi who prophesied of their Messiah coming, their priesthood and Melchisedec's eternal Priesthood, to their reaction to that advent, to God speaking to mankind throughout history, through and even not through Israel; how man thinks, how God thinks, what work man did for nought to be saved and what God told them and us to do by faith, to be saved, and what he did for us and for Israel, to be saved, and many more
(Hebrews 8:1-2 [AKJV/PCE])
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Jesus is God, the God Who is also man in the flesh, holy, perfect, sinless, forever our Saviour if we believe in Him alone, not man, not earthly, not fleshly, not carnal
I merely just repeated now what the author said is all, and no one can really add to it
(Hebrews 8:3 [AKJV/PCE])
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Both types of priests (Jesus the High Priest, Israel's priests and their earthly, fleshly carnal, sinful High Priest) have sacrifices; one for all of mankind forever, 2,000 years ago on that Cross-one for Israel, once a year, on the altar here
While this epistle was circulating in Israel, Jerusalem, throughout the Roman Empire, the temple was still standing, all practices going on for the people's sin and sins
(Hebrews 8:4 [AKJV/PCE])
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
This is because Jesus is not from Levi, nor a descendant of Levi, but is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, which was not the tribe chosen for the priesthood in Israel
This was instituted in their law, to be strictly adhered to, without exception
Only God Himself could raise up another priest from another tribe, not Israel in the flesh, because only God could be the High Priest Who could save us from all sins, once for all, forever
(Hebrews 8:5 [AKJV/PCE])
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
That is all they are, a symbol, example, representation of the real thing in Heaven, according to the pattern given to Moses
God was very specific to Moses about the tabernacle in the wilderness
That shadow was a veil that separated the people from God, with only the High priest allowed in for fear of death to anyone else not ordained
That tabernacle saved no one; it was only a temporary forgiveness of sins, not eternal salvation
THE TABERNACLE
(Exodus 26 [AKJV/PCE])
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another. And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. ¶ And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure. And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.
¶ And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards: And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. ¶ And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. ¶ And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. ¶ And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.
What shittim wood is is not totally clear, but probably from the shittah tree today growing there in Egypt, a type of acacia and a very hard wood, as hard as red oak and harder than the sweet gum tree
BEFORE
(Exodus 25:9 [AKJV/PCE])
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
This is according to the pattern shown above, given to Moses on the mount
AFTER
(Acts 7:44-45 [AKJV/PCE])
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
(Hebrews 8:6 [AKJV/PCE])
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
A temporary covenant, an atonement and animal sacrifice, forgiving temporarily the sins committed since the last atonement and sacrifice, that does not save us from eternal hell is not even close to one that does, once for all
Yes, God told them their was complete forgiveness-for that year's sins only
"Once a year" means the next year's sins would again have to be forgiven, and again, and again, over and over, repeated
Because? It did nothing to save them to the uttermost, forever, upon death, to heaven
Because? It was always, then as now, by faith, because it was a shadow of things to come, as in the Death on the Cross of their Messiah Who they were supposed to look to for salvation
TEMPORARY FORGIVENESS
(Leviticus 16:30-34 [AKJV/PCE])
For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
ETERNAL SALVATION
(1 Peter 3:18 [AKJV/PCE])
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
(Hebrews 8:7 [AKJV/PCE])
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
This is what the author has been trying to drive home the entire first set of chapters
It was not faultless, hence the "if"
The second is faultless. Believe on Jesus, trust in His death by His Blood on that cross to save you, you will be saved
(Hebrews 8:8 [AKJV/PCE])
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
This is the reason for the "if", it was dependent on them keeping it to find favor (as the chosen nation of God, the only chosen one)
Plan A failed because it was dependent on mankind
Plan B will, does and did succeed because it is dependent on God alone; man merely has to believe it
(Hebrews 8:9 [AKJV/PCE])
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
They did not keep the law because it depended on them and was not the purpose ofi t. It was given to show them the need for salvation by faith
That law was to be their school master, to reveal, show to them, point and direct them to Jesus Christ to save them
(Galatians 3:24-25 [AKJV/PCE])
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
(Hebrews 8:10-11 [AKJV/PCE])
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
This was prophesied way ahead of time to them, while they were captive in Babylon, for? Violating the Law, walking away from God to worship other gods
in fact, every Old Testament prophet was to point them to Christ, had they read it with the eyes of faith and not as a book of rules, laws
How were they to know Him? How do they know Him now? How will they know Him? By faith, personally knowing God who believe in Him alone by faith for salvation, knowing the law will not save them, at which point He will know them and not say, "Depart from me, I never knew you, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 25:41)
(Jeremiah 31:31-34 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Hebrews 8:12 [AKJV/PCE])
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
God never had to forgive a single sin or sinner on earth
God did so by grace in His mercy
If God forgets them, so should we forget them
GOD, MERCIFULLY FORGIVING US THROUGH CHRIST ALONE: PSALM 103
(Psalms 103:8-22 [AKJV/PCE])
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
THE NEW COVENANT FORETOLD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
(Genesis 3:15 [AKJV/PCE])
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
(Genesis 22:18 [AKJV/PCE])
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
(Genesis 26:4 [AKJV/PCE])
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
(Genesis 49:10 [AKJV/PCE])
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
(Deuteronomy 18:15 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
(Psalms 132:11 [AKJV/PCE])
The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
(Isaiah 4:2 [AKJV/PCE])
In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
(Isaiah 9:6 [AKJV/PCE])
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(Jeremiah 23:5 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
(Ezekiel 34:23 [AKJV/PCE])
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
(Ezekiel 37:24 [AKJV/PCE])
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
(Daniel 9:24 [AKJV/PCE])
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
(Micah 7:18-20 [AKJV/PCE])
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
(Acts 10:43 [AKJV/PCE])
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
(Hebrews 8:13 [AKJV/PCE])
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Being the first means there will be a second; otherwise, there is no need to call it "first", as it would be the "one and only covenant I will ever make with you"
Being the old means there will be a new, otherwise it is just "THE Convenant"
