Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Hebrews Chapter 9
Metaphysically Interpreting Hebrews 9:1-22
9:1Now even a first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. 9:2For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 9:3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 9:4having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 9:5and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally.
9:6Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; 9:7but 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: 9:8the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9:9which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect, 9:10being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
9:11But 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, 9:12nor 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. 9:13For 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: 9:14how 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?
9:15And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.9:16For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it. 9:17For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth. 9:18Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood. 9:19For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 9:20saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward. 9:21Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 9:22And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
August 24, 1941: Heb. 9:11-22
What is meant by the words “Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come”? We see in these words a promise of blessings in store for all who persevere in their effort to enter into the Christ consciousness. Jesus Christ, because He first brought these blessings to light, is the high priest, the one having highest authority over the good things to come to those who follow Him.
How did the Christ “through his own blood” enter to the “holy place”? Blood represents life. Jesus’ life was hid with Christ in God.” Having become at one with the Christ, Jesus entered into the holy place, or consciousness of God, where all things are possible.
How does man offer himself “without blemish unto God”? Only through the Spirit of truth. He thus offers himself when he desires in all sincerity to devote himself to the side a of life and to apply its principles to all his living.
Can animal sacrifices atone for man's sins? No. Animal sacrifice is symbolical of what takes place in man when the lower sense life (represented by animals) is given up (sacrificed). When man enters into the higher understanding of life, for which the Christ stands, the lower “atones” for the higher. Man's powers and faculties are thus brought into harmony.
What do metaphysicians understand by the atonement? Spiritual understanding of the atonement shows the way to deliverance from sin and its effects. In proportion as people understand Jesus Christ and have faith in Him as their actual Savior from sin, they are set free from appetite, passion, jealousy, prejudice, and selfishness. The result is wholeness of mind, soul, and body. By means of reconciliation or at-one-ment that Jesus Christ is re-established between God and man, we can regain our original estate as sons of God, here upon earth. “Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
In what way did Jesus Christ become the “mediator of a new covenant”? Jesus proved anew that, by loving the things of spiritual significance and seeking to express them, man enters into a vital relation with God and finds the satisfaction that is “life indeed.” This bringing of life and immortality to light gave men a new understanding of God and led them to enter into a new relation with him.
Who are “they that have been called”? Those who have gained understanding of the spiritual meaning of life and who are ready “to serve the living God” or idea of life in Christ.
“Apart from shedding of blood, there is no remission.” Is this a restatement of the teaching on the atonement? Yes. One can establish oneself in the consciousness of the Christ only when one has abandoned the old sense consciousness altogether. When the life of the flesh (the ways of sin) is abandoned (shed), the power of the Spirit “remits” sin by enabling men to lay hold of the higher life.
“All things are cleansed with blood. Is this literally true? It is untrue literally, but true metaphysically. Life (represented by blood), like a flowing stream, purifies itself, as it is lived in the eternal spirit of love, peace, and good will. Actively expressed, these things are the life of men in deed and in truth.
Metaphysically Interpreting Hebrews 9:23-28
9:23It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 9:24For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us: 9:25nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year with blood not his own; 9:26else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 9:27And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment; 9:28so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.
October 12, 1947: Heb. 9:23-26
What better sacrifices are made for “the heavenly things”? One is the surrender of the personal will to the divine will. The giving up to the universal of all considerations of the personal is another. We “put away sin” by the sacrifice of the personal self. This is the law.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-26-2013
