Study Desk

If the first agreement with God had been all right, there would not have been any need for another one.

The first promise that was made included rules for worship and a tent for worship here on earth.

The gold altar that was used for burning incense was in this holy place. The gold-covered sacred chest was also there, and inside it were three things. First, there was a gold jar filled with manna. Then there was Aaron's walking stick that sprouted. Finally, there were the flat stones with the Ten Commandments written on them.

However, only the high priest could go into the second part of the tent, and he went in only once a year. Each time he carried blood to offer for his sins and for any sins that the people had committed without meaning to.

This also has a meaning for today. It shows that we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices.

These rules are merely about such things as eating and drinking and ceremonies for washing ourselves. And rules about physical things will last only until the time comes to change them for something better.

Then Christ went once for all into the most holy place and freed us from sin forever. He did this by offering his own blood instead of the blood of goats and bulls.

If he had offered himself every year, he would have suffered many times since the creation of the world. But instead, near the end of time he offered himself once and for all, so that he could be a sacrifice that does away with sin.

So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. But when he comes again, it will not be to take away sin. He will come to save everyone who is waiting for him.

No, you are not pleased with animal sacrifices and offerings for sin."

So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.

Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.

No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth.

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.

Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.

Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.

Abraham did this, because he was waiting for the eternal city that God had planned and built.

When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own.

But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.