
Hebrews
9:8 (NASB) says: "The Holy Spirit is signifying
this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed
while the outer tabernacle is still standing," This verse teaches that as long as the
Old Covenant system (the "outer tabernacle") was still in
place, access to the true "holy place" which represents the
presence of God—was not yet fully available. The Holy Spirit indicated this through
the structure of the tabernacle itself. Under the Law, only the high
priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, showing
symbolically that the way into God’s presence had not yet been
opened to all. When was access granted? According to Hebrews 9:10, these
rituals were imposed "until a time of reformation." That reformation came through Christ,
who entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11)
and offered His own blood (Hebrews 9:12). Yet, the full removal of the Old
Covenant system (the outer tabernacle) did not happen at the cross
alone, but was visibly and historically ended in AD 70 with the
destruction of the temple confirming the complete removal of the old
system (Hebrews 8:13). Therefore: The Holy Spirit indicated that access
to the true holy place (God's presence) would be fully granted only
after the Old Covenant system was removed. That happened in AD 70,
when the physical temple was destroyed, marking the end of the old
tabernacle system and the full access into the New Covenant
realities. This ties directly to Hebrews 10:19-20: "Therefore, brothers and sisters,
since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through
the veil, that is, through His flesh..." Access was opened in Christ, and fully
realized when the shadow (temple/tabernacle) was taken away.
By Dan Maines
Links