NT Text: Hebrews 9:23
OT Source(s):
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Typology + Contrast
Anchor Text: Lev 16 — The Day of Atonement
Significance: Atonement made for holy place/tent of meeting because of people's impurity (Lev. 16:16-19). Heavenly tabernacle cleansed in conjunction with cleansing God's people through Christ's new covenant sacrifice. Not that heaven is impure, but Christ's blood cleanses both people and worship context. The reasoning moves from lesser to greater—if even the earthly sanctuary required blood purification, how much more must Christ's blood be necessary to cleanse believers' consciences to serve the living God in the true heavenly sanctuary.