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new covenant is linked with the new creation, and both with the reconciliation. Israel are
a people of types, and in this they foreshadow the purpose of the ages.
The blood of Christ.
We noted, in Heb. 9: 6 and 7, that the high priest entered into the holiest of all once
every year, "not without blood". This therefore is the next item to be developed in the
argument. Verse 12 continues:--
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once
unto the holy place, having obtained aionian redemption for us."
Negatively, Christ entered "NOT with the blood of goats and calves". Positively,
Christ entered "by His own blood". As to time Christ entered "once", in contrast with the
type of verse 7, "once every year". The "aionian redemption" finds expansion in the
succeeding verses.
The importance of the ascension.
While many are aware of the essential character of the death and resurrection of
Christ, all are not so impressed with the importance of His ascension. Eph. 1: 19-23
stresses the ascension of Christ in connection with His present headship of the church
which is His body, and Eph. 4: 8-10 sets forth the triumphant character of His ascension
when He led captivity captive. The present dispensation with its fourfold ministry is also
essentially related with the ascended Lord (Eph. 4: 11, 12). The high privilege of the
believer who has been "made to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2: 6),
and also the power to walk in newness of life, are related to the fact that Christ now
"sitteth at the right hand of God" (Col. 3: 1).
Not only do the epistles of the mystery stress the fact of the Lord's ascension, but the
epistle of the Hebrews does also. Let us notice some of the references:--
"When He had Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high" (Heb. 1: 3)
"We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heaven, Jesus the Son of God"
(Heb. 4: 14).
"We have such a high priest, Who is set on the right hand of the Majesty in the
heavens" (Heb. 8: 1).
"Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures
of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us"
(Heb. 9: 24).
"But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the
right hand of God" (Heb. 10: 12).
"Looking unto Jesus . . . . . Who is set down at the right hand of the throne of God"
(Heb. 12: 2).
These, and all passages which speak of the Lord's heavenly ministry and intercession,
necessitate the ascension. We shall understand our calling the better if we keep this fact
before us.