By what means can we draw near to judgment?
(Hebrews 9:24; 10:19-22; 12:18–29; Matt. 22:1-14) Blog Feb. 27 – Mar. 5, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Called of God to be our High Priest, Jesus, by himself, atoned for our sins and rose to heaven to begin his priestly ministry. There are two phases to this New Covenant, heavenly ministry corresponding to the daily and yearly ministry conducted in the sanctuary on earth. The daily, or continual, ministry includes justification of believers, forgiveness of sins, and purification of good deeds. The yearly, or final, includes the sealing of believers, the blotting out of sins, and the final purification of good deeds.
Into Heaven
1. For what purpose did Jesus enter heaven’s sanctuary? Jesus entered heaven’s sanctuary to appear in his Father’s presence for us (Heb. 9:24).
2. How many “holy places” are in heaven? Heaven, like the temple on earth, has two holy places (Heb. 9:8-9, 24).
3. What two offerings that Jesus secured on earth did he take to heaven with him? Jesus took his blood (cruel death) & his body (holy life) with him to heaven there to offer them in God’s presence for us (Heb. 8:3; 9:12; 10:5).
4. According to the Holy Ghost in which holy place must Jesus first minister in heaven? Jesus must first minister in the Holy Place of heaven’s sanctuary before concluding his ministry in the Most Holy Place (Heb. 9:8).
5. What does Jesus’ Holy Place ministry include? In heaven’s Holy Place Jesus offers his holy life (body) for our justification; he offers his cruel death (blood) for the forgiveness of our sins; & he offers his meritorious incense (life & death) for the purification of our good deeds (Heb. 9:22, 26; 10:10; Rev. 8:3).
The Judgment
6. For what end time event does Paul believe that Jesus’ sacrifice prepared the way? Jesus’ sacrifice prepares the way for God’s end time judgment (Heb. 9:26-28; 1 Pet. 4:3-6).
7. How is it that Christ’s second apartment ministry includes a work of judgment? Just as the Day of Atonement on earth was a judgment day when all God’s people were required to gather around the sanctuary by faith & as in Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast there is an examination of the guests prior to the banquet, so in heaven there is an investigative judgment prior to the marriage of the Lamb that takes place in heaven’s Most Holy Place (Mount Zion) (Lev. 16:29-30; Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 22:1-14; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 14:7).
8. In light of Jesus’ second apartment, judgment ministry what additional work besides Christ’s sacrifice does Paul present as necessary in order to pass God’s judgment? Paul sees that Jesus’ perfect life of doing God’s will (the wedding garment) is also necessary in order to pass God’s final judgment (Heb. 10:1-10; Matt. 22:11-12).
9. When repeating the words of the New Covenant in Hebrews 10 what shows that Paul is centering in on Christ’s Most Holy Place ministry? Paul is clearly centering in on Christ’s Most Holy Place ministry for he passes over the New Covenant’s mention of forgiveness and quotes only the part about the blotting out of sins (“remember no more”) & he says that after this ministry “there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:15-18; Acts 3:19-21).
10. When in Hebrews 12 Paul goes into detail about God’s final judgment to what earthly event does he compare it? Paul compares God’s final judgment in heaven to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai because it is an awesome, fearful event centering on God’s covenant Law (Heb. 12:18-27).
11. What hope do we have of passing God’s judgment? Our hope of passing God’s judgment is that we are in Christ, the Firstborn; that our names are written in heaven; & that Jesus mediates his blood in our behalf (Luke 10:20; Heb. 12:23-24).
12. What warning does Paul give in regard to God’s judgment? Paul warns us not to turn away from God’s call to judgment like those bidden to come to the marriage of the king’s son (Matt. 22:1-5; Heb. 12:25).
13. What will be the result when God’s final judgment is complete? When judgment is complete God’s kingdom will be made up & those found unworthy will be shaken out while those found in Christ by faith will be eternally secure (Heb. 12:2-29).
Into the Holiest
14. What was King David’s attitude toward God’s judgment? David understood that God’s judgment was in favor of those who believe in him & he asked God to judge him (Psa. 7:7-8; 35:23-24).
15. How does Paul in Hebrews express the idea that we should request God to examine our lives in judgment? Paul encourages his readers to enter boldly into heaven’s Most Holy Place, for there is where our hope is anchored (Heb. 6:19; 10:19).
16. In what two elements are we to trust when entering God’s final judgment? Our trust in the day of judgment should be in “the blood of Jesus”(his death) & in his “flesh” (holy life) (Heb. 10:20).
17. Who do we need to present the body and blood of Jesus in our behalf in heaven. We need a high priest (Jesus) to present our sacrifice & offering in heaven (Heb. 10:21).
18. By what means can we draw near to judgment? We draw near to judgment by faith that comes from a heart whose sins have been forgiven & from a life of growth in grace (Heb. 10:22; 1 Tim. 5:24-25).
19. How does Paul encourage us as we see judgment day approaching? Paul encourages us to hold fast our faith; to encourage one another to live godly lives; & to gather by faith to heaven’s Most Holy Place like Israel did on the Day of Atonement (Heb. 10:23-25; Lev. 16:29-30; Joel 2:15-16).
20. Seeing the supreme importance of faith in Jesus, to what does Paul next turn in Hebrews? After repeatedly emphasizing the need for belief, Paul takes a whole chapter to explain what faith is, giving numerous illustrations of the same (Heb. 11).