QT 7/6/2026 Heb 9:1-5, We can have access to the throne room of God

Hebrews 9:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

 

NOTE: I suppose, the most obvious question that arises in this passage is the placement of the golden altar of incense. Now, the author could be referring to a censer that was used on the day of atonement so that the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and be protected. But another explanation is the association of the golden altar of incense with the Holy of Holies from an access point of view.

 

Exodus 40:5 (ESV) — And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.

1 Kings 6:22 (ESV) — And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold.

 

The golden altar of incense which is placed outside of the Holy of Holies and in front of the screen separating the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place, and represents the prayers of the saints. To its right and left, are the table of shewbread and the 7-candle menorah light. Those two items represents God's provision for worshippers. The bread is his word and the light is his direction and leading. The scriptures refer to God's word as bread and also as light.

 

But we enter God's presence through prayer. Before, there was a mediator and a very thick curtain that protected the worshipper from God's holiness. At Jesus' death, the curtain was ripped from the top down, emphasizing that Jesus has opened a new way into the presence of God. We exchange our unrighteousness for Jesus' righteousness upon belief, allowing us to enter into the throne room of God.

 

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) — Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV) — 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

The point of all this is answered in Heb 10. We now have access to God, not through a mediator but directly through the work of Jesus (our new High Priest) on the cross. We can throw away religion and instead experience a true relationship with the most high. There is no greater privilege on earth.

 

PONDER:

1. Have you experienced the life changing experience of being born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

PRAYER: Father, nothing has changed my life more than my simple profession of faith so many years ago. I was born again. I felt it, I saw it, I experienced it, and I am experiencing still each day. It was the most consequential decision of life, and I pray that others could experience that same change.