Topical Bible: Holy of Holies: Saints Have Boldness to Enter the True

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The Holy of Holies, also known as the Most Holy Place, was the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant and symbolized the presence of God among His people. Access to this sacred space was highly restricted, with only the High Priest permitted to enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in Leviticus 16.

In the New Testament, the Holy of Holies takes on a profound theological significance. The Epistle to the Hebrews provides a detailed exposition of how the sacrificial system and the Tabernacle were shadows of the heavenly realities fulfilled in Christ. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

The tearing of the temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. This act signifies that through Jesus' sacrificial death, believers now have direct access to God. Hebrews 10:19-20 affirms this truth: "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body."

The boldness to enter the true Holy of Holies is not based on human merit but on the finished work of Christ. This access is a privilege granted to all who are in Christ, as they are considered saints, set apart for God. Ephesians 2:18 declares, "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."

The concept of boldness in approaching God is further emphasized in Hebrews 4:16 : "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This confidence is rooted in the assurance of faith and the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

The Holy of Holies, once a place of restricted access, now represents the intimate relationship believers can have with God through Jesus Christ. This access is a central tenet of the New Covenant, highlighting the transformative power of Christ's priesthood and the believer's new identity as a child of God. The saints' boldness to enter the true Holy of Holies is a testament to the grace and mercy extended to humanity through the redemptive work of Jesus.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 10:19
Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hebrews x. 19-23
... For they are holy, and the holy of holies; but here no profane person enters. ...
Who has done this? Paul, Peter, all the company of the Saints. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xix hebrews x 19-23.htm

The Right of Entry
... that coruscated in the darkness of the Holy of Holies. ... of the light that irradiates
the true Holy Place, before ... refer only to the communion of saints from the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the right of entry.htm

The Signs
... entrance to the Holy Place or the entrance to the Holy of Holies"most probably ...
dead""The graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxi the signs.htm

The Veil Rent
... and trim the lamps; and the Holy of Holies, where only ... rocks, the open graves, the
rising saints"all of ... because it is impossible that a holy and righteous ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the veil rent.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... Abel, and Noah, and Aaron, and Samuel, and of all Thy saints, guarding us ... glory,
and to be within the veil, and to behold the Holy of Holies, cast ourselves ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

The General Service to one Hierarch.
... Thy life was glorious and thy repose is with the saints; do thou ... Learning the things
divine, as one entering into the intellectual holy of holies, thou, O ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter x the general service.htm

The Joy of the Lord.
... and as the glorified man He entered the Holy of Holies! ... be, which will open the graves
of the Saints, which will ... Let the Holy Spirit, who is given to you of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the joy of the lord.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... on earth, but in the holy of the holies, or after ... of odours, which are the prayers
of saints, and they ... and such for whom he has entered the holy place (Hebrews ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christ has taken away the venom and sting of the saints, sufferings: there ... into heaven,
which answers to the priest's going into the holy of holies; and he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... as each person had the means, to send relief to the Saints dwelling at ... which were
sacrifices and prayers and services; where was the Holy of Holies, and the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm