(1) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (2) A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
I would not for the world knowingly strain a single word in scripture, by way of making it speak more, or less, than is intended; but would pause over these verses, and humbly ask, whether God the Holy Ghost, in the opening of this Chapter, did not mean to call the Church to behold Christ as the sum and substance of all revelation? Let the Reader recollect, how blessedly the Holy Ghost had been speaking, in the seven preceding Chapter s, concerning Christ. Beginning in the first Chapter with proclamations of his eternal Power and Godhead, then of his Mediator glories; and in the second Chapter, of his human nature; and in the following, largely dwelling upon the many sweet, and endearing features of his offices, and particularly of his Priesthood: and, having followed him from the time of having purged our sins by himself, until he held him forth as seated as a Priest upon his throne, in glory, the Lord the Spirit begins this Chapter in a form of words, such as can hardly be found in the whole book of God. Now of the things (saith the Lord) which we have spoken this is the sum. As if the whole of revelation was here brought into one view, in the Person of Christ. And no doubt it is. For Christ, as Christ, is the visible Jehovah. There could have been no revelation of Jehovah in his threefold character of Person, but in, and by Him. He is come forth from the bosom of the Father to declare him, John 1:18. And, let the Reader further observe, how blessedly the Holy Ghost represents him, as having passed into the heavens, and there sat down, contrary to the priests on earth, who always stood ministering, Hebrews 10:11. Numberless beauties are contained in this short verse. First. Jesus being seated as the High Priest of his people, on the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, carries with it the most palpable conviction, that he hath by himself purged our sins; and in proof, is set down on the right hand of God. Secondly. It becomes no less a proof, that Christ hath been accepted as our Surety in redemption, or he never would have been received there. Christ's sitting down on the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, is in perfect conformity to God's word, and oath, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool, Psalms 110:1; John 17:4. Thirdly. Having such an High Priest there, our Advocate, whom God the Father heareth always; the same becomes an everlasting assurance, that all the concerns of his people, Jesus undertakes, and accomplisheth. No prayers can go unheard. No petitions remain unanswered. And all the ascension-gifts he is purposely exalted to bestow, are as certain, and sure, as if they were already in hand. God the Holy Ghost is come down, in confirmation, that Christ is gone up. He doth led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them, Psalms 68:18. And, lastly, to add no more; the sum and substance of the whole scripture being to tell the Church, that He who was dead, and is alive, and now liveth forevermore, and is on the throne of the majesty on high, is purposely there for his people, waiting to be gracious, and delighted to be by them employed. So he appeared to John, in his priestly vesture, dipped in blood, as if to say: See! I wear the vestments of office. Bring all your causes to me, and leave all with confidence in my hand.
But we must not stop here. He that is our High Priest, the Holy Ghost adds, is also a Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. These offices also, are special, personal offices, peculiarly belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to no other, and in which his people have everlasting concern. This sanctuary is not a worldly sanctuary of carnal ordinances; such as we read of, Hebrews 9:10; Hebrews 9:10. Neither is it an earthly sanctuary; neither is it an heavenly one; for then, it needed not to have been said, which the Lord pitched and not man. For it is well known, none but the Lord is the maker of heaven. But by the sanctuary, I should apprehend, is meant, the whole body of the Church, whom Christ, by the one offering of himself, once offered, hath perfected forever, as sanctified in himself, Psalms 114:2; Isaiah 63:18. And by the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man, can be meant no other, according to my view, than the human nature of Christ, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And I am the more inclined to this opinion, because, all that is here said, is with the intention to magnify and exalt the Lord Jesus, by shewing, that all that was in the wilderness Church, was designed, but as the shadows of good things to come, and that all pointed to, and centered in Christ. Now, as the tabernacle in the wilderness, had frequently the Shechinah, or manifestation of the divine presence in it; here, was a lively representation of the Son of God, tabernacling in our nature, when he became flesh, and dwelt among us. And as the tabernacle was but a poor building, and to outward appearance, looking very wretched and mean; so the human nature, in which the Son of God tabernacled, was poor indeed, and had nothing of beauty, that we should desire him.
But the greatest point in this description remains to be considered. It is said, that the Lord pitched this true tabernacle, and not man. Yes! The whole Persons of the Godhead co-operated in the work. God the Father, prepared the body. So spake Christ by the Spirit of prophecy. Compare Psalms 40:6-7 with Hebrews 10:5. God the Son took the nature of man upon him, Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 2:16. And God the Holy Ghost, formed that holy thing, so called, Luke 1:35. Reader! do not hastily pass away, from the view of a subject so truly blessed. This true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man, is the only real temple, either in heaven, or on earth, for the divine residence., The divine essence, may, in one sense, be said to dwell everywhere; for, in the perfection of his Omnipresence, he fills heaven and earth. And God dwells by the influences of his Spirit in the hearts of his people. But it is not in either sense of this meaning, the tabernacle of the human nature of the Son of God, is inhabited by the indwelling residence of Jehovah. It is bodily in Christ, as fire in iron; essentially, personally, and eternally. Moreover, this is the only temple, Christ's body, for meeting with his people. Here, the Lord comes to meet and bless them. In him, the Lord speaks to his people and they to him. Oh! the blessedness of this true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. How ought the redeemed to delight in Christ, and to be always going to Christ. It was the consciousness of this made David cry out; One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple, Psalms 27:4. Oh! for grace, to be often eyeing Christ, as the sum of the things the Holy Ghost hath here spoken. Such an High Priest, set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man!