Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

This is the hope we have in Christ. His is not a sacrifice offered repeatedly, but a sacrifice once for all. We do not get saved again every week. We are saved once for all. We do not bring sacrifices and offerings every week. He is the once for all sacrifice. Our rest is found in him for that very reason. Jesus entered into the eternal tabernacle, the eternal Holy Place, into the very presence of the Father, providing acceptance and access to the Father for us.

I have heard people refer to a church building as a temple, a tabernacle, or the house of God. That is not biblically  accurate. We, God's people, are his temple. The building is just a building. It may be dedicated to God. It may be used for his glory. But it is only the temple of God when the temple, i.e. the Body of Christ, meets there. It only contains the presence of God in any unique sense when those who are indwelt by the Spirit of God gather there. We have access to God because of Jesus, not because of a building or a ceremony. In him everything changed.

Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you that I do not have to come back to you every week or every year seeking fresh forgiveness. Thank you that in Jesus I am saved once for all time.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert