C—The Epistle to the Hebrews

35. What Hebrews 8 To 10 Teaches Us

Ford declares that the epistle to the Hebrews “clearly affirms that in fulfillment of the Day of Atonement type, Christ by the cross-resurrection-ascension event entered upon the ministry prefigured by the sanctuary’s second apartment”. He states further, “Hebrews 9:23 cannot legitimately be exegeted as applying to the future. All Adventist usage of this verse as part of an 1844 apologetic is erroneous.” “Hebrews 9 teaches that the Day of Atonement was fulfilled by Christ in AD 31 (Ford, pages 160, 169, 192)”. Does the epistle to the Hebrews support these assertions?QSEW 27.1

No. Paul, whom many regard as the author of the epistle, speaks of the blood of bulls and goats, which were offered on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:13; 10:3, 4). But he also mentions other animal sacrifices that had nothing to do with that day, such as the red heifer (Hebrews 9:13) and the sacrifice offered at the dedication of the first covenant (Hebrews 9:19-21).QSEW 27.2

Obviously Paul was not addressing himself especially to the subject of the Day of Atonement and its fulfillment. Rather, he was attempting to show how far superior the new covenant is to the old. The new covenant has a better priest, a better sacrifice, better blood, better promises, a better sanctuary, and better access. Perfection could not be attained under the old covenant, but it can under the new. All this is in Hebrews 8, 9, and 10. Paul used Day of Atonement illustrations and allusions only as they helped to serve his main purpose-that of describing the superiority of the new covenant over the old.QSEW 27.3