Hebrews 9:3 Commentary and Bible Study

There seems to be reflected here a kind of journey, a picture of the high priest, who would come in once a year to go to the holy of holies. First he would pass through the main sanctuary, which had the candelabra and the table and the shewbread and various other things. He would come through the entrance, which was the first curtain, and then come to the second curtain. Only he was allowed in there, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. That was the holy of holies, the smaller chamber, where was the ark of the covenant. Aaron was warned not to enter this inner chamber at any other time, lest he die (Leviticus 16:2). This most holy place represented the presence of God, a symbol of heaven. Only the high priest, representing Christ, could alone go in. Jesus Christ, the God-man, is the only one who could go into heaven on our behalf.