Copy and Shadow

Hebrews 8:4-5

“Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, £“See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

God said, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you.” These are pretty humbling words to hear. Have you ever wondered what we are doing here? Why are we in church? I know the Sunday School answers are floating around right now as we think about it, but give it some serious thought this morning. Why are you here, in that chair, listening to these songs and this message this morning? The answer is not as difficult as you might think. It is simply a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. Right now as we are sitting here, we are a copy and shadow of what God is doing from heaven. I have started almost every sermon out of the Book of Hebrews by going over a very clear pattern and method that God uses in relation to man. I first want to discuss this pattern in light of the Will of God. For our Bible scholars here today, wouldn’t the will of God be that “None shall perish. Not one?” Much of the Bible seems to dispute this verse doesn’t it? After all, isn’t there a place called hell? Doesn’t Christ talk about a place where there will be eternal torment, weeping and gnashing of teeth? Doesn’t this book, the Book of Hebrews, talk about how an evil, unbelieving heart leads to death and separation from the promised rest of eternal life? We also quote Romans 10:13 whenever we discuss this where Paul writes, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!” But we don’t finish the passage. They can’t call upon him if they don’t hear. They can’t hear if someone doesn’t preach. They can’t preach if they aren’t sent. Our time and culture pose a very difficult dilemma to this. Many people have in fact been sent, but some not of God. Many have preached, but not the Gospel. Many have heard but not understood. Many have called on his name, but not sold everything and followed. Praise God that he has chosen to share this Gospel message of Jesus with us. That salvation is found in no other name on earth or in heaven. That God chooses to send others to serve as ministering flames to those who need to hear that message. So why then do some perish?

While God does not will or desire that people perish, he does permit some people to perish. He also permits that some be saved. This all comes about by the method of which God chooses to use. He speaks. Ministers proclaim. People respond. Right now, we are copying that method. God has spoken through His Holy Word. It is living and active and will bare all things. I am simply proclaiming that message He would want spoken today. You are to hear and act upon it. I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit enables us to not only hear, but to understand; to not only accept, but to live out; in order to not be rejected which as long as Christ has not returned, we aren’t. Praise God? There is hope for all who have not heard or obeyed. There is hope for the wayward son or daughter. There is hope for your father or mother. There is hope for you neighbor. He who has an ear, let him hear!

This is merely a copy, a shadow of the things that are heavenly. In your bulletins today, I made a sheet for you follow along with. It shows the old covenant and the new covenant and how it relates to the regulations for worship and places of holiness. Let’s go through them quickly.

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Do you see how each and every aspect of temple worship, while flawed and imperfect was foreshadowing the new covenant and perfection of Christ?

The Lampstand is Christ, the Light of the World
The Bread of Presence is the Bread of Life
Any priest is now the Priesthood of the Believer
Ritual duties are now offering yourself as a living sacrifice
The Altar of Incense is how our worship is a pleasing fragrance to God
The Ark of the Covenant is your heart within which is the Bread of Life, the correction of God, and the law written
The High Priest is Christ who mediates on our behalf once and finally for all

If then, what we are doing now is also a copy and a shadow of these heavenly things, how ought we to live? What should be our main objective? Honestly, I believe we can insert almost any answer from Sunday School in here. Whether it is about living in faith, hope, or love; or maybe you would answer by saying that we are to tell others about Christ, all the answers would fit and work. But is all of this is a copy and a shadow, is there an answer that might be best? Let’s try this;
“Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.”


What has Christ taught us in this prayer?
1. Give God the position and glory he deserves.
2. Seek his kingdom, righteousness, and his will for here on earth.
3. Desire sufficiency, not extravagance.
4. Do not only seek forgiveness, give it.
5. Let God lead and deliver.

Are we not to imitate Christ? Since you say that you are a Christian, do you follow Him? Do you mirror God’s will? Do you image Christ?

This also poses a series of problems for some of us. Well, at least it does for me. What about those who don’t follow Christ? As we’ve already said, praise God that there is still time for them to accept and follow. But what about those who claim to have Christ and claim to follow, but don’t? Where do they fit into this copying and shadows of heavenly things? The temple allowed for outsiders to be within the walls. The Gentiles could be in the outermost courts. However, they could not enter the next court. Only Jews could enter the inner court. From there, only priests could enter the Holy Place, and only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place.

Our churches are not much different are they? Anyone who enters the doors of this church is more than welcome to enter. They are encouraged to come and hear the message of God and His redemptive plan for mankind. But there are some things we do not permit, not only non-believers but also non-members to be involved in. Then there are even some things we only let deacons and pastors do. Then, believe it or not, there are some things we only let our pastors do. Have you ever wondered where we got our church structure from? Copies and shadows friends. But what about in heaven? Unfortunately, this is where we are not a copy and a shadow. There will be nothing impure allowed to enter its gates. But isn’t it God’s will that none shall perish? Aren’t we all impure?

In his book “Desiring God”, John Piper gives a wonderful explanation of how this works. He writes, and I’ll summarize, that God has the ability to look at events, moments, actions, even people, through two different lenses. With one lens God sees the sin. He sees the evil actions of people and it angers Him. His soul cries for justice and wrath to be poured out. With the other lens God sees the big picture. He sees the temptations, trials and sin, and He sees the heartache and effects of them, but He also sees where it is leading. And because God sees where it is leading, He permits for it to happen. The best example of this is the crucifixion of Christ. There is no doubt that God was not only grieved but angered by the treatment of Jesus Christ. Man’s sin, which brought about the death of God’s son, was permitted for the sake of those who would believe in the time to come. God permitted and did not interfere with the sin of man because of the result it would bring, the salvation of man.

And not just with Christ but so it is also with you. Whether it is outside forces or internal struggles with sin, God permits it to bring about a desire effect within you. We don’t often realize that we in fact do battle against spiritual forces and powers and principalities. That Satan uses others to attack. Do you feel that you are just being kicked around or everyone is against you or nothing ever goes right for you? Why is everyone and everything messing with me? Friend will you alter your thinking for just a moment? Allow yourself to be transformed for a moment by the renewing of your mind and ask yourself this question, “Is God desiring to bring about a desired effect in my life? And if so, what is that desired effect?” Most people only see the struggle. They don’t see Christ at work clearing the dross. You are a bruised reed and smoking flax to him and he will not quench the smoke nor will He break the reed. Copies and shadows friends. You are precious to Him and He is not finished with you yet! Willingly and eagerly let Him complete that work within you. Be a copy and a shadow of Christ!!