THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SIGNIFYING THIS: touto delountos (PAPNSG) tou pneumatos tou hagiou: (Heb 3:7; 10:15; Isaiah 63:11; Acts 7:51,52; 28:25; Galatians 3:8; 2Peter 1:21)

By this the Holy Spirit points out that the way into the [true Holy of] Holies is not yet thrown open as long as the former [the outer portion of the] tabernacle remains a recognized institution and is still standing  (Amplified Bible - Lockman)

The Holy Spirit was teaching...

1) Worship of God limited - no direct access
2) OT sacrifices - imperfect cleansing of conscience
3) Old Covenant - Temporary

The Holy Spirit is signifying - Vine comments that...

the writer attributes to the Holy Spirit the spiritual significance of the details of the tabernacle. This makes clear that the Pentateuch narrative is not merely a historical record; the history carried with it a spiritual teaching which the Spirit of God unfolds in the New Testament. Again, the heavenly sanctuary itself is not spoken of as the Holiest of all or the Holy of Holies as if suggesting an inner shrine in contrast with an outer. There could not be two parts in the heavenly tabernacle, for the veil has been rent. Accordingly the writer, in referring to the heavenly sanctuary, speaks simply of “the holy place” (r.v.). (Collected writings of W. E. Vine)

Peter explains the Spirit's role in the revelation of the Word of God to the human writers of Scripture...

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (see notes 2 Peter 1:20; 2 Peter 1:21)

The writer refers to the Holy Spirit also in the following passages...

Hebrews 3:7 (note) Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,

Hebrews 10:15 (note) And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying 10:16 "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND UPON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," He then says,

Sadly Israel as people for the most part resisted the Holy Spirit's teaching, Stephen declaring...

Acts 7:51,52 "You men (first century Jews) who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart (Lev 26:41 Dt 10:16, 30:6 Jer 4:4 9:26) and ears (Jer 6:10; see notes Romans 2:28; 2:29; Colossians 2:11) are always resisting (antipipto = rush against or upon in a hostile manner, assault, resist by force and violence - present tense = their general practice!) the Holy Spirit; you (first century Jews) are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become

Spurgeon comments that...

It is from this sentence that I am sure that the Holy Ghost had a signification, a meaning, a teaching, for every item of the ancient tabernacle and temple; and we are not spinning fancies out of idle brains when we interpret these types, and learn from them important gospel lessons.

The Holy Spirit is signifying - It could be read "by this (by these things) the Holy Spirit is continually pointing out". Observe Who the writer testifies was the Author of the Old Testament Scriptures!

Signifying (1213) (deloo from delos = manifest, evident) means to make plain by words and thus to declare. To make manifest to the mind. Deloo is used of indications which lead the mind to conclusions about the origin or character of things. It means to make some matter known that was unknown or not communicated previously. It means to show clearly, to signify, to make manifest, visible, clear, or plain and to make known.  When spoken of things past it means to tell, relate or impart information (as in 1Cor 1:11; Col 1:18). Although deloo is used most often in reference to declarations through articulate language, it is also used often (as in the present verse) of any kind of indirect communication.

When spoken of things future or hidden, deloo means to reveal, show or bring to light.

Deloo is used 28 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Exod. 6:3; 33:12; Deut. 33:10; Jos. 4:7; 1 Sam. 3:21; 1 Ki. 8:36; 2 Chr. 6:27; Est. 2:22; Ps. 25:14; 51:6; 147:20; Isa. 42:9; Jer. 16:21; Dan. 2:5f, 9, 11, 16, 23ff, 28ff, 47; 4:18; 7:16). Here are some uses in the  Septuagint (LXX)

Exodus 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known (deloo) to them.

Exodus 33:12 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, Thou dost say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But Thou Thyself hast not let me know (deloo) whom Thou wilt send with me. Moreover, Thou hast said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.'

Esther 2:22 But the plot became known (deloo) to Mordecai, and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know (deloo) His covenant.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know (deloo) wisdom.

Psalm 147:20 He has not dealt thus with any nation and as for His ordinances, they have not known (deloo) them. Praise the LORD!

Isaiah 42:9 "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim (Lxx = deloo = make them known) them to you."

Daniel 2:25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and spoke to him as follows: "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known (deloo) to the king!"

Deloo is used 7 times in the NT...

1 Corinthians 1:11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.

1 Corinthians 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

Colossians 1:8 (note) and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

Hebrews 9:8 (note)  The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing,

Hebrews 12:27 (note) And this expression, "Yet once more," denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

1 Peter 1:11 (note) seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

2 Peter 1:14 (note) knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear (of something divinely communicated) to me.

The writer states that the Holy Spirit is both the divine Author of the Levitical system of worship and its interpreter. The point the writer is making is that having the priest come in only once per year, that we have not really seen God's way into His present & that it is closed up.

A few of the sons of Israel surely must have become believers, under the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, as they saw in these symbolic shadows something of the Way of access to God, of communion with Him, and of admission into heaven thru the promised Redeemer. Sadly though most of the sons of Israel looked no further than the outward forms & shadows, failing to unite the spiritual truths being pictured with saving faith ("good news...but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard" Hebrews 4:2)

The outer tabernacle - Steven Cole comments that...

Some understand “first tabernacle” to refer to the entire tabernacle, but since the same phrase is used in 9:2 & 6 to refer to the holy place, others take it to refer to the outer or first room of the tabernacle. The meaning then would be that the holy place

“was blocking the way into the sanctuary of God’s presence for the mass of the people, for whom entry even into the holy place was prohibited…. So long, then, as the holy place continued standing they had no hope of immediate access to God” (Philip Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews [Eerdmans], p. 322, 323). (Hebrews 9:1-14 God's Remedy for Guilt)

THAT THE WAY INTO THE HOLY PLACE HAS NOT YET BEEN DISCLOSED: mepo pephanerosthai (RPN) ten ton hagion hodon: (3; 4:15,16; 10:19-22; John 10:7,9; 14:6; Ephesians 2:18)

The way - Not "a" way, but "the way", the specific, exclusive, definitive way as emphasized by Jesus and amplified by Paul...

John 10:7,9 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep... 10:9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the (specific, only) way, and the (specific, only) truth, and the (specific, only) life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (Cults twist this passage and translate it to say "a way" the implication of course being that Jesus is fine, but He is just one of many ways to God. Wrong!)

Ephesians 2:18 (note) for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Romans 5:2 (note) through Whom (Jesus) also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

The holy place - In the context, this phrase refers to the innermost room of the sanctuary, otherwise known as the holy of holies.

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place (holy of holies) by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (see notes Hebrews 10:19; 20; 21; 22)

Disclosed (5319) (phaneroo from phanerós = manifest, visible, conspicuous from phaino = give light; become visible from phos = light) indicates an external manifestation to the senses which is thus open to all. It means to make visible that which has been hidden. The primary reference is to what is visible to sensory perception and thus which is made to appear, caused to be seen or uncovered, laid bare or revealed.

To be manifested, in the Scriptural sense is more than just to appear. For example, a person may appear in a false guise or without a disclosure of what he truly is. Thus in this context, phaneroo conveys the sense of to be manifested or to be revealed in one's true character (this is meaning in Jn 3:21, 1Cor 4:5, 2Cor 5:10,11, see note Ephesians 5:13)

Worship of God was limited and common folk had no immediate access to God. The people could come only so close. The whole thing was meant to prove that without a Redeemer, without a Messiah, without a Savior, there is no access to God. The Holy Spirit was teaching the impossibility of access to God without a perfect priest, a perfect sacrifice, and a perfect covenant. By allowing the people to go no farther than the outer court, He was illustrating that through Judaism there was no access to Him, only a symbol of access.

As long as that part of the Levitical institution was still in effect, Israel was to understand that the way into the presence of God had not yet been opened. The division of the tabernacle into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies showed the limitations of the Levitical system, and kept the people from coming directly to God. The Holy Place barred both priests and people from the Holy of Holies.

At the time Hebrews was written (before the destruction of the Temple in 70AD), the worship of God was limited and the "lay" Jews had no immediate access to God. The writer of Hebrews is portraying the picture that without a Redeemer, without a Messiah, without a Savior, there was no access (see "the way" above) to God. The Holy Spirit in fact was teaching the impossibility of access to God without a perfect priest, a perfect sacrifice, and a perfect covenant. By allowing the people to go no farther than the outer court, the Holy Spirit was illustrating that through Judaism there was no true access to God, only symbolic access.
 

How can a sinner now enter into the presence of a Holy God (Hebrews 10:19-20, cf Heb 6:19)? This is what the writer is building toward, and which he will explain later -- it is by entering through the Veil = Jesus' Flesh. The veil that hung in the temple represented the Lamb of God, the Covenant Sacrifice slain, laid out, divided in two for you and for me! A New & Living Way (hodos same as Jn 14:6)

WHILE THE OUTER TABERNACLE IS STILL STANDING: eti tes protes skenes echouses (PAPFSG) stasin:

Outer tabernacle - From the context this is not a reference to the outer room or to the wall surrounding the Tabernacle complex, but clearly refers to the Tabernacle per se, and its "furnishings" including the Menorah, Incense Altar and Showbread table.

When the new order of things was brought into being by the death of Messiah on the Cross, thus fulfilling the typical sacrifices (see topic Typology), God rent the inner veil of the temple which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, making of the two rooms one. There was, therefore, no more “within the veil.” This was God’s picture book lesson to the Jews and the Jewish priests, illustrating that the Jewish priestly ministry was now over, because a new Priest had arisen after the order of Melchisedec. (see notes Hebrews 5:6; 5:10; 6:20; 7:1; 7:10; 7:11; 7:15; 7:17) But, Israel in its stubbornness, resisted the Holy Spirit, "repaired" the veil and kept on offering sacrifices until 70AD when God in His wrath sent Rome to destroy the city of Jerusalem and scatter His chosen people throughout the Roman empire.

Still standing - The Temple was apparently still standing. The old had to pass away before God’s new way could be revealed.

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F B Meyer comments that...

WHICH IS A SYMBOL FOR THE PRESENT TIME: hetis parabole eis ton kairon: (Heb 9:24; 11:19; Romans 5:14; 1 Peter 3:21) (Heb 7:11; 11:39,40; 1 Peter 1:11,12)

Which is a symbol - Which is a "parable", a parabolic setting forth of the character of the Old Testament.

Symbol (3850) (parabole from para = beside + ballo = throw; English "parable") is literally a throwing beside and thus refers to setting of something side-by-side for the purpose of comparison. In this case, the writer is comparing the Old Covenant tabernacle (holy place) with the New Covenant.

As stated earlier, he uses the old covenant tabernacle and sacrifices (plural) as an object lesson to illustrate the better sacrifice (singular) of Christ. Think of the Old Covenant as analogous to a children's book which especially with young children is filled with pictures to help teach the child truths. In the same way, the structure and rigid rituals of the Old Covenant were God's inspired "picture book" by which He sought to tutor Israel and thereby to lead them to comet to know and receive their Messiah.

Spurgeon writes that that it was...

Only a figure, and only meant for “the time then present.” It was the childhood of the Lord’s people; it was a time when, as yet, the light had not fully broken in upon spiritual eyes, so they must be taught by picture-books. They must have a kind of Kindergarten for the little children, that they might learn the elements of the faith by the symbols, types, and representations of a material worship. When we come into the true gospel light, all that is done away with; it was only “a figure for the time then present.”

All these rites could only give a fleshly purity, but they could not touch the conscience. If men saw what was meant by the outward type, then the conscience was appeased; but by the outward sign itself the conscience was never comforted, if it was a living and lowly conscience.

MacArthur explains that...

The old sacrifices were never meant to cleanse from sin but only symbolized cleansing. The conscience was never freed from the feeling of guilt because the guilt itself was never removed. The cleansing was predominantly external. Consequently, the worshiper could not obtain a clear conscience, that derives from a deep, abiding sense of forgiveness. (MacArthur, John: Hebrews. Moody Press or Logos)

Matthew Poole writes that...

the tabernacle in all its parts, and the whole economy of it, was parabole, which signifies the translation of a word or thing from its own natural signification to signify another, which thing so signified by it is commonly more excellent than itself, as the substance exceeds the shadow; equivalent it is to those terms of types, examples, figures of things to come: such are the tabernacle and its services, representations of things spiritual and Divine, and very imperfect shadows of them, serving only for that infant state of the church: and when its nonage was to expire by the coming of the truths themselves, then were they to expire too. The only time when the tabernacle administration was present, and no longer.

In simple terms, the Old Testament tabernacle was an object lesson used to explain spiritual truth. The tabernacle itself and all that the Old Covenant represented were suggestive of deeper truths, parables as it were of the New Covenant.

For the present time - The time of the temple-worship which had continued still in the day of the Hebrew readers (Temple not yet destroyed).

Cole comments that...

The “present time” may mean “the time then present,” that is, “in the Old Testament days the way to God was not yet revealed.” Or, it may mean “the time now present,” indicating that “the real meaning of the tabernacle can only now be understood, in the light of the work of Christ” (Leon Morris, The Expositors Bible Commentary [Zondervan], ed. by Frank Gaebelein, 12:84).

ACCORDINGLY BOTH GIFTS AND SACRIFICES ARE OFFERED WHICH CANNOT MAKE THE WORSHIPPER PERFECT IN CONSCIENCE: kath en dora te kai thusiai prospherontai (3PPPI) me dunamenai (PPPFPN) kata suneidesin teleiosai (AAN) ton latreuonta: (Hebrews 5:1) (Heb 9:13,14; 7:18,19; 10:1-4,11; Psalms 40:6,7; Galatians 3:21) (Psalms 51:16-19)

Gifts - These probably correspond to the presentation of the offering (of animal, bird, grain, drink) the worshiper brought for the sacrifice.

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins (see note Hebrews 5:1)

Offered (4374) (prosphero from pros = to, toward + phero = bring, bear) means literally to bring or bear toward and in this context refers to the presentation of an offering. Notice that prosphero is in the present tense which signifies that the Levitical priests offered continually, day in, day out, morning and evening, year after year.

Cannot - This is the Greek phrase "me dunamenai" in the present tense which literally reads continually not able. The Old Covenant gifts and sacrifices lacked the inherent ability to give a perfectly clean conscience. It should be understood that inability to provide a clean conscience was not the only way the Old Covenant was ineffective, but singling out this subject served the writer's purpose to emphasize his point.

Note the contrasting effect of the better sacrifice of the New Covenant...

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (see note Hebrews 9:14)

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (see note Hebrews 10:22)

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. (see note Hebrews 13:18)

Spurgeon comments that...

All these sacrifices and ceremonies, although full of instruction, were not in themselves able to give peace to the conscience of men. The new and better covenant does give rest to the heart by the real and actual taking away of guilt, but this the first covenant could not do. It is astonishing that there should be any who want to go back to the “beggarly elements” of the old Jewish law, and again to have priests, and an elaborate ritual, and I know not what besides. These things were faulty and fell short of what was needed even when God instituted them, for they were never intended to produce perfection, or to give rest to the troubled conscience; so of what use can those ceremonies be which are of man’s own invention, and which are not according to the new covenant at all?

To perfect (5048) (telioo related to teleios from telos = an end, a purpose, an aim, a goal, consummate soundness, idea of being whole) means to accomplish or bring to an end or to the intended goal (telos). It means to be complete, mature, fully developed, full grown, brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness or in good working order. It does not mean simply to terminate something but to carry it out to the full finish which is picked up in the translation "perfected". Teleioo signifies the attainment of consummate soundness and includes the idea of being made whole. Interestingly the Gnostics used teleios of one fully initiated into their mysteries and that may have been why Paul used teleios in this epistle.

Telioo is used repeatedly by the writer in Hebrews to emphasize the importance of perfection... (which should cause any Jew who is contemplating the worth of Christ and the New Covenant to realize his utter hopelessness to every attain perfection under the Old Covenant). The Levitical ritual could not give a clean conscience, which is the goal of sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things, and through Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

Hebrews 7:19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God....28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Hebrews 9:9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

Hebrews 10:1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near....14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:23 (But you have come...) to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

It is interesting and doubtless no mere coincidence that in the Septuagint (LXX) teleioo is translated numerous times as consecrated or consecration, especially speaking of consecration of the priests (cf Jesus our "great High Priest")

Only the working of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God and the efficacy of the blood of the Messiah could do that. The Holy Spirit did in Old Testament times deal as He does today with the consciences of men, but the salvation which He applied under the Levitical system found its source in the NT Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus. Therefore, while operating under the jurisdiction of the First Covenant God was giving salvation to the First Covenant believer by virtue of that which was accomplished through the NT. Since the First Covenant could not do that which the New did, it was set aside which is the CRUX ARGUMENT of this Writer of Hebrews.

Not All the Blood of Beasts

Not all the blood of beasts
On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace
Or wash away the stain.

But Christ, the heav’nly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away;
A sacrifice of nobler name
And richer blood than they.

My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of Thine,
While, like a penitent, I stand,
And there confess my sin.

My soul looks back to see
The burdens Thou didst bear
When hanging on the cursèd tree,
And hopes her guilt was there.

Believing, we rejoice
To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And sing His bleeding love.

Perfect in conscience - The point is not that an OT saint (a genuine believer, one declared righteous by faith) could never have a clear conscience but just that such a conscience could never be obtained by the OT sacrifices, no matter how many sacrifices one made. The writer explains that...

if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (see notes Hebrews 9:13; 14)

Conscience (4893)(suneidesis from sun = with + eido = know) literally means a "knowing with", a co-knowledge with oneself or a being of one's own witness in the sense that one's own conscience "takes the stand" as the chief witness, testifying either to one's innocence or guilt. It describes the witness borne to one's conduct by that faculty by which we apprehend the will of God.  (Click here for more notes on on this website on conscience)

The conscience is a key word in the epistle to the Hebrews...

Hebrews 9:9 (note) which (the outer tabernacle) is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

Hebrews 9:14 (note) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:22 (note) let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 13:18 (note)  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

For the first time in their lives as Jews who worshiped Jehovah the guilt was completely gone, and their conscience could rest easy. This refers to the positional truth because of the cleansing provided by the blood of Christ. But there is also a practical (daily practice or sanctification) aspect to the conscience for Paul writes...

I thank God, whom I serve (present tense = continually) with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, (see note 2 Timothy 1:3)

Man is the only animal that blushes, and the only animal that needs to

I Want a Principle Within
by Charles Wesley (Play hymn)

I want a principle within of watchful, Godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
Help me the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wand’ring of my will and quench the Spirit’s fire.

From Thee that I no more may stray, no more Thy goodness grieve,
Grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make!
Awake my soul when sin is nigh and keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love, to me Thy pow’r impart;
The burden from my soul remove, the hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,
And drive me to that grace again which makes the wounded whole.

Conscience is God’s spy and man’s overseer. (John Trapp)

Conscience tells us that we ought to do right, but it does not tell us what right is--that we are taught by God's word.

Christopher Morley said about conscience

When Sgt. Ray Baarz of the Midvale, Utah, police department opened his wallet, he noticed his driver's license had expired. Embarrassed at having caught himself red-handed, he had no alternative. He calmly and deliberately pulled out his ticket book and wrote himself a citation. Then Baarz took the ticket to the city judge who fined him five dollars. "How could I give a ticket to anyone else for an expired license in the future if I didn't cite myself?" Baarz asked.

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In a number of languages it would be entirely misleading to speak of `a guilty conscience,' for this would seem to imply that there is something sinful about the conscience itself. In reality, it is the conscience that says that a person is guilty, and therefore it may be necessary to translate Heb10:22 as `with hearts that have been purified from a condition in which their conscience has said that they are guilty.

There is a treasure you can own
That's greater than a crown or throne;
This treasure is a conscience clear
That brings the sweetest peace and cheer.  --Isenhour

See 1Pe 3:19 where Peter is encouraging the believers who are suffering (or will soon go thru a fiery trial) with the doctrinal truth that "baptism now saves you" and he equates this "baptism" not with water baptism of Christianity or ritual Jewish baptismal washing for "purification" but with the obtaining of a "good conscience". And in these verses in Hebrews we see the only way one can obtain a clean conscience is by having one's heart sprinkled (with the blood of Jesus) (1Pe1:2) representing the blood of the New Covenant in which the unregenerate person is born from above and receives a new heart (with a new conscience).

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A Clear Conscience - In 1971 he killed a man. Even though he was the prime suspect in the murder, no one could prove it and the case was abandoned. So, he got away with it. Or did he?  Nearly three decades later, in failing health and living in a nursing home, he confessed to the crime. A detective who headed the original investigation said, "He was looking over his shoulder for the last 26 years, not only for the law, but for his Maker. I think he wants to clear his conscience before he meets his Maker--or try to at least." 

How's your conscience today? Clear or clouded? What would it take to be ready to meet your Maker? How can you be made clean? It may seem strange to speak of blood as a cleansing agent, but that's how the Bible connects the death of Jesus on the cross to our standing before God (Hebrews 10:19). Christ shed His blood so that we might be forgiven and made clean inside. Because of what He has done, we can have a clear conscience and "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22). No matter who you are or what you've done, Jesus Christ can give you a clear conscience. Why not confess your sin and make things right with your Maker today. --D C McCasland  (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Now in His mercy He waits to impart
Peace to the conscience and joy to the heart,
Waits to be gracious, to pardon and heal
All who their guilt and their sinfulness feel. --Anon.

A clear conscience is a soft pillow.

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The 50-Year Desire -- Years ago I was standing by the deathbed of an old minister down in Alabama. The old man had been a preacher for fifty years. I saw his son, who also was a minister, kneel by his father’s bed. “Father, you have preached for fifty years, and have done more good than any man I know.” The old man, with feeble but distinct voice, said: “Don’t tell me about that, son. Tell me about the blood of Jesus. Nothing but the blood of Jesus will do for a dying man.” If a man who had preached for fifty years and who had lived a pure, straight life, in his dying hour had to rely upon the blood of Jesus Christ, don’t you ever think there is any hope for you aside from this atoning blood?

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Example of conscience that cannot be cleansed: Albert Speer was once interviewed about his last book on ABC’s “Good Morning, America.” Speer was the Hitler confidant whose technological genius was credited with keeping Nazi factories humming throughout World War II. In another era he might have been one of the world’s industrial giants. He was the only one of twenty-four war criminals tried in Nuremburg who admitted his guilt. Speer spent twenty years in Spandau prison. The interviewer referred to a passage in one of Speer’s earlier writings: “You have said the guilt can never be forgiven, or shouldn’t be. Do you still feel that way?” The look of pathos on Speer’s face was wrenching as he responded, “I served a sentence of twenty years, and I could say, ‘I’m a free man, my conscience has been cleared by serving the whole time as punishment.’ But I can’t do that. I still carry the burden of what happened to millions of people during Hitler’s lifetime, and I can’t get rid of it. This new book is part of my atoning, of clearing my conscience.” The interviewer pressed the point. “You really don’t think you’ll be able to clear it totally?” Speer shook his head. “I don’t think it will be possible.” For thirty-five years Speer had accepted complete responsibility for his crime. His writings were filled with contrition and warnings to others to avoid his moral sin. He desperately sought expiation. All to no avail.

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Charles Simeon, one of the greatest preachers of the Church of England, explained his coming to Christ like this: As I was reading Bishop Wilson on the Lord’s supper, I met with an expression to this effect—“That the Jews knew what they did, when they transferred their sin to the head of their offering.” The thought came into my mind, “What, may I transfer all my guilt to another? Has God provided an Offering for me, that I may lay my sins on His head? Then, God willing, I will not bear them on my own soul one moment longer.” Accordingly I sought to lay my sins upon the sacred head of Jesus.

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F B Meyer comments that...