Hebrews 10:19 (ESV) … “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
The great privilege which is here announced unto Christians is that they may draw near unto God as accepted worshippers. This privilege is presented under a recapitulation of the principal points which the apostle had been treating of, namely, first, Christians have liberty to enter the presence of God (v. 19). Second, a way has been prepared for them so to do (v. 20). Third, a Guide is provided to direct them in that way (v. 21).
These three points are here amplified by showing the nature of this “liberty”: it is with “boldness,” to enter the presence of God, and that by virtue of Christ’s blood. The “way” is described as a “new” and “living” one, and it is ready for our use because Christ has “consecrated” it. The “Guide” is presented by His function, “priest”; His dignity, “great”; His authority, “over the house of God.”
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” To “enter into the holiest” is, as v. 22 shows, to “draw near” unto God in Christ, for “no one cometh unto the Father but by Him” (John 14:6). The “Holiest” here is only another name for Heaven, the dwelling-place of God, being designated so in this instance because the holy of holies in the tabernacle and the temple was the type thereof. This is established by what was before us in Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, the figures of the true; but into heaven itself.” It is most blessed to link with Hebrews 10:19 what is said in Hebrews 9:12: “by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place”; the title of the members of His body for entering in the Sanctuary on high, is the same as that of their Head’s!
The boldness to “enter into the holiest” which is spoken of in our text is not to be limited to the Christian’s going to heaven at death or at the return of the Savior, but is to be understood as referring to that access unto God in spirit, and by faith, which he now has. Here again we see the tremendous contrast from the conditions obtaining under the old and the new covenants. Under Judaism as such, the Israelites were rigidly excluded from drawing nigh unto Jehovah; His dwelling-place was sealed against them. Nay, even the Levites, privileged as they were to minister in the tabernacle, were barred from the holy of holies. But now the right has been accorded unto all who partake of the blessings of the new covenant, to enjoy free access unto God, to draw near unto His throne as supplicants, to enter His temple as worshippers, to sit at His table as happy children.[1]
[1] Pink, A. W. (1954). An exposition of Hebrews (pp. 571–572). Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot.