2. ’THE ULTIMATE HOLY PLACE’ Heb 9:24-28

4. 1. THE COPY

5. Hebrews tells us in 9:24: ‘For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.’

10. 2. WHAT TO EXPECT

13. 3. ESTHER

16. ‘And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’

18. . THE KING’S PRESENCE 4. THE KING’S PRESENCE

19. Esther 4:11-5:3 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

20. 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

21. 5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

22. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

24. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

25. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

26. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

27. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

28. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

29. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

30. 1. Esther got a multitude of believers to fast and presumably pray for three days prior. 2. Esther put on royal robes. 3. Esther stood in the inner court. 4. The King was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance to his hall. 5. He saw Esther. 6. He was pleased with her. 7. He held out to her the gold sceptre.

31. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

32. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

33. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

34. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

35. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

36. 8. Esther approached 9. Esther touched the tip of the sceptre. 10. The King spoke to her. 11. The King wanted to know what she wanted. 12. The King was interested in giving her what she wanted before she said. 13. The King was generous with her (even to half the Kingdom!).

37. 5. APPLICATION

39. 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23

40. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.