There are certain fundamentals, without which we cannot have a system of religion. These fundamentals are, the priest, the altar and the offering. From the beginning these have been the essentials in order that man might approach unto God. For an omission in these, Cain was rejected. The priests, altars, and offerings of former times were only shadowy. As typical institutions they answered this purpose. No type, however, could ever answer the purpose nor take the place of the antitype. With typical blood, a typical institution could be dedicated. Hence, with the blood of animals Moses dedicated the first Testament. With such blood, however, the perfect institution of God could not be dedicated. If it could have been there would have been no necessity for the death of Christ. Speaking of the dedication of the first covenant, and the tabernacle belonging thereto, Paul says: "It was, therefore, necessary that the patterns of heavenly things should thus be purified, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."—Heb. 9: 23. Again, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter the holy place through the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath opened for us, passing through the veil (that is to say his flesh); and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith: as our hearts have been 'sprinkled' from the stain of an evil conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."—Heb. 10: 17–22. This new and living way was opened through the offerings of Christ—opened after Christ was consecrated High Priest over the house of God. This was after his ascension to heaven. Heb. 8: 4. The perfecting of the arrangement in order to the opening of the perfect institution of God was through the sufferings of Christ. "And though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by suffering. And when his consecration was accomplished, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him."—Heb. 5: 8, 9.
Christ being the antitype of all former altars, priests and
