The Earthly Tent and the Eternal Hope (Hebrews 9)

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)…”
— Hebrews 9:11 (ESV)

We live in earthly tents.

Scripture reminds us that this physical life is temporary, fragile, and vulnerable. Paul uses that same imagery in 2 Corinthians 5 — our bodies are like tents: useful, sheltering, but ultimately not home. They wear down, tear in the storms, and ultimately collapse.

2 Corinthians 5:1–7

 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. [4] For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. [6] So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, [7] for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

I once witnessed this powerfully at a funeral years ago. A teenage girl in our youth ministry had just lost her father. As we gathered graveside, sudden wind gusts began to rip against the tent we stood beneath. The flaps were snapping, the poles shaking — the whole shelter felt like it would be torn away. But the pastor opened his Bible and began reading the promises of God — and right then, the wind stilled. Sunlight broke through the clouds. In that moment, I couldn’t help but think:

Our earthly tents may be torn by sorrow…
but when God speaks, hope breaks through.

That is exactly what Hebrews 9 wants us to feel. The tent was temporary.....

 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. [2] For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. (Hebrews 9:1–2 ESV)

The tabernacle — the tent in the wilderness — was not permanent by design. It was a hint and a shadow of something better. It provided a picture of access to God, but not full access. Priests entered often. Sacrifices continued daily. Sin was only covered, not cleansed.

The old covenant was real — but not final.

Theologian O. Palmer Robertson famously describes the covenant this way:

“A covenant is a bond in blood, sovereignly administered.”

Hebrews 9 shows what that means:
Someone had to bleed.
Someone had to enter the real sanctuary.
Someone had to deal with sin once for all.

Jesus did what priests could never do:

• He is the perfect High Priest

• He brought the perfect sacrifice — Himself

• He entered the true Holy of Holies

• He obtained eternal redemption

“He entered once for all into the holy places… by means of his own blood.”
(Hebrews 9:12)

That's what I tried to convey in the song- "Appointment of the Divine"

“Not the blood of goats or bulls could ever cleanse the stain…
But the Lamb who takes our sin away has opened wide the way.”

His blood doesn’t merely delay wrath —
It removes guilt.

He doesn’t treat symptoms —
He cures the disease.

He doesn’t patch the tent —
He brings us home.

Hebrews 9 ends with a sobering certainty:

“…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
(Hebrews 9:27)

There are two appointments every soul must face: death and a scheduled meet up

But the believer sees those through the cross:

“Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
(Hebrews 9:28)

Again- that is what I hoped to capture in the lyrics....

“I will not fear that final day, for You will call my name…
This appointment of the divine brings joy, not shame.”

Every storm-snatched tent, every graveside sorrow, every tear becomes:

A reminder that eternal joy approaches
A sign that resurrection life is secured
A promise that He will return for us

Therefore… Hope

We still face winds that shake us.
We still feel the flaps of the tent snapping.
We still stand beside graves with hearts that ache.

But we also stand on promise.

Tents tear.
Storms break.
Death comes.

Jesus is better.
Jesus is greater.
Jesus is eternal.

And because of Him:

The earthly tent may fail —
but the dwelling of God will never fall.

Song Link: Appointment of the Divine (Hebrews 9)