Hebrews 9:23

Whereas animal blood adequately cleansed the prototype on earth under the Old Covenant, a better sacrifice was necessary to cleanse the realities in heaven (cf. Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:24). Thus Jesus Christ’s death was essential. The "heavenly things" may refer to the consciences of men and women. [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., p. 218.] It seems more likely, however, that they refer to the things connected with the heavenly tabernacle. This may include angels that need cleansing (cf. Job 4:18; Job 15:15) [Note: Pentecost, A Faith . . ., pp. 156-57.] and or "wickedness beyond this earth" [Note: Morris, p. 91.] (cf. Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 2:8; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:20; Colossians 2:15).

"As sinful pilgrims on their way to the heavenly city, God’s people defile all they touch, even their ’meeting place’ with God, and they need the constant efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ their High Priest to remove that defilement." [Note: David J. MacLeod, "The Cleansing of the True Tabernacle," Bibliotheca Sacra 152:605 (January-March 1995):71.]