Most people, if you say 'worship place' will think of a church or other religious building. We ask where is God worshipped? Our eyes habitually look around us and we look for a place on earth where God will meet with us. For the Old Testament 'church', the answer was the tabernacle and the temples which superseded it. For the earliest Christians, who were all Jews, there was some confusion. The temple was still standing, sacrifices and purification ceremonies still took place. It was the natural place for new believers to gather, but it was also a place of confusing hostility as the religious leaders refused to acknowledge Jesus (Acts 2:46; 5:12).

So the writer of this letter explained that the ultimate worship-place is heaven. It is greater and more perfect than any earthly replica. It is a God-made place, not man-made, and enjoys the fulness of Father God's presence all the time. 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven to take evidence of His own bloodied sacrifice (pierced hands and feet) which atones for our sins. That is why the blood of animals was obsolete, along with the altars, priests and temple (Hebrews 8:13). Jesus has done all that is necessary for us to worship God. God the Son pleads the efficacy of His own blood before God the Father, and we can worship wherever we are in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

The presentation of the sin-sacrifice to Father God could not be any closer, because Jesus continually intercedes for us in the true worship-place. We do not even need a building to worship in: we can sing silently in our hearts or aloud with other believers (Ephesians 5:19-20) - and that worship is as intimate as in heaven, for the Spirit of God lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). So, the perfect worship-place is wherever God is, and He is with us by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).

However beautiful some worship buildings might be, none is as precious to God as His Son or His children. The ultimate worship-place is in heaven where Christ is (Colossians 3:1); and that is mirrored here on earth wherever His people gather (1 Peter 2:5), or were believers honour their Saviour (1 Corinthians 6:19). When it comes to physical buildings: however helpful or beautiful some might find the architectural symbolism, the Lord is worshipped in Spirit not stone; in heaven and in our hearts. There is no holier place than heaven and the heart which has been cleansed by Christ. So, do not be confused by earthly externals. Be reassured that your heart's worship is acceptable now because our High Priest is in heaven and His Spirit is in our hearts.