Lighthouse scribes

Under the first covenant, there were strict regulations of service and a specific physical worship location, the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle, made of two rooms, had the sanctuary, or holy place, where incense was offered up to God by a Levitical priest who had been chosen for the service. Only priests could enter that room. If you and I lived in the BCs we would never have been able to enter that room. The innermost room was the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of Covenant. The ARK held things in it and was also the abode of the mercy seat, on which atoning sacrifices were offered by the High Priest. It was overshadowed by Cherubims and was symbolic of the presence/habitation of God (Exodus 25:10-22, Leviticus 16). Atonement was made for the sins of the priests and the sins of all people once a year and only to be done by the high priest. In the Old Testament, intentional sins were atoned for or punished immediately, and unintentional sins were remitted yearly (Leviticus).
Now, take a minute to contrast this system with what you have enjoyed since becoming a Christian. Let this light spur you to appreciate God anew.
 
As long as this old system was in operation, access to the Holy of Holies remained veiled (v9). The entire system of worship in the Old Testament was a shadow of the eternal. In Ch. 8, we looked at how they were a vague representation of the real deal, the eternal life. In the old system, our conscience could not be relieved of the guilt and burden of sin. Imagine what it was like for a person to always carry the guilt of sin even though they had performed all the rituals for cleansing. It was never enough.
What Christ did is enough. V11-13. He became the sacrifice for sin that all the bulls and goats could not atone for. He paid with his precious, priceless blood so we would never have to continue in shame with a guilty conscience when we have been washed clean. The blood of Jesus also purifies our conscience from dead works—the way of trying to by works make ourselves right (Gal 2:16), and He gives us a clear conscience so that we can worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:19-24). Christ was without sin, and He was offered in a tabernacle not made with hands in heaven. Christ is the only solution, and if you are reading this and still enslaved to sin, come to Him; He is the only one who can make you whole and free (2 Cor 5:17).

Love,

Osi