Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience-- concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 09:06-10, NKJV).
The Tabernacle and Temple precincts, its partitions, implements, vessels, and priestly services were highly significant, especially in foreshadowing the saving work of Christ. The passages above deepen that picture, emphasizing the continuous separation between God and sinners, broached only symbolically, and then only through the constant sacrificial shedding of innocent animal blood.
The available access to the sanctuary versus the Holiest of All painted a solemn picture of the drastic break in fellowship between creature and Creator, and the extent to which God went to make at least a temporary reunion possible. Even so, that place designated as God's earthly seat, the Most Holy Place, was barred from entry except when the the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.
This graphically illustrates the almost inconceivable heinousness of sin, even unintentional sin (sins committed in ignorance). It is akin to a living creature purposely or stupidly denying itself the breath of life, only to have the Giver of life go to extreme lengths to prevent the resulting suicide.
We really have no clue just how bad we are, nor how good God is, and we would remain blinded beyond hope of sight unless the Holy Spirit-inspired Scriptures provided us with the truth about our despicable condition.
The provision of atonement established by the services of the Tabernacle were more intimate than their later counterparts in the Temple, precisely because of their lack of cultural inculcation. It was a new thing for the wandering Children of Israel to be required to ritualistically and routinely slaughter animals for the express purpose of escaping their own just punishment for sin.
By the time of Solomon's Temple, nearly half a millennia later, the symbolism was farther removed from the actuality, and the formal practice of Judaism became, not a humble supplication for mercy, but a supposed work of righteousness in and of itself.
We thick-headed humans do that all the time. We ascribe delusional credit to ceremonial cleanliness as if it were meant to be something more than a ceremony. Rather than expiating sin, the sacrifices were reminders of sin. Every bleeding and bleating lamb, goat, or sheep was a piteous reminder of how far humanity was fallen. But that reality became obscured over time by the very sinfulness it was meant to temporarily cover.
As written in the verses above, there was no actual way to draw near to God. The rituals were billboards indicating that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. As long as their remained a need to be cleansed, true fellowship with God could not be restored. Instead, [it] was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience-- concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances…
What was required, and what could be made possible only by Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the Cross, was an inward cleansing; the creation of a new heart, a new nature that could only occur when the way to the Throne of Grace was thrown open by the shedding of the Lord's blood. Without Jesus it was a hopeless Catch-22. Only by drawing close to God could the real transformation take place, but that drawing closer could only be accomplished, not by the covering of sin, but by it being taken away in Christ.
These temporary measures were imposed until the time of reformation, which began to take place with Christ's saving work, and which will continue throughout this present age, individual by individual, until the consummation of this age, and the ushering in of Eternity.
All of it, every single drop in the ocean of blood prior to Christ pictured the need for a Savior.
All of it, every single drop in the ocean of blood prior to Christ pictured the horror of sin and the holiness of God.
All of it, every single drop in the ocean of blood prior to Christ pictured His indescribable love in coming to save us.
The priesthood, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices could never be sufficient to repair the breach between God and sinful man.
Only God Himself, reaching across that unbridgeable chasm in Christ could restore the relationship. And then only because Christ set His face like flint to go to Jerusalem and took upon Himself the penalty of sin.
For us.
