(This note was written on Sunday 7-7-2013)
Hebrews 9: 8 -10 NASB
The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
The above verses explain to us that the worship arrangements of the OT Tabernable - the "outer" tabernacle - were meant to be an illustration that pointed to the present time.
Those offerings and animal sacrifices cannot make the hearts of worshippers perfect. For example Isaiah prophesied harshly against the sinfulness of Israel in Isaiah 1: 11 - 15, a people who offered sacrifices of sheep, bulls and fine animals (v11), saying that their hands were covered with blood (v15)!
Such sacrifices involve only food, drinks and purification rites. They are outward rules which apply only UNTIL the (present) time when the new order is established by God.
Today, I ponder over the word UNTIL and I wonder what it really means. Does it mean that the food offerings, drink offerings and acts of purification commanded by Moses in scripture no longer have to be observed anymore? Does it also imply that God will no longer meet worshippers in any man-made temple in Jerusalem ever again?
