It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.
Cross References
Hebrews 5:1Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Hebrews 7:19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 8:4Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.
Hebrews 10:1For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Hebrews 11:19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Treasury of Scripture
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
a figure.
Hebrews 9:24
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 11:19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
the time.
Hebrews 7:11
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 11:39,40
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: …
1 Peter 1:11,12
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow…
gifts.
Hebrews 5:1
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
that could.
Hebrews 9:13,14
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: …
Hebrews 7:18,19
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof…
Hebrews 10:1-4,11
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect…
as pertaining.
Psalm 51:16-19
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering…
