Heb 10: 1-2 "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. For then would they have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."
The ceremonial law given to Moses by God was a foreshadowing of good things to come. This law never did take away sin, nor was it given for that purpose. It was given to foreshadow the good things that Christ would accomplish in his work of redemption. In this ceremony of sacrifices for sin there was always a sinner, always a sacrifice to take the sinners place, the substitute was always slain, the blood always applied by the priest, the remains burned without the camp, and the sinner walked away until the next sacrifice. This foreshadowed the perfect work of redemption finished by the spotless Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. The law never cleansed one sinner but if it had, there are three things this text tells us about the ceremonial law.
First, if these sacrifices had been effectual then it would only have taken one offering. Secondly, if these sacrifices had had a cleansing effect, then one offering would have purged the sinner of all sin, making him perfect before the holy God. Lastly, the sinner made perfect would have had no more conscience of sins—no more fear of the righteous judgment of God. The ceremonial law never did any of this but Christ Jesus the Lord did.
He has made one offering. And by that one offering he has perfected forever all those for whom he died. In time he reveals to each one of those cleansed elect what he has accomplished for them. When Christ applies a saving knowledge of his sin-atoning blood to the sinner through the Holy Spirit, the sinner believes. He walks away in full assurance that God remembers his sin no more. (Heb. 10: 10-23)
No more toiling after the law, for Christ fulfilled the law on our behalf. No more fear of the wrath of God, for in Christ is peace. No more fearful looking for the judgment of God, for in Christ we are made the righteousness of God. The believer rejoices in the sacrifice of praise—the calves of his lips—happy that God has given him eyes to see and a heart to believe the very image of the shadow. Though good things of the law have come in the person and work of Christ Jesus, even now, like the Old Testament saint, the believer patiently waits for the good things yet to come.
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