Was the Old Testament sacrificial system a figure or symbol?
The Old Testament sacrificial system was a figure, symbol, and illustration for the time then present. Hebrews 9 presents it as the gifts and sacrifices offered under the first tabernacle that could not perfect the worshiper's conscience or take away sin; the blood of animals could not remove sin.
Les explains that Hebrews 9 rehearses the Day of Atonement, where the High Priest went alone into the Holy of Holies once every year, never without blood, offering for himself and for the people. The Holy Spirit signified that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was yet standing, that is, back in the time of Moses and the Law. Les teaches that all of this taking place in the Old Testament economy was a figure, or a symbol, or an illustration for the time then present as they practiced their sacrificial worship. Those gifts and sacrifices could not make the one who did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience. The whole sacrificial system in itself did not take away sin, and the blood of animals could not take away sin.
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;
More Questions
Could Old Testament animal sacrifices take away sin?
The whole Old Testament sacrificial system in itself did not take away sin; the blood of animals could not take away sin.