Why does the Old Testament tabernacle practice matter to Christians in the age of grace?
The Old Testament tabernacle practice matters because it points to the heavenly reality Christ entered. Just as Israel's high priest went in and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat, Christ entered heaven's holy place by His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for believers in the age of grace.
Les explains that God had set this up in heaven so that even though the tabernacle practice was seen back in ancient Israel, it becomes appropriate for believers in the age of grace. When Israel's high priest went in and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat, Christ did the same, but He did not enter Israel's tabernacle or Solomon's temple. He entered the tabernacle in heaven. Verse 12 says He entered once into the holy place, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption for us.