<p>9:9 <i>(Which is symbolic for the present age)- </i>The idea may be that the present age, that of the Christian dispensation, was symbolized or pointed forward to by the arrangements of the tabernacle. It was all a <i>parabole </i>(&quot;symbolic&quot;), a parable to be interpreted. But now that age had come, they are of no practical value apart from as symbols of the reality we are now in<i>. </i></p><p><i>According to this system, both gifts and sacrifices were offered which could not make the worshiper perfect as relates to the conscience</i>- This is parallel with the thought of :8, that the tabernacle system was actually a barrier between God and man, stopping men coming into the Most Holy, the presence of God. No worshipper could come into the Most Holy, the presence of God, because all within him would cry out that he was imperfect; his conscience wouldn't allow him to seek to enter, even if it were legally possible. The &quot;system&quot; in Christ enables our complete forgiveness and cleansing; we are counted as &quot;in Christ&quot;, as righteous as He, thereby cleansing the conscience and allowing our entry into the very presence of God. The Lord's teaching about the Comforter speaks of similar things; through the sanctifying work of the Spirit in our hearts, we can come directly to God without mediation (Jn. 14:16; 16:26), to the extent that the Lord's physical absence is not felt and we live as in His very personal presence.</p>