This is an illustration pointing to the present time that accordingly, like the offerings and sacrifices being offered had no power to perfect the servant in respect to his conscience. (Hebrews 9:9)
The word perfect τελειόω (teleioō) means to perfect, complete, finish; (pass.) to reach a goal, be fulfilled, completed, made perfect. Jesus tells us we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) People stumble over the idea of perfection because of its meaning to be without fault or defect, however, it also means faithfully reproducing the original.* The latter meaning fits with scripture, God in Christ is conforming us to that original intent God created us in, his image. This is the end goal, which we can sum up as a fullness in Christ, and as the purpose of God in Christ, in which according to that purpose he is working out all for our good, so that we are being conformed to the image of Christ. (Roman 8:28) Perfection means the end goal is becoming like Jesus, so God is faithfully reproducing the original man created in his image through His Son.
The word servant is λατρεύω (latreuō) meaning to serve as Strong Concordance suggests from latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), i.e. Render religious homage -- serve, do the service, worship(-per). In context, this scripture is talking about the priests who were appointed from the tribe of Levi and further consecrated by God for service in the Old covenant temple. They served according to the Law, "they served as a shadowy copy of the heavenly..." (Hebrews 8:4-5) God had warned Moses to construct the Temple exactly as he had been given instruction as it was a copy of the heavenly. We know it was a shadowy copy and the glory of Moses was veiled. (Exodus 34:35) Paul writes Moses veiled his face so as to keep them from gazing at the end (telos) of what was fading away. (2 Corinthians 3:13) The glory of God was not meant to shine in the face of Moses, to perfect men, because in the face of Jesus the glory of God was purposed to shine.*
... like the gifts and sacrifices being offered have no power to perfect the servant in respect to his conscience. (Hebrews 9:9)
for Jesus is worthier of greater glory than Moses, accordingly greater as the builder of the house has greater honor than the house itself. (Hebrews 3:3-4)
Jesus came among his own, the builder of the house came to the earthly house made by the hands of men, but they did not receive him. (John 1:1, 11) For they thought the house and the servant Moses was greater than the builder. (John 6:31-33) They searched the scriptures for life which testified about Jesus, the Life, but they refused to come to him. (John 5:37-40) Jesus would become a meditator of a better covenant, not like Moses and Aaron who were servants of the house but like a Son, the builder of the house. "For if the first had been blameless there was no reason to seek a second." (Hebrews 8:7) If the offerings and sacrifices cleansed the conscious there would not be a need for another. (Hebrews 10:2) "If therefore perfection existed through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were ordained by Law) what further need of a kind of priest to arise...?" (Hebrews 7:11) "This is an illustration pointing to the present time..." What does it say to us at the present time? About perfection?
for then having the Law, having a shadow of the good to come not the actual likeness of the reality, not having the power to perfect those coming near, of the same sacrifices which offered to the extent each year. (Hebrews 10:1)
We have seen that serving in the temple did not perfect the servant, now, we see the Law did not have the power to perfect those who came near, it was not the reality, it was veiled in glory. The Law and the Temple were an integral part of each other. The Mosaic Law appointed weak men as high priests, but the word of the oath appointed the Son, who was perfected to the extent of all time. (Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:28) Can not God by his word do away with the first to establish another covenant, especially if the first was weak, because of the sinful nature, to perfect men? And did not in the past God speak in various ways through men but now in these days he speaks through His Son? (Hebrews 1:1) And does not the establishment of the second through the blood of His Son say more? The Son, the radiance of the glory, both brought forth all through the word of his power, performing the cleansing ritual for sin then sat down at the right hand of God, exalted far above, with a most noble name. (Hebrews 1:2-3)
Jesus came as High Priest of the good things to come, (remember the Law was a "shadow of the good to come not the actual likeness of the reality") and he passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made of hands that exist not of this world (not the shadowy copy of the heavenly but the actual reality) he entered once into the Holy not through the blood of goats and calves but through his own blood, obtaining eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
Jesus rose as our great High Priest, not on the basis of the Law expressed in fleshly commands but based upon the power of the life he lived. (Hebrews 7:14-16)
To be a sacrifice acceptable to God Jesus had to be a Lamb without blemish, or stain, or defect, he had to live as a man in this carnal body through the power of the Holy Spirit. By his one righteous act, he brings justification to all men. Justification is by faith, through his blood, and by grace through redemption. (Romans 3:24) Jesus lived that perfect life without sin. By Adam's one act of not listening to God, many were made sinners, in this way through the one's hearkening to, the many are rendered righteous. (Romans 5:19)
"Behold I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written about me, to do your will O God, that saying sacrifices and offering and whole burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor take pleasure in, mainly those offered according to Law then said 'Behold I have come to do your will' doing away with the first to establish the second, in that will existing consecrated through the presenting of the body of Jesus Christ, once." (Hebrews 10:4-10) The word once ἐφάπαξ (ephapax) speaks of it being a one-off payment. Instead of an offering and sacrifice, Jesus did God's will, obedience above sacrifice, so he presented his body as a living sacrifice, holy, much like Paul said is our reasonable service and acceptable sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1) Jesus prayed to the Father to consecrate in truth those who believe in him, and for our sake he consecrated himself in truth, so that we may be consecrated in truth. (John 17:17-19)
for proper for God through whom that and through whom all leading many sons to glory, perfecting the author of their salvation, perfected through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10)
Since the children were flesh and blood He became like us in flesh and blood so as to destroy the one who holds power over death and free those who were in slavery to the fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14) Today, I think the devil uses fear of death to enslave children. God doesn't give us a spirit of timidity but power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) The end goal of His perfection and suffering was to lead many sons to glory. Perfection is achieved in agape love, this agape love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) Agape love is the bond that leads to perfection. (Colossians 3:14) Agape loves disciplines so that we are perfected unto holiness. I think this is why Paul prays that God grants us strength through His Spirit in our inner being so that we may have the ability to lay hold of, to know the love of Christ so that we are filled to the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-20)
Perfection focuses on the end goal, not the state of imperfection. What we have seen in these scriptures is that the Law and Temple service including offerings, sacrifices, and gifts did not perfect men, and this is an illustration pointing to the present time. Does not the Law include tithing which was part of that religious system? Yes, tithing was a part of the Law and Temple offerings. What foundation is there for it in the new covenant? Especially if the goal is perfection. Should we be careful not to call giving offerings, and worship so as not to take away from the offering God gave of his Son that perfects us and confuse with words the sacrifice that is acceptable to him? What sacrifice does God desire? a body to do his will, one presented unto holiness, and lips that praise him from a pure and sincere heart. Doing good and fellowship are sacrifices acceptable to God. (Hebrews 13:16) Can we substitute offerings of money instead?
This is an illustration pointing to the present time...
It is obvious the blood of animals will not take away sin and cleanse the conscious, the blood of Jesus does. It should be obvious also that salvation and perfection are not achieved by serving, tithing, giving, following written code, being justified by works of the law. "Since you have died with Christ to the religious system of the world why like as living in the world submitting to do not handle, do not touch, do not taste, which exist perishing of use according to human commands and teachings." (Colossians 2:20-22) It doesn't matter how much you sacrifice through serving in your church, serving doesn't perfect you. Tithing, giving ten percent, or giving away all your money, does nothing in regards to perfection.
Therefore, brothers we have the confidence to enter the holy place in the blood of Jesus, a way new and living, which he opened for us through the curtain, that is that his flesh... (Hebrews 10:19-23)
I don't have the confidence to draw near to God because I serve, tithe, give an offering of money... no, I have the confidence to draw near because of the blessings I have received in Christ; adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of sin. (Ephesians 1:3-14) This is good news. Adoption is of the Spirit, which is possible through the new covenant in his blood. "The Holy Spirit also witnesses to us for together saying this is the covenant I will establish with them after those days declares the Lord, I will put my laws in their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds also saying I will remember their sin and their lawlessness never again remembering. Where there is a pardon of these, no longer any offering for sin."(Hebrews 10:15-18)
God predestined us for adoption, put his Spirit of adoption in us which cries Abba Father, that testifies we are children of God. This is the testimony of the Spirit. He removed the heart of stone and put his Spirit within us. By his blood He redeemed us and forgave us our sin, he will remember our sin and lawlessness no more. This is the testimony of blood. Jesus is our eternal priest, one who sympathizes with our weakness because he was tempted though without sin, and because of what we have received in Him, adoption, redemption, forgiveness we can approach His throne of grace and receive mercy and grace as needed. (Hebrews 4:14-16) There is a testimony of water, in which there is the purification of the body of sin, in which Jesus continues as our High Priest. Who will perfect us? who will free us from this body of death and sin? Thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord!
and the great priest to the extent of the house of God let us toward go, with a sincere heart in faithful persuasion of hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies bathed clean of water, holding fast to the hope, that confessing unwavering, for the one who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:21-25)
Perfection is God faithfully reproducing the original. Conforming us to the image of Christ who is the radiance of God. The glorious knowledge of God that is in the face of Christ is transforming us from glory to glory. Whether I am perfect or not has no bearing on whether I can with confidence approach God. And what happens if I defile my conscious and my heart condemns me? Is it over or is there continued work of Jesus as our advocate and eternal high priest? There is a further cleansing and purification of the body of sin. And if the conscience is defiled by sin there is a solution, there is a confession of sin and examining sin done in the body, which we will discuss soon.
We have the confidence to approach God through the testimony of Spirit and blood, as Jesus prepared a new and living way for us. He became flesh, he lived a life without sin, he died to bring in a new covenant in his blood, he rose again, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God far above all. This is really good news and the good news continues, who can condemn us? Christ died once and no other sacrifice nor offering is needed and more he rose and sits at the right hand of God, far above in rule and authority and power, and he is interceding for us. Our great High Priest made a way for us into the holiest place and we have the confidence to approach God because of what He did. Let us draw near, boldly go toward him, into perfection.