"1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation."
Hebrews 9:1-10
The three compartments of the Tabernacle may well seem to some to reflect three different levels of Christian experience and living, and indeed something of this nature may have been in the Apostle's mind as he unfolded his argument. For there are Christians who are quite content with the initial states of Christian experience: forgiveness is their concern, and beyond this they seem unwilling to go. 'Let us go on', said the Apostle in 6:1, leaving behind the first principles. But they never go on. You cannot say that they are not Christians, but it is true that they have never grown in grace and their lives do not bear the marks of the Lord Jesus upon them, and none of the fragrance of Christ is about them. They have remained, so to speak, in the outer court of the Tabernacle. Then there are others who have advanced somewhat from first principles, but have never got to the life that the New Testament holds out as the birthright of all true believers, the life represented by the inner court, or Holy Place. Still less have they penetrated into the Holiest of All, which speaks of communion with God in His Word. We recall how in olden time God, in speaking of the formation of the Ark of the Covenant, with the tables of stone within, said, "There I will commune with My people". Paul expresses the reality of this intimacy of fellowship when in Philippians 3:7-10 he speaks of counting all things loss "that I may know Him in the power of His resurrection". O may we never be content with less than the deepest and best in Christian experience. God save us from paddling in the shallows when we should be launching out into the deep of His love and grace!