How does the Old Testament apply to New Testament believers?

The Old Testament serves as a foundational framework for understanding the New Testament, where types and shadows point to Christ. For instance, the mercy seat and the sacrificial system foreshadow Jesus' ultimate atonement for sin. Hebrews 10:1 emphasizes that the law had only a shadow of the good things to come, and through Christ, believers see the fulfillment of those promises. This continuity reveals God's unwavering purpose in redemption, demonstrating how the sacrificial system was a precursor to the once-for-all sacrifice made by Christ, inviting believers to comprehend the depth of God's grace.