(Exodus 26:31-33) And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: 32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. 33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
What we know…
Now we know that this is the curtain that, for the most part, hid the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat from the view of all, even the priests. Everything but the ark and the mercy seat was on the other side of the veil. The shewbread table, the altar of incense, and the candlestick were in the holy place, but the ark and the mercy seat were in the most holy, or the holiest of all. And the veil divided these two places and hid the ark and mercy seat from all to see. (Hebrews 9:8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest…
The way into the most holy was very limited. God had given very specific instruction as to who and how the holiest of all should be approached. And if instructions were not followed, then the offender would surely die. (Leviticus 16:2) And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
And we know that the veil is without question a type of Christ. (Hebrews 10:20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. (Matthew 26:26) Jesus took bread… and brake it… and said.. this is my body. As he was cut off from the land of the living on the cross, the veil was actually cut in two. (Mark 15:38) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
So now, that which was hid from all is now open and manifest for all to behold. The glory of God was once hid behind the veil, but through the body of Christ, is now manifest for whosoever will. (2 Corinthians 3:18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And now, instead of fear and caution, limits and restrictions, be can enter into the holiest of all with boldness. (Hebrews 10:19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…
What comes to mind…
Now having said all this, these are the verses that come to mind: (Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: I want to say this: We are not Jews. They are an amazing nation and blessed of God, but the Jews are not my generation, or my nation, or my people. They are not my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. And I don’t live under the same economy as they do. I am not under the law, but under grace.
God has made a new creation. I’m sorry that the Jews stumbled at the stumbling stone. But Jesus said (Matthew 16:18) Upon this rock I will build my church… The called out assembly, the blood-washed, redeemed, saints of God, the church is not the nation of Israel and never will be. We have a different way, a new and living way. Paul said, (Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. He said (Romans 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(Mark 15:38) And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Jesus said (John 19:30) It is finished. From the top to the bottom, the price is paid. From top to bottom, sin is condemned. From top to bottom, the Father is satisfied. From top to bottom, the holiest of all is manifest. Nothing stands in the way. There is no more work to be done. It is finished.
The holiest of all was a dark place. The candlestick was the only light in the tabernacle and that was on the other side of the vail. Listen, (1 Peter 2:9) Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: The church is Christ’s masterpiece, his cherished new creation. It is so diametrically different from Jews, Gentiles, Angels, or any other creature. No other body, but the body of Christ, can boast of regeneration, eternal life, no condemnation, justified and glorified forever, crucified with Christ, buried with Christ, resurrected with Christ, seated with Christ, married to Christ, citizens of heavens, washed in the blood of the Lamb and saved! No other people can have (Hebrews 10:19) boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus… No other people.
Application…
Now here’s my application: John said this: (1 John 1:7) Walk in the light, as he is in the light… (Hebrews 7:19) For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. James said (James 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. As we study the tabernacle we see all these types of things that are so, but now we’ve come to one that is not so. The vail no longer stands in the way of God, but instead frames and hems the way to God. God wants us within the vail.
Remember, it’s the throne of grace, not the throne of sinless perfection. Our boldness is by the blood of Jesus and nothing more. Presumptuousness will get you both ways. We don’t tempt the Lord with our sin and flaunt our iniquities. But don’t let your imperfections and faults and failures keep you from coming within the vail, walking in the light, and drawing nigh unto God. Jews were not allowed in. And Gentiles were not allowed in. But we are a new creation created in Christ Jesus. Praise God for the wonderful privileges this thought affords: (Romans 8:10) And if Christ be in you…
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