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THE SECOND VEIL INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES

The third entrance is the veil in the Holy of Holies. This veil separated the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Exod. 26:33). Only Aaron could go behind this veil, and only once in the year, as the high priest to fulfil the requirements of the great atonement day of which we read in Leviticus 16. After he had removed his beautiful priestly robes and replaced it with a simple white linen dress, he entered in a cloud of incense and with a bowl of blood to make atonement for himself and the people. We read about this in Exodus 26:31-33; Leviticus 16:11-16.

The veil in the tabernacle served as a division between the Holy and Most Holy Place and prevented the priests that were serving daily in the Holy Place, from entering the Most Holy Place and dying. The figures of the cherubim that were embroidered on the veil portrayed protecting or guarding (Gen. 3:24) and were a constant reminder to the priests not to enter the Most Holy Place. Once a year, on the day of atonement, only the high priest could enter with blood into the direct presence of God - to make atonement for himself and for all the people (Lev. 16:24, 29-31).

The veil was of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twined linen - artistic work with cherubim woven on it. We read that Bezalel and Aholiab were anointed with the spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge and the ability to devise skilful plans and to execute them (Exod. 31:1-10). This veil (curtain) hung on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The pillars stood on silver bases (sockets). At the top of the pillars were golden hooks with clasps on which the veil was hung.

As we have seen, the embroidered curtains - the blue, purple, scarlet material and the fine white linen; all artistically woven - portray Christ as King; His suffering, death and victory; His purity and righteousness, and the fact that He came from heaven.

Cherubim were embroidered onto these curtains that protect the Holy of Holies - the purpose of this curtain was to keep people away. The cherubim on the veil were emblems of watchmen who guard. The throne of God and his holiness (mercy seat) are being guarded. This is again confirmed by the fact that two cherubim were seated on the mercy seat. A close view of the Scriptures confirms that the cherubim, more than any other creature, were destined to display the power, the majesty and the glory of God. They are guardians and the throne bearers of the throne of God (Eze. 1 and 10).

According to Hebrews 10:19, 20, this inner veil points to Christ.

We can clearly see herein that the veil is Christ's "flesh" - it is His life here on earth. Scripture is also clear in Hebrews 9:8, in that the pathway to the Holy of Holies was not open before the veil was torn. The veil therefore portrays his life and the tearing thereof his death. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God was manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16), born of a woman (Gal. 4:4). It was when Jesus Christ hung on the cross and cried out, and then yielded up the spirit that we read: the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split (Matt. 27:51). According to Hebrews 10:20, it is his death and not his life through which we have access to God. The tearing of the veil undoubtedly speaks of Christ's death. The tearing of the veil as a barrier immediately opened a way for us to the Holy of Holies. The death of Christ for sinners opened a new road to God in heaven.

In what sense is Christ's death access for us to God in heaven? Christ identified Himself with sinful man through His incarnation and the taking of our sins upon Himself (Isa. 53:5; 2 Cor. 5:21), and by paying our debt through death on the cross. Whoever accepts Jesus Christ as personal Saviour identifies with His death and is now reconciled and at peace with God (Rom. 5:1, 8-10). The believer can now boldly approach God (Heb. 4:16; 10:19-22).

The fact that Scripture declares that the veil was torn from top to bottom (it was divinely torn), shows that it is impossible that it could have been done by the hands of a man. It was solely an act of God. In this we have an illustration of the fact that the crucifixion of Jesus was not at the hands of people (John 10:17, 18), but rather an act of God (Ps. 22:15, 16; Isa. 53:10).

This allows believers who are united in Christ through the Holy Spirit, to boldly enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19), by the merit of his atoning death. The veil that had to cause separation between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (Exod. 26:33), was removed by an act of God Himself. All believers have access through the blood of Christ, into the Most Holy presence of God.

The Holy of Holies which was a mystery and which the high priest could only enter once a year, is now open. Any believer may now by the blood of Jesus Christ enter the Holy of Holies daily (Heb. 4:16; 10:19, 20).

The great and in-depth lesson to learn is: To dare enter the Holy of Holies without the blood would be fatal (Heb. 9:22): let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (blood of Jesus Christ) (Heb. 10:22; 12:24).

The foreshadowings or types pertaining to Christ have now faded as the new realities display their amazing truth.  Christ's death changed shadows (Heb. 8:5; 10:1) into substance, and that is a reality. The veil which was torn in two, signals the end of the old dispensation, and the beginning of a new one (Matt. 26:26-28).

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