THE VEIL
(Exodus 26:31-35; 36:35, 36)
The inner veil hung between the holy place and the most holy place, dividing the tabernacle into two rooms. Tradition says that the veil was transferred to the temples and used there for centuries.
1. The name
The word suggests something hidden
When Moses came down from the mount, with the second tables of stone, he had to put a veil over his face to
hide the glory of his countenance (Exodus 34:33-35; II Corinthians 3:13)
In the tabernacle, the veil hid the glory of God who dwelt over the mercy seat between the cherubim
2. Its position
It hung before the ark of the covenant, forming the east wall of the most holy place which was a perfect cube,
fifteen feet in dimensions
Behind this veil the high priest went but once a year, on the day of atonement
Not a word was ever uttered of what he saw there. (The significance of all this is discussed in Hebrews
9:1-15.) A prayerful reading of this portion of Hebrews is suggested
3. The material
The veil was made of fine twined linen, the same as the hanging of the gate and the door, and the inner
covering of the tabernacle. Like the inner curtains of the covering, there were worked into this veil the
cherubim by cunning needle work. The fact that the cherubim were found worked into it was suggestive that
it hung in the presence of God's throne
4. The rending of the veil
For fifteen centuries the veil hung between the holy place and the most holy, first in the tabernacle and then
in the three succeeding temples. For all these centuries the ordinary priests never saw what was behind this
veil. To have gone behind it would have meant death for "the way into the holiest was not yet manifest"
(Hebrews 9:8)
One day the priests heard a strange sound and saw a strange sight - the veil was being rent from top to
bottom (Matthew 27:51; Matthew 15:37, 38; Luke 23:45). At this identical time, outside the City of Jerusalem, a
greater event was taking place. In fact, the greatest event of time or eternity; namely, the death of the Son of
God
5. The meaning
These two events happening together was momentous. Let Scripture answer,
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh." (Hebrews 10:19, 20) Anti-type had superseded type. Let us notice what was accomplished:
a. All believers have access to God. (Hebrews 10: 19-22
b. Christ had become the end of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4;
Galatians 3:13)
c. All Jewish ordinances came to an end (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14;
Romans 7:4)
d. All national and social distinctions were removed (Ephesians 2:14-18; I
Corinthians 12:12, 13; Colossians 3:11)
e. During this dispensation the gospel message is worldwide in scope and
universal in privilege and blessing (Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; 15:14)
6. Repair of the veil
Hebrews 10:11 would seem to indicate that the rent veil had been repaired and that the Priests continued to
perform their ceremonies in the temple
To those who would go back to the religious ceremonies of the temple, the Hebrew writer says, "there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26). From the day of its rending, shadow had given way to
substance. After that day their services were mere mockery
WARNING
The only way to God is through the Christ of Calvary and resurrection (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19, 20)
To try to get in any other way brands the one who tries as a thief and a robber (John 10:1)
There are those who would make Christ a great teacher, a model patriot, or social reformer. Shun all such!
The rending of the veil was God's ultimatum that the approach to Him is now open, but it is only through
the "new and living way"
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
