When we think of an unveiling, we many times think of dignitaries gathering
around to witness a new masterpiece of art that some famous sculptor has
formed. The curtain is lifted up to reveal this awesome piece of work.
About some 2,000 years ago the greatest unveiling man has ever witnessed
occurred. Unfortunately at the time, no one saw it or recognized its vital
importance to the benefit of man. Later its significance was revealed in full
in the Church Epistles.
The event took place simultaneously with the death of our lord and savior,
Jesus Christ. As he was dying on the cross, paying the ultimate price for man’s
salvation, the veil in the temple was being torn in half from the top to the
bottom, revealing that there would be no more barrier between God and man
(Mark 15:38). The believer now had full and free access to the Father as a
result of Christ’s finished work.
In the book Jesus Christ Our Passover (pages 256-257), Dr. Victor
Paul Wierwille explains this most meaningful event.
The veil in the Temple, a very heavy linen curtain embroidered with spun
gold, was torn from top to bottom. This veil formed the entrance to the Holy
of Holies, the most sacred and the innermost part of the Temple. The Holy of
Holies represented the presence of God with Israel. Only once a year could
anyone enter it, and that was on the Day of Atonement when the high priest
alone, after a period of cleansing, would enter into it through the veil.
Only he could enter into God’s presence. There he, as the representative
of Israel, would intercede with God for Israel. For this reason the veil
represented the separation between God and Israel. At the moment of Jesus
Christ’s death, this separation was done away with. Ephesians teaches us
that his death also abolished the separation between the Gentiles and God.
Ephesians 2:12 and 14:
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth
of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle
wall of partition between us.
The tearing of the Temple veil from top to bottom demonstrated that it
was God’s work in Christ which abolished this separation between Israel
and God. God had been in Jesus Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.
Man could not work his way into God’s presence. So God was reaching down
to man, giving free access of Himself to man. Since the death of Jesus and
the tearing of the Temple veil, every believer has access to the presence of
God.
How meaningful is this event for you and me? It opened the door for the
sweetest relationship ever imagined. It’s a dream come true for every
God-hungry person on the face of the earth.
No more do we have to go to a special place to talk to God; no more do we
have to do or say some long and drawn-out passage of man-made words before we
enter His presence.
The reality is that we are now fully in His presence as a child sitting on
his Father’s lap. What a contrast from the limited access to God before the
redemptive work of Jesus Christ was completed.
Now, right at this moment as you read this you can freely speak to your
Father. All it takes is having confidence in our free access to God and
boldness to speak up.
Hebrews 10:19-22:
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;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
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.
There is so much said in this section of Scripture. On page 3 of this
newsletter is a wonderful perspective shared on verses 19 and 20. For now,
look at verse 22. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith [believing]…” Many of us have seen the truth of God’s Word
regarding our rights, privileges and abilities as sons of God. Now we just
need to hold fast, firmly stay put on the confession of who we are in Christ.
Why? Because we know that God “is faithful that promised.”
Hebrews 10:23:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for
he is faithful that promised;)
God’s magnificent love opened the door to the most wonderful fellowship
man could ever have with his Father. The unveiling of this truth calls for a
loving response of commitment from the born again one, such as the song goes:
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“All
my life to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling.
In His presence daily live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best song.
Faithful, loving service true to Him belongs.”
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- Bob Lindfelt
