"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN IN TWO FROM TOP TO BOTTOM; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:50-51 NKJV).
Beloved, to better understand the significance of the tearing of the veil of the temple in two from top to bottom, we need to first understand the purpose the veil served in the temple, as well as how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross fulfilled the Law of Moses, and thus eliminated the need for the veil. Under the Old Covenant (of law), there is a physical tabernacle, which God asked Moses to erect according to the pattern of the true tabernacle in heaven that was shown to him on the mountain; Moses was to build the tabernacle as a shadow or copy of the true tabernacle in heaven which God Himself erected, and not man. (see Hebrews 8:1-5; Exodus 25:8-9, 40). So there is this physical tabernacle erected by Moses under the Old Covenant. Then there is the Priesthood that offered the sacrifices at the tabernacle. The children of Israel were also required to keep the Sabbath and to observe other rituals, new moon celebrations and feasts, including the Day of Atonement, and the Passover. Today, some so-called Christians, out of ignorance or sheer unbelief, still focus a lot on these rituals, Sabbaths and laws of the Old Covenant, but the Bible tells us that these laws and rituals are not an end in themselves, but are shadows that point to Jesus Christ the Substance. (see Colossians 2:16-17). In other words, all the laws and rituals of the Old Covenant find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, just as Jesus Himself affirmed after His resurrection. (see Luke 24:44-48). Today under the New Covenant (of grace), there is no value in physically observing all those Old Covenant laws, Sabbaths, feasts and rituals again, since they have taken on a spiritual meaning.
Thus, when Jesus started His earth ministry, He told the Jews that He had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill it. (see Matthew 5:17). And so the Bible tells us that, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16 NKJV). “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Galatians 3:24-25 NKJV). Thus, the Law was fully fulfilled in Christ through His death, burial and resurrection. Therefore, after Jesus’ resurrection, He opened the understanding of His disciples for them to comprehend the Scriptures and bear witness to the truth that He had indeed fulfilled the things which were written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning Him. (see Luke 24:44-48).
As mentioned earlier, the Jews served a copy or shadow of the true tabernacle which is in heaven, and this true tabernacle – the substance – is Christ Jesus who dwells (or tabernacles) with and in believers today. (see Colossians 1:27; Matthew 28:20). The Bible says that the Lord God almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) are the Temple (and for that matter, the True Tabernacle) of the heavenly Jerusalem. (see Revelation 21:22). The Bible also says that Jesus is "a Minister of the sanctuary and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE WHICH THE LORD ERECTED, and NOT MAN." (Hebrews 8:2 NKJV). Thus, the Tabernacle Moses constructed in the wilderness contained many prophetic images that explain how the Old Covenant believer’s approach to God differs from the New Covenant believer’s approach. (see Hebrews 8:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-16). The tabernacle had three distinct sections: the Outer Court, the Inner Court (or Holy Place), and the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place). The Temple in Jerusalem was also set up in a similar fashion as the Tabernacle, and served the same purpose, except the Temple was more magnificent and grand. There was only one way or gate into the Outer Court of the tabernacle or the Temple (see Exodus 27:16-17; Exodus 38:18-20), and only one door into the Holy Place (see Exodus 26:36-37; Exodus 36:37-38), just as Jesus Christ is the only Door, the only Way to the heavenly Father. (see John 10:9, with John 14:6). There was also a veil separating the Holy of Holies from the other parts of the Temple. (see Exodus 26:31-35; Exodus 36:35-38). The high priest had to go through this veil to enter the Holy of Holies. This was also the veil that was torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross.
In the outer court of the Temple or the Tabernacle was the Brazen Altar. It is at this altar that animals were sacrificed as sin offering to make way into the presence of God. Therefore, the way into the presence of God began at the Brazen Altar. No sinner could come empty handed into the tabernacle; they had to come with a sacrificial animal, and the animal had to be without blemish. (see Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30). Similarly, the only way to the presence of the Father today is through the cross of Jesus Christ. To come to the Father, we must all believe the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; we must put our faith in Jesus the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, and confess Him as Lord. Under the Old Covenant, when an Israelite brought an animal without blemish as his sin offering, he laid his hand on it first, and then killed it (see Leviticus 4:1-4). By laying his hand on the sin offering first, his sins were transferred (or imputed) to the innocent animal. Then the animal would die with/for his sins, and he would go free. The anointed priest would then take some of the blood of the sacrificial animal and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting for the cleansing rituals. (see Leviticus 4:5-10). Thus, only by the shedding of innocent blood, in accordance with the instructions of God, could one’s sins be atoned for and forgiven. In this regard, God said, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11 NKJV).
In the same manner as the sinner had to lay hands on his sin offering and kill it as the atonement for his sins, even so did the high priest, chief priests and elders of the people (representing the Jewish nation), together with the Roman governors and soldiers (representing the Gentiles or non-Jews) lay hand on Jesus our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7) and killed Him on the brazen altar of the cross, as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (see 1 John 2:2). The Book of Hebrews also explains: “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22 NKJV). Thus, the Brazen (or Bronze) Altar in the outer court of the tabernacle is a picture of the cross of Jesus. Bronze speaks of judgment, and the sacrificial animal without blemish points to Jesus the Lamb of God without blemish and without spot (see 1 Peter 1:19). Jesus our sacrificial Lamb bore our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24) and tasted death for every man (see Hebrews 2:9), offering a better and once-for-all sacrifice that did not just cover sin, but removed it (or put it away) altogether (see Hebrews 9:8-14, 26) and perfected believers forever. (see Hebrews 10:14). On the cross, Jesus bore our sins and took our judgment. (see 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53). As our sin offering, His blood was shed for the remission of our sins (see Matthew 26:28), and as our burnt offering, He was burnt by the fire of God’s judgment for a sweet-smelling aroma onto God. (see Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 10:10-14; Ephesians 5:2).
Clearly, every furniture in the tabernacle or Temple points to the inner working of Jesus Christ within the believer today. We have already pointed out that the Brazen Altar points to Jesus the Lamb of God who took away our sins. The Brazen Laver (see Exodus 38:8), which is also located in the outer court of the tabernacle, points to Jesus our sanctification (see Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:30). The Golden Lampstand (see Exodus 25:31-40) located in the Holy place of the tabernacle points to Jesus our baptizer in the Holy Spirit and the Head of the Church. The Table of Showbread (see Exodus 25:23-30), which is located inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle also points to Jesus our Bread of Life. The Altar of Incense which is also located in the Holy Place (see Exodus 40:26) points to Jesus our High Priest. The Mercy Seat, located in the Holy of Holies on top of the Ark of the Covenant (see Exodus 25:17-22), points to Jesus our merciful Savior and the Lamb upon the Throne. Everything in the tabernacle points to the revelation of Jesus Christ. They point to the ministry of Jesus Christ in the believer who today is the temple of God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Indeed it is amazing that the believer’s body is today God’s Holy of Holies on earth.
Under the Old Covenant the Holy of Holies was God’s special dwelling place or throne in the tabernacle and in the Temple (see Leviticus 16:2); it was a perfect cube or square measuring 30 feet on each side (see 2 Chronicles 3:8; 1 Kings 6:16; Ezekiel 41:4), and inside it was the Ark of the Covenant or the Ark of the Testimony (see Exodus 26:33; Exodus 40:3, 21; 1 Kings 8:6-9), which represented the presence of God. Indeed the Holy of Holies was a shadow or representation of Heaven – the true throne of God (see Isaiah 66:1) – as we are told in John’s vision of heaven that the new Jerusalem is also a perfect cube or square. (see Revelation 21:16). The Bible says that a thick curtain divided or separated the Holy of Holies (God's dwelling place) from the Holy Place (see Exodus 26:33) and the tabernacle of meeting which Aaron and his sons and all succeeding priests tended from evening until morning before the Lord. (see Exodus 27:21). This thick curtain, known as the “veil,” was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It was woven with an artistic design of cherubim. (see Exodus 26:31). The veil of the temple thus existed to always show the people the separation between God and sinful man and the difficulty for the Old Creation man to approach God. It showed the people that God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and He can tolerate no sin (see Habakkuk 1:13). Indeed, God considered the people as transgressors and sinners (see 1 Timothy 1:9; Galatians 3:19); God considered them as unholy people who needed to be holy (see Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 23:14). And so God restricted them from coming into His presence, by installing the veil (see Exodus 26:33), just as He restricted them from coming into His presence at Mount Sinai by setting bounds. (see Exodus 19:10-13).
Moreover, because whoever entered the Holy of Holies entered into the very presence of God, the Law permitted only the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies, and even he couldn’t go in whenever he pleased, but could enter only once a year (on the Day of Atonement), and not without blood sacrifices to atone for his own sins and the sins of the people that were committed in ignorance. (see Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:6-7). The high priest also had to make some meticulous preparations before entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement – he had to wash himself, put on special clothing, bring burning incense for the smoke to cover his eyes from a direct view of God (represented by the mercy seat), or else he would die; then also he had to bring blood with him to make atonement for his own sins and for the sins of the people. (see Leviticus 16). In fact, if anyone else apart from the high priest entered the Holy of Holies at any time, that person would die. There are many examples of terrible things that happened to the children of Israel whenever they, being sinful men, tried to force themselves into the presence of our Holy Father and God without being invited; they were immediately smitten with death. Some of these incidents are recorded in Leviticus 10:1-3, and 1 Samuel 6:19, both of which, I believe, occurred in order to cause Israel to know her spiritual condition before God. What astounds me the most is the fact that even Aaron the high priest was warned not to come into the Holy of Holies just any time he wanted, lest he die. (see Leviticus 16:1-2). This thus makes the tearing of the veil of the temple following Jesus’ death very significant. For the first time in Israel’s history, the Holy of Holies was exposed deliberately by God Himself, offering unlimited access to all men. God was no longer in that man-made Holy of Holies; His presence had vacated the Temple. The Bible says, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24 NKJV). Jesus had prophesied to the Samaritan woman that the hour was coming when they would neither worship the Father on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, nor (in the Temple) in Jerusalem. (see John 4:21). This hour had now come with the tearing of the veil. The Father could now only be worshipped in spirit and in truth, and He seeks true worshippers to do such. (see John 4:23-24). Remember that Jesus had also said in Matthew 23:38, “See! Your house is left to you desolate.” Here, Jesus had uttered a prediction of the most confounding event that would ever happen to the Israelites. The presence of God was to depart the Temple’s Holy of Holies. And it did happen when the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The “house” had indeed been left desolate. Again, in Matthew 26:61, we learn that two witnesses had testified against Jesus before the Sanhedrin that He had said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days.” Little did they know that, even though the temple Jesus was referring to was His own body (see John 2:21) which was to be raised from the dead in three days, the physical temple in Jerusalem was also to be destroyed upon the death of Jesus, as God’s presence vacated the Holy of Holies and left the house desolate with the tearing of the veil of the temple. And in three days, a new temple was to be erected through the resurrection of Jesus; all men who believe in Jesus were to become that new temple in whom God would dwell. Consequently, Jesus breathed on His disciples on the same night of His resurrection (on that third day) and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,’ thereby making those men the new temple of God on earth. (see John 20:19-22, with 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19).
Indeed, the temple was destroyed as the place where God dwelt, and Jesus built it in three days through His resurrection. The temple was destroyed the moment Jesus said “It is finished” and gave up His spirit. The temple was finished – God no longer dwelt there; the Holy of Holies in the temple was finished; the Old Covenant that had given Israel its home, national life and culture was finished: it was fulfilled, and its law (the Law of Moses) was annulled and set aside. (see Hebrews 7:18). The Priesthood was finished; the Sacrifices were finished – the Law was finished! Thus, not only was the Old Covenant made obsolete, everything connected with the Covenant had also come to an end and become obsolete, including the Covenant Law – the Ten Commandments. (see Hebrews 8:13, with Colossians 2:13-14 and Galatians 3:24-25). A New Covenant was inaugurated – the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. (Luke 22:20; Matthew 26:28). And this New Covenant was to bring into being one new humanity and a special people of God, a holy nation and a royal priesthood made up of Jews and Gentiles; this new humanity was to be called the Body of Christ or the Church of God (see Ephesians 2:15-22; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18, with 1 Peter 2:5,9-10); it was to be called the New Creation – children of God created or born in Christ Jesus through His resurrection and by the Word of truth. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17, with 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23, and James 1:18). Indeed, the New Covenant was to bring into existence a new temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:19-22), a new law (see John 13:34-35), a new High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14-16), and a new priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; Revelation 1:6) offering new (spiritual) sacrifices. (see Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15-16; Philippians 4:18).
The children of Israel, however, were obviously not happy about the change. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the whole of Heaven heard it and acknowledged it, but many people in Israel who had ears would not hear it nor accept it. Israel was shaken to its very core by this declaration. No wonder there was an earthquake. The children of Israel had worshipped the Law of Moses. They had revered the Ten Commandments and worshipped it more than they had revered and worshipped God. And yet, it was a law of death, a law of sin, and a law that begat fear in the hearts of men. The Bible calls it “the law of sin and death” (see Romans 8:2) and “the ministry of condemnation.” (see 2 Corinthians 3:9). And even though the law itself is spiritual (see Romans 7:14) and can only be kept through the Spirit or by walking in the Spirit, it is made for the natural man and not for the spiritual or righteous man (see 1 Timothy 1:9), and so the natural man loved it, and didn’t want to part with it and embrace the spiritual life that had come through Jesus Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 15:45-49). Ironically, the natural man did not want to part with the law, even though he didn’t and couldn’t keep the law. Even today, there are many people (including Gentiles) who still can't let go of the Law of the Old Covenant, who still cling to the law and other shadows from the Old Covenant, instead of embracing the substance which is of Christ. How sad, and how tragic!
Beloved, the tearing of the veil in the temple says it all: the Old Covenant is finished; a New Covenant is born. The Old Covenant has been fulfilled and set aside. (see Luke 8:44-48, with Hebrews 8:13 and Hebrews 7:18). The old way of approaching God has been annulled and is no longer valid. A new and better way to the Holy of Holies – to heaven, to God – is now open, and this new Way is Jesus Christ. (see John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus presents a better way and “a better hope through which we draw near to God.” (see Hebrews 7:19). The presence of God is no longer shielded from man behind a thick veil. Sin, the obstacle that stood between man and God for generations, has been put away forever through Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on the cross. (see Hebrews 9:26). The Law of Moses which was a veil that blinded their minds and hearts and separated unrighteous men from a righteous God, has been removed and nailed to the cross of Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, with Colossians 2:14-15). When Jesus died, the veil of the Jerusalem temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom. Only God could have carried out such an incredible act because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached from the top, and too thick to have torn it. Only God could’ve torn it from top to bottom the way it happened. And so the Way to God is open to all mankind. And this is what the tearing of the veil of the temple was heralding. We can now boldly enter God’s Presence behind the veil “where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (see Hebrews 6:19-20 NKJV). Praise God! "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). Remain blessed.
I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).
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