“You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver.” (Exod 26: 36)
This door (the “First Vail”) represents our Lord even as the “Entrance Curtain” to the courtyard represented our Lord, our Lord once again being shown as the only means of access to the Father. “I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
The importance of the “First Vail” cannot be underestimated, in fact next to the Ark of the Covenant it is probably the second most important item associated with the Tabernacle. Although generally over shadowed by the Second Vail this vail is nevertheless of supreme importance, for this is the “gateway” (the map) to the heavenly phase of the kingdom, there is no other way of entrance into the heavenly phase of the kingdom but by means of this one “door” or entrance.
This is THE “gate” of which our Lord spoke that few there be that find (the majority having been deceived and misled by the blind guides), the Straight gate which leads to life (not just everlasting life, but inherent life, immortality), by means of the narrow way of death by sacrifice (Matt 7:14) “So narrow (is this "gate") that it admits only the Lord’s plan, the Lord’s way and only to those willing to conform to it.” (R5045:3)
The word “narrow” in referring to this gate refers not so much to its physical size, its width, but rather to its exclusiveness, its limited or restrictive access. It is very discriminative and only allows for a special or particular class to enter.
This “gate” or “door” is not to be confused with the “Entrance Curtain” or “gate” to the courtyard, the first gate was broad (5 cubits in height by 20 cubits in width) allowing for anyone willing to exercise the necessary faith to enter, likewise it required, no sacrifice, no cost, (of our own) however this second entry way is much higher (3 times the height of the first entry way), and much more narrower (only 10 cubits in width) thus implying that entry into this next level, a much higher or lofty attainment would require a sacrifice, a cost, not only the shedding of many if not all of ones most cherished possessions (dreams, plans and ambitions for this life), implying the sacrifice of one’s personal will or desire, but most precious of all the sacrifice of one’s earthly life rights or restitution rights secured through the ransom sacrifice (These are very precious in the sense that once sacrificed they are forfeited, and will not be returned, thus the admonishment of “counting the cost” before making such a decision). It is even as our Lord stated, “… much easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man (one fully justified in possession of their restitutional life rights) to enter into (the Heavenly phase of) the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25
You will note in the two illustrations above that the first individual depicted as entering through the “entrance curtain” into the courtyard is standing up while passing through, while in the second illustration the individual shown entering the Tabernacle proper is seen bending or bowing over while passing beneath the first vail, this well illustrates the difference between the two doors or gates. Salvation is a free gift it costs the believer nothing, its only requirement is faith in Christ sacrifice. However entry into the second area, the Tabernacle proper requires something of the individual, personal sacrifice, in this case those sacrifices mentioned in the above paragraph.
“The parable of the camel going through the eye of the needle illustrates well the difficulty with which many encounter in order to obtain a heavenly inheritance, this because they have many possessions which they are very reluctant to sacrifice. These possessions include anything which ties the believer to this world, not only material possessions, but likewise these may include close ties with families, friends, and associates. The “needle’s eye” was a small gate in the walls of ancient cities. After sun down the main gates were closed. A camel could enter the small gate on its knees as long as the load on its back was first removed. So too, we must remove all that is unnecessary in our lives if we would follow the Lord.”
“The vail at the door of the Tabernacle represented the same thought as baptism—namely, death. When the priest passed the first vail, it represented him as passing out of sight, buried from the outward things; and his shut-in condition was enlightened only by the lamp and supplied by the showbread—representing the spiritual nourishment and enlightenment granted all who are immersed into Christ.” (R1544:1)
Continued with next post.
