Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.
What veil was this that was torn from top to bottom without any human assistance? It is believed that the veil in the temple at the time of Christ was an inch thick. For what purpose was this veil? In the OT , even in the wilderness, it was forbidden that even the priest to enter beyond this veil in his usual ministration in the sanctuary. Gazing upon the presence of God above the mercy seat would have meant instant death. Touching the ark would have brought the same result.
God Himself tore that veil, opening to all the way to the Father through Christ. God's glory in the form of His only begotten Son was now open to all the congregation of Israel. The walls of partition are torn down...through the blood of Christ the enmity between man and God is abolished. The OT sanctuary services, along with the priesthood, the animal sacrifices, and the various feast days, then a type and shadow of heavenly realities, and a lesson book for all who were willing to learn, the gospel to Israel, was now history. A new era had begun, whereby all may come directly to the throne of grace and find mercy in times of need. The various articles of furniture such as the altar, the laver, the candlestick, the shewbread and the altar of incense were all shadows of the person of Jesus Christ, our only Redeemer and Saviour, High Priest and sole Mediator now officiating in the heavenly sanctuary.
So what are we to make of the re-establishment of an earthly priesthood? What business do we have in the erection of a new laver...candlesticks...altar of incense...and bread and wine? Are not the very services said to be a literal repeat of Calvary? Is it nothing more than an attempt to raise up another curtain to keep the common people away from God? Is it not merely a counterfeit to the reality of the true temple in heaven where our Mediator intercedes for us?
What veil was this that was torn from top to bottom without any human assistance? It is believed that the veil in the temple at the time of Christ was an inch thick. For what purpose was this veil? In the OT , even in the wilderness, it was forbidden that even the priest to enter beyond this veil in his usual ministration in the sanctuary. Gazing upon the presence of God above the mercy seat would have meant instant death. Touching the ark would have brought the same result.
God Himself tore that veil, opening to all the way to the Father through Christ. God's glory in the form of His only begotten Son was now open to all the congregation of Israel. The walls of partition are torn down...through the blood of Christ the enmity between man and God is abolished. The OT sanctuary services, along with the priesthood, the animal sacrifices, and the various feast days, then a type and shadow of heavenly realities, and a lesson book for all who were willing to learn, the gospel to Israel, was now history. A new era had begun, whereby all may come directly to the throne of grace and find mercy in times of need. The various articles of furniture such as the altar, the laver, the candlestick, the shewbread and the altar of incense were all shadows of the person of Jesus Christ, our only Redeemer and Saviour, High Priest and sole Mediator now officiating in the heavenly sanctuary.
So what are we to make of the re-establishment of an earthly priesthood? What business do we have in the erection of a new laver...candlesticks...altar of incense...and bread and wine? Are not the very services said to be a literal repeat of Calvary? Is it nothing more than an attempt to raise up another curtain to keep the common people away from God? Is it not merely a counterfeit to the reality of the true temple in heaven where our Mediator intercedes for us?
