“The veil shall be a divider for you between the Holy Place and the Most Holy.” (Exodus 26:33b) The “Veil” was made similar to the Cherubim Covering made with blue, purple, scarlet and finely woven white linen.  The same colors were used for the Door (entrance) to the tent from the Outer Court.  It appears the Veil was thick enough that it was not possible to see through it.  One reference I read said it was 4 inches thick; another said it was 18 inches!  I think we are safe to say, it was very thick!  Keep that in mind as we talk a little bit about the Veil!

The Veil was hung on golden hooks on four posts that were overlaid with gold and standing in silver bases. (Exodus 26:31-35)  The curtain divided the tabernacle into two sections.  In the inner court, the “Most Holy” (Holy of Holies), was the Ark of the Testimony (Ark of the Covenant) with the Mercy Seat.  In the outer section, the “Holy Place”, stood the Lampstand and the Showbread Table.  Also in the Holy Place, was the Alter of Incense; but it is not mentioned until later when we study the duties of the Priests.  (Exodus 30:1-10)

The Veil was the final door to pass through to enter the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place), the dwelling place of the presence of the God!  Entrance to the Holy of Holies was forbidden to all except the High Priest.  He was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies only once a year on the Day of Atonement, when he brought the blood of the sacrificed goat to sprinkle on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

Just like the Passover Lamb was slain for the redemption of the children of Israel in Egypt, and the goat was slain and it’s blood was used for God’s forgiveness for the Israelites on the Day of Atonement; so Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins.   As Jesus was hanging on the cross, God “laid on the Him the iniquity of us all”. (Isaiah 53:6)  The final pangs of death came as Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)  Just seconds later He cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).  He died.

The death of Jesus was dramatic: the earth quaked, rocks were split “and the Veil in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51) From “top to bottom” indicates that God tore it!  We now can stand in the very presence of God!

“Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh),  and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22

The Lord Jesus Christ is not just our freshly slain, dead offering; He is also the Living One, (Luke 24:5 & Revelation 2:18), risen from the dead and ascended, our great High Priest, with our names on His heart and written on the palms of His hands. Glory!!!!