The Tabernacle (The Veils)

The tabernacle had three rooms, separated by two veils, plus the outer curtain at the entrance. In total, three. What stands out most in this description of Exodus 26 is the inner veil, which separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This veil clearly represents the Lord Jesus Christ. It was of blue (His divinity), purple (His kingship), crimson (His humanity) and fine twined linen (His righteousness). It was made of fine workmanship, with cherubim. The cherubim were God's guardians, representatives of the angelic creation.

The Lord Jesus Christ, in his dual divine and human nature, is shown again here, plus his condition of Righteous King. This veil was hung from the top of four columns of acacia wood covered with gold. Between the four columns were three spaces, corresponding to three doors. Each represented a person of the Trinity. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, this veil was torn from top to bottom. Naturally the veil was torn in the middle, in the section representing the Son of God, for it was he, and not the Father or the Holy Spirit, who died as a man on the cross.

The tearing of the veil is immensely significant, for the Most Holy Place was jealously guarded, and no one had access to it except the high priest, and that, only once a year. Now, if not even the other priests could enter, much less the people, how much less a Gentile? But the breaking of the inner veil, that is, the death of the Lord Jesus, was the glorious event that changed things entirely.

Hebrews puts it beautifully: "Therefore, brethren, having liberty to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus Christ, by the living and new way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and having a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near..." (10:19-22). Not only was the way to God open to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.

What happened next is also related in Hebrews. For the scene on the cross was later followed by another scene in heaven. Jesus, as the true High Priest entered the true Holy of Holies by means of the true blood of the true sacrifice. "But Christ being now present, the high priest of the good things to come, by the broader and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, and not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the Most Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption" (9:11-12).

The best and most beautiful veil was torn; thus the most beautiful of the sons of men was sacrificed, that we might obtain salvation. Blessed is he! Also described here in this chapter is the outer curtain, placed at the entrance of the court. It hung on five pillars. It was not as finely made as the veil, but it was wider. To point out that there would be a wide welcome for all who would come to Christ, for he is the Door.

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