Question: What was the significance of the veil in the temple being rent in twain from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross?
Answer: It is clear that the temple, which was the center of the Jewish religious system and of their worship stood complete and intact with both of its veils right up until the time Christ yielded up the ghost (died) on Calvary’s cross. Therefore, it is further confirmed that the Jewish system had its standing and was valid until then, and that it ended abruptly right there.
Matthew 27:50-51 says that when Jesus yielded up the ghost (died) the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. That veil divided the holy Place from the most Holy Place in the temple. Behind this veil in the most Holy Place is where God Himself chose to dwell on the mercy seat between the cherubims (Exodus 25:17-22). Read verse 22 in particular. I Samuel 4:4 says that God dwelt between the cherubims. Hebrews 9:7 says that the high priest was the only one ever permitted in this Most Holy Place. He could only enter one time each year, and he was to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering as he went. Then verse 8 says, “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” But when Jesus died, the veil was rent, and God moved out of that place never again to dwell in a temple made with hands (Acts 17:24). He was through with that temple and its religious system and worship forever, and it was left desolate without its inhabitant (God) Luke 13:35. It would dwell in the “Greater and more perfect tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man.” (Hebrews 8:2 and Ephesians 2:20-22.) Also, He dwells in the individual hearts of true believers (read I Corinthians 6:19-20 and II Corinthians 6:14-18, especially verse 16).
Also, there is another very significant point to consider in this. Those two compartments in the temple which were divided by this veil signified two experiences of divine grace in the hearts of believers in this New Covenant: namely, justification and sanctification. The second compartment represented a second experience or work of grace in the heart (sanctification). But Hebrews 9:8 says that the way into this part of the temple was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. In other words, it was not possible for people to obtain an experience of entire sanctification and perfected holiness under the law, nor by its sacrifices. But when Christ died, this veil was rent and the way was opened up for all true believers to enter right on into this experience and be filled with all the fullness of God, and have the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and to be perfected in holiness and to live this life in the constant and continuous presence of God. Hebrews 13:12 says that Christ suffered, died, and shed His blood that He might sanctify the people with His own blood. Since the price has been paid, the provision has been made, and the blood has been shed for this purpose, we are admonished in Hebrews 4:1, not to come short of it. So let us all not loiter around nor hesitate, but move right on in and possess the promised land and obtain the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ.
