Why could the priests not approach God in the tabernacle?
A heavy veil separated the priests from the Holy God’s presence, represented by the Shekinah glory above the Ark. That veil depicted Christ’s body and barred any approach except only the high priest once a year, as Leviticus 16 shows.
Les explains that the veil in the tabernacle depicted the very body of Christ Himself. This heavy curtain of beautiful linen kept even the priests from any approach to the Holy God, who was represented by the Shekinah glory—the cloud by day and fire by night—above the Ark of the Covenant. Les notes that only the high priest could come behind the veil, and only once a year, as Leviticus 16 describes.