The veil in the tabernacle primarily separated the Holy of Holies from the sanctuary, signifying that the way into God's presence was not yet open.
Les Feldick teaches that the veil was a heavy, beautiful curtain that kept even the priests from approaching the Holy God. Only the high priest could go behind it, and only once a year. It also symbolized the body of Christ, and its tearing at the crucifixion was an act of God that opened the way into His presence.
Exodus 26:31-35 — Gives the original command for the veil's construction and placement, showing its role as a divider.
The Bible describes the veil as an integral part of the tabernacle's design. It was made of fine twined linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet, and cherubim (Exodus 26:31). It was hung on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold (Exodus 26:32). The ark of the testimony was placed behind the veil, in the most holy place (Exodus 26:33-34). The book of Hebrews explains that while the first tabernacle was standing, the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest (Hebrews 9:8). This was signified by the fact that the high priest alone went into the second tabernacle, behind the veil, once every year with blood (Hebrews 9:7). At Jesus' crucifixion, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51). This miraculous event signified that the way into God's presence had been opened by His death.
Les explains that the veil was the partition in the tabernacle and later the temple that separated the sanctuary (where priests ministered daily) from the Holy of Holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, and the Shekinah glory. Only the high priest could go behind it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Clip 1, 4). He emphasizes that the veil was a picture of the very body of Christ, as it kept even the priests from approaching the Holy God (Clip 2, 5). Les highlights that the tearing of the temple veil was from the top to the bottom, which proves that no human had a hand in it—it was a miracle of God (Clip 5). This act opened the way into the Throne Room of Heaven for all believers, not just through a high priest once a year (Clip 3). He also notes that the Jews sewed it back up and continued temple worship, not realizing the significance of the rent veil (Clip 3).
Les describes the veil as a heavy curtain made of fine twined linen, woven with blue, purple, and scarlet, and with likenesses of cherubim woven throughout. It was part of the beautiful linen curtains that hung inside the tabernacle structure (Clip 0). In Solomon's temple, the veil was so thick and heavy that a team of oxen couldn't have ripped it apart, according to Josephus (Clip 5).
Les teaches that the direction of the tearing was intentional. Scripture says it was rent from top to bottom to prove that this was something men had nothing to do with; it was totally an act of a miracle-working God (Clip 5). This indicated that the way into God's presence had been made possible by Christ's death (Clip 5).
Les explains that the veil depicted the very body of Christ. Just as the veil kept the priests from approaching the Holy God, so Christ's body in His suffering made it possible for mankind to come into the very Throne Room of Heaven, not just by way of the High Priest once a year, but boldly (Clip 3). He also mentions that everything in the tabernacle, including the veil, was a picture of Christ (Clip 7).
The Veil's Beauty
Les describes the fine linen, colors, and cherubim of the veil, emphasizing its beauty as a contrast to Christ's outward appearance.
The Veil's Function
Les explains that the veil separated the sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, where God's presence dwelt, and that only the high priest could enter behind it once a year.
The Veil as Christ's Body
Les says the veil depicted Christ's body, keeping anyone from approaching the Holy God except through the high priest annually.
The Torn Veil Opens the Way
Les teaches that Christ's sacrifice opened the way for all to come boldly into God's throne room, and notes that the Jews sewed the veil back up.
The Veil and the Old Covenant
Les quotes Hebrews to show that the way into the holiest was not yet manifest while the first tabernacle stood, highlighting the veil's role.
The Top-to-Bottom Tearing
Les stresses that the veil's tearing from top to bottom proves it was God's act, not man's, and indicates the way into God's presence was opened.
What the Tabernacle Reveals About Christ Most People Miss
I've already got you here in the studio audience in Leviticus 16, we'll be going there next, and we'll see how the high priest comes behind the veil only once a year. All right, but let's come back now to the sanctuary, and we have only three pieces of furniture, just three. I already mentioned no chair, but over here on the right, or on the north, there we had the table of showbread.
What Is Propitiation? Romans 3:25-31 Finally Explained
All the materials, if you remember when we studied this back when we were in Exodus, all the materials of this tent, of the outer fence, of the altar, of the laver of cleansing, of the table of showbread, the altar of incense, the candlestick, the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, covered with gold, made with wood, all the materials that covered it, everything in that tabernacle was a picture o…
Exodus 26:31: And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
This is the original command for the veil's construction, showing its materials and design.
Exodus 26:32: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
This describes the pillars and sockets supporting the veil.
Exodus 26:33: And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
This shows the veil's purpose of dividing the holy place from the most holy.
Hebrews 9:7: But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
This confirms the high priest's annual entry behind the veil.
Hebrews 9:8: 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:
This explains that the veil signified that the way into God's presence was not yet open.
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;
This records the tearing of the veil at Jesus' death, emphasizing the direction.
The veil separated the Holy of Holies from the sanctuary, preventing anyone but the high priest from entering God's presence, and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Les Feldick explains that the direction from top to bottom proved that it was God's miraculous act, not a human deed, signifying that the way into His presence was opened.
Les teaches that the veil depicted Christ's body, which kept men from approaching God until His sacrifice opened the way for all believers.
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