THROUGH THE VEIL

 A MEDITATION from “THE MELCHIZEDEK MINISTRY” by Val Pym

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree...” 1Peter 2:24

“Therefore brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh....”

Hebrews 10:19,20

[Beginning from the view of the priest ministering at the Golden Altar of Incense before the Veil in the Temple at the time of the Crucifixion.]

You are standing in the Holy Place in your white priestly robe. It is the ninth hour, the time of the evening sacrifice, and you are preparing to burn incense at the Golden Altar. It has been a strange day and darkness has brooded over the city for almost three hours.

The soft golden gleam from the Lampstand lights up the Holy Place and the Table of Showbread of the Presence reminds you of the Presence within the Veil – a Presence which filters through into the Holy Place and draws you to worship. On the Golden Altar you place the incense with coals from the fire from the Altar where burns the evening sacrifice.  The incense rises before the Veil and its fragrance fills the air.

Your eyes are fixed on the Veil which shuts you out of the Holy of Holies where you long, and yet dread to go. To enter in there means death. The Veil is embroidered with Cherubim and you remember that Cherubim and a flaming sword guard the way to the Tree of Life and all that Man lost through the foolishness of pride. You think of yourself and the sins that drove you to the Altar of Sacrifice seeking forgiveness and you wonder “Are they really gone?”

As you gaze there suddenly appears on the Veil in stark ugly black, woven in and our among the Cherubim, every sin, every act or even thought of rebellion – nothing is left out, everything is revealed –all the secret hidden things, and more than that, the suggestion of every evil known to man which may yet lie in the future – every horrible thing. The Cherubim now seem to be wielding fiery swords and their eyes flame with holy indignation at your presumption. The Veil which looked so beautiful has become a thing of terror – a monstrosity hanging in this Holy Place.

[Spend some time on this. Also see on the Veil the things that others have done which have hurt or offended you]

A voice behind you whispers – a voice you have heard many times before, insinuating, accusing.-“Did you really think it could be any different? You and I know what you’re really like. Look at yourself.” You look down and see that the robe you thought was so clean is hanging in filthy tatters. You cringe and weep with shame and wish that the lamp would go out and the darkness swallow you up. The hideous taunting whisper goes on and on confirming what you already know – you sin has made an impenetrable barrier between you and God – a barrier you are helpless to remove.

Suddenly you hear from outside somewhere, a loud cry – a cry born in agony yet ringing in triumph “IT IS FINISHED!”

Then unseen hands take hold of the Veil, tear it from top to bottom and push it aside and the Shekinah floods out. It is a living pulsating light – almost tangible, and everything else recedes from view. You look down at your robe; it is glistening white and seems to be woven with the same glory that has enveloped the Holy Place and the Life and the Light of the Shekinah fill your whole being. You look up and see the unveiled Glory of God and know that, even as you behold it, you are reflecting like a mirror, that same Glory. The Cherubim no longer wield fiery swords but gaze with wondering eyes at the blood on the Mercy Seat.

 A welcoming voice says “COME,” and you walk over blood sprinkled ground into the arms of the Father. He speaks your name and says “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you. You are mine and I am yours for eternity. All that I have is yours and NOTHING will ever separate you from My love. What I have opened no one can shut.” You begin to understand the height and depth and length and breadth of His incredible love. It washes you through and through and every wound is healed. You know that you will never be the same, because your eyes have beheld the Living God and no one can see God and live. That old wilful Self is gone forever and your life is now immersed in His.

Jesus is standing there at the right hand of the Father.  There are deep wounds in His hands and feet, but His face is radiant. He has endured the Cross, despising the shame for the joy of seeing you come to this place. He says, “You are My Beloved, flesh of My flesh and bone of My bones and I have longed for this. You share a timeless moment of utter bliss.

He continues, “There are others I long to bring here. Will you go for me? Will you take the glory of this place out into the darkness and bring My love into the midst of the pain and turmoil of the world? Will you be a servant to all and wash the feet of the weary? It is not an easy path I am asking you to walk, but you will share my joy even as you share My suffering and you’ll never be alone. The way of the Cross is the way of Redemption for the World.”

He has been holding over His arm the High Priestly garments and He now places over your white garment, the blue robe with its fruit and tinkling bells. He asks “Will you share My gospel and minister the gifts I give you in love?” He puts on the Ephod with the Breastplate of glittering gems and the gleaming onyx at the shoulders and says “Will you carry My people in your heart, bear them up and join Me in My intercessions for them? They are my precious gems.” He places the Urim and Thummim in the pocket of the breastplate and says, “You will never lack guidance, You have only to ask and I will share the secrets of My heart.” He places the diadem of gold on your head with its inscription and says “You are now ‘Holiness unto the Lord,’ as the Father has sent Me, so send I you.” You turn to, reluctantly yet with purpose, knowing that this place is always open to you. 

He calls after you, “And child, don’t tell anyone who you are – just live it!”

 

Philippians 2:5-8  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Philippians 3:8 “.....I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord....that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

Colossians 3:3,4 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

1 John 4:17 “Love has been perfected among us in this; that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”