Hebrews 10:19-20 (KJV) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.

ABSTRACT

The tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s death proclaims a profound shift, granting direct access to God’s presence through His sacrifice, fulfilling ancient promises and opening salvation to all humanity.

CALVARY’S CHARGE!

The atmosphere surrounding Calvary on that fateful day was charged with divine energy. As the lifeblood of the Son of God stained the Roman cross, a parallel event of extraordinary significance unfolded within the sacred confines of the Jerusalem temple. The thick, blood-soaked veil, which for centuries had served as a tangible symbol of the separation between humanity and a holy God, experienced not a gentle flutter, but a violent rending. It tore from top to bottom, a forceful act that reverberated through the spiritual landscape. This was far more than a mere symbolic gesture; it was a profound declaration, a seismic shift in the relationship between the divine and the human. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ, as His sacrifice breaks barriers, evidenced by the rending that invites all into God’s throne room. Consider the assurance in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” and Ephesians 2:18, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ellen G. White emphasizes this access, stating, “The rending of the veil of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received. The great sacrifice had been offered and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by His own blood, to shed upon His disciples the benefits of His atonement” (Early Writings, p. 259, 1882). She further declares, “The holy places made with hands had become a habitation of demons, and the veil was rent in twain from top to bottom, signifying that the Most Holy Place existed no longer, and God would no longer manifest His presence in the temple at Jerusalem” (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 28, 1884). To truly grasp the magnitude of this universe-altering event, it is essential to embark on an exploration that traces its prophetic origins, delves into its profound implications, and ultimately comprehends the boundless love that fueled this ultimate sacrifice. Through the lens of Scripture, illuminated by the Spirit of Prophecy and the insights of our pioneers, we can begin to uncover the layers of meaning embedded in this rip and how it forever altered our connection with the Divine. But how does this divine access shape our journey from Eden’s promise to the Messiah’s fulfillment?

EDEN’S ETERNAL PROMISE!

Our journey into this pivotal moment begins in the dawn of human history, amidst the ruins of paradise. When sin cast its long shadow over Eden, hope, seemingly extinguished, was rekindled by a divine promise: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Here, in the immediate aftermath of humanity’s fall, the work of Christ was first unveiled in prophecy. This was not a nebulous hope, but a precise declaration that the serpent’s dominion would ultimately be shattered by the “seed of the woman,” albeit at a great personal cost. Consider also the seemingly simple act recorded in Genesis 3:21: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them”. This action, though appearing rudimentary, foreshadowed the covering of our inherent sinfulness through the sacrifice of Christ, symbolically represented by the slain animal. Furthermore, the divine pronouncement in Genesis 3:22-23, leading to their separation from the Garden, though painful, was a merciful act to prevent the perpetuation of sin in immortality, thus paving the way for a future restoration through Christ. Ellen G. White elucidates this foundational promise, stating, “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. Everything that God had made was the perfection of beauty, and nothing seemed wanting that could contribute to the happiness of the holy pair; yet the Creator gave them still another token of His love, by preparing a garden especially for their home” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 46, 1890). She further elaborates on the Lord’s provision for our first parents: “But the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 57, 1890). Even in the face of utter failure, God’s love immediately provided a pathway back. This initial prophecy, delivered within the context of judgment, reveals the fundamental truth that God’s plan of salvation was not a subsequent thought but was intricately woven into the very fabric of creation from its inception. But how did this promise evolve through centuries to the Messiah’s mission?

MESSIAH’S MIGHTY MISSION!

Centuries passed, and the whispers of that Edenic promise grew louder and more defined. Shortly before the arrival of the promised Messiah, the Spirit of God unveiled further details concerning His mission. The angel’s words to Joseph resonated with divine purpose: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This revelation was not merely about a name; it was about a mission, a destiny etched in the heavens. The name Jesus itself, meaning “Jehovah is salvation,” encapsulated the very essence of His earthly work. The prophet Isaiah further elaborated on this saving work, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). This prophecy, later claimed by Jesus Himself (Luke 4:18-19), highlights the multifaceted nature of His saving ministry. Moreover, the angel’s announcement to Mary reinforced the divine origin of this child: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Sr. White emphasizes the significance of the Messiah’s name, writing, “The Son of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 36, 1890). Consider the weight of those words. This was not just any child; this was the embodiment of God’s saving grace, destined to bear the burden of a world’s sin. She further underscores the comprehensive nature of Christ’s mission as foretold by Isaiah, stating, “The Son of God stooped to uplift the fallen” (The Desire of Ages, p. 82, 1898). This divine anointing equipped Christ for a ministry that addressed the totality of human suffering and bondage. But how did this divine mission manifest in the humble incarnation of the Savior?

HUMBLE INCARNATION HERO!

The arrival of this promised Savior was not to be in dazzling earthly splendor, but in the humble form of humanity itself. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In His first advent, Christ was to appear in human flesh. This was not a fleeting visit; it was a complete and profound identification with the human race. Imagine the Creator of the universe taking on the limitations of mortal flesh, experiencing hunger, thirst, and weariness. The apostle Paul further illuminates this incredible condescension, stating, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7). This “making himself of no reputation” speaks volumes about the humility of Christ’s incarnation. The prophet Micah foretold the humble birthplace of this divine being: “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). Sr. White beautifully captures this mystery: “The Saviour’s coming had been foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer” (The Desire of Ages, p. 31, 1898). This act of condescension, of God becoming “God with skin on,” underscores the depth of His love and His commitment to our redemption. She further clarifies this profound act, stating, “The Son of God stooped to uplift the fallen. For this He exchanged His sinless existence for the sinner’s life” (The Desire of Ages, p. 311, 1898). This signifies that while fully embracing human nature, Christ retained His divine essence, a mystery beyond complete human comprehension. But what prompted the cleansing of the earthly temple amidst this divine humility?

TEMPLE TURNING POINT!

The earthly temple in Jerusalem, meant to be a house of prayer, had become marred by the greed and corruption of those who administered its sacred services. Jesus, with righteous indignation, declared, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). To what extent was the temple at Jerusalem desecrated? It had become a marketplace, a place where the focus shifted from worship to worldly gain. The Gospel of Mark provides further detail, stating, “And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple” (Mark 11:15, 16). This was not a gentle request; it was a forceful act of purification. The prophet Jeremiah had earlier lamented this very corruption: “Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 7:11). This act of cleansing was not just a rebuke of the commercialization of sacred space; it was a prophetic statement about the coming end of the Levitical system. She explains the significance: “The Lord would be merciful to His people and yet punish their oppressors. Suspended before the eyes of the unbelieving Jews was the cloud of Herod’s judgment, which soon was to burst upon him in wrath” (The Desire of Ages, p. 591, 1898). This desecration foreshadowed the rejection of the true Messiah and the ultimate passing away of the earthly sanctuary. Furthermore, she notes, “The Lord would be merciful to His people and yet punish their oppressors. Suspended before the eyes of the unbelieving Jews was the cloud of Herod’s judgment, which soon was to burst upon him in wrath” (The Desire of Ages, p. 591, 1898). This highlights that the physical cleansing pointed to a deeper need for spiritual purification within the hearts of the people. But how did John the Baptist’s proclamation fit into this sacred narrative?

LAMB’S LOUD PROCLAMATION!

As Jesus began His public ministry, a powerful voice rang out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he exclaimed with profound recognition, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”. Sr. White emphasizes the role of messengers in proclaiming this central truth, stating, “The Lord has raised up Brother and Sister White; and that to accomplish this work, and to give it to the world as it has been given to them, God has sent by His Holy Spirit messages to them, His chosen people, who are to prove a strength, a comfort, and an encouragement, to the missionaries, to the workers in tract and missionary societies, and to the ministers in the field” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 93, 1872). This declaration by John was not a casual observation but a divinely inspired pronouncement identifying Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s transgressions. John’s ministry itself was specifically ordained for this purpose, as she notes, “The Lord will raise up men and qualify them to bear the message of mercy to the world and to arouse the deadened conscience of our brethren” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 32, 1909). His solitary life and dedication to spiritual discipline equipped him to recognize and announce the arrival of the promised Messiah. But what does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ ultimately signify in our lives?

SACRIFICE’S SUPREME SALVATION!

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, culminating in the dramatic tearing of the temple veil, signifies the unveiling of divine grace and the opening of a “new and living way” to God. As Sr. White so powerfully states, “The rending of the veil of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received. The great sacrifice had been offered and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by His own blood, to shed upon His disciples the benefits of His atonement” (Early Writings, p. 259, 1882). This monumental event, foreshadowed from the very dawn of human history and proclaimed by prophets through the ages, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His incarnation, ministry, and sacrificial death on the cross shattered the barrier of sin that separated humanity from its Creator, granting direct access to the divine presence. This access is further solidified by Christ’s ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, as she affirms, “The Lord Jesus is our efficiency in all things; His Spirit is to be our inspiration; and as we place ourselves in His hands, to be channels of light, our means of doing good will never be exhausted. We may draw upon His fulness, and receive of that grace which has no limit” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 33, 1909). Therefore, with hearts filled with gratitude and understanding, we embrace this new and living way, responding in faith, repentance, and a life of obedience to the boundless love revealed in the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can we, in our personal devotional life, delve deeper into these prophetic truths, allowing them to shape our character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about these topics in our community, and how can we gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s soon return and God’s ultimate victory over evil?