Mark 15:38
The veil of the temple was torn in two
Let’s go on a little study this morning. Over the centuries many misconceptions have been published about the relationship between the Hebrew and the Apostolic Scriptures. From dispensationalism to replacement theology man has done all he could to explain the Bible away from its simple terms. With the help of a ‘couple’ of Scriptures’, I will attempt this morning to put it all back in its proper perspective (as if it were so easy)!
When the Children of Israel constructed the Tabernacle, God commanded that a veil (a thick curtain) should be made to separate the Holy of Holies from the holy place (Exodus 26:33). This veil later found its place in the Temple and we remember that at the time that Yeshua died this veil was torn in two, from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). In the Talmud the Temple veil is spoken of as the ‘tunic of God’. Its ripping at the time of the death of Messiah speaks of the tradition of tearing one’s clothes as a sign of mourning. God tore His ‘tunic’ when Yeshua died.
For no apparent valid reason, this event is usually interpreted as a sign that the Temple system was now defunct and obsolete, but there is a deeper and far more authentic meaning to this symbolism, one that can actually be proof-texted with Scripture. In the letter written to the Messianic Jews (Hebrews) we are told that this veil represents the body of Messiah (Hebrews 10:19-20) and looking at the plan of the Tabernacle/Temple, we see the whole perspective. The road to the Holy of Holies which represent the Presence of God still goes through the altar of offering, the holy place, and then through ripped curtain which as we have now learned is Yeshua’s torn body. This concept works in total synchronicity with this following conversation between Yeshua and a rich young man, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Yeshua said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Yeshua said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Recipe for eternal life from the mouth of the Master Himself: Commandments + follow Him) (Matthew 19:16-21).
Just preceding the triumphant victorious return of Yeshua as the legitimate King of the world (Revelations 19), the devil will try in a last ditch desperate attempt to go against those whom he fears the most. Here is what we are told: Then the dragon became furious with the woman (according to the context the woman is Israel who had given birth to Yeshua) and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua (Revelation 12:17).
Whereas I am not looking forward to sufferings and persecutions, I do hope to be a part of the crowd whom the devil fears with the courage of those who were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life (Hebrews 11:35).
The veil of the temple was torn in two
Let’s go on a little study this morning. Over the centuries many misconceptions have been published about the relationship between the Hebrew and the Apostolic Scriptures. From dispensationalism to replacement theology man has done all he could to explain the Bible away from its simple terms. With the help of a ‘couple’ of Scriptures’, I will attempt this morning to put it all back in its proper perspective (as if it were so easy)!
When the Children of Israel constructed the Tabernacle, God commanded that a veil (a thick curtain) should be made to separate the Holy of Holies from the holy place (Exodus 26:33). This veil later found its place in the Temple and we remember that at the time that Yeshua died this veil was torn in two, from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). In the Talmud the Temple veil is spoken of as the ‘tunic of God’. Its ripping at the time of the death of Messiah speaks of the tradition of tearing one’s clothes as a sign of mourning. God tore His ‘tunic’ when Yeshua died.
For no apparent valid reason, this event is usually interpreted as a sign that the Temple system was now defunct and obsolete, but there is a deeper and far more authentic meaning to this symbolism, one that can actually be proof-texted with Scripture. In the letter written to the Messianic Jews (Hebrews) we are told that this veil represents the body of Messiah (Hebrews 10:19-20) and looking at the plan of the Tabernacle/Temple, we see the whole perspective. The road to the Holy of Holies which represent the Presence of God still goes through the altar of offering, the holy place, and then through ripped curtain which as we have now learned is Yeshua’s torn body. This concept works in total synchronicity with this following conversation between Yeshua and a rich young man, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Yeshua said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Yeshua said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Recipe for eternal life from the mouth of the Master Himself: Commandments + follow Him) (Matthew 19:16-21).
Just preceding the triumphant victorious return of Yeshua as the legitimate King of the world (Revelations 19), the devil will try in a last ditch desperate attempt to go against those whom he fears the most. Here is what we are told: Then the dragon became furious with the woman (according to the context the woman is Israel who had given birth to Yeshua) and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua (Revelation 12:17).
Whereas I am not looking forward to sufferings and persecutions, I do hope to be a part of the crowd whom the devil fears with the courage of those who were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life (Hebrews 11:35).
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