Hebrews 10:20

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, Hebrews 10:20

The verse is connected to the previous one. Together, they read –

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,”

The words here, “a new and living way,” are incorrect. There never was a way for us to enter. Only the priests could do so in an earthly sanctuary, and theirs was only prefiguring the true access. Now there is “a way, new and living.” There is one way and only one way to enter, and that is through Christ.

With this understanding, and with the small, but major correction, it is seen that, “by a way, new and living,” is speaking of entering the Holiest. Only the priests could enter into the holy places, and only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, only once a year on the Day of Atonement, and only with blood. But that was not into heaven. It was only a type and shadow of what Christ would do. Now, because of Christ, those who believe in Him may boldly enter covered in His blood. Which is the “way, new and living.”

Shed blood signifies death, and yet, the verse here says the way is “living.” This is because His shed blood not only fulfilled the Old Covenant, but it established the New Covenant –

“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”

Thus, it is a way “which He consecrated for us.” It is the death of Christ Jesus which allows us full and unfettered access to God once again. The same word, translated here as “consecrated,” was translated in verse 9:18 as “dedicated.” These are its only two uses in Scripture. The word signifies, “advancing to a new sphere (dimension) of reality.” It is Christ who makes this possible for us, and it is “through the veil, that is His flesh.”

Here the symbolism of the veil which stood between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Sanctuary is explicitly said to prefigure Christ Jesus. Understanding this, it makes this veil, or paroket, an amazing study. It is well worth the time to watch this video from the Superior Word, to discover what is being pictured in it in relation to the coming Christ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJvNjczxFNc

One can see in this the humanity and the deity of Christ. The veil, His body, is what allows access into God’s presence. As the veil concealed the glory of God behind it, so Christ’s humanity concealed that same glory. This is evident from the account of the Transfiguration. In the rending of the veil, meaning His body, access to the glory of God is obtained.

Life application: For a short explanation of the symbolism of the veil, we can look at two accounts of it in Scripture –

“You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. 32 You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy. 34 You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.” Exodus 26:31-33

And another time the curtain is mentioned –

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,” Matthew 27:50, 51

The curtain of the temple restricted access to the Most Holy place. Just as the curtain was torn open when Christ died, so access to the throne of God was restored to fallen man through the body of Jesus. We need look for no other explanation. The Bible tells us the wonderful story. Trust that access has been granted, and also be sure that it is only through Christ that access is so granted.

Lord God, thank You for the restored access to Your glory which was lost so long ago when we turned away from You in Eden. Now — through Christ – a way, living and new, has been opened up for those who will simply accept it. Christ’s body was torn so that we can come to You again. What a marvelous wonder You have accomplished for Your people. Thank You for Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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