At the moment of Jesus’ death the veil in the Temple was torn in two.
This curtain hung as a ceremonial fabric in the Jewish Temple. Its function was to separate the holy place from the Holy of Holies. Embroidered on the curtain was a cherubim. A cherubim is an angelic being that guards the holy presence of Yahweh from individuals who are unworthy to enter His presence (see Genesis 3 when God puts the cherubim in place to guard the garden of Eden after the Fall). This isn’t for Yahweh’s protection, but the sinner’s protection.
The Holy of Holies was the throne room of God that housed the Ark of the Covenant which was the throne of Yahweh (which is why it’s also called the “mercy seat”).
According to the law of the Old Testament, only the High Priest was eligible to go into the great throne room once a year (Day of Atonement; Yom Kippur) to atone for the sins of Israel, God’s people.
The preparations and cleansing that needed to take place in order for the High Priest to enter in and not die because of the powerful and holy presence of Yahweh was out of control. The level of painstaking detail that the High Priest had to purify himself extraordinary.
This meant that the presence of God was something exclusive; something reserved for certain people.
From here, we can reason (and interpret Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit) to understand that Jesus’ death makes the holy and powerful presence of Yahweh accessible to all. That which was reserved for a few is now available to all. With the work of Jesus, the barrier between humanity and God has been removed. All who wish to enter may.
In addition to this, now the holy and powerful presence of God can GO OUT. This is the missional dimension of holiness. Not only can we now draw close to Yahweh because of internal cleansing and forgiveness through faith in Jesus, but God can no draw near to the world because of Christ’s work.
This is a powerful concept that should shape the way the church understands its mission to the world.
It is now the church’s responsibility to carryout the mission of Christ by bringing the powerful and holy presence of God to a broken and hurting world. That very presence is the healing balm of humanity—the only balm that can restore the hearts of men and regenerate culture and transform the state of affairs on this terrestrial ball.
The torn veil is as much a call to mission as it is an invitation to enter.
The curtain is torn in two so that all may enter, and that He may go out.
It was also the Passover Preparation day as we are told in the Gospels. The Passover lamb was being sacrificed in the Temple while YAHSHUA the True LAMB of YAH was being sacrificed on a hill nearby.
I would probably interpret the second half of this differently – that the Holy of Holies, or God’s presence, is open to all, but no so much here on earth as in the eternal worlds: through the final, infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, no more atonement through animals needed to be made. As the great High Priest – the One to whom all the other High Priests had pointed – Christ now made it possible to enter the Father’s presence, or eternal life in His kingdom in Heaven. Christ, entering the presence of the Father through the veil of death, rent it for us to follow Him, through death and resurrection, and discipleship (as symbolised through the different types of sacrifice of the Mosaic Law, and fulfilled in Christ to become real instead of only symbolic).
Hebrews 9
11 But Messiah having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to EL, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living EL? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
I’m very familiar with the text. Thanks.
Hebrews 9
24 For Messiah hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of EL for us; 25 nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 26 or else He must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28 so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for Him for salvation.
Hebrews 10
19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of YAHSHUA, 20 by the way which He dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; 21 and having a great priest over EL’s house, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for He who promised is faithful.
Yes, the veil signified His flesh torn for us and opening the way to YAH through Him. And He gives His Spirit to His children. The Way is open if we are willing to receive what He has done for us.