A. In Exodus 26:31-37 we have a description of the two veils in the tabernacle. The first veil was actually the door of the structure (Exodus 26:36-37). While its colors were the same as the second veil there is no mention of the cherubims. It was suspended on five golden pillars, which were held by sockets of brass.
B. Our real subject of study will be the inner or second veil (Hebrews 9:3). This veil was blue, purple, scarlet and fine twined linen with embroidery of cherubims. It was suspended from four golden pillars held by four sockets of silver. This veil separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33).
C. One other note of explanation needs to be given before we begin our study on the symbolism of the veil. Many of our Bible references will be referring to the veil of the Temple which existed during Christ's earthly ministry rather than the veil of the tabernacle built by Moses. This in no way affects our study as both veils had the same doctrinal significance. Let us now begin our study of the symbolic significance of the veil.

1. The Basic Concept Of The Veil
The purpose of a Veil is to cover or hide from view (II Corinthians 3:13-16, Isaiah 25:7). The veil of the tabernacle hid from view the Holy of Holies. It formed a barrier between God’s glory and sinful man (Leviticus 16:2).

2. Christ's Flesh A Veil
In Hebrews 10:19-20 we learn that Christ's flesh was symbolically pictured by the inner veil of the tabernacle. Our Saviour took upon Himself human form and thus veiled His glory (Philippians 2:5-11, Romans 8:3). Only on the Mount of Transfiguration did His divine glory shine through (Matthew 17:1-2). Likewise the veil of the Tabernacle hid from men’s view the glory and presence of God.

3. The Rending Of The Temple Veil
A. The veil of Herod's Temple was said by the Jews to be "four fingers" thick. Several yoke of oxen could not have torn it. This heavy veil was rent in twain at the time of Christ's death (Matthew 27:50-51, Luke 23:44-45). Truly this was one of the great signs surrounding Christ's death. Notice the great truths shadowed forth in type by this event.
B. The rending of the veil was an act of God. It was rent from the "top to bottom" (Matthew 27:50-51) to show that it was a work of God above and not man below. This was to reveal that Christ’s death and suffering were inflicted by God (Isaiah 53:10, Zechariah 13:7, John 10:18). Men were only God's instruments (Acts 2:23) and apart from God's purpose could have had no power over Christ (John 19:8-12). It was the Father who made Christ an offering for our sin (II Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16). Christ was not merely an innocent murder victim but a divine sacrifice.
C. The veil was rent down the middle (Luke 23:44-45) creating direct access to the Mercy Seat and the Shekinah Glory. It was not a slight tear in the side but a bold exposure of the Holy of Holies. Likewise Christ's crucifixion created an open way to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-22, John 14:6). His torn flesh was for us an opening of the gates of Heaven. Through Christ we come boldly to the "mercy seat" or as it is called in Hebrews the "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).
D. The veil was torn as Christ cried "It is finished" (Compare Matthew 27:50-51 with John 19:30). Our Saviour suffered in many ways but only at death was the veil rent. That we might have access to God the wages of sin must be paid (Romans 6:23). Not sweat or tears but blood was the key to Heaven (Ephesians 2:13).
E. Liberal preachers often extol the beauty of Christ’s life and the virtues of His teaching but deny the saving nature of our Lord’s death. The folly of this is seen when we recall that not the beauty of the veil but rather its rending opened the way to the Mercy Seat. Truly the beauty of the veil did typify the holy perfections of our Saviour. Our Saviour rendered a perfect obedience to the Father in His life but apart from His death this could not have saved.

4. The Great Day of Atonement
A. Once a year on the great day of atonement the high priest entered past the veil into the Holy of Holies with the blood of a sacrifice. In this we have a wonderful picture which typifies the veil's significance. The Biblical record of this is in Leviticus 16:1-19 & 34.
B. Only once a year did the High priest go past the veil into the presence of God. In type this signified that Christ needed to die but once to open for us a way to the Father (Hebrews 9:28, 10:10 & 14).
C. The only man who ever passed through the veil into the Holy of Holies was the high priest (Hebrews 9:6-7). Christ is our great high priest (Hebrews 9:11, 10:21-22) and by His death and resurrection He was enabled to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24, 7:25-27, 8:1-2). He lives today to make intercession for His people (Romans 5:10).
D. When the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies He did so with the blood of an animal already sacrificed on the Brazen altar. This blood was sprinkled on the Mercy seat to make atonement (Leviticus 16:14-16). Christ was not only our High priest but our sacrifice offered on the Brazen altar of Calvary. With His own blood He enters Heaven to intercede for us (Hebrews 9:11-14).
E. Lastly notice what was implied in the existence of these symbols. As long as the Temple veil hung as a symbol it was proof that Christ had not yet made a way for us into God’s presence (Hebrews 9:7-9). As long as the earthly high priest entered the veil it was proof that the real atonement had not yet been made (Hebrews 10:1-4). We rejoice in the symbols but are thankful that they have passed away. Christ the great anti-type has fulfilled all the Old Testament types.

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