Living Within the Veil

Everything about the tabernacle and temple in the First Testament was a shadow of the reality ordained in Christ, the only begotten Son. The most holy place of the temple was called the “Holy of Holies”. Into that inner presence of Jehovah God, one had to pass through the veil and could only do so once each year. The High Priest that entered into the very presence of God was set apart carefully in preparation. It was an awesome moment when he penetrated that great veil to offer blood on the mercy seat. The company of priest stood near and listened quietly for the bells on the hem of the garment of this mere man in God’s presence. The sounding of the bells assured the accompanying priest that the High Priest was accepted and alive.

Jesus Christ became that veil in the New Testament and we, by faith, have entrance through Him into the “Holy of Holies”. This “Holy of Holies”, where by abandonment to prayer a saint might enter, is truly the place of divine intercession. Anyone that enters regularly and abides in surrender will shake heaven and hell. The absence of saints from this inner sanctum of God is the absolute answer for the helplessness of most prayers.

Apostle Paul spoke of this great truth, “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; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, …” (Hebrews 10:19-22a). We must read the last words of verse twenty-two to understand the state of that saint that is ushered into this Holy Place. Paul stated, “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22b). This is a picture of Christ’s grace that purified His saints in preparation for entering behind this veil. This cleansing is not some state of Holiness only in a preconceived sense, but rather a truly transformed purity. It is a life of spiritual reality where we are hid in God with Christ and set apart from the unclean.

There is an old song of the saints that presents the perfect picture of this powerful place of prayer. Verse one sings: “I’ve believed the true report, Hallelujah to the Lamb! I have passed the outer courts, O glory be to God! I am all on Jesus’ side, on the altar sanctified, to the world and sin I’ve died, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” Verse two states: “I’m a king and priest to God, Hallelujah to the Lamb! By the cleansing of the blood, O glory be to God! By the Spirit’s pow’r and light, I am living day and night, In the holiest place so bright, Hallelujah to the Lamb!” This kind of prayer will bring souls to the altar where Christ awaits to save. It will pull down strongholds that have erected walls of resistance. Sinners will be converted when saints are living within the veil.

Jesus Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand in this present “Holy of Holies”. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24). He is praying for His saints and has clearly stated that the Father saves us, but then gives us to Him to preserve in the kingdom. He stated “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10). We are His body and His very fellow servants and He invites us to pray until we enter into His intimate presence. The Epistle written to Ephesus promised us entrance into the fellowship of the Father and the Son. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:5-6)

A prayer life that regularly waits before God until they enter within the veil is going to move God and men. Heaven will answer and hell will tremble when saints pray until they pray through the veil. Just one time, stay before God until the soul is caught away in the Spirit and you will never be happy without it. Remember, John “…was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” (Revelation 1:10) and Peter “…fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:10) and heard a voice from Heaven. These were not wild encounters with emotions but the very presence and glory of God. Such praying has brought revival in the past and will do it again.

Joseph R. Chambers