Topical Bible: Holy of Holies: Laid Open to View at Christ's Death

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The Holy of Holies, also known as the Most Holy Place, was the innermost and most sacred area of the ancient Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant and symbolized the presence of God among His people. Access to this sacred space was highly restricted, with only the High Priest permitted to enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in Leviticus 16.

The Holy of Holies was separated from the rest of the Temple by a thick veil, or curtain, which served as a physical and symbolic barrier between God and humanity. This veil represented the separation caused by sin, emphasizing the holiness of God and the need for atonement.

The significance of the Holy of Holies being laid open to view is profoundly illustrated at the moment of Christ's death. According to the Gospel of Matthew, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51). This miraculous event occurred at the very moment Jesus yielded up His spirit, signifying a monumental shift in the relationship between God and humanity.

The tearing of the veil from top to bottom is rich in theological meaning. It symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and man, made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By His death, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law and provided a new and living way for believers to enter into the presence of God. The author of Hebrews elaborates on this, stating, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

This event marks the end of the Old Covenant sacrificial system and the establishment of the New Covenant, where Christ serves as the ultimate High Priest. The access to God, once limited to the High Priest and mediated through the sacrificial system, is now available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul affirms this new reality, writing, "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18).

The opening of the Holy of Holies at Christ's death also signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when the Lord would "swallow up the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations" (Isaiah 25:7). In Christ, this prophecy finds its fulfillment, as the separation between God and humanity is removed, and the invitation to enter into His presence is extended to all.

In summary, the laying open of the Holy of Holies at the death of Christ is a pivotal moment in biblical history. It represents the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, the inauguration of the New Covenant, and the establishment of direct access to God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This event underscores the profound theological truth that through Christ, believers are reconciled to God and invited into a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Bethesda and the Sanhedrin
... at fault, whose work has quickened and upheld every living thing since first He
laid the foundations of ... In the awful mystery of the holy of holies His glory ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 21 bethesda and the.htm

The New Covenant.
... tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; having a ... The shewbread, laid on the
table in rows of twelve ... And the Holy Ghost also beareth witness to us: for ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... once a year, into the Holy of Holies, not without ... and emphatic, because it has been
lately "laid down that ... unbelief than that the view of Holy Scripture which ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews.
... to open, 4:13 (tetrachelismena, laid open). ... The altar of incense is placed in the
holy of holies, 9:4; but this seems to have been a current opinion, which ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 100 the epistle to.htm

The Saviour's Last Hours.
... out of His blood on the cross, entered into the true holy of holies; His kingdom ...
same people who had cried, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" who had laid a curse ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxv the saviours last hours.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... or unsanctified shall enter into the holy of holies, which is ... it entered into the
hearts of the most holy men living ... on, than what has been now laid before you ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

The Investigative Judgment.
... great High Priest enters the holy of holies, and there ... suspicion of the wrong; but
it is laid bare before ... has made us the depositaries of His holy word; what ...
/.../28 the investigative judgment.htm

The Anglican Reform
... being presented to the Crown if was laid before the ... of a religious war; and when
open hostilities broke out ... by His own blood entered the Holy Holies to complete ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/chapter i the anglican reform.htm

Facing Life's Record
... great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there ... suspicion of the wrong; but
it is laid bare before ... has made us the depositaries of His holy word; what ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 28 facing lifes record.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... Mary knelt on the steps, and Joachim and Anna laid their hands on her head. ... stairs
led up to little praying cells near the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm