WHY DID GOD "TEAR" THE TEMPLE VAIL FROM TOP TO BOTTOM?

JESUS PROVIDED FOR OUR ATONEMENT THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS AND BELIEVERS NOW STAND JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD.

In the Jewish temple the veil served as the barrier to the Holy of Hollies where it was believed God's presence rested and housed the Ark of the Covenant.

Only the high priest could enter this area and then only one time each year to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Exodus 30:10). First Kings 6:2 records that Solomon's temple was 30 cubits high. This would have been 45 feet tall.

Note: The first century Jewish historian Josephus records that Herod extended the temple's height to 40 cubits high, about 60 feet tall. He also records that the veil was four inches thick.

           Jesus Christ is falsely accused and sentenced to die on the Cross.

                 Christ dies on the cross atoning for the sins of the world.

Matthew 27:50-51 says, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom".

The Temple Vail was torn in two signifying that we ourselves are invited into God's presence without the need of Priest, Rituals or any Church. Thought the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Jesus Christ) we are adopted into the Kingdom Of God as His adopted Sons and Daughters throughout eternity. 

A powerful application of this change is described in Hebrews 4:14-16: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Instead of going to a priest, minister, or pastor, we can go directly and boldly come before God through Jesus Christ to receive mercy and grace. Jesus meets our needs and identifies with our weaknesses. The tearing of the veil is profoundly significant and provides a pictorial foundation for how we can approach God today. God has torn down the barrier between Himself and Believers and we are justified through the work of Jesus Christ. 

Notice the details: (1) Jesus died. (2) The enormous 45 to 60-foot high four inch thick curtain was torn. (3) The tear was from top to bottom clearly indicating it was of God, not man. This connection between the death of Jesus and the torn veil did happen by chance. It witnesses to us who Jesus Christ is, what the cross accomplished, and the access we now have to God, through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8:1-2

                                            NOW THE POINT IS:

We (each of us) have a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man." Jesus Himself now serves as "our" high priest. There is no longer a need for a Jewish high priest (or any minister of any Christian church) to stand before the Lord and make atonement for our sins.

JESUS PROVIDED FOR OUR ATONEMENT THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS AND BELIEVERS NOW STAND JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD.

 In addition, the tearing of the veil also defined the beginning of a new covenant. Hebrews 8:13 states, "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."