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Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:50 WEB

Under the old covenant, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the temple, where the manifest presence of God dwelt, once a year on Yom Kippur ( The Day of Atonement ).

There was a thick veil (curtain) that he had to pass through to do this. Early Jewish tradition states that the outer veil was as thick as a man's hand (about four inches), sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and so heavy that it took three-hundred priests to manipulate it. It was renewed each year, and horses tied to each side of it could not pull it apart.

The 'Holy of Holies' where the Ark of the Covenant rested was a perfect cube. It's height, width, and length were about fifteen feet. The inner veil that covered the 'Holy of Holies' was over three feet thick with many layers and formed a maze that the high priest walked through.

The veil was a barrier between sinful man and a Holy God. Had they stumbled in there unprepared, they would have fallen dead in His presence. The manifest presence of God was shielded from mankind by the thick curtain. Only once a year, after careful preparation, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people.

When Jesus was crucified, the veil in the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. This made the way for us to enter directly into the Lord's manifest presence. We can now enter into the Lord's presence wherever we are. In a hospital, in prison, or at home, the Lord's door is now open for those that want it. The sin that once separated us from God's presence, is now atoned for by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The ones who were once forbidden, are now welcome.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You manifest Your presence in my life. Help me walk in Your presence and live a life that is pleasing to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.