Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Hebrews 9:1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 9:1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and for the earthly sanctuary. [Ex 25:10-40] |
Bible Question: what where the details of the curtain in the temple splitting in two when Jesus was crucified |
Bible Answer: Hebrews chapter 9 describes the curtain as the symbolic barrier between God and humanity, created by humanity's sin. Sinful ones are not allowed in the presence of God. Once a year the priests entered with the veil, his symbolic protection was the blood of the lamb sacrificed in substitution for sinners (9:22). When Christ died he became the sacrificial lamb. He substituted for every believer in suffering the wages of sin which is death. Jesus death and the torn curtain have a two-fold purpose. 1) The ceremonies of were all fulfilled at the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. This was later confirmed by the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Because sacrifices were only permitted to be offered in the temple, all Jewish animal sacrifices ceased after 70 AD. They should of stopped with the torn curtain. At the cross Christ became the high priest bearing blood. 2) The torn curtain symbolizes that there is nothing between God and the believer. God's presence is open to us whereas before it was only open to the priest. We can now experience complete oneness with God. I might add the curtain was 20 feet by 60 feet by 4 inches thick. It took 300 priests to move the curtain. The curtain was also completely torn - nothing stands between us and God, not even a thread. We have total access to Him. The curtain was repaired by the priests because they thought the earthquake had caused it to tear. It is also interesting that the curtain ripped at the time of the evening sacrifice. Some priests became believers because of the curtain. |