Life Behind the Veil

Go To Meeting

Albert Jones—September 16, 2022

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Everything that God gives us can be used for good or evil. He had inspired this Go To Meeting as a blessing for the scattered brethren around the world. Thank you so much for your prayers and patronage.

I thought about my message in a lot of different ways. I think we all agree that the high priesthood is a very, very important office within God's plan for us.

Num. 16—God lays out with something very clear for the people to understand in Israel. There was a group of individuals who wanted to assert themselves into the priesthood. I think this event demonstrates the seriousness of the office, and whose responsibility it is to appoint it. It will just show us from God's perspective how serious He is about His priesthood.

Numbers 16: 1: Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, took both Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben; even they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the assembly, chosen men of the congregation, men who were well-known. And they gathered themselves against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, 'You take too much upon you since all the congregation are Holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you lift yourselves up above the congregation of the LORD?'" (vs 1-3).

When you think about this verse and what was said there, maybe out ignorance and not understanding, but by the time that God was done demonstrating the seriousness of what that office represented for Him, I think all the people understood better.

I was thinking about that today as I was reading the Scripture, that these men were not only confronting Moses who was called of God and tremendous miracles were demonstrated through Moses by God. This man was able to see the backside of God and live, here are these individuals rising up and speaking against him.

Verse 4: "And when Moses heard this, he fell on his face…. [He knew how serious it was] …And he spoke to Korah and to all his company, saying, 'Even at daybreak the LORD will show who is His, and who is Holy, and will cause him to come near to Him; even him whom He has chosen will He cause to come near to Him'" (vs 4-5).

You know the story here in what occurred; God demonstrated His power and these men perished. God's demonstration of who stood for Him and who did not.

Heb, 5—let's look at a summary, and again, if I took time to go Scripture by Scripture across this entire subject matter, we would be here for quite some time. I want to get to the part of the message in which the title is focused on, that life behind the veil that we are all trying to access and need to access on a regular basis. Now, once again thinking about the seriousness of the office:

Hebrews 5:1: "For every high priest, being taken from among men to act in behalf of men, is appointed to serve in the things pertaining to God in order that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins."

This is serious significant role that serves as a bridge between the people and God. The people were not able to just come before God because of sin! As we know, God does not abide with sin. So, the high priest was a serious function there!

Verse 2: "And he is able to deal gently with those who sin in ignorance and those who have been led astray, since he himself is also encumbered with many weaknesses. And because of these weaknesses, he is obligated also to offer sacrifices for his own sins, exactly as he does for the people" (vs 2-3).

These demonstrations of sacrifices and various rituals there at the temple were specific. They represented reality in so many ways. The methodical exercise of these things as God instructed Moses, and indeed, the temple itself was important for the people to understand that relationship. The high priest is officiating it!

Verse 4: "Now, no man takes the honor of the high priesthood upon himself… [as these did here in Numbers] …but only he who is called by God, in the same way as Aaron also was called."

So, the priesthood is of God! He chooses, and He chose Aaron and his house to officiate in that office.

Verse 5: "In this same manner also…"

This is contrast/comparison that we're going to use in understanding the role of Christ in that very office today.

"…Christ did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, but He Who said to Him, 'You are My Son…'"—the house that He officiates over is the very House of God, the sons and daughters of God!

"'…today I have begotten You.' Even as He also says in another place, 'You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchisedec'" (vs 5-6).

We know the story of Melchisedec meeting Abraham on His return from rescuing Lot and recognizing Him giving 'tithes of all' to Melchisedec. Therefore, even Aaron gave tithes and offerings in loins of Abraham to Melchisedec.

Here is Christ—I know this somewhat of an abbreviated point here—officiating after the order—according to the order—of Melchisedec.

Verse 7: "Who, in the days of His flesh, offered up both prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because He feared God. Although He was a Son, yet, He learned obedience from the things that He suffered; and having been perfected, He became the Author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him" (vs 7-9).

This is the faith that we stand in; that Jesus Christ is the means by which we can access eternal life:

• through Him
• in Him
• by Him

and indeed as the Father says

• for Him

Verse 10: "After He had been designated by God as High Priest…"

We understand that the two in the God Family that's being described here is God the Father and Jesus Christ. I've said many, many times in sermons and in discussions on Go To Meeting, that it is a collaboration, a partnership, a joint operation between God the Father and Jesus Christ for the salvation of Their creation.

Verse 10: "After He had been designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchisedec; concerning Whom we have much to say and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For truly, by this time you ought to be teachers, but instead you need to have someone teach you again what are the beginning principles of the oracles of God, and have become those in need of milk, and not of solid food" (vs 10-12).

This is very important for us in reading that particular verse; that we dedicate proper time, proper investment of ourselves in:

• time
• prayer
• commitment

to God and in studying and becoming familiar with

• His Word
• His doctrines
• His Truth
• His way
  • so that we can walk in it
  • so that we can understand that we're on the right path

Of course, we walk by faith! I'm not denying that one bit whatsoever. If anyone thinks they can do it without God that is an error. We need God in every step of the way. But we need to be solidly and completely secured in His Word. That takes study, time and dedication!

Not just for ourselves, we also need to provide sufficient time of study for our family, children and one another. If you're a husband and wife, hopefully you're having study time together. That you're studying God's Word and utilizing the Spirit of God within your home, and that you're training your children in this way. That is regular Bible study time and commitment. God wants us to be skilled in His Word.

Verse 14: "But solid food is for those who are fully grown, who through repeated practice have had their senses trained…"

By doing over and over; it becomes a way of life and instinctive in terms of how we live.

All of that is made possible by this incredible thing that our elder Brother and Savior did for us and is doing for us each and every day.

We will see that God did appoint Aaron to this office; God is speaking to Moses about Aaron:

Exodus 28:1: "And you shall take to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, so that he may minister to Me in the priest's office: Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And you shall make Holy garments for Aaron your brother…" (vs 1-2)—starting to put on righteousness here in terms of the priestly garments and what they represent!

A fascinating study if you have time to do a study on the priestly garments and what they represent.

Verse 2: "And you shall make Holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. And you shall speak to all the wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom…" (vs 2-3).

In preparing these Holy garments, God gave an extra measure of His Spirit to these individuals who were artisans so that every stitch would be meticulous. Every piece of apparel was properly prepared. We see the meticulousness of God's preparation of the temple, the priestly garments, all things laid in order.

That being said, take some time and do a study in the way that God has laid out the temple—every cup, every candle, every drop of oil, the incense—all things representing something very, very Holy in reality.

As we look at the various services and so forth that are a part of the temple sacrifices and ceremonies:

Numbers 19:6: "And the priest shall take cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet, and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water…. [representing the removal of sin, still in the flesh] …And afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until sunset" (vs 6-7)—even then!

Paul presented a summarized version; Hebrews 9:10: "These services consist only of meat and drink offerings, and various washings and physical ordinances, imposed until the time of the new spiritual order. But Christ Himself… [what these thing foreshadowed] …has become High Priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by human hands (that is, not of this present physical creation). Not by the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, He entered once for all into the Holiest, having by Himself secured everlasting redemption for us" (vs 1-12).

The order that we are currently under is this New Covenantal relationship.

Verse 13: "For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who aredefiled, sanctifies… [sets apart for God's purpose] …to the purifying of the flesh… [to the temple] …to a far greater degree, the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God…" (vs 13-14).

Now you understand when you read the Gospel of John about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to being arrested and 'great drops of blood' and His fierce commitment to fulfill the purpose for which the Father sent Him!

• He recognized that was for us
• He recognized that what He was doing was for the salvation of mankind

Even more, that it would provide access to what we need to become spirit beings in God's Kingdom. So, let's see what more we can learn from this.

Verse 14: "To a far greater degree, the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God…"

So, this offering of Himself had to be accepted by the Father. This is the Wave Sheaf Offering. After having died on the cross, buried three days and three nights, resurrected, telling Mary not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father. He ascends to the Father as a Wave Sheaf and is accepted by the Father.

"…shall purify… [made clean, without guilt, no doubt] …your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (v 14).

We're not going to be held captive anymore as we see here. Any path to sin will be forgiven as it's repented of. Now let's see what He did and what He is doing:

Verse 15: "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the New Covenant: in order that through His death, which took place for the release of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called… [focusing on the elect of God, the firstfruits] …might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."

So, His work is securing access to salvation. Yes, He did a lot of work, and so must we. In faith we are acting on what God is telling us to be true. That Jesus Christ is the means through Him that we can have access to eternal life, access to the Father.

Verse 16: "Now where there is a covenant, it is obligatory to bring forth a symbolic sacrifice to represent the death of the one who personally ratifies the covenant; because a covenant is ratified only over the dead sacrificial animals, since there is no way that it is legally in force until the living ratifier has symbolically represented his death" (vs 16-17).

We have the message on TruthofGod.org contrasting and explaining and providing a deeper understanding of covenantal law. {In-Depth Study: Covenants of God} It's set and cannot be changed. It can't be added to! That is comforting in terms of the promise that Jesus Christ has made here.

Verse 18: "For this very reason, neither was the first covenant inaugurated without blood, because after Moses had spoken every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and he sprinkled both the book of the covenant itself and all the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.' And in the same manner, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle, too, and all the vessels of service" (vs 18-21).

Cleansing them! All these things, in order to be properly used and accepted even in the physical ritual to represent the reality in heaven, because within heaven all is Holy, where Holiness and righteousness dwells and there is no sin. These things have to represent the reality of what is in heaven.

Verse 22: "Now, almost all things are purified with blood according to the priestly law, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins…. [very important to comprehend] …Therefore, it was indeed obligatory for the patterns of the heavenly things to be purified with the blood of these animals, but the things in heaven themselves with superior sacrifices than these…. [here's the key]: …For Christ has not entered into the Holy places made by human hands, which are mere copies of the true; rather, He has entered into heaven itself… [that's where He is today]  …now to appear in the presence of God for us" (vs 22-24).

Verse 25: "Not that He should offer Himself many times, even as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies year by year with the blood of others; for then it would have been necessary for Him to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now, once and for all, in the consummation of the ages…" (vs 25-26).

So, this event from the foundation of the world was designed and orchestrated being implemented by God; this is part of the Their work that they are doing, have done and are doing for us now.

"…He has been manifested for the purpose of removing sin through His sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, the judgment; so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear the second time without sin unto salvation to those who are eagerly awaiting Him" (vs 26-28).

So, in order to be in this standing to receive it without doubt or fear, with a clean conscious, how do we get there? Yes, we have Christ today, Who is a critical part of this relationship that we have.

Hebrews 3:1: Because of this, Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of the faith we profess—Jesus Christ, Who was faithful to Him Who appointed Him, even as Moses was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, even as He Who built the house has so much more honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but He Who built all things is God" (vs 1-4).

So, we're seeing that all the Holy Days center around an incredible plan that God the Father and Jesus Christ are orchestrating. Yes, they have helpers, ministering spirits, and they all have a role. But we understand the central point as it is.

Verse 5: "Now on the one hand, Moses was faithful in all his house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of those things which were going to be spoken afterwards. But on the other hand, Christ was faithful as the Son over His own house…" (vs 5-6).

• Christ knows who we are
• He knows His Church
• He knows those whom the Father has given Him

He is working for us and with us

• if we allow Him
• if we are yielding to Him
• if we are recognizing this incredible love that He has for us

This incredible love that the Father has for us, which I hope will be even clearer as we go on through.

Verse 6: "But on the other hand, Christ was faithful as the Son over His own house; Whose house we are, if we are truly holding fast the confidence…"

This is it, brethren:

• do not waver from your calling
• do not waver from your baptism
• do not waver from this faith that you have committed your life to

No one or nothing should get in the way of that! Nothing!

It is a personal journey between you and God spiritually. Yes, we care called as brothers and sisters in Christ and jointly we edify and lift each other up, because we want all of us to be there. God the Father wants all of us to be there, and He understands the value of unity in the spirit, unity in the faith, and the love of God being shared amongst the brethren. We have that in God's Church.

"…if we are truly holding fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. For this reason, even as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart, as in the rebellion, in the day of temptation in the wilderness… [tie in Amos 5] …where your fathers tempted Me and tried Me, and saw My works forty years. Because of this, I was indignant with that generation, and said, "They are always going astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways." So, I swore in My wrath, "If they shall enter into My rest—"'" (vs 6-11).

But we have a part to play here in being able to achieve and access that rest. God tells us to be mindful:

Verse 12: "Beware, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in apostatizing from the living God."

• not from a church
• not from a minister
• not from some pet doctrine

But the living God Who is in heaven, the Most High God, and our High Priest Jesus Christ at His right hand! Them leading us to Themselves and giving us access to Them so that we can have a relationship with God. Not cutoff anymore, no more hostile!

Eph. 2 describes the condition without God. We don't want to be in this state, so God has made it possible so that we can have access to that cleansing power that is His, to that mercy that is His as symbolized in the temple sacrifices and access to the Holy of Holies.

Ephesians 2:1: "Now, you were dead in trespasses and sins… [every one of us was basically on death row] …in which you walked in times past according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working within the children of disobedience; among whom also we all once had our conduct in the lusts of our flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and by the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as the rest of the world" (vs 1-3).

We didn't know that until God called us—there's the calling—to comprehend that using the Spirit of God. Then once we committed to this way, He gave us the Spirit within us.

Verse 4: "But God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love… [as I was describing earlier, this incredible love of God] …with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, has made us alive together with Christ. (For you have been saved by grace.)" (vs 4-5).

That calling was by grace. You are part of God's firstfruits by grace. You have this opportunity to qualify for the Kingdom of God by grace.

• Do we value it?
• How much value do we put in it?
• Will we let something get in the way of us in that relationship with God?

Verse 6: "And He has raised us up together and has caused us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages that are coming… [the people will see the firstfruits resurrected and glorify God] …He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (vs 6-7).

Yes, it is grace! It is a wonderful opportunity that we have been given; a gift. Yes, we were as v 1 says, "…dead in trespasses and sins."

God woke us up and pulled us out of the mire! He's given us a chance for royalty in the very Kingdom of the Sovereign God! He is aware of us even now!

Verse 8: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this especially is not of your own selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship…" (vs 8-10).

• if we're yielding to Him
• if we're allowing Him to work in us
• if we're not stiff-necked
• if we're malleable
• if we're fasting
• if we're yielding

"…being created in Christ Jesus unto the good works that God ordained beforehand in order that we might walk in them" (v 10). This is the way!

This is the way for mankind, originally designed to be a part of this way. Anyone going contrary to this way that we're walking in—by faith—we know that the Word of God is true. We have God's Holy Spirit and we are comprehending it and applying it in our lives.

Verse 11: "Therefore, remember that you were once Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by those who are called circumcision in the flesh made by hands; and that you were without Christ… [no access to life within the veil] …at that time, alienated…" (vs 11-12).

Not just access to what was behind the veil, but you didn't even know that there was a temple, court or that there is a God that requires something of you until God turned that light on in our life. We were without Christ at that time.

"…alienated from the commonwealth of Israel…" (v 12).

That's the nation that God chose to reveal Himself to. He made himself known in powerful ways to these people. He showed great signs and wonders over and over again. He cried out, 'I am the Lord your God, have no other gods before Me. Put no trust in idols' etc.

"…and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (v 12).

This is a horrible condition to be in. For any human being made in the image of God to be cutoff without hope, without God in this world! BUT:

• we have God
• we are of God
• we have something to rejoice in

Verse 13: "But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off are made near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, Who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition, having annulled in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in the decrees of men, so that in Himself He might create both into one new man, making peace; and that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, having slain the enmity by it. Now when He came, He preached the Gospel—peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have direct access by one Spirit to the Father" (vs 13-18).

That is power that we have access to the Sovereign God and His very own Throne!

Verse 19: "So then, you are no longer aliens and foreigners…"

Nobody in God's Church who is called of God can be called any longer an alien, a foreigner, a stranger, or someone who is cutoff from God! This is the faith that we stand in!

"…but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of the household of God" (v 19).

Not step-children, not adopted children, but the very sons and daughters of God, begotten of God!

Verse 20: "You are being built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone in Whom all the building, being conjointly fitted together is increasing into a Holy temple in the Lord… [this is the house that Christ officiates over] …in Whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit" (vs 20-22).

So, God within us individually and God within His House, Church and Family, God wants to dwell with us!

Yes, we have Christ and we know that blood is required, but not of bulls and goats, but of Christ Himself. Christ is the key sacrifice, He is both Sacrifice and Priest, officiating here.

Luke 1:67: "And Zacharias his [John the Baptist's] father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and has worked redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; exactly as He spoke by the mouth of His Holy prophets since the world began; salvation from our enemies… [including Satan the devil and the demons] …and from the hand of all those who hate us; to fulfill the promise of mercy made to our fathers, and to remember His Holy covenant, the oath that He swore to Abraham our father; to grant us that, being saved from the hand of our enemies, we might serve Him without fear, walking in Holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives" (vs 67-74).]

Whose righteousness is that? The righteousness of Christ applied to us!

Verse 76: "And you, little child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest… [John the Baptist] …for you shall go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways; to give the knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the deep inner compassions of our God… [this great love that He has for us; this great plan that He has prepared for us] …in which the dayspring from on high has visited us, to shine upon those who are sitting in darkness… so we can come out of that darkness] …and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet into the way of peace" (vs 76-79).

God is with us; we are of God:

• God dwells in us
• He guides our way
• He leads our step
• He circumcises our mind and heart
• He writes His Laws within us

We are His children!

Verse 80: "And the little child grew and was strengthened in spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his appearing to Israel." This is John the Baptist!

1-John 1:7: "However, if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His own Son, cleanses us from all sin."

All of this is made possible by the cleansing power of the blood of Christ and that propitiation for sin that He provides.

Romans 1:3: "Concerning His Son; Who came from the seed of David according to the flesh, Who was declared the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ our Lord; through Whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations, in behalf of His name; in Whom you also are called of Jesus Christ" (vs 3-6). This is our calling, as well!

Hebrews 6:1: "Therefore, advancing beyond the beginning principles of the doctrines of Christ, we should go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And we will do this, if indeed God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and who personally obtained the heavenly gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit, and who have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they have fallen away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing that they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves, and are publicly holding Him in contempt" (vs 1-6).

I go back to the point of faith and our walk with God, not wavering or being turned to the left or to the right, but straight is the way!

Hebrews 10:22: "Let us approach God with a true heart, with full conviction of faith…"

This relationship that we are in, and we see the sacrifice of Christ and it's application to us, if we're in this covenant relationship with God and we're doing the things the right way, then there is no doubt. We know that God will help us, for we are weak. But we strive with all of our might, but we know that we can't be perfected in the flesh, but God perfects us in Christ. He helps us to overcome and puts sin out of our life and allows us to have a journey and a way of life.

It isn't 'religious ceremony,' it is how we live and how we think! All of that is made possible through this sacrifice that Christ made and the access that He gives us.

Verse 23: "Let us hold fast without wavering to the hope that we profess, for He Who promised is faithful; and let us be concerned about one another…"

Not just trying to get there ourselves in this journey but that we have to help one another. If we see one sinning a sin not unto death that we try to encourage them to get rid of that, to repent and change that, and to go before God in repentance seeking forgiveness, asking God to remove it.

"…and be stirring up one another unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… [not giving up and not wanting to fellowship, have Sabbath services or come together on the Holy Days] …even as some are accustomed to do; but rather, encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (vs 24-25).

Yes, we're getting excited about the fall Holy Days. We know what they represent in God's Plan. Yes, we should be excited and excited for one another. That's where we should continue to put our trust and faith.

There is truly only one winning program, and God has called each and every one of us to have access to it and be a part of it now.

2-Peter 1:1: "Simon Peter a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained the same precious faith as ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and virtue; through which He has given to us the greatest and most precious promises, that through these you may become partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (vs 1-4).

Verse 5: "And for this very reason also, having applied all diligence besides, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, Godliness; and to Godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, the love of God. For if these things exist and abound in you, they will cause you to be neither lacking effort nor lacking fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs 5-8).

Knowledge of Christ and knowledge of the Father. Christ is our salvation and our hope.

Hebrews 10:14: "For by one offering He has obtained eternal perfection for those who are sanctified."

That's our calling; sanctified and set apart for God's purpose.

Verse 15: "And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after He had previously said, '"This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days," says the Lord, "I will give My Laws into their hearts, and I will inscribe them in their minds; and their sins and lawlessness I will not remember ever again"'" (vs 15-17). So, God takes that away and cleanses us!

John 1:1-5 clearly defines that Christ came into the world to bring life. He accomplished this mission. Life is accessible with the Father in the Throne Room where Christ dwells.

We're not going to a physical temple. We're not worried about a curtain that divides, because it was torn, split through the very flesh of Christ Himself. Access is granted! Here's a look into the Throne Room:

Revelation 4:1: "After these things I [John] looked, and behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard was as if a trumpet were speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you the things that must take place after these things.'"

Verse 2: "And immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a Throne was set in heaven, and One was sitting on the Throne. And He Who was sitting was in appearance like a jasper stone and a sardius stone; and a rainbow was around the Throne, like an emerald in its appearance. And around the Throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white garments, and they had on their heads golden crowns" (vs 2-4).

Verse 5: "And proceeding from the Thronewere lightnings and thunders and voices; and seven lamps of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning before the Throne. And before the Throne was a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the Throne and over the Throne were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind; and the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature was like a bull, and the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle" (vs 5-7).

Verse 8: "And each of the four living creatures had six wings respectively; and around and within they were full of eyes; and day and night they cease not saying, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and Who is, and Who is to come.' And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him Who sits on the Throne, Who lives into the ages of eternity, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who sits on the Throne; and they worship Him Who lives into the ages of eternity, and cast their crowns before the Throne, saying, 'Worthy are You, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power because You did create all things, and for Your will they were created and exist'" (vs 8-11).

Revelation 5:1: "And in the right hand of Him Who sits on the Throne I saw a book, written within and on the back, which had been sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the book and to loose its seals?' But no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth was able to open the book, or to look inside it" (vs 1-3).

Verse 4: "And I was weeping greatly because no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Behold, the Lion Who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome to open the book, and to loose its seven seals'" (vs 4-5).

So, we have Jesus Christ stepping forward to fulfill His destiny, His purpose!

Verse 6: "Then I saw, and behold, before the Throne and the four living creatures and before the elders was standing a Lamb ashaving been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that are sent into all the earth; and He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him Who sits on the Throne [the Father]. And when He took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (vs 6-8).

Verse 9: "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the book, and to open its seals because You were slain, and did redeem us to God by Your own blood, out of every tribe and language and people and nation, and did make us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth'" (vs 8-10).

We see where life is; it's in Christ! It is behind the veil!

Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great throng of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entraps us; and let us run the race set before us with endurance, having our minds fixed on Jesus, the Beginner and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that lay ahead of Him endured the cross, although He despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God" (vs 1-2).

Verse 3: "Now meditate deeply on Him Who endured such great hostility of sinners against Himself so that you do not become weary and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted to the point of losing blood in your struggle against sin. And you have already forgotten the admonition that He addresses to you as to sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor grow weary of being reproved by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He severely disciplines every son whom He receives'" (vs 3-6).

Verse 7: "If you endure chastening, God is dealing with you as a Father with His sons. If you endure chastening, God is dealing with you as a Father with His sons. For who is the son whom the Father does not chasten? But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons" (vs 7-8).

Verse 12: "Therefore, lift up the hands that are hanging down, and revive the weakened knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned aside; but let it rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking diligently, lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator or godless person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright; because you also know that afterwards, when he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; and he found no room for repentance, although he sought it earnestly with tears" (vs 12-17).

Here's where we are today:

Verse 18: "For you have not come to the mount that could be touched and that burned with fire, nor to gloominess, and fearful darkness, and the whirlwind; and to the sound of the trumpet, and to the voice of the words, which those who heard, begged that the word not be spoken directly to them. (For they could not endure what was being commanded: 'And if even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned, or shot through with an arrow'; and so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I am greatly afraid and trembling')" (vs 18-21).

We have access before God, the great Sovereign God, the most powerful God Who loves us and has demonstrated that love.

Verse 22: "But you have come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to an innumerable company of angels; to the joyous festival gathering; and to the Church of the Firstborn, registered in the Book of Life in heaven; and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the just who have been perfected; and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant; and to sprinkling of the blood of ratification, proclaiming superior things than that of Abel" (vs 22-24). We have access brethren, through:

• that righteousness
• that grace
• that perfection

That is applied to us, that is imputed to us so that we can stand before the Father just as Christ is in heaven. Righteous, acceptable and the sons and daughters of the living God.

So, life within the veil is made possible by the One Who died on the cross, Jesus the Savior of mankind!

Scriptural References:

• Numbers 16:1-5
• Hebrews 5:1-12, 14
• Exodus 28:1-3
• Numbers 19:6-7
• Hebrews 9:10-28
• Hebrews 3:1-12
• Ephesians 2:1-22
• Luke 1:67-80
• 1 John 1:7
• Romans 1:2-6
• Hebrews 6:1-6
• Hebrews 10:22-25
• 2 Peter 1:1-8
• Hebrews 10:14-17
• Revelation 4:1-11
• Revelation 5:1-10
• Hebrews 12:1-24

Scripture referenced, not quoted: John 1:1-5

Also referenced: In-Depth Study: Covenants of God

AJ:bo
Transcribed: 10/7/22

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