J. Wilson.
A comparison of Matt. 27:51 with Heb. 10:20 might serve the purpose of creating exercise as to the two deeply important truths of revelation and approach, the former dealing with God's side and the latter with ours. It will be obvious on the ground of Scripture, that revelation is the primary and approach the secondary consideration, for this is the way in which they are presented in the Tabernacle system of Exodus. In Ex. 25. having proposed that the people should make a sanctuary so that He could dwell among them, God instructed Moses in detail as to the Tabernacle, describing first of all the furniture dealing with revelation, viz.:- the Ark, the Mercy-seat, the Table, the Candle-stick (all of which speak of Christ), the Tabernacle itself and lastly the Altar of burnt-offering which was a witness to both of the truths which are being considered, in fact, the point where one embraced the other. Then came the consecration of the priests, clearly showing that approach could only be made through that medium, followed by the vessels speaking of approach, viz.:- the Altar of incense and the brazen laver.
If God, then, in His wisdom distinguishes in this way in the typical teaching of Old Testament Scripture, surely as those upon whom the revenues of the ages have come (1 Cor. 10:11) we do well to follow the distinction into the New Testament! It would seem that the two truths are seen shining clearly from the references to the veil of the Temple in Matt. 27 and the veil of the Tabernacle in Heb. 10. The former, let it be noted, was rent in twain (showing the completeness of the revelation) from the top to the bottom (showing the origin of the revelation and its extent). There has thus been the complete revelation of God as to nature and character, for the Cross has come in and this was the only means by which the complete outshining of God could be effected (1 John 4:10; Rom. 3:21-26). It is a stupendous thought that everything in connection with God has been told out, nothing else remains to be revealed and the one who has believed the Gospel of his salvation has the power and capacity for the apprehension of what flows therefrom. "Ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things." Where this is understood the believer has the Witness on the line of approach for in turning to Hebrews we find it is the Tabernacle and not the Temple which is largely taken up (Heb. 9:24). Heb. 10:19 shows the title the believer has to enter into the Holiest which is an individual matter and verse 20 would perhaps indicate the conditions which surround entrance. It is by a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh. On our side it would be the acceptance of death conditions to self (1 Cor. 1:29). Where entrance is practised, flowing as it does from state on the part of the individual, it will lead to what is collective as the chapter goes on to develop. May the Lord help us to make an abundant entrance into these precious truths!