12/07/2026
*When the Veil Was Torn Into Two*
Matthew 27:51–53
*"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."*
Luke 23:44–46
*"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."*
When Jesus died on the cross, heaven and earth testified that something extraordinary had happened. Darkness covered the land, the veil of the Temple was torn from the top to the bottom, the earth shook, rocks split, and tombs were opened.
Matthew records another earthquake at the resurrection:
Matthew 28:2
*"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door..."*
This suggests there were two earthquakes: one at Christ's death and another at His resurrection. Matthew tells us that the tombs were opened when Jesus died, but the saints came out after His resurrection, preserving Christ's place as the firstfruits of those who rise from the dead.
The tearing of the veil was far more than a miraculous sign. It marked the beginning of a new era. The veil had separated sinful humanity from the Most Holy Place, where God's presence was symbolically manifested. By tearing the veil from top to bottom, God Himself declared that the barrier had been removed through the sacrifice of His Son.
The death of Jesus also brought the New Covenant into effect.
Hebrews 9:16–17
*"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."*
A testament or will only becomes effective after the death of the one who made it. Jesus is the Testator of the New Covenant. Until His death, the inheritance promised under the New Covenant could not be claimed.
One of the greatest blessings of that inheritance is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:14
*"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."*
Before Christ's death, the Holy Spirit came upon people for specific purposes and ministries. Under the New Covenant, however, believers receive the Holy Spirit as God's permanent indwelling presence.
Ephesians 1:13–14
*"...ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."*
The word "earnest" means a deposit, guarantee, or down payment. The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that every promise of our eternal inheritance will be fulfilled.
When the veil was torn, believers were also granted direct access into God's presence.
Hebrews 10:19–22
*"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."*
We no longer worship from a distance. We do not stand outside the veil waiting for a human priest to represent us. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, every believer has access to the throne of grace.
We have become God's royal priesthood.
The tearing of the veil announced several glorious realities:
- The barrier between God and humanity was removed.
- The New Covenant came into force through the death of Jesus.
- The promised Holy Spirit became available to all who believe.
- The blessing of Abraham was extended to the Gentiles through faith.
- Believers received bold access into the Holy of Holies.
- We were established as a royal priesthood before God.
- Christ's blood secured our eternal inheritance.
Jesus certainly died for our sins, but His death accomplished even more. By His blood He inaugurated the New Covenant, opened the way into God's presence, gave us the promised Holy Spirit, and secured our eternal inheritance.
When the veil was torn into two, God opened the way. We are no longer separated from His presence—we are welcomed into it through Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest.
CFMI ~ T.G. Mapiye