Lockheed said:
on what exegetical basis do you claim the veil torn at the cross was only the first?
One must enter through the
first veil before one can even see the second:
"The first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary, for there was a tabernacle prepared: the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread (this is called the holy place); and behind the
second veil, there was a tabernacle which is called the holy of holies, having (before it) a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant ... and above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, but of
these things we cannot now speak in detail" Hebrews 9:1-5.
You may have something here since "we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus".
Yes, "through the veil, that is, his flesh" (Heb 10:20). There is a veil before the first compartment, the holy place, through which we enter into it, the holy place, the first compartment, because its veil was "torn" open. As Hebrews 9:6 describes, "the priests are continually entering the outer [or first] tabernacle, performing the divine worship..." We are that priesthood in the tabernacle in heaven -- "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 2:5.
Where does the "throne of grace" lie? (Heb 4:16)
I don't know. Perhaps to the 'south' of the Temple, as did King David's throne lie relative to the earthly Temple. But I don't believe it is 'in' the holy of holies, as some might suggest. In the "new Jerusalem", there is no Temple at all (Rev 21:22), but there still is a "throne of God" (Rev 22:1). In John's revelation of the tribulation, not until the "temple of God which is in heaven was opened" did he see the "ark of his covenant" (Rev 11:19), yet John had been shown the "throne" of God from the moment he was caught up in the spirit (Rev 4:2).
For those in Christ what remains to keep them from the second compartment, since they are "Christ's body"?
A corporation is a body, yet it is not the CEO. Christ is the "head" of the "body" in the same way the CEO is the "head" of the "corporation." All we believers make up a collective 'group' -- a "body" of believers -- over which Christ rules as the leader, the commander, the "head."
We are also priests, yet Christ is the one and only High Priest. Into the first compartment go all the priests, to minister daily, offering the divine worship. But into the second compartment goes only the high priest. For what reason? I believe Revelation 15:5-8 gives that reason the High Priest enters the holy of holies: "The temple of the tabernacle of testimony [i.e., the holy of holies] in heaven was opened [i.e., it was previously closed], and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple... and (to them was given) seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God... And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished."
The first veil being torn represents Christ's first flesh appearing on the surface of the earth, his flesh to be torn, to make a
redemption and a way open for us to come into the presence of God and minister daily before him. The second veil being torn represents Christ's second flesh appearing on the surface of the earth, and EARTH torn, to make a
recompense and a way for God to be present with us on earth.
After the cleansing of the earth of its sinners following the plagues of the tribulation, there no longer is found in the earthly Temple during the millenium the "ark of the covenant" (Jeremiah 3:16-17), for it is the symbol of that distress of Jacob when God slays a "sacrifice in Bozrah" (Is 34:1-10; 63:1-6).
It is not the blood of Christ that the High Priest, Christ, splatters over the covering of mercy, it is the blood of the sacrifice of Bozrah, the slaughter of the evil nations that have come against him so as to desecrate the holy land and his chosen city. With that sacrifice, which he alone performs, the land is cleansed, and he sits and judges the nations, and rescues Israel, and restores the earth and creation, and rules justly and righteously, and brings peace and joy to all the world.
The veil is Christ's flesh appearing to stand on the earth. Two veils. Two flesh comings. The first one torn is his own body torn to accomplish redemption and establish a royal priesthood in the outer compartment. The second one torn is the earth itself to accomplish recompense and cleanse the most holy place, vindicating his own holy name and establishing his rule.
That's the way I see it anyway.
Jeffrey A