It is written, "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:17-20)
Jesus, our High Priest, entered into Heaven itself for us; and with Him, our Hope! The "hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2) Through His resurrection, and His death, Jesus accomplished what no man could have done for others: open the way to Heaven, and overcome the devil who had sought to keep men in bondage to sin.
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ... Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2:9,14-15)
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57.
"Having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us hold fast the profession of faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:19-21, 23) As this world continues to sink into its own "pollution," (cf. 2 Peter 2:20-22), let we who are of Christ, "hold fast the profession of faith."
"And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 22-23) We can make a difference only if our lives are also within the veil. And what might that entail? Consider carefully the following points that deal with our lives as Christians, and with what ought to be within the veil.
- Our Affections: It is written, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those thing which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-3) Literally, your "affection" is your mind.
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22) Having been baptized into Christ, our hearts and our minds need to be filled with the Word of Christ; "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.." (Colossians 3:16) Thus, our minds will be set within the veil. Sadly, some Christians expect the preacher to "set" their minds within the veil; "The preacher will study for me;" "The preacher will learn for me;" "The preacher will tell me what the scriptures mean;" etc. A preacher could help; but ultimately, he will not be standing there for you on Judgment Day; you will! "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," (2 Timothy 2:15). Ask yourself if your heart is within the veil and your mind set on things above? - Our Conversations: "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3:17-20). In this verse, "our conversation" refers to our citizenship. Our lives, as did the lives of those who are our examples, must reflect our citizenship in the Kingdom and the seriousness of that citizenship.
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2) Does your citizenship lie within the veil? - Our Treasures: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Many of this world's citizens, having their minds set on this earth, lay up for themselves treasures they cannot take with them when they die. And having spent their lives in pursuit of earthly treasures, they will find themselves "poor and naked" (cf. Revelation 3:17) in the Day of Judgment.
Sadder still are those who call themselves Christians and live this way. "... Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Timothy 6:6,7,9)
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." (Hebrews 11:24-26) What do you consider to be great riches?
"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth." (Proverbs 11:7)
"The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death." (Proverbs 14:32)
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:27-28) The Christian's hope lies with Him who is within the veil. The Christian's mind is set within the veil; and his life reflects that. He knows where his true treasures lie. Are you a Christian? Or have you cast your lot with the wicked outside the veil?
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession...(Hebrews 4:14)
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:19,20)
Is your mind and heart set within the veil? By our actions, speech, conduct, and where we place the importance of serving Him, we show God exactly where that "veil" is located. Personally speaking, the only profitable place for that veil is over my heart to do His will!