Living Beyond the Veil

Introduction

Previous sermon:

God wants for us to look at things beyond the flesh, beyond the material things of this world

The veil of this world is taken away only in Christ - when a person turns to Him

To look beyond the veil means

to see things that are unseen

to walk by faith

to regard your brothers and sisters as new creation in Christ

Today’s message:

One cannot look beyond the veil and remain on this side of the veil

For one to look and see things beyond the veil, one must go through the veil and be able to stand behind that veil.

you are looking AT the things that are eternal

2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We must be learn how to approach the thrones of God

Main Body

It is possible to stand and live before the Presence of God.

Certain Old Testament believers of God had the privilege of standing before God beyond the veil - Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon

Abraham

Moses

Joshua

Note - there are 2 ways man can be in the presence of God, literally.

Gideon

God steps out of the veil into our side - Angel of the Lord, man visiting Abraham, etc.

Man steps into the Presence of God beyond the veil - Moses

Note - There are 2 ways in which man is able to stand before the Presence of God

The first is when God steps out from His place into a “veil” of material body

The second is when man is ushered into the Presence of God beyond the veil of flesh.

Abraham met God on this side of the veil.

Genesis 18:1–4 NKJV

Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

Jacob wrestled with the Man, and angel of the LORD

Genesis 32:29–30 NKJV

Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Gideon saw the angel of the LORD

,

Judges 6:11–12 NKJV

Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

Judges 6:22–23 NKJV

Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”

Moses saw spoke with God and saw His form

Numbers 12:7–8 NKJV

Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?”

See

Aaron and succeeding priests - they met with God once a year behind the veil

God has consecrated for us a new and living way into His Presence!

Hebrews 10:19–20 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

It is called “new” in comparison to the OT way of worship

where the priests can only stand before the veil

where the High Priest can only stand for a few hours and must soon leave the Most Holy

It is called “living” because it brings life

For us Gentiles - it is just THE WAY, THE LIVING WAY

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

God does not want His people to remain in the outer court. He wants us INSIDE - BEHIND THE VEIL WITH HIM!

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

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.

We are called to “draw near” - to approach, come forward

We can “draw near” to God

The invitation is for the blood-washed worshiper only

,

Hebrews 10:12–14 NKJV

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:19 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

With a “true heart”

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

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.

We draw near to God with confidence that our lives have been and is continually being washed by the blood of Jesus Christ

Holding fast the confession of hope without wavering.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

We draw near to God confessing our complete trust in His promises.

Considering your brethren in Christ

Hebrews 10:24 NKJV

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

We draw near to God with our brethren in mind - finding ways to motivate them to love and good works.

Participating in our assembling together

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

We draw near to God by coming together in worship, not just for ourselves, but also for other brethren, where we exhort one another.

Conclusion

It is in that place beyond this veil of flesh that we can truly -

see God for who He is, and

understand His ways for what they are, and

see look at our brethren for what God has done in their lives.

It is in that place beyond the veil of flesh that we can truly “walk with God”

Enoch’s testimony - he walked with God

Genesis 5:22–24 NKJV

After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

he began to walk with God after the birth of his firstborn, Methuselah

Enoch walked with God or 300 years!

It is in that place beyond the veil of flesh that we can truly “see Him who is invisible”!

Hebrews 11:27 NKJV

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

Moses forsook Egypt -

he refused to be called son of pharaoh’s daughter

he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God that to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin

he refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter

he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches that the treasures of Egypt

BECAUSE HE SAW GOD BEHIND THE VEIL

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Songs to sing:

Just Behind the Veil

Within the Veil

When I stand in the Presence of the Lord