THE TWO VEILS Part 2

The wisdom of the fathers

THE TWO VEILS Part 2

Now the first veil signifies conversion. Here is the proof. In chapter nine, sixth verse, we read, " The priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God." That's conversion — the service of God accomplished. But the high priest only went into the second veil once a year.

Now it is into this second veil that Paul wants us to enter; and for which he exhorts us to have boldness, to claim the right, the privilege, of our position before God. There is not a child who is not entitled to enter this veil. No Christian on earth is living up to his privileges or duties who is not entirely sanctified. If you had a million dollars left you, how long would you leave it unclaimed? You would not neglect it.

But people neglect God's gifts and go around with a cold, formal experience when Jesus Christ has died and left you a wondrous legacy, and Paul says you have a right to it. You have as much right to go within the second veil as ever Aaron had. " Let us have boldness to enter into the holiest." That means "perfecting holiness."

Many Christians make a great mistake in supposing that they cannot get holiness at all till they are wholly sanctified. But it is a doctrine of the Methodist Church that every converted person is partially sanctified. The Bible calls every converted person holy, but not perfect. The apostle says you have entered a holy place, — conversion is holy, — but now he wants you to enter the completion of this work. How do you enter? By the blood of Jesus. Not by your own good works, not because you have grown better by degrees, but by the simple blood of Christ.

(from "Abounding Love" by George D. Watson)