What was the Holy of Holies?
Here's the answer:
The Holy of Holies was the innermost and most sacred area of the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Jerusalem.
The Holy of Holies was very sacred. Only the priest could enter the Holy of Holies and only on one day each year (Hebrews 9:7). This day was known as the Day of Atonement. The Ark of the Covenant was inside the Holy of Holies. The Ark was important because it was the symbol of God’s special relationship with His people. In the Holy of Holies, the high priest would sacrifice an animal and sprinkle its blood mercy seat of the Ark. This sacrifice was to help remove sin from the people and to appease God.
God would also appear in the Holy of Holies, but there was a veil (Leviticus 16:2). Only the high priest could enter and elaborate rituals needed to be followed. This reminds us that man could not enter God’s presence carelessly. God hates sin and He cannot stand in its presence (Habakkuk 1:13).
After Jesus died on the cross, something very important happened to the Holy of Holies. The curtain in the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:50-51). This showed that because of Jesus’ death, we no longer have to be separated from God because of our sin. All people can have a repaired relationship with the Father by believing in Jesus (John 3:16-17). Hebrews 10:19 says, "Brothers and sisters, we are not afraid to enter the Most Holy Room. We enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus."
Bible Truth
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to your brother Aaron. Tell him not to come into the Most Holy Room just anytime he wants to. Tell him not to come behind the curtain in front of the cover of the ark. The cover is the place where sin is paid for. If he comes behind the curtain, he will die. That is because I appear in the cloud over the cover'" (Leviticus 16:2).
"After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died. At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split" (Matthew 27:50-51).
"Brothers and sisters, we are not afraid to enter the Most Holy Room. We enter boldly because of the blood of Jesus. His way is new because he lives. It has been opened for us through the curtain. I’m talking about his body" (Hebrews 10:19-20).
