The Veil Is Torn- Everything is Now Changed

There are moments in Scripture that demand we slow down and read carefully. Matthew 27:51 is one of them:

“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

This was not symbolic language. This was a divine act; a declaration from heaven that the death of Christ changed everything.

The Sanctuary Devastated

The word used for temple here refers not to the entire complex, but to the inner sanctuary; the Holy of Holies. That was the place where God’s presence was symbolically manifested. It was separated from sinful man by a massive veil; thick, woven, and imposing in its meaning to those at that time.

That veil preached a sermon every day:God is holy. You are not. Stay back.

Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, and only with blood; and even then, briefly. The entire system was designed by God to show that access to Him was restricted and that sin required death.

But all of it was temporary. Every sacrifice pointed forward. Every drop of blood anticipated a greater sacrifice to come. Then Christ died and at that exact moment, God Himself tore the veil; from top to bottom. Not man reaching up to God, but God reaching down to man. The message is unmistakable:The final sacrifice has been made. The barrier has been removed; for those who believe.

Hebrews explains it; Christ has opened the way “through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Heb. 10:20).

No More Earthly Priesthood

Because the veil is torn, there is no longer any need for an earthly priest.

There is no longer a man who must stand between you and God. There is no longer a sacrificial system to repeat. There is no longer a ritual to perform to gain access. Why? Because Christ is the perfect and final High Priest. Hebrews declares that He has entered once for all into the holy place; not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12).

That means:

• No priest can add to what Christ has finished

• No sacrifice can improve what His blood has accomplished

• No ritual can grant what He alone has secured

To go back to an earthly priesthood is not devotion; it is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ. There is now one mediator between God and men; the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).

The Earth Shaken

Matthew continues:

“And the earth shook; and the rocks were split.”

This was no coincidence. Throughout Scripture, when God reveals Himself in power or judgment, the earth trembles at the cross; judgment has fallen. Not yet on the world; but on Christ. The Son of God has borne the wrath that sinners deserve. The justice of God has not been ignored; it has been fully satisfied. This is both a declaration and a warning. The same Christ who was crushed for sinners will return to judge the world in righteousness.

The Tombs Opened

Matthew records:

“The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.”

When Christ died, death itself was shaken. These were believers; raised as a foretaste of what Christ would accomplish through His resurrection. Yet they did not appear until after He rose, because He alone is the first fruits (1 Cor. 15:20).

This means the cross does not merely forgive sin; it defeats death. The grave is no longer the end. For those in Christ, resurrection is certain.

The Lordship of Christ

We must not miss this: the cross does not merely provide a way of escape; it establishes the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ.

Scripture declares:

“God highly exalted Him… so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:9-11).

The One who tore the veil open by His death is the same One who now reigns. This means salvation is not merely accepting benefits; it is bowing to a King.

• He is not merely Savior; He is Lord 

• He does not offer suggestions; He commands repentance and faith

• He does not share authority; He possesses all authority

There is no salvation apart from submission to Christ. The same Jesus who grants access to God also demands your life.

The Meaning of It All

Through these miracles, God shows to the world:

• The veil torn; Access to God is now open through Christ alone

• The end of priesthood; No mediator remains except Jesus Christ

• The earth shaken; Judgment has been executed and will come again

• The tombs opened; Death has been conquered

• The exalted Christ ; Jesus reigns as Lord over all

We must be clear: this does not mean everyone now has automatic access to God. The tearing of the veil does not remove the need for repentance and faith; it removes every other way. There is no priest.There is no sacrifice.There is no ritual. There is only Christ; crucified, risen, and reigning.

A Personal Word

Let me speak plainly. You do not need to go through a man to reach God . You do not need a system to gain His favor. You do not need to perform religious duties to earn access. But you must come through Christ; and you must come on His terms. The same cross that opened the way also declares this: your sin required nothing less than the death of the Son of God. And the same risen Christ now calls you to repent, believe, and submit to Him as Lord.

Hebrews states:

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace…” (Heb. 4:16)

Not casually. Not flippantly. But confidently; because the work is finished.

Finally

The veil is torn. The priest is no longer needed; because the perfect High Priest has come. The way is open. Jesus Christ our King reigns.

The question is not whether access exists; the question is whether you will come; and whether you will bow. Come in repentance.Come in faith.Come to Christ as Savior and Lord. Because outside of Him, your judgment remains cast. But in Him, there is mercy, grace, and eternal life.