Removing the Veil
The veil has been removed. Christians have been given a “confident hope”.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NLT)
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NLT)
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence,
Another translation:
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, (NIV)
What is this new way? What is this hope? What is Paul talking about in this passage?
Acceptance by God.
Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Believing the promises in scripture that are given to Christians.
Romans 8:24 (NLT)
24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it.
Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
1 Peter 1:21 (NLT)
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
- Christians have been given a “confident hope”. (Ephesians 1:18)
we can be very bold.
13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
Moses may have felt that the people were unworthy of God’s glory.
The veil communicated obscurity.
Reminds me of:
Matthew 27:51 (NLT)
51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
What does a veil do?
Separates
Obscures
14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth.
- There are many people who can not understand spiritual truths. (These people are without hope.)
And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.
Without Christ, the deep spiritual truths of the Old Testament are veiled.
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
This principle does not just apply to the Old Testament.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)
14 But people who aren’t spiritual (without the Holy Spirit) can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NLT)
The Wisdom of God
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
A passage in our next lesson:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT)
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Matthew 13:15-16 (NLT)
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
- Whenever someone turns to the Lord (believes in Christ), the veil is taken away.
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
- Salvation removes the veil for “all of us”.
Again this reminds me of:
Matthew 27:51 (NLT)
51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Bring changed – being transformed
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
- Avoid Spiritual Malnutrition. Spend time in the Word.
