New Access: Entering God’s Presence with Confidence

Introduction

"The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says 'All Things become new.'" Throughout Scripture, we find 30 distinct transformations that occur at the moment of salvation. This document explores the eighteenth of these transformations: receiving new access to God's presence.

The Tearing of the Temple Veil

The moment of Christ's death marked a dramatic change in humanity's access to God, symbolized by a supernatural event in the Jerusalem temple.

Matthew 27:45-53

"Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, 'This man is calling for Elijah.' Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. But the rest of them said, 'Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.' And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many."

The significance of the veil being torn cannot be overstated. This was not a minor temple decoration but a massive curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies—the innermost sanctuary where God's presence dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat.

Several details about this event reveal its profound meaning:

1. The timing: It occurred at the moment of Christ's death
2. The direction: The veil was torn "from top to bottom," indicating divine action rather than human
3. The completeness: It was torn "in two," not merely damaged
4. The accompanying signs: Earthquakes, split rocks, and resurrection of saints emphasized the supernatural nature of this event

The Significance of the Holy of Holies

To understand the significance of the torn veil, we must understand what the Holy of Holies represented in Jewish worship:

1. It was the place of God's manifest presence, where His glory dwelt
2. It was inaccessible to ordinary people—only the high priest could enter
3. Even the high priest could only enter once per year on the Day of Atonement
4. Entry required blood sacrifice, without which the high priest would die
5. The thickness and size of the veil emphasized the separation between sinful humanity and holy God

When Solomon dedicated the first temple, the glory of the Lord was so powerful that "the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God" (2 Chronicles 5:14). This demonstrates the awesome holiness that the veil contained and from which it protected unauthorized entrants.

Throughout Israel's history, unauthorized approaches to God's presence often resulted in death, as with Uzzah who merely touched the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

New Access Through Christ

The tearing of the veil symbolized the new access believers now have to God's presence through Christ's sacrifice. No longer would access to God be:

• Limited to one person (the high priest)
• Restricted to one day per year (Day of Atonement)
• Dependent on repeated animal sacrifices

Instead, through Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, all believers now have direct access to God's presence.

Hebrews 4:16

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

This verse reveals several aspects of our new access:

1. The invitation: "Let us draw near"—all believers are invited to approach God
2. The manner: "With confidence"—not fearfully or doubtfully
3. The destination: "The throne of grace"—we approach God's very throne
4. The purpose: "To receive mercy and find grace"—to receive divine help
5. The timing: "In time of need"—access is available whenever needed

The Nature of Our Access

Our access to God is not merely theoretical but practical and experiential. When we pray, we aren't simply sending words into the atmosphere; we are entering God's heavenly throne room—the true Holy of Holies of which the earthly temple was merely a copy.

The confidence with which we approach God doesn't mean:

• Arrogance or presumptuousness
• Casual disregard for God's holiness
• Demanding rather than asking

Rather, it means:

• Assurance based on Christ's completed work
• Trust in God's character and promises
• Freedom from fear of rejection or punishment

Who Has This Access?

This remarkable access is not universal but is specifically for believers—those who have been cleansed by Christ's blood and made righteous through His sacrifice. Sinners (those who have not received Christ) do not have this access, as they remain separated from God by their sin.

This underscores the connection between the previous transformation (new righteousness) and this one (new access). Only those who have been made righteous through Christ can enter God's presence with confidence.

Understanding Mercy and Grace

When we approach God's throne, we receive both mercy and grace:

Mercy: Divine Compassion

While mercy is sometimes defined as "not getting what we deserve" (punishment), this definition only captures part of its meaning. Biblical mercy (Hebrew: "chesed"; Greek: "eleos") carries the deeper meaning of compassion that moves to action.

When the Gospels say Jesus "had mercy" on people, it means He was moved with compassion. His heart was stirred by their condition, leading Him to act on their behalf. This wasn't merely withholding punishment but expressing active love toward those in need.

Grace: Divine Empowerment

Similarly, grace is more than just "unmerited favor" or "getting what we don't deserve." While grace certainly includes God's undeserved favor, in practical application it also carries the meaning of divine empowerment.

The Greek word "charis" (grace) encompasses not only God's favorable disposition toward us but also His power working in us. This is why Paul could say, "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Grace enabled and empowered his ministry.

Proactive Rather Than Reactive Access

One practical application of this new access is approaching God before we face temptation or trouble, not merely afterward. Many Christians treat God like an "accountability partner" they call after they've fallen, rather than seeking His help beforehand.

While confession after sin is important (1 John 1:9), our access to God's throne means we can seek mercy and grace:

• Before making decisions
• When facing temptation
• When anticipating challenges
• When sensing spiritual warfare

This proactive approach to utilizing our access makes a tremendous difference in our spiritual lives.

The Connection Between Identity and Access

This new access naturally connects with our new identity in Christ. Our access to God is based on who we are in Christ:

1. We have a new identity as the image of Christ
2. We have a new righteousness through His blood
3. Therefore, we have new access to God's presence

We approach God not as "sinners" begging for favor but as His righteous children confidently seeking the help He has promised to provide.

Conclusion

When we accept Christ, we receive unprecedented access to God's presence—access that was symbolized by the tearing of the temple veil at the moment of Christ's death. This access is not limited by time, place, or ritual, but is constantly available to believers through prayer.

We can approach God's throne with confidence, knowing that we come clothed in Christ's righteousness, not our own merit. There we find both mercy (compassionate love that meets our needs) and grace (divine empowerment for our challenges).

This new access transforms our relationship with God from distant reverence to intimate communion. It changes how we pray—not as outsiders hoping to be heard but as beloved children entering their Father's throne room with confidence that He welcomes and desires their presence.