Christ on the Cross

The Torn Curtain

At the moment Jesus died, the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was torn in two from top to bottom.

Symbolically, this meant that the entrance to God was now open to a true child of God. Before, only the High Priest could approach God in the Holy of Holies, and only with a blood sacrifice. But now, all of us who believe can boldly approach the throne of God in the Holy of Holies by the sacrifice of the blood of our Most High Priest, Jesus Christ. He has become our Father, as well as our King and our God.

Cities of Refuge

The shedding of blood defiled the land where the Lord dwelt. Therefore, the Lord made provision for the one who killed another by accident. The one who killed with premeditation was to be put to death. There was no mercy given.

But mercy was given to the one who killed by accident. God set aside six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River, where one who killed accidently could flee to and live, and be protected from the person who would seek to avenge the blood of the one killed - usually a close relative. That man had to stay in the city until the high priest of that city died. Then he would be free to return home. If he left the city before the priest died, he could legally be killed by the Avenger of Blood.