“And He will destroy on this mountain
the surface of the covering cast over all people,
and the veil that is spread over all nations.”
(Isa 25:7, NKJV)
In the previous teaching we looked at Mary from a prototypical perspective, or as physical example of what we should experience in the spirit. Paul makes it very clear – “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” (Gal 4:19). Perhaps our search could be enriched by an extended discussion of the “covering” aspect of the spiritual foreskin/hymen. In 2 Cor 4:4 (GW) Paul elucidates the following: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. As a result, they don’t see the light of the Good News about Christ’s glory.”
Earlier in chapter 3 he explained this “veil” (verse 13) in terms of the covering Moses had to place over his face when he descended from the mountain. As their minds were blinded (verse 14a), the veil remains (verse 15). It can only be “taken away in Christ” (verse 14b), “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (verse 16).
The opening of spiritual eyes is in actual fact an illumination of the mind, and happens only in becoming born again – without it you cannot see the Kingdom of God, and can therefore not enter (John 3:3).
Circumcision within the Old Testament is a sign of the cutting of covenant (Acts 7:8), but has no significance as symbolic act outside of a life of obedience (Rom 2:25) and faith (Rom 3:30; 4:11; Gal 5:6). It is in no way about the physical act of circumcision, but rather the spiritual meaning upon which it is founded (Rom 2:28-29). Therefore the call to have your heart circumcised (Deut 10:16) is continually heard. In the New Covenant this no longer happens through the physical-symbolic act of circumcision, but rather through becoming born again (Col 2:11), where Christ becomes “a minister of the circumcision” (Rom 15:8)! Phil 3:3 elaborates on this – “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh”.
This not only happens on a personal or individual level – it is also a collective veil that needs to be lifted. When one becomes born again, you enter the outer court. Later, when approaching the third dimension, the Holy of Holies, one enters as part of the collective Bride of Christ on the mountain of Zion. Then Isa 25:6-7 is realized: “And in this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.” More on this later.
- Sela: Link this teaching to Isa 60:1-3.
- Read: 2 Chr 11; Job 9; Rev 13
- Memorise: Rev 13:8
