For to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

   - 2 Corinthians 3.15, 16

For the Lord knew when he made the world that man would transgress the commandment which was uttered to him. That is why the veil of heaven has been placed before the faces and eyes of men, so that they cannot behold the blessedness of heaven and the throne of God.

   - Anonymous, In Tengua Bithnua, Old Irish, 9th century

It’s not surprising that unbelievers have trouble with the idea of an unseen world. The atheist who posted his confession of faith beside a manger scene in the Washington state capital was doing no more than declaring his view of the world as he sees it. Of course, he can only see to the limit of his veil, which consists of his naturalistic presuppositions toward the world.

If you start by insisting that all that exists is only that which is accessible to the senses, that’s where you’ll end up. So don’t despise the atheist; rather, pity him, and have compassion on him. He’s seeing as far as he can see, given the veil that covers his eyes.

But what’s our excuse? We who claim the blood of Jesus Christ and call upon Him for redemption and renewal, what’s our excuse for not seeing clearly into the unseen realm? We know He is exalted to the right hand of God, and that we have been seated there with Him (Eph. 2.6). What’s our excuse for not looking through the veil to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and meditate in His presence (Ps. 27.4)?

Paul says that for all those who turn to the Lord, the veil that separates this world from that one where Jesus reigns at the right hand of God is effectively removed. Now, with the eyes of faith, we can see much farther and much more clearly than we could before we came to faith (Eph. 1.15-23). We can see wonders and beautiful landscapes of Christ enthroned in glory, surrounded by saints and angels, prosecuting His agenda in an economy of grace and truth that advances ineluctably across the face of the earth and the pages of history.

But don’t you think, if we really saw, really and truly glimpsed those unseen wonders in convincing ways, that we would be as bold and outspoken about what we see as that atheist is about what he sees?

They who are able to gaze upon the unseen beauty of Christ, but will not, may as well have the veil across their faces yet.

Why, friend, should that be you?

Psalm 99.1, 2, 9; 4, 5, 9 (Sine Nomine: “For All the Saints”)
The Lord is King! Let all the peoples quake!
He rules above the angels; let earth shake!
Amid His people Jesus Christ is great! Exalt the Savior! Exalt the Savior!

You have established strength and equity:
Before Your throne, O Lord, we bend the knee.
To You, O Savior, praise and honor be – Exalt the Savior! Exalt the Savior!

Heavenly Father, grant me comradeship with the angels in their thousands, to praise you and serve you day by day. Adapted from Colum Cille, Altus Prosator

T. M. Moore, Principal
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T. M.'s book, The Hidden Life, consists of sixteen spiritual exercises to help you in journeying toward that place where your life has been hidden with Christ in God. Order your copy today from our online store, and discover the thrill of penetrating more deeply beyond the veil.