“A VEIL LIES UPON THEIR HEART…”

That same veil remains upon the hearts of many today

2 Corinthians 3:12• Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great

boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Introduction

• The “veil” in the text was a prejudicial covering in the hearts of the unbelieving Jews…

• The text refers to when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets of the Law (Ex.34:29ff) –

• - Moses’ Law was thought to be complete and perpetual by the unbelieving Jews…

2 Corinthians 3:7-11• But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on

stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

The Law Was Their Veil

• The unbelieving Jews prejudice for Moses’ Law hardened into a “righteous” bias that took control of the Law instead of following it…

• Romans 10:1 … Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

The Veil Would Be Replaced• But Moses himself has spoken of a new law that

would supersede his…• Acts 3:20 … "and that He may send Jesus Christ,

who was preached to you before, 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.

The Veil Remains• Mankind today also had the veil of the Jews when it

comes to religion…• Men have set their own religious standard(s) instead

of God’s…• - “saved by faith only”…• James 2:24 … You see then that a man is justified by

works, and not by faith only.• - Instrumental music, not acappella only…• Ephesians 5:19 … speaking to one another in psalms

and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…

The Veil Remains• - “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”• Acts 3:22b … “…Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says

to you.”• Matthew 28:18 …"All authority has been given to Me in heaven

and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”

• There are even Christians who will try to supplant God’s law, either morally or doctrinally…

• In our text the Jews “veil” hid that Jesus is the Christ…• 2 Cor.3:14 … But their minds were blinded. For until this day the

same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

The Veil Remains• It was impossible for unbelieving Jews to see that

the law was going to be changed and replaced…• Colossians 2:14 … having wiped out the handwriting

of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

• With the completion of Jesus’ ministry, the Law’s purpose was fulfilled…

• Romans 10:4 … For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The Veil Remains• As a nation/race the Jews never could see that

Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies…• Romans 9:3 … For I could wish that I myself

were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh…

• John 5:39 … "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

The Veil Remains

• Today men can have a like veil of rejection in their heart…

• PRIDE can keep one from acknowledging that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God…

• - “He was just a good man.” – the modernist• - “A prophet…only.” – Islam• - “Did not even exist.” – the atheist• - “It does not matter.” – everyone else

Here Is Why The Veil Remains• If any acknowledged His Divinity, they would be

obligated to obey His commands…• 1 John 2:4 … He who says, "I know Him," and does

not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

An oddity:• - Many do verbally acknowledge His Divinity, but do

not follow His laws…• - Such is in accordance with His words…• Matthew 7:21 … "Not everyone who says to Me,

'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

HOW CAN THE VEIL BE REMOVED?• The obvious question: • 2 Cor.3:16 … ‘Nevertheless when one turns to the

Lord, the veil is taken away.’• - So when each heart turns to God, the “veil” is

removed…• God has already told us how to remove the veil.

The Lesson Taught• The lesson taught by this passage:• The obstacle lies in the heart of a man…• It is not God’s fault that there is a veil…• 2 Cor.4:3 … But even if our gospel is veiled, it is

veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

The Lesson Taught• Since the “veil” is not God’s fault, the heart of man

has to do the turning…• God does not intervene to arbitrarily save

whomever He desires…• 2 Peter 3:9 … The Lord is not slack concerning His

promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

• God wants everyone saved, but each person has to make that choice for themself.

Conclusion• Mankind today, like the Jews of Paul’s day, have a

“veil” which prevents them from obeying all that Divine Will has commanded in the Gospel…

• Such a condition is reached by one constantly going against the will of God…

• Hebrews 3:12 … Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

• Do you have a veil that needs removing?