When we move past the Altar of Incense we come to the Veil, representing the point at which we pass from adamic life to eternal life in the Presence of God.

The Veil hanging between the Altar of Incense and the Ark of the Covenant portrays the third death—death to self. As our lives are poured out in consecration to the will of the Father we pass through the Veil that separates us from the fullness of the abiding in Christ—from the rest of God.

It is written that the Veil symbolizes the flesh of Christ.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, by the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:19,20)

At the time Jesus died the Veil was torn apart, signifying that the way into the Most Holy Place is now open.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)

As far as our individual redemption is concerned, both the River Jordan and the Veil of the Tabernacle symbolize the same thing—death to self. It is impossible to enter successfully into the battles of the Lord when one is still being led about by self.

The demolishing of our self life is a lifelong program, and God knows exactly how to lay His finger on the sources of our problem with self. Our task is to be patient with God until we find rest in Him. Later on we will receive more understanding concerning the various tunnels and prisons we are called on to endure.

During our "wilderness wanderings" we learn how to bring ourselves under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we are "pressed out of measure"; but we have "the sentence of death" in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

When we go into spiritual battle we must commit our safety and well-being into the hands of God. The struggle is between God and Satan. We as humans are not able to cope with such supernatural wisdom and power. Sometimes we ourselves are the battleground.

By stating that the "struggle is between God and Satan" we are not implying that Satan is equal to God. It is not a struggle of power against power, for God has all power. In addition, every vestige of Satan's authority over the Christian was stripped from him on the cross of Calvary.

Rather, it is true that in the arena of Christian conflict the Lord God is demonstrating to the heavens and the earth the dreadful consequences of rebellion against the Most High, and at the same time showing that the Seed, Christ, growing in a human being, will enable him or her to overcome sin and rebellion under the most difficult circumstances.

Meanwhile, Christ is resting in God, waiting patiently until every one of His enemies becomes His footstool.

The battle against self-will and sin is active in each of our lives if we are pressing into Christ. When we enter spiritual combat, if there is any sin on our part, any weakness, any fear, any timidity, any lust, any saving of our life, then we falter and God has to stop and deal with our problem so we will not be destroyed.

If we are to see the battle through to glorious victory we must do so by abiding in absolute trust, as the Holy Spirit assumes control and conquers self-love in us.

To be continued.