The temple of Jerusalem, as it functioned in Christ's time on earth, had three main sections. The outer court was visible to everyone, the place of preparation and purification before entry into the inner court or the Holy Place. There the priests would burn incense near the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was housed. Only the high priest could enter there. It was the center of God's glory.

        Here's what happened when the Ark was first brought into the temple under Solomon's instruction: "The priests of every group had gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to the Lord…They were standing on the east side of the altar, playing cymbals, small harps, and other stringed instruments. One hundred twenty priests were with these musicians, and they were blowing trumpets. They were praising the Lord by playing music and singing: 'The Lord is good, and His love never ends.' Suddenly, a cloud filled the temple as the priests were leaving the holy place. The Lord's glory was in that cloud and the light from it was so bright that the priests could not stay inside to do their work!" (2 Chronicles 5:11-13.)

        At the moment of Christ's redemptive death, the veil that separated the most Holy of Holy Places was torn in half. This signified the redemptive invitation that changed our relationship with God two millennia ago: "The Holy Spirit speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said, 'When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds.' When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.

        My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most Holy Place by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the veil that is Christ Himself. We have a great High Priest Who is in charge of God's house. So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith." (Hebrews 10:15-22.)

        The book of Hebrews also explains, "But the temple where they [the priests] serve is just a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. Before Moses made the tabernacle, he was told, 'Be sure to make it exactly like the pattern you were shown on the mountain!' Now Christ has been appointed to serve as a Priest in a much better way, and He has given us much assurance of a better agreement." (8:5-6.)

        The priests at the housing of the Ark of the Covenant were singing prayers of praise and love. They became so consumed by the divine glory that was in the cloud that filled the temple they just could not continue with their tasks or even their worship. The consummation silenced them. They were in the Presence and this was too holy and powerful for words, music or activity. And God's new agreement is essentially a proclamation of supreme love. This event and the temple itself were only a physical shadow of the real thing, of the heavenly Holy of Holies. In it lies the armor of God, His very Spirit. And the invitation is that of intimacy with and in Him.

        Divine intimacy sounds spiritual but not warfare-like. Yet when you review Ephesians 6, all the elements of the  armor of God amount to a call to intimacy.

        Hundreds of metaphors and scriptural references to divine intimacy abound, yet comparatively little is taught regarding this level of prayer. Most of our prayers are wordy petitions, requests, pleadings, and repentive promises. Even our prayers of praise and thanksgiving for blessings and gifts are still not truly experiences of intimacy.

        How so? Christ taught in different ways that we must deny ourselves. The intimacy of even our human relationships is hindered when we bring to it self-interest. To approach the Holy of Holies with the intention or desire of having a wonderfully splendid divine experience of intimacy with our Creator is to enter with self-centeredness. An indication of this is being disappointed with our prayer time, because we didn't get or feel what we wanted, even if that want is a heavenly experience. This is a subtle strategy of the army of darkness. Our spirits are reborn, but not our bodies or minds. Scripture calls for an ongoing renewal and disciplining of our minds.

        The conflict between our minds and spirits (carnal and spiritual natures) is a greater source of spiritual warfare than we can experience from diabolical entities, which Paul describes in detail in this letter to the early church in Rome. Our attempts to dominate or control our prayer experiences or intimacy experiences with God create spiritual warfare from within our own souls. The worst kind.

        Working toward intimacy is like working hard at trying to relax or sleep. You don't achieve it. Like restorative sleep, you allow it to consume you, to overcome you. Like sleep, it comes when we really need it. That's God's love for us.

        Our earthly plane shadows the splendor of the heavenly realm within the Holy of Holies. We discuss things, do things, ask things, and thank for things with our earthly intimates. So we can constantly pray to and talk with our Heavenly Intimate…while we drive, walk, swim, clean our homes, and meet with others. Indeed, we are encouraged to pray like this, without stopping. However, when we decide upon an "intimate time" with our loved ones, the situation is different. We "set aside" time dedicated only to intimacy.  Interruptions from others, phone calls, duties, etc. are safeguarded against. This is "our" time and we enter it with no sense of selfishness or a what's-in-it-for-me attitude and no expectations. Christ calls us many things, two of which define intimacy: We are His bride and we are His friends. So we enter the Holy of Holies with similar preparations.

        We choose a block of time and a place protected from interruption. We leave our prayer requests and prayer lists behind. This is also not the time to confess our sins, count our blessings or otherwise focus on ourselves. There are other times and places for those kinds of prayers. We are alone with Him. We ask nothing. Although we may start with words, eventually we let go of them, too. We just adore Him.

        This may feel unfamiliar, just as two people riding in a car or sitting in a room may feel awkward if the conversation stops. You may not feel anything, but let go of that too and just know He is there anyway, so ready to infuse you with His love. Just hang out with Him, hang in your adoration of His love, grace and splendor. His Presence consumes you. You lose sense of time, of self, of words, of all desires except one: to let Him consume you even more. And He is more than ready to do that, as you tear the veil of your heart as He tore the veil of the Holy of Holies.

        In this state, in the Holy of Holies, in His Presence, there is no evil. There is no darkness. Prayers of intimacy are the most powerful breakers of evil strongholds. From there, all else follows. Jesus said to search for the kingdom of heaven before anything else, and all else falls into place. In this state of prayer, our hearts sing something similar to King David's words (Psalm 8): "Our Lord and Ruler, Your Name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let Your glory be seen in the heavens above. With praises from children and from tiny infants, You have built a fortress. It makes Your enemies silent, and all who turn against You are left speechless." Indeed, the armor of God.

John S. Hilkevich, Ph.D.
Spiritual Resource Services
www.prayergear.com

July, 1999 © All articles and this web site are copyrighted.
(Credit is given to the inspiration and teachings of Alice Smith in her recommended book, Beyond the Veil)