Life After Ministry

Haggai 2:6 “For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, And I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.” – BC 520, Haggai

Psalm 31:5 “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” – BC 1060, King David

Psalms 69:12 “They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.” – BC 1015, King David

 November 17 — Joseph Smith Lied about Miracles at Calvary, pt. 2. There are many remarkable items to look at and study when it comes to the temple veil being ripped in two so let’s get right into it!

The first thing you’ll want to take note of is how many times this event was prophesied about in the OT. We’ve listed three of those above. They serve as proof of yet more miracles God has done for us. PTL!

One of the coolest items on this topic is found in the gospel of John. In John 19:30 we read Jesus’ declaration, “…It is finished!”

The significance of Jesus’ words mustn’t be glossed over. Someone who is crucified dies of asphyxiation which means they’ve run out of air. Not Jesus. Jesus gave up His life willingly, which means it wasn’t taken from Him.

Another sign He was in control of His own life is found in the fact He was actually talking at the end of His life. Amazingly, His voice could be heard over the trumpets blaring at the same time.

Jesus made the comment ‘it was finished’, signifies two things. Firstly, is the fact He said, ‘it is finished’, not ‘I am finished’. Secondly, the term ‘it is finished’ means the debt for sin was wiped out. The Greek word for finished is tetelestai, meaning the debt is taken care of. He became our sin.

2 Cor. 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Another remarkable event was the temple veil. A centurion at the crucifixion witnessed the veil being ripped in two.

Mark 15:38-39 “And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, which stood over against him,  saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”

To understand how a centurion at the crucifixion could witness what was going on at the temple it’s important to understand the location of the temple, and its proximity to the hill called Calvary. Luke 23:47

The entrance of the temple was only 200 meters from Calvary.

We also read in scripture Jesus could actually hear people talking about Him, and they could read the inscription that had been placed on the cross – John 19:20

“This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.”

Yet another remarkable event is seen in how the veil was ripped.

Matthew 27:51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”

It was torn in the middle from top to bottom, and didn’t pull anything down with it, and didn’t cause problems with the temple’s structure, or other rooms surrounding it. Many view it as God performing this work from up in heaven.

The thickness of the veil was equivalent to the length of a man’s hand – roughly 4 inches. It would’ve taken the strength of two horses to rip it apart. You can read more stats about the veil in Josephus’ work ‘Wars’. Edersheim, a converted Jew, wrote extensively about its dimensions and is another great resource to check out.

The veil was 40 cubits long (60 feet), and 20 cubits (30 feet) wide. The Talmud actually tells of the priests who were working that night who heard the veil being ripped and upon finding it torn, became believers. You can read some of this in Acts 6:7.

His word also tells us what it looked like in 2 Chronicles 3:14

2 Chr 3:14 “And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.”

The main focus with this event is the implications of what it meant for mankind.

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

The beautiful promises our Lord gives to us will never be overshadowed especially from false prophecies those like Joseph Smith. The author of Hebrews reminded Christians then and now, of how important these events were and how they fulfilled scripture.

Hebrews 12:26-27 “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. ²⁷ And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”

Joseph Smith’s contributions to the world about Jesus’ crucifixion are a confusing, anachronistic, nightmarish mess. In the book he claimed held the ‘fullness of the gospel’ we find another example of poor leadership and a false prophecy –

3 Nephi 8:3 “And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land.”

With Jesus’ death, people were set free, resurrected from the dead, and in awe of the God who displayed such caring and love towards them. There was nothing at all to bemoan and remember it was dark for three hours, not three days!

In addition to all that the BoM states that cities sunk and countless people died. For more info see The Signs of Christ’s Crucifixion.

Lastly beloved, there’s nothing in the Book of Mormon at all that talks about the veil, or the temple in Jerusalem. Contrary to what they say there’s absolutely no documented evidence or writings of Jesus appearing to people in the Americas and there’s no historical proof of any temple there either.

When you have the chance, be sure to share the info about God’s awesome miracles with a Mormon! It might just be the first time they’ve heard information!

With Love in Christ —

Michelle ✟

1 Cor. 1:18