Exodus 30:6

Before the vail. The altar of incense was placed in the holy place, adjacent to the “vail,” or curtain, which separated it from the holy of holies (ch. 40:21-27). Although in the holy place, the altar of incense was considered as belonging to the most holy (Heb. 9:3, 4). This concept grew out of the fact that as the priests in their ministry approached the sacred presence above the mercy seat, the altar of incense was the place to which they came (PP 353). Except on the Day of Atonement they could not approach closer. It was the place where they came to meet with God, whose abode was in the holy of holies. Incense offered there not only filled the holy place, but rose and passed over the “vail” into the most holy (see on ch. 26:32). The fact that the altar was “before the mercy seat” teaches us that prayer brings us into the presence of God. Although the “vail” of humanity (see 1 Cor. 13:12) prevents our physical eyes from seeing God, faith and prayer are able to go where the body cannot.