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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
the ceiling, inwrought with figures of angels in blue and purple
and scarlet, added to the beauty of the scene. And beyond the
second vail was the holy shekinah, the visible manifestation of
God’s glory, before which none but the high priest could enter and
live. The matchless splendor of the earthly tabernacle reflected to
human vision the glories of that heavenly temple where Christ our
forerunner ministers for us before the throne of God.
As the sanctuary on earth had two apartments, the holy and the
most holy, so there are two holy places in the sanctuary in Heaven.
And the ark containing the law of God, the altar of incense, and
other instruments of service found in the sanctuary below, have
also their counterpart in the sanctuary above. In holy vision the
apostle John was permitted to enter Heaven, and he there beheld the
candlestick and the altar of incense, and as “the temple of God was
opened,” he beheld also “the ark of his testament.” [
Revelation 4:5
;
8:3
;
Revelation 11:19
.]
Those who were seeking for the truth found indisputable proof
of the existence of a sanctuary in Heaven. Moses made the earthly
sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul declares that
that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in Heaven. John testifies
that he saw it in Heaven.
In the temple in Heaven, the dwelling-place of God, his throne is
established in righteousness and judgment. In the most holy place is
his law, the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested. The
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ark that enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the mercy-
seat, before which Christ pleads his blood in the sinner’s behalf.
Thus is represented the union of justice and mercy in the plan of
human redemption. This union infinite wisdom alone could devise,
and infinite power accomplish; it is a union that fills all Heaven
with wonder and adoration. The cherubim of the earthly sanctuary
looking reverently down upon the mercy-seat, represent the interest
with which the heavenly host contemplate the work of redemption.
This is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to look,—that
God can be just while he justifies the repenting sinner, and renews
his intercourse with the fallen race; that Christ could stoop to raise
unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin, and clothe them with
the spotless garments of his own righteousness, to unite with angels
who have never fallen, and to dwell forever in the presence of God.