Sanctuary
7
the angelic host, who are connected with the work of the heavenly
sanctuary, and who are ministering angels to the saints upon the earth.
Within the second vail was placed the ark of the testimony, and
the beautiful and rich curtain was drawn before the sacred ark. This
curtain did not reach to the top of the building. The glory of God,
which was above the mercy-seat, could be seen from both apartments,
[9]
but in a much less degree from the first apartment. Directly before
the ark, but separated by the curtain, was the golden altar of incense.
The fire upon this altar was kindled by the Lord himself, and was
sacredly cherished by feeding it with holy incense, which filled the
sanctuary with its fragrant cloud, day and night. Its fragrance extended
for miles around the tabernacle. When the priest offered the incense
before the Lord, he looked to the mercy-seat. Although he could not
see it, he knew it was there, and as the incense arose like a cloud, the
glory of the Lord descended upon the mercy-seat, and filled the most
holy place, and was visible in the holy place, and the glory often so
filled both apartments that the priest was unable to officiate, and was
obliged to stand at the door of the tabernacle. The priest in the holy
place, directing his prayer by faith to the mercy-seat, which he could
not see, represents the people of God directing their prayers to Christ
before the mercy-seat in the heavenly sanctuary. They cannot behold
their Mediator with the natural eye, but with the eye of faith they see
Christ before the mercy-seat, and direct their prayers to him, and with
assurance claim the benefits of his mediation.
These sacred apartments had no windows to give light. The can-
dlestick was made of purest gold, and was kept burning night and day,
and gave light to both apartments. The light of the lamps upon the
candlestick reflected upon the boards plated with gold, at the sides of
the building, and upon the sacred furniture, and upon the curtains of
beautiful colors with cherubims wrought with threads of gold and sil-
ver, which appearance was glorious beyond description. No language
can describe the beauty and loveliness, and sacred glory, which these
apartments presented. The gold in the sanctuary reflected the colors of
the curtains, which appeared like the different colors of the rainbow.
Only once a year could the high priest enter into the most holy
place, after the most careful and solemn preparation. No mortal eye
[10]
but that of the high priest could look upon the sacred grandeur of that
apartment, because it was the especial dwelling-place of God’s visible