25:19Exodus 25:19

The mercy seat is the solid gold cover of the ark, with its two cherubim made of pure solid gold as part of the same piece, one cherub standing on each end.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 The cherubim face one another and look reverently downward toward the mercy seat, with wings spread out above it to overshadow it in humility and reverence.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 The earthly ark and its cherubim are the pattern of the true ark in the most holy place of the temple in heaven, where living angels stand at either end in the same posture.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 Their posture shows all the heavenly angels and the heavenly universe looking with reverential awe toward God's law in the ark as the foundation of His government, and with deep interest toward the plan of redemption where mercy and truth meet together.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 Above the mercy seat is the Shekinah manifestation of the divine presence from which God makes His will known between the cherubim, and there Jesus stands by the ark to mediate for humanity and to offer the prayers of the saints with incense to the Father.RH Nov 9, 1905+4

The mercy seat is the solid gold cover of the ark, and the two cherubim are of pure solid gold made as part of it from the same piece, one cherub fixed on each end.SG4 7.2–8.2+4 The cover of the sacred chest overlaid and inlaid with pure gold holds the two stone tables of the Ten Commandments, and the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the cherubim.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 The cherubim face one another and look reverently downward toward the mercy seat and toward the ark beneath it.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 On each end of the ark in the Holy of Holies stands a lovely cherub, and on the glorious ark two bright angels sit on each end with the same turned faces and downward gaze.WLF 18.3–4+1

Each cherub has wings spread out over the ark so as to overshadow the mercy seat, with one wing of each stretched forth on high and meeting above while the other wing is folded over the form in humility and reverence.SG4 7.2–8.2+4 The wings are raised on high and touch each other above, and beneath where they are spread the sacred contents are kept.WLF 14.3–16.1+2 The earthly ark and its cherubim are the pattern of the true ark in the most holy place of the temple in heaven, where living angels stand at either end in the same posture.SG4 7.2–8.2+4 There beside the heavenly ark they stand with one wing overshadowing the mercy seat and stretched forth on high while the other wings are folded over them in token of reverence and humility, and Jesus stands before that ark to mediate for humanity.SG4 7.2–8.2+2

The ark has the appearance of finest gold overlaid top and sides with purest gold, with a glorious border of beautiful crown work around the top.WLF 14.3–16.1+2 Inside are the tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments folded together like a book with the commandments written by the finger of God, together with the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded, blossomed, and bore fruit.WLF 14.3–16.1+3 The specification for this service was received from God on the mountain during the forty days and nights appointed for Israel.Ms 170, 1904, par. 4–6 The cherubim are heavenly angels and must not be represented as a hunched bird.8MR 349.1–2+1 When the ark was removed the cherubim were never exposed to view but were always kept covered so that no curious eye might look upon them, for the ark represented Jehovah amid His people.Lt 28a, 1897, par. 6

In the heavenly sanctuary a golden censer stands between the cherubim.WLF 18.3–4+3 Above the ark where they stand is an exceeding bright glory like a throne where God dwells, and the Father is in the midst above the cherubim.WLF 18.3–4+3 His glory shines down upon the ark and fills the temple, overshadowing the mercy seat until the train of glory fills the house.SG1 158.1+1

The two golden figures with faces turned toward each other and bent reverently downward toward the cover stand for the whole heavenly host and the entire heavenly universe gazing with reverential awe and intent interest upon the law of God deposited in the chest beneath, which is the foundation of His government.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 Their attitude, with one wing lifted on high and the other folded over the form in humility, is the attitude of living angels beside the true chest in heaven, where they overshadow the cover and veil themselves in token of reverence.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 In vision they are seen with outstretched wings meeting above and eyes fixed downward upon the chest, the angelic host watching with interest what is enshrined there.SG4 7.2–8.2+2

That reverent gaze is also interest in the plan for saving sinners, for the cover and the stone tables within belong together as the place where mercy and truth meet.RH Nov 9, 1905+2 Above the cover rests the Shekinah manifestation of the divine presence, and from between the two figures God makes known His will.RH Nov 9, 1905+2 The chest was Israel's glory and strength, with the token of God's presence abiding upon it day and night, and it stood as the perpetual token of His presence among the people.SG4 101.1+2 That presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the figures overshadowing the holiest place.ST Feb 21, 1911+3

The figures were the place of answer, for light and glory resting upon the figure at the right gave approval while a cloud over those at the left gave refusal when answer was sought.1SP 398.1+1 The same approval and disapproval were once shown in light flashing forth upon the precious stones of the high priest's breastplate and in cloud shadowing them.5RED 86.2 The apartment where they stood was so sacred that to lift the veil inwrought with cherubic figures unbidden was death.8T 284.3–285.1 Only on the one appointed day in the year did the high priest enter, and then with trembling while clouds of incense veiled the glory from his sight and every sound was hushed in silent awe, a pattern written for admonition calling for silence and reverent awe before God's mercy.8T 284.3–285.1+1

At the death of Christ the veil was torn in two from top to bottom by a divine hand, the sacred mysteries of the earthly holiest were exposed to common gaze, and from that time God's presence no longer overshadowed the earthly cover and His glory no longer shone upon it.5RED 86.2+1

Jesus stands by the ark before the mercy seat in the most holy place of the heavenly temple to mediate for humanity, with a lovely cherub on each end of the ark, their wings spread out over it and raised on high to touch above His head, their faces turned toward each other and looking downward upon the ark.CET 91.2–3+3 Between the cherubim is a golden censer, and above the place where Jesus stands before the ark is an exceeding bright glory like a throne where God dwells.CET 91.2–3+3 The ark has the appearance of finest gold overlaid top and sides with purest gold with a border of beautiful crown work around the top, and inside are the tables of stone folded together like a book containing the ten commandments written by the finger of God, together with the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded.SG1 158.1+1 Jesus lifts the cover of the mercy seat to reveal the tables of stone holding the ten commandments, where the fourth commandment stands in the very center encircled with a halo of glory and light because it alone points out who the living God is as the maker of heaven and earth.SG2 82.1+1

As the saints' prayers come up to Him in faith, the incense in the censer smokes and He offers up their prayers with the smoke of the incense to His Father as sweet fragrance like smoke of beautiful colors.CET 91.2–3+3 Glory comes from the Father to Jesus and from Jesus to the praying ones until it overshadows the mercy seat and the train of glory fills the temple.SG1 158.1

Religious services, prayers, praise, and penitent confession of sin ascend as incense toward the mercy seat in the heavenly sanctuary where God receives the worship of true believers, but passing through corrupt humanity they are defiled and can never be of value unless purified by blood.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18 Unless the Intercessor at God's right hand presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18 He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption, gathers into it the prayers, praise, and confessions of His people, moistens all the incense with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ, and puts with them His own spotless righteousness.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18 Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation and placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable as fragrance ascending like a cloud around the mercy seat, and gracious answers are returned.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18

The mercy seat is where God is to be known together with His ministry of healing and grace, where His everlasting love meets sin-sick souls with a message of healing in the last days.CH 422.1+1 Its light of grace is to shine forth through workers in many places to arouse the attention of the people, including small gospel medical missionary plants and sanitariums reaching high and low, rich and poor to call attention to the message God has sent to the world and to truths that make for deliverance from both physical and spiritual ills.CH 422.1+1 The cherubim and mercy seat, with the cherub at each end covering the ark containing God's law, belong to the features connected with the heavenly sanctuary and the great day of atonement whose mysteries are not described.Lt 253, 1903, par. 17