gold . The gorgeous curtain which formed the ceiling , inwrought with figures of angels in blue and purple and scarlet , added to the beauty of the scene . And beyond the second veil was the holy Shekinah , the visible manifestation of God ' s glory , before which none but the high priest could enter and live .
The matchless splendour 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 . The abiding place of the King of kings , where thousand thousands minister unto Him , and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him ( Daniel 7:10 ); that temple , filled with the glory of the eternal throne , where seraphim , its shining guardians , veil their faces in adoration , could find , in the most magnificent structure ever reared by human hands , but a faint reflection of its vastness and glory . Yet important truths concerning the heavenly sanctuary and the great work there carried forward for man ' s redemption were taught by the earthly sanctuary and its services .
The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth . As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven , he beheld there " seven lamps of fire burning before the throne ." Revelation 4:5 . He saw an angel " having a golden censer ; and there was given unto him much incense , that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne ." Revelation 8:3 . Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven ; and he saw there the " seven lamps of fire " and " the golden altar ," represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth . Again , " the temple of God was opened " ( Revelation 11:19 ), and he looked within the inner veil , upon the holy of holies . Here he beheld " the ark of His testament ," represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God .
Thus those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the existence of a sanctuary in heaven . Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him . Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven . And 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 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
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