THE VIGNETTE | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1866

THE VIGNETTE.

We still cling to the ark of the Lord. No device more appropriate for our publication could be chosen than that divinely-appointed repository of the ten commandments. The cherubim upon the mercy-seat, are represented as standing, not sitting or kneeling; and this we believe to be their real position. Thus standing they stretch forth their wings, shadowing the mercy-seat. From above and between these the shekinah or glory of the Lord was manifested; and beneath them the high priest came as he approached to minister before the ark.

The motto in the circle surrounding the ark, is a part of the prophecy announced by John in Rev. xi, 19: "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven; and there was seen in his temple, the ark of his testament." This takes us at once into the inner sanctuary of present truth. For it is owing to the fact that we have reached the time of the fulfillment of this prophecy; that the temple of God has been opened in Heaven; that there has been, and is being, seen there the ark of his testament; that that ark suggests the existence, beneath the sacred mercy-seat, of the tables of God's righteous law; that those tables contain the fourth commandment; and that that commandment enjoins the observance of the seventh-day;—it is owing to these facts, that such a paper as the Advent Review is published, and such a people as Seventh-day Adventists exist. The proclamation of the third angel's message, and the revival of the Sabbath truth as a fulfillment of prophecy, here find their center and foundation.

The significance of the cross and crown represented upon the shields on each side of the circle, will be understood by all Sabbath-keepers. The cross comes first for keeping the very law contained within the ark; and for the same work the crown subsequently follows. And it is one of the most remarkable phases of religious development, that we have reached a time, when, in a nation granting the largest toleration, and enjoying the fullest light of the gospel, the greatest cross known to religious experience is found in simply keeping the law of the great God. But when the cross has been faithfully borne, the race run, the faith kept, the crown will be gained, not for doing these things, but in doing them; for He whose words are faithful and true has testified, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xxii, 14.

So we will keep the ark of the Lord with us, that we may be like typical Israel, who "triumphed when they had the ark;" or like the house of Obededom, made rich by the blessing of God while the ark of the Lord abode there.