25:20Exodus 25:20

The mercy seat is the solid-gold cover of the ark holding the tables of stone with the Ten Commandments, with a golden cherub standing at each end stretching its wings on high to cover it, faces turned toward one another and bent reverently downward toward the seat and the law beneath.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 One wing of each is lifted high while the other is folded over the body, a posture signifying reverence and humility.RH Nov 9, 1905+2 The earthly arrangement follows the pattern of the true ark in heaven, where living angels stand beside it in the same reverent posture.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 Those bowed faces show the reverential awe with which the heavenly host regards God's law as the foundation of His government, and their interest in the plan of redemption.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+2 With mercy covering the law that judges humanity, justice and mercy are united for the saving of repentant sinners, and from between the cherubim above the seat the divine presence is manifested in glory and makes known His will.RH Nov 9, 1905+4

The mercy seat is the solid-gold cover of the ark, a sacred chest of precious wood overlaid with gold that holds the two tables of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments.SG4 101.1+4 It was wrought as a magnificent single piece of solid gold workmanship and set in the most holy place of the tabernacle built as the earthly dwelling-place of God.GC 411.2–412.3+1 The ark was regarded as Israel's glory and strength, with the token of God's presence resting upon it day and night, and the law within represented God Himself.SG4 101.1+1 Between the cherubim above it the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory.RH Nov 8, 1915+2

Two golden cherubim stand one at each end of the mercy seat, stretching their wings on high and covering it.WLF 18.3–4+4 Their faces are turned toward one another and reverently downward toward the mercy seat and the ark beneath, looking down beneath where the wings are spread.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 Their posture represents the reverential awe with which the heavenly universe and angelic host look upon the ark containing God's law, the foundation of His government and basis of the covenant, gazing with interest upon it and upon the plan of redemption.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+3 The earthly arrangement follows the pattern of the ark and living angels in heaven, where the cover is one solid piece of gold and above the mercy seat rests the Shekinah manifestation from which God makes known His will.SG4 7.2–8.2+1

One wing of each cherub is lifted high while the other is folded over the body, covering them.RH Nov 9, 1905+1 The wings signify reverence and humility, and the downward gaze shows the heavenly host's reverence for God's law kept in the ark of the heavenly sanctuary and their interest in the plan of redemption.RH Nov 9, 1905+2

The earthly ark and its cherubim were made after the pattern of the true ark in heaven, where living angels stand beside the ark in the same posture of reverence and humility.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 The golden figures with wings raised and covering the mercy seat, faces turned toward one another and reverently downward toward the mercy seat, represent the heavenly angels looking with interest and reverence toward God's law kept in the ark of the heavenly sanctuary.SG4 7.2–8.2+2 One wing of each is raised while the other covers the form, expressing that reverent regard.ST Mar 4, 1903

The same arrangement, with the same proportions and furnishings and with the ark and its mercy seat in the most holy place, was continued on a larger permanent scale in the temple of Solomon.GC 411.2–412.3+1 The tabernacle built by Moses was the earthly dwelling-place of God, and its most holy place held the ark as a chest overlaid with gold containing the two tables of stone with the ten commandments, surmounted by the solid-gold mercy seat with its two cherubim.GC 411.2–412.3+1 Between those cherubim the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory.GC 411.2–412.3+1

Those specifications were given by Christ to Moses as the pattern shown on the mountain.Ms 97, 1899, par. 3–4+1 Moses received the sanctuary service during the forty days and nights he was on the mountain, including the directions for building the sanctuary and making the ark to which this verse belongs.Ms 170, 1904, par. 4–6+1

In heaven the ark stands within the veil with heavy silver and gold fringe, overlaid with pure gold on top and sides with a glorious border resembling crowns.WLF 18.3–4+2 Lovely cherubim stand one on each end with wings spread over it covering the mercy seat, faces turned toward each other and looking downward toward the mercy seat and beneath where the wings are spread.WLF 18.3–4+2 Inside the ark beneath the spread wings are the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded and blossomed and bore fruit, with the tables of stone folded together like a book.WLF 14.3–16.1+1 Between the angels is a golden censer, and above the ark where the angels stand is an exceeding bright glory like a throne where God dwells.WLF 18.3–4+2 The Father is above and between the cherubim, His glory shining down upon the ark and filling the temple, and the cherubim's wings do not rise above Him.LSEGW 100.1–3+2 Jesus stands by the ark, and as the saints' prayers come up the incense in the censer smokes and He offers their prayers with the smoke of the incense to His Father, and He lifts the cover to reveal the tables of stone holding the ten commandments inside.WLF 18.3–4+3

The two golden figures stand one at each end of the mercy seat with wings raised and spread over it, faces turned toward one another and bent reverently downward toward the cover and the ark beneath, one wing of each lifted high while the other is folded over the body in humility.8MR 349.1–2+4 They are not mere ornament, for they represent the heavenly angels, the whole angelic host, gazing with interest and reverential awe upon the mercy seat.8MR 349.1–2+4 Their watching centers on the law of God kept within the ark, and the earthly ark with its cherubim follows the pattern of the true ark in heaven where living angels stand beside it in the same posture of reverence and humility.SG4 7.2–8.2+4

That bent, watching posture shows the reverential awe with which the heavenly universe looks upon the ark containing God's law.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+2 The law is the foundation of His government and represents God Himself, and the angels' downward gaze shows their deep interest in the plan of redemption.Ms 8, 1902, par. 3–6+4 Their outspread and folded wings themselves signify reverence and humility before what the ark holds.RH Nov 9, 1905+1

The law kept beneath the mercy seat was written by the finger of God on tables of stone, and Jesus lifts and opens the cover to reveal them, where they lie folded together like a book and unchanged.SG2 82.1+3 The fourth commandment stands in the very center of the ten, encircled with a halo of glory and light and shining brightest, because it alone points out the living God as Maker of heaven and earth and all things therein.SG2 82.1+3 Its foundation was laid when the foundations of the earth were laid, and it alone defines the living Creator.CET 85.4–86.1+1 With the tables are the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded, and between the cherubim is a golden censer, while above is exceeding bright glory like a throne where God dwells.SG2 82.1+1

The ark containing the tables was regarded as Israel's glory and strength, the perpetual token of God's presence abiding upon it day and night.SG4 101.1+2 It was Israel's symbol of the divine presence and pledge of victory, shadowed by the cherubim's wings with the visible glory of God resting over it in the holy of holies.SG4 101.1+3 That sacred ark represented Jehovah amid His people, and when it was removed from the sanctuary the cherubim were never exposed to view but were always kept covered so that no curious eye might look upon it.Lt 28a, 1897, par. 6+1

The mercy seat is the cover over the law in the ark, and before the heavenly ark Jesus stands and ministers to mediate for humanity, pleading His blood in the sinner's behalf.EW 213.2–214.1+3 The cherubim above the ark with outstretched wings and faces turned toward one another and downward toward the ark picture the angelic host watching with reverent interest the law of God contained there.EW 213.2–214.1+2

Together the mercy seat above and the law beneath reveal justice and mercy united in the plan of redemption.RH Nov 8, 1915+1 The mercy seat is where Christ pleads His blood for sinners, while the law beneath is the rule by which humanity is judged, so that God can uphold His law and yet justify the repentant sinner.RH Nov 8, 1915+1 By this union He restores fellowship with the fallen race, renews intercourse with fallen humanity, stoops to raise multitudes from ruin and clothes the redeemed in the spotless garments of Christ's own righteousness to dwell forever in God's presence with angels who never fell.RH Nov 8, 1915+1 It is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to look, and that union fills all heaven with wonder and adoration.4SP 261.3

The mercy seat represents the meeting of mercy and truth.Ms 48, 1886, par. 6 It is pictured as surrounded by a cloud-like fragrance, which is Christ's spotless righteousness.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18 The prayers, praise, confession, obedience, penitence and thanksgiving of believers are acceptable to God only when Christ presents and purifies them by His blood and merits.Ms 50, 1900, par. 17–18

Between the cherubim the divine presence is manifested in the cloud of glory.RH Nov 8, 1915+2 Above the mercy seat rested the Shekinah manifestation of the divine presence, with the Father above and between the cherubim, His glory shining down upon the ark and filling the temple, the cherubim's wings not rising above Him.RH Nov 9, 1905+1 From between the cherubim God makes known His will.RH Nov 9, 1905

Above the mercy seat in the most holy place of the sanctuary and temple, the earthly symbol of God's dwelling sacred to His presence, dwelt the glory of the Holiest, glory upon which no man might look and live.8T 284.3–285.1 To lift the veil inwrought with cherubim and intrude unbidden into the sacred mystery was death.8T 284.3–285.1 Only on the one day of the year appointed for ministry in the most holy place did the high priest enter God's presence with trembling, while clouds of incense veiled the glory from his sight.8T 284.3–285.1 Every sound throughout the courts was then hushed, and the hosts of worshipers bowed in silent awe sending up petitions for God's mercy.8T 284.3–285.1 These things happened by way of example and were written for admonition upon those on whom the ends of the ages have come.8T 284.3–285.1

The mercy seat covering the ark stands in the holy of holies beyond the inner veil, where the symbolic service of atonement and intercession centered.RH Nov 9, 1905 The ark, its law and its mercy seat belong to the sanctuary and are connected with the great day of atonement.RH Nov 9, 1905+1

The most holy place stood behind the veil that separated the holy from the most holy, entered by human feet only once a year and until then protected in a wonderful manner.5RED 86.2 The mercy seat there was overshadowed by the presence of God, with the light of His glory flashing forth upon it and the cloud of His disapproval shadowing the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest.5RED 86.2 At the moment Christ died the veil was rent in two from top to bottom, the most holy place was revealed to common gaze and its sacred mysteries were exposed to curious eyes.5RED 86.2+1 From then on the presence of God no longer overshadowed the earthly mercy seat, with no more flashing of glory upon it and no more shadowing of approval or disapproval upon the breastplate stones, showing that the earthly sanctuary's former role had ended.5RED 86.2+1

Christ's death opened a new and living way for Jew and Gentile, and He became Priest and Advocate in heaven.3SP 166.2–167.1 Animal sacrifices for sin were no longer effective because the Lamb of God had died for the sins of the world.3SP 166.2–167.1

The golden cherubim whose wings covered the mercy seat and whose faces turned toward it shadowed the ark, and the visible glory of God rested over it in the holy of holies.PP 584.1–2 The ark and the law it contained symbolized God's presence and power, corresponding to the heavenly most holy place where two angels look down upon the commandments and the golden pot of manna.PP 584.1–2+1 Yet the ark itself had no power to save when Israel treated it as an object of power while despising the commandments it contained.PP 584.1–2 Israel would have been strong if it had kept God's commandments, and Jerusalem would have stood if they had not broken them.Ms 5, 1849, par. 13–15

The chapter containing the specifications Christ gave Moses for building the tabernacle is to be repeated verse by verse for the benefit of both speaker and hearers while engaged in manual work.Ms 97, 1899, par. 3–4 This joins preaching with the voice to preaching with the hands, teaching that supreme honor is to be given to God.Ms 97, 1899, par. 3–4 The skill and genius and wisdom brought into the work of building were given by God to be used for His glory, giving an example of diligence and thoroughness in business while being fervent in spirit in serving the Lord.Ms 97, 1899, par. 3–4

The mercy seat is the place of God's ministry of healing and grace with which everyone is to become acquainted.CH 533.2–3+1 The light of His grace is to shine forth from many places, reaching high and low, rich and poor, to call attention to the message He has sent to the world.CH 533.2–3+1 God provides workers in various places with advantages so they may arouse attention more effectually to truths that bring deliverance from both physical and spiritual ills.CH 533.2–3 In the last days this brings a message of healing to a world filled with sin-sick souls, meeting the necessities of even the feeblest of His flock, arousing attention and increasing faith.CH 422.1