6:1Isaiah 6:1

In the year King Uzziah died, near the close of his reign, Isaiah stood in the temple court when the inner veil was withdrawn and was permitted to gaze into the holy of holies and see Jehovah sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, with the train of His glory filling the temple amid veiling seraphim, shaking posts and smoke.7T 153.3–154.1+4 The sight reveals God in exalted sovereignty and majesty high above earthly powers, and in perfect holiness, purity and unapproachable light before whom angels veil their faces and cry Holy, holy, holy.7T 153.3–154.1+3 The enthroned One is Christ Himself in divine glory, once foreshadowed over the mercy seat, whose exalted throne reveals not power alone but mercy, tenderness and parental compassion toward the contrite and humble.Ms 64, 1895, par. 1–3+4 By contrast the vision exposes human sinfulness and undoes self-importance, bringing Isaiah to confess unclean lips, then cleansing him by a live coal from the altar so his iniquity is purged, and only then fitting him to answer Whom shall I send with Here am I; send me.7T 153.3–154.1+4 It teaches that the destiny of nations and the church rests in His hands, so workers must depend on His wisdom rather than human control, and because He is exalted and holy they must come with reverence and silence, bow to His will, walk in order, and trust Him through evil report as well as good.Ms 174, 1897, par. 25–26+4

The vision was given in the year that King Uzziah died.RH Mar 11, 1915+4 It came near the close of his reign, in its last year, when Jotham was already bearing many of the burdens of state.AAC 4.2+2 That dating places Isaiah's sight of the Lord enthroned in overwhelming majesty at the transition of the kingdom.Lt 71, 1895, par. 33–34+2

It came at a time of danger, discouragement, and peculiar peril for Judah.5T 749.2–751.1+2 Divine protection was being removed, and Assyrian forces were about to overspread the land.RH Mar 4, 1915+1 Isaiah was to witness invasion of Judah by the combined armies of northern Israel and Syria, Assyrian hosts encamped before the chief cities, repeated Assyrian invasions of Judah, and a siege of Jerusalem that would have ended in downfall without miraculous interposition.PK 305.2–3 He stood at the prospect of the fall of Samaria and the scattering of the ten tribes.PK 305.2–3 The outward dangers were less serious than the inward perversity, apostasy, and rebellion, by which those who should have stood as light-bearers among the nations invited judgment, while evils lately denounced against the northern kingdom were fast corrupting Judah.5T 749.2–751.1+1

Isaiah stood at the temple, under its portico in the temple court.RH Mar 11, 1915+2 The gate and the inner veil were withdrawn so that he was permitted to gaze within upon the holy of holies.RH Mar 11, 1915+1 He was thus allowed to look into the innermost sanctuary and most holy place where even a prophet's feet might not enter.GW 21.1–2+2 There he was given a clear view of the character of the God of Israel.RH Mar 18, 1915

What he saw was Jehovah, the Lord of the temple, sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and exalted in majesty.7T 153.3–154.1+4 The train of His robe and glory filled the temple.RH Mar 11, 1915+4 Seraphim hovered above, on each side, veiling face and feet in adoration.8T 281.1–4+1 They cried Holy, holy, holy, proclaiming His holiness, with shaking posts and smoke, and declared the whole earth full of His glory.8T 281.1–4+1

The vision shows the Lord seated upon a throne high and lifted up, enthroned in majesty high above all, with the train of His robe and glory filling the temple.7T 153.3–154.1+4 It is a revelation of greatness and exalted sovereignty, of One exalted above earthly powers and above earthly desires, ruling above earthly events.RH Mar 11, 1915+2 The sanctuary seen is the innermost holy place, the holy of holies into which Isaiah was permitted to gaze, and the glory there prepares him to receive the message for God's people.GW 21.1–2+1

That majesty is holiness, purity, perfection, and glory, with the earth full of His glory and seraphim proclaiming His holiness.8T 281.1–4+1 He dwells in light so unapproachable that angels veil their faces in adoration before Him.Ms 174, 1897, par. 25–26+1 By sharp contrast His purity exposes human sinfulness and imperfection.Ms 7, 1902, par. 3+1

The enthroned Lord of the temple is Christ Himself in divine glory, holy and lovely and exalted on high.Ms 64, 1895, par. 1–3+2 The glory Isaiah saw is the Shekinah, the visible pavilion of Jehovah once seen in the holy of holies over the mercy seat, where the high priest entered only once a year on the great day of atonement with the blood of the slain victim typical of the blood of the Son of God shed for the sins of the world.Ms 71, 1897, par. 21–22 He is the Man of sorrows wounded for human sin, and beholding Him as the perfect model changes beholders into His image, keeping them from self-importance and from claiming to be holy and sinless.Ms 64, 1895, par. 1–3+3 The temple imagery echoes in the heavenly sanctuary, where God's throne appears above the ark and the train of glory from the Father through Jesus fills the temple, where Jesus stands before the ark and ministers for the saints.SG1 158.1

The exalted throne in supreme majesty does not reveal power alone, for in the light of Calvary mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen together with holiness, justice, and power.GC 652.1 He is the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, appearing in great majesty yet compassionate in nature, dwelling in the high and holy place and also with the contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite ones.RH Mar 18, 1915 His character is gracious and compassionate, tender and good and loving, so that the title Our Father is more fully understood, though His overwhelming greatness can at first be seen by a childhood mind as majesty without yet perceiving His graciousness.GC 652.1+2

Heaven is not distant and God is not alone, for holy beings surround Him to carry out His commands.Lt 189, 1900, par. 7–9 From His throne He stoops to hear every sound and to observe the actions of earthly powers, approving or condemning what they do.Lt 189, 1900, par. 7–9 He sees and knows even hidden thoughts, intentions, and purposes, and deeds are recorded.RH Mar 8, 1870 His height and glory do not place Him beyond prayer, for prayers, even of Christian mothers, reach His throne.ST Mar 3, 1909

The throne set high and lifted up, with its train filling the temple, throws human sinfulness into sharp relief by contrast with divine perfection.8T 281.1–4+2 In that light Isaiah sees himself undone, a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips, and trembles before the King in His glory.7T 153.3–154.1+4 The same sight exposes the imperfection and uncleanness of Israel and Judah as well as of the prophet himself.CT 374.2+2 Truly beholding Christ enthroned makes a person feel insignificant and aware of sin.Ms 64, 1895, par. 1–3+1

That beholding sinks self-importance and self-righteousness into nothingness.Ms 64, 1895, par. 1–3+2 Instead of self-exaltation it brings humility, contrition, meekness, reverence, and a sense of need for mercy.CT 374.2+2 Sinful mortals are not to claim titles and sinlessness that belong to God, but to bow low before His exalted holiness and greatness.Lt 71, 1895, par. 33–34+1 Those entrusted with sacred things and with God's work learn from this to serve with fear, conversion, and humble service.Lt 71, 1895, par. 33–34+1

Pardon comes when a seraph touches the lips with a live coal taken from off the altar.7T 153.3–154.1+4 By that touch iniquity is taken away, sin is expiated and purged by the refining Spirit, and peace is given.8T 281.1–4+3 The cleansing that began with conviction is thus completed for lips and heart.7T 153.3–154.1+2

Only when so cleansed and relieved is a person fitted to be sent.7T 153.3–154.1+2 Then to the voice asking whom shall be sent and who will go, the answer rises, Here am I; send me.7T 153.3–154.1+3 That fresh communion with God, with lips touched by the live coal, empowers the bearing of truth to the people.Ms 37, 1902, par. 4–9+1

The remembered greatness and holiness of Jehovah enthroned above earthly powers strengthens Isaiah for a difficult mission in a time of danger and discouragement for Judah.5T 749.2–751.1+1 He had felt his own inability and inefficiency to meet entrenched evil, obstinate resistance, stubbornness and unbelief.PK 307.1–2+1 He had shrunk from the responsibility as hopeless, tempted in despair to relinquish Judah undisturbed to idolatry and let the gods of Nineveh rule in defiance of heaven, yet the vision fitted him to carry the work forward despite opposition.5T 749.2–751.1+2

The vision belongs to the last year of Uzziah's reign, the year the king died, and it marks the decisive moment of Isaiah's prophetic calling.Ms 126, 1899, par. 32–35+3 He was called then to bear God's messages of warning and reproof to Judah in the face of entrenched idolatry, unbelief, stubborn resistance and obstinate evil.RH Mar 11, 1915+1 He shrank from the responsibility, felt his own inability to meet the situation, feared the stubbornness of the people for whom he was to labor, saw his task as hopeless, and was tempted in despair to relinquish the mission, leave Judah undisturbed to idolatry, and let the gods of Nineveh rule the earth in defiance of the God of heaven.RH Mar 11, 1915+1 The lesson of the chapter calls God's people to take up the urgent work of warning others and preparing them for the day of God.AAC 4.2

What he saw was the Lord of the temple Himself, Christ in divine glory, sitting upon a throne high and lifted up and exalted above all, with the train of His robe and glory filling the temple.Ms 126, 1899, par. 32–35+2 That glory is the Shekinah, the visible pavilion of Jehovah once seen in the holy of holies over the mercy seat, where the high priest entered only once a year on the great day of atonement with the blood of the slain victim typical of the blood of the Son of God shed for the sins of the world.Ms 71, 1897, par. 21–22 Isaiah saw Christ's glory and spoke of Him, and his saying is fulfilled in those who do not believe the report nor see the arm of the Lord revealed, who could not believe because eyes were blinded and heart hardened so they would not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted and be healed.Ms 71, 1897, par. 21–22+1

The temple of the vision is the heavenly sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, where God's throne appears above the ark containing His commandments, surrounded by cherubim and appointed ministers, with glory shining from the Father to Jesus and filling the temple.SG1 158.1+1 There Jesus stands before the ark and ministers for the saints.SG1 158.1 When the inner temple was opened in 1844 and the ark was revealed, those who by faith saw Christ interceding for sinners were shown God's majesty and power, and light from the holy of holies reached His people on earth.4SP 273.2 The same throne vision is echoed in the picture of Christ, the Son of God, seated in majesty above the city of God, with the Father's glory surrounding Him and His presence filling the city and radiating across the earth.4SP 479.2–480.1 Those who overcome will one day see Him as He is.RH Jun 15, 1905 It stands as a vivid scene of heaven's glory, part of the glorious things Isaiah pictures for others to see.RH Jun 15, 1905+1

The vision teaches that God Himself directs His work, and it is to be studied humbly, prayerfully and earnestly for that lesson.Ms 143, 1899, par. 21+2 Workers are to depend on Him for guidance and trust His wisdom to bring order out of what seems intricate and beyond human understanding, rather than seeking human power, authority or control.Ms 143, 1899, par. 21+2 Heaven is closely connected with earth, for the Lord sits enthroned in heaven ruling above earthly events, caring for those loyal to Him.5T 753.3 The destiny of nations and the concerns of His church are in His hands.5T 753.3

He is a positive, personal Being sitting upon His throne in the heavens, high and lifted up, with His glory filling the temple and the heavens.Ms 154, 1903, par. 23–26+1 He is to be exalted, honored and believed in, with His love seen in His created works.Ms 154, 1903, par. 23–26 He is not in a leaf or in a tree, and He is not diffused through nature.4MR 57.1–58.5 Nature is not above God and is not God, but only the work of His hands revealing His power.4MR 57.1–58.5 False and spiritualistic theories that belittle God, bring Him down to human ideas, and almost do away with Him altogether stand against this truth and do not prepare people for judgment, and are not to be placed before students.Ms 154, 1903, par. 23–26+1

Because He is great and holy, exalted far above men and dwelling in unapproachable light, He and holy things are to be reverenced.Ms 174, 1897, par. 25–26+2 No one should dare to speak carelessly about Him, nor curiously discuss where He is or what He is.2MR 320.2–321.1+1 Silence on this point is eloquence, and all the earth should keep silence before Him in His holy temple.2MR 320.2–321.1+1 Coming near to this subject is standing on holy ground, where careless unsanctified feet and shoes must be removed in reverence.2MR 320.2–321.1+1 A right view of His majesty, holiness and glory, before whom angels veil their faces and proclaim His holiness, humbles those who handle sacred things, deepens the fear of offending Him, and prepares the heart to receive His impressions.Ms 174, 1897, par. 25–26+1

The throne reveals perfect and beautiful order in heaven, where everything has meaning under Christ as head.Ms 11, 1850, par. 1+3 That order is perfect, beautiful and lovely.Ms 10, 1850, par. 1 Therefore those before Him must walk carefully, knowing what they do, move in order, have a meaning to everything, and follow heaven's order.Ms 11, 1850, par. 1+3 Minds are to be lifted above self to dwell upon God, the high and lofty One.5MR 227.1–228.4

His exalted authority means people must bow to Him, yield continually to His will, and shape their course by His mind rather than by pride or convenience.Lt 28, 1859, par. 4–6 He is greatly to be praised and honored with thankfulness, which gives hope in God with treasure on high.Lt 7, 1853, par. 6 He is to be loved and His holy name feared, with steady individual faith and trust through evil report as well as good.Lt 152, 1896, par. 9 Every depressing, gloomy feeling is to be banished, faith is not to fail nor become discouraged, and the thought is to be cultivated of never being alone, because all steps are watched by the Lord and encompassed by vigilant angels, while the Holy Spirit makes life trustful, pure, clean and holy and ministering angels bear up the humble contrite ones and revive their hearts.Lt 152, 1896, par. 9 Human beings are part of God's human family as children of the heavenly King, appointed to be members of His royal family.Ms 154, 1903, par. 23–26

This chapter gives God's workmen an important lesson and should be studied humbly, prayerfully and earnestly and taken home to the heart, especially by workers with publications, because God directs His work and they must depend on Him for guidance rather than seek human power, authority or control.Ms 143, 1899, par. 21+2 The vision of the Lord sitting upon His throne brings conviction of unclean lips, cleansing of iniquity and purging of sin by the live coal from the altar, and answer to the call to go, and this representation will be acted over and over again when canvassers press close to the side of Christ, wear His yoke and daily learn of Him.Lt 122, 1899, par. 8–10 In that experience men and women work effectually because they feel they are doing the work of the Lord in ministering to souls who know not the truth for this time, sounding the note of warning in the byways and highways to prepare a people for the great day of God.Lt 122, 1899, par. 8–10

Isaiah's experience is needed by workers in God's institutions so they remain connected with Him, are sanctified through the truth, and can distinguish sacred things from common things.7T 153.3–154.1+1 The sight of the throne high and lifted up with its train filling the temple, with seraphim above crying Holy, holy, holy, brings conviction so that every worker chosen of God says Woe is me for being a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips, and trembles before overwhelming majesty exalted above all.Ms 27, 1891, par. 12–13+1 Cleansing comes when a seraph touches the lips with a live coal from off the altar, taking away iniquity and purging sin by the refining Spirit, and only after that cleansing is a person fit to be sent to hear the voice Whom shall I send and who will go for us and to answer Here am I; send me.7T 153.3–154.1+1 Seeing that glory makes human self-importance and self-righteousness sink away into nothingness, so beholders become contrite and meek, recognizing their own uncleanness and the uncleanness of the people around them, which calls for conversion and humble service even among people trusted with God's work.Lt 71, 1895, par. 35 A right view of His majesty and holiness calls those who handle sacred things to humble themselves and reverence Him, deepens the fear of offending Him, and prepares the heart to receive His impressions.Lt 71, 1895, par. 33–34+1

When teachers depart from the faith and delusions spread, God's people must bear a plain, clear, earnest, powerful message of Bible truth for this time from hearts imbued with the Holy Spirit and lips touched with live coals from the divine altar as Isaiah's lips were touched.Ms 48, 1903, par. 4–6 With shaking posts and smoke, with seraphim covering face and feet and flying and crying that the whole earth is full of His glory, the vision shows conviction as being undone, cleansing by the coal so iniquity is taken away and sin purged, and commissioning to answer Here am I send me.Ms 48, 1903, par. 4–6 That same anointing carries messages of peace and comfort to the sorrowing, disappointed, sad and brokenhearted, fitted by Christ the great Teacher for a good and important work.Ms 48, 1903, par. 4–6+1

Even Moses coming down from the holy mount with face glorified, the high priest coming out from the holy of holies, and Isaiah coming fresh from seeing the Lord exalted with His glory filling the temple never brought truth greater or more precious than the doctrine of the cross and the imputed righteousness of Christ now to be borne.Lt 31, 1892, par. 15–18+1 That message comes not in word only but in the power of God to everyone who believes, and those who bear it must first meet with Christ in fresh communion that cleanses and fits them, be imbued with the Holy Spirit, and derive their efficiency from God rather than moving in their own spirit.Lt 31, 1892, par. 15–18+1

His greatness does not prevent Him from using people as His instruments when they work humbly and seek wisdom from Him, while self-exaltation leaves people vulnerable to Satan's influence.21MR 57.1 Those carrying forward God's work on earth are to keep their eyes fixed on His throne in the most holy place above the ark containing His commandments and surrounded by cherubim and appointed ministers, and receive their orders from Him as His glory shines from that holy place.Ms 7, 1902, par. 7 Human actions and attitudes bear the stamp of what has shaped the mind, whether good or evil; therefore people whose character shows deformity should not be entrusted with leading positions.Ms 196, 1905, par. 4 The train of His glory filling the temple pictures heavenly light that can illuminate the human heart and mind when the curtain over the soul is withdrawn.Lt 61, 1893, par. 4–6 His majesty is exalted above earthly desires, and those filled with God's Spirit are lifted above them and need no stimulants.Ms 54, 1905, par. 14–16+1