Most Holy Place

When God gave instructions to Moses and the children of Israel to build a tabernacle in the wilderness, they were to build according to the pattern God showed Moses in the mount. The tabernacle was essentially separated into three parts: the outer court; the holy place; and the most holy place. According to Ex. 26:33 there was a veil separating the holy place and the most holy place: "And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy place."

Situated in the most holy place was the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, the two cherubims whose wings spanned from one side of the tabernacle unto the other and touched one another in the center. Also within the most holy place was the incense altar upon which the high priest burned incense.

In Ps. 99:1 we are told that the Lord sitteth between the cherubims: "The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved." Furthermore, God promised to appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat (Lev. 16:2) and to meet with and commune with Moses from above the mercy seat (Ex. 25:22). While all of the above has its natural and ceremonial significance to the children of Israel as they accomplished the worship of God under the law service, they were but figures, types, patterns and shadows of the true according to Hebrews chapters 9 and 10. It is only when we look at the antitype of the type that we see the real significance and thus real holiness of these things.

First, the ark of the covenant held the golden pot that had manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant (Heb. 9:4). Thus the ark of the covenant was a type of Jesus Christ. The first thing man did with the tables of the covenant was break them as Moses threw them down when he saw Israel dancing naked to their shame. Next, the tables of the covenant were placed in the ark where they were kept. 
Jesus said in Matt. 5:17, 18, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Jesus was the one who kept the law perfectly. Next, the ark contained the golden pot of manna. Manna was the food that God provided the children of Israel in the wilderness to satisfy their hunger each day. Manna was a figure of God's word.

When Jesus had fasted forty days and nights and afterwards hungered and was tempted of the devil saying, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones be made bread." To which Jesus answered, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." It was Jesus alone who lived by EVERY word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. Additionally, when the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, the twelve princes of the twelve tribes of Israel each gave Moses a rod that was laid up before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness of which Aaron's rod was among the 12 rods. The next day the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds" (Num. 17:8). A dry rod is dead. Thus for it to bud, bloom, and bring forth almonds signifies life from the dead. Jesus is the one who DIED for our sins and subsequently AROSE from the DEAD. Thus we can see that the ark of the covenant was a figure of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Second, the mercy seat represents God's mercy. But how can God be just and punish men's sins and be merciful at the same time? Ps. 85:10, "Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other." God's justice (truth) and his mercy have met together in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Thus it is no wonder that the mercy seat was situated on the ark of the covenant which represented the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The dimensions of length and breath are given for the mercy seat, but no height or depth. This teaches us that God's mercy toward his people is unlimited based on Christ's redemptive work.

Third, the high priest came alone into the most holy place with blood of others, first to sanctify himself, then to sanctify the people.  Jesus, however, as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedec went into heaven itself with his own blood and thru the Holy Spirit offered himself without spot to God. Subsequently Heb. 10:12 14 tells us, "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Fourth, the incense altar was situated in the most holy place before the mercy seat. Rev. 8:3, 4 speaks of this scene, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, 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 before the throne. And the smoke of the  incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." According to Rom. 8:34 it is Jesus "that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Jesus is our intercessor and high priest. Based on his sacrificial atonement for us he makes intercession for us and thus our prayers ascend unto God as a sweet smelling savor for they are savored with the sweet incense of Jesus
atonement and intercession.

Fifth, Jesus sits in the cloud of his glory upon the mercy seat. To him belongs all the praise, glory, and honor, for redeeming us from our sins and manifesting his mercy toward us.

Sixth, the covering veil separating between the holy place and most holy place has been removed. When Jesus died on the cross according to Matt. 27:51, "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom..." Next we read in Heb. 10:19, 20, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." From this we notice that the veil represented his flesh and that through his death the veil is removed that we may see the grand and glorious workings of God toward us.

Seventh, the cherubims, witnesses who viewed the scene with the most holy place, were looking inward. Not it is the duty of a witness to bear witness. These two faithful witnesses, the old and new testaments, have been faithful to declare to the people of God the testimony of God's love, mercy, and covenant work of redemption and his intercession on our behalf to the praise, honor, and glory of God.