The Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat is the only furniture allowed within the Holy of Hollies. The ark was a chest made of acacia wood with a gold overlaid both inside and out. It was to hold three items: a golden pot of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written.
“The atonement cover was the lid for the ark. On top of it stood two cherubim (angels) at the two ends, facing each other. The cherubim, symbols of God’s divine presence and power, were facing downward toward the ark with outstretched wings that covered the atonement cover. The whole structure was beaten out of one piece of pure gold. The atonement cover was God’s dwelling place in the tabernacle. It was His throne, flanked by angels.”
[http://the-tabernacle-place.com/articles/what_is_the_tabernacle/tabernacle_ark_of_the_covenant]
Years ago, I was shopping in a Christian bookstore in which was papier-mâché facsimile of the tomb in the garden. I looked in and saw the empty slab on which Jesus's body would have rested. While shorter than the resting place of Jesus, is the bare slab and the two angles a facsimile of the mercy seat? Would the Mercy Seat be a fitting throne for Jesus on the Bema Judgment seat and during the Millennium? Absolutely, as perhaps His blood was still dripping onto the original garden slab. No more requirement for blood from sacrificed animals as Jesus paid the final price!
Paul tells of being like the wise master builder, 1 Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." All else is wood, hay, and straw which will be burnt. Thinking freely, all that is worthwhile is the Mercy Seat of pure gold as the wood in the Ark would decay do as wood, hay, and straw. As for the gold overlay, not long lasting as I can attest to with jewelry.
Jesus will be seated on the Mercy Seat as He judges the survivors of the Tribulation. On this, the Bema Seat of judgment, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats depending on their treatment of Israel. Believers will have their Inheritances and Rewards judged/ burnt as being analogous to gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, stubble.
As an aside, CM lists five Biblical references to the Bema seat of Judgment. The first four are pass and the final judgment is yet to come. Maranatha!
“• Pilate judging Christ, Matthew 27:19
• Herod (smitten by worms), Acts 12:21
• Gallio sentencing Paul, Acts 18:16,17
• Festus: trial, sentencing Paul, Act 25:6,10,17
• Judgment Seat of Christ, Romans 14:10”
[CM's Inheritance & Rewards]
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