Hebrews 9:1-14 Verse 5

“...over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.”

    Once each year during the law age the High Priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or the temple and make the atonement offering for the sins of Israel. The High Priest wore a breast plate with twelve stones on which were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This symbolized the carrying of the children of Israel next to his heart into the most holy place with him. He also wore an ephod which positioned the names of the children of Israel on his shoulders. Thus symbolically carrying them like a baby into the very presence of God. Sometimes when everything was done right the Lord’s face glowed with delight over the mercy seat! Psalms 80:1 “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cheubim, shine forth.”

    All of this was symbolic of the future work of the LORD JESUS, our Great High Priest, when He was to appear in the very presence of God after His death and resurrection to make the final atonement with His blood for the sins of mankind.

    One of the most remarkable things that took place as Jesus died was the renting of the veil in the temple that hung between the Holy and the Most Holy places. Mark 15:37 “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to bottom.” Until this time in history no one but the high priest of Israel even dared go into the Holy of Holies. When he went in once a year they usually tied a rope to his foot just in case he died they could drag him out without going in to get him and risk dying themselves.

    But now with the torn veil the Most Holy place is open to all comers. It was torn by the hand of God. Had man torn it he would have torn it from the bottom to the top. Heb 4:16 “Let us there- fore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

     This refers to the real mercy seat in the holy of holies in heaven itself. Revelation 11:19 “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

    This is where Jesus entered right after His resurrection as our Great High Priest. Hebrews 6:18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Ephesians 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men 9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

    Jesus personally paved the way for us. A forerunner was a man that was put in a small boat off of a ship that was in a severe storm. They would put the anchor of the ship tied to a rope in the row boat and the forerunner would row to shore and anchor the boat in the safe harbor so the ship could weather the storm. Jesus entered the Most Holy sanctuary in heaven and sprinkled His blood on the mercy seat thus anchoring the souls of all the saved. Therefore; all of the saved will weather all the storms of life and make it safely to heaven’s bright shore!

    When a king was victorious on a foreign battlefield he would gather the spoils of war and chain the prisoners of war together and march them home. As he marched his captives though his land he would make a big show of his victory and distribute the spoils of war to the citizens along the road side watching the parade.

    Jesus arose from the grave and told Mary not to touch Him. He ascended into hell as a warden goes into his prison. He chained the devil and demons and paraded them through the skies in a great victory march. I don’t know if He moved paradise; but He sure moved the inhabitants of hell!

    He entered the Holy of Holies in heaven and sprinkled his precious blood on mercy seat as He made the final atonement. Hebrews 9:23 “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others. 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” The shechiah light never shone brighter!!! Psalms 80:1 “... thou that dwellest between the cheubim, shine forth.”

    Since the way is clear and there are no hindrances we are to come boldly into the very presence of God. Don’t be fearful, don’t be shy, don’t be timid, nor hesitant. Don’t even be afraid of spiritual highs. Come bask in the glory of God. Come one, come all to the very throne of grace and into the presence of the creator. The veil has been torn and the final atonement has been made and there awaits a glorious welcome for you.

    I can see it clearly now! The veil has been rent and the mercy seat awaits you. Oh, mercy seat! Oh, mercy seat! Come one, come CHURCH ON THE ROCK Matthew 16:12-20 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 

I. THE RIGHT FOUNDATION 

    The foundation is the most important part of a building. If the foundation is weak a building will not stand for long. Jesus did not build His Church upon a pebble like Peter. He established His Church upon a solid rock foundation. The foundation that Jesus build upon was Himself who was the eternal Rock of Ages. His Church was established upon an everlasting, indestructible, and unshakable footing. The strongest part of the church upon the rock is its foundation. 

II. THE RIGHT MAN

    The true church was not built upon a fickle human being. It was build upon God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told Peter upon this rock. What rock? Jesus was referring to Peter’s previous statement --“Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.” In essence Jesus was saying, I will build my church upon myself, I will build my church upon my deity, I will build my church upon rock solid fact– the fact that I am God. I am the eternal Rock of Ages in human flesh! Peter wasn’t old enough to be the foundation of the church. But Jesus is because He is the Ancient of Days and the eternal Rock of Ages.  

III. THE RIGHT MATERIAL

    The Church on the Rock was build with the very best material. The Lord never all and find what you need in the very presence of a holy and righteous God.

    If Paul didn’t give the theological reason for the cherubims then I certainly cannot give it. Hebrews 9:5 “...over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” But I know what to use them for—hand holds!

    So, when you come to the time in your life when everything and everyone is against you and life is utterly impossible, come to the throne of grace, the mercy seat, and grab hold and hang on until the answer comes. HOLD ON UNTIL THE LIGHT GLOWS! HOLD ON UNTIL THE FACE OF GOD SHINES ON YOU!!! HANG ON TIL YOU GET GOD’S APPROVAL! 

    Then you will let go in order to cover your eyes from the blinding light. Even then the light will be too bright. You will be able to see the outline of the bones of your fingers. Come and get your life changed! Get a foretaste of glory divine. “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”