the hidden manna.” (Rev. 2:17) Manna was the bread which came
down from heaven–a life sustainer; so God provides life for all
Israel (the world) that they may live forever–continually eating of
it; but he offers to those who become joint heirs–members of the
anointed boy (all overcomes) that they shall have a peculiar sort of
manna, or life principal, the “hidden manna.” One peculiarity of
this pot of manna was, that it was incorruptible; hence it well
illustrates the immortal and incorruptible condition promised to all
members of the seed-which is Christ.
Here then in the golden Ark, is represented the glory
to be revealed in the Divine Christ; in the budding of the rod,
God’s chosen priesthood; in the tables of the Law, the righteous
law-giver; in the golden bowl of incorruptible manna, immortality
in divinity.
Above this Ark, and constituting a lid, or head of it, was the
Mercy Seat–a slab of solid gold, on the two ends of which, and of
the same piece of metal were formed two cherubim, with winds
uplifted as if ready to fly–their faces looking inward toward the
center of the plate on which they stood. Here, between the
cherubim on the Mercy seat, a bright light appeared, indicating
Jehovah’s presence.
To our understanding that Mercy Seat, glory light, and
cherubim, all together, represented Jehovah God. As with the
Christ, so with Jehovah–He is here represented by things which
illustrate attributes of His character. The light reminds us of Paul’s
word: (1 Tim. 6: 16) God “only hath immortality, dwelling in light,
which no man can approach unto.” Humanity cannot enter his
presence; hence, the priesthood, head and body, represented by
Aaron, must become new creatures, “partakers of the divine nature
(having crucified and buried the human) before they can appear
before that excellent glory.
The slab of gold or Mercy seat, we believe represents the
underlying principle of Jehovah’s character–JUSTICE. His throne
or mercy seat is based upon justice. “Judgment and justice are the
habitation of thy throne.” (Psa 89: 14; Rev. 15:3; Job 36: 17 and
37: 23; Isa. 56:1)
The two cherubim represent two elements of our Father’s
character as revealed in his Word–viz: mercy and love. These
attributes–Mercy, Love and Justice, are in perfect harmony with
each other. They are all made of one piece; they are thoroughly
one: Neither Mercy nor Love can be exercised, until Justice is fully
satisfied: Then they fly to help, to lift up and to bless–They were