"The Mercyseat" - To

 "And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly." (Hebrews 9:5 KJV)

  "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!" (Isaiah 9:2-7 NLT)

 Imagine you were able to witness the birth of Jesus, knowing full well who He was and why be came to be born on this earth, seeing Him, as a little innocent baby, laying in a manger. Those who had the chance to see Him, had to be totally and completely amazed!

 Well, this is the picture I see from these two cherubim, as they bow their heads, face to face, looking down onto that mercyseat, as an illustration of those Heavenly Hosts, gazing down upon that manger, and witnessing the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORD's, laying in that manger, as a newborn child! Can you imagine what that might have looked like, if you were one of those angels? No wonder they were so excited to celebrate and burst into song; they knew full well what He came for and all that He would be going through; it was all written and recorded for all mankind to know, so I have no doubt that they knew every detail of what would happen. 

 There is something else about this lid, this mercyseat, which covers that ark; the children of Israel were shown God's amazing glory and power, having lived through so many miraculous wonders, some of which many who read about it, don't really believe. This might not be easy to understand, but God placed a lid on the people of Israel, making a way for the Gentiles to be saved. It's not that He stopped loving them, or abandoned them, because He would never do that; but He did make a way for them to see the light, which will be the Light that would be shinning from the Gentiles! 

  Here is the promise given to Abraham, when God said, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." 

 That was the promise for all the world to be saved, which the angels also proclaimed! As well as the prophecy of Simeon, who was told he would see the Messiah before he would die...

 "That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" Jesus' parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."" (Luke 2:27-35 NLT)