shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true
sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven.

In the temple in heaven, the dwelling-place of God, His throne is
established in righteousness and judgment. In the most holy place is His
law, the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested. The ark that
enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the mercy-seat, before
which Christ pleads His blood in the sinner's behalf. Thus is represented
the union of justice and mercy in the plan of human redemption. This union
infinite wisdom alone could devise, and infinite power accomplish; it is a
union that fills all heaven with wonder and adoration. The cherubim of the
earthly sanctuary, looking reverently down upon the mercy-seat, represent
the interest with which the heavenly host contemplate the work of
redemption. This is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to
look,--that God can be just while He justifies the repenting sinner, and
renews His intercourse with the fallen race; that Christ could stoop to
raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin, and clothe them with
the spotless garments of His own righteousness, to unite with angels who
have never fallen, and to dwell forever in the presence of God.

The work of Christ as man's intercessor is presented in that beautiful
prophecy of Zechariah concerning Him "whose name is The Branch." Says the
prophet: "He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon His [the Father's] throne; and He shall
be a priest upon His throne: and the _counsel of peace_ shall be between
Them both."(677)

"He shall build the temple of the Lord." By His sacrifice and mediation,
Christ is both the foundation and the builder of the church of God. The
apostle Paul points to Him as "the chief corner-stone; in whom all the
building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in
whom ye also," he says, "are builded together for a habitation of God
through the Spirit."(678)

"He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for
the fallen race. Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones
will be, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
blood, ... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever."(679)

He "shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His
throne." Not now "upon the throne of His glory;" the