The Access to the First Mercy Seat (The Old Covenant)
The Lord instructed the Israelites to observe the Day of Atonement once a year, a day to cover the people’s sins as a nation and individually.
Ordinarily and every day, the common priests burn incense in a place called the golden altar, the part of the tabernacle which contains the lamps, table, and bread. Only the High-Priest could enter inside the veil area, with access to the Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, the location of the ark of the covenant suspending the Mercy Seat.
The High Priest goes through many rituals of cleansing himself first with sacrifices of bulls’ blood before entering the Holy of Holies known as the Mercy Seat for the national and individual cleansing of sin. The High Priest would burn the incense, which brings on the appearance of the cloud covering the Mercy Seat- the place of atonement- the throne of God, between the cherubim where God manifested himself for the atonement of the people.
The yearly one-day atonement routine involves the following for cleansing:
The High Priest will enter the Holy place with a bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering.
He shall wear a linen tunic and linen undergarments next to his body, wrap his waist with a linen sash and a linen turban wrapped around his forehead; he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.
He will take two male goats as a sin offering and one ram as a burnt contribution.
He will offer the bull a sin offering for himself and make atonement for himself and his household.
The High priest will present the goats donated by the people before the Lord and cast lots on the two, one for the Lord and the other the scapegoat.
He will offer the one for the Lord as a sin offering. The scapegoat he will he present alive before the Lord to make atonement and send it into the wilderness as a scapegoat. The high priest will slaughter the Lord’s goat and sprinkle it, make atonement for himself, his family, the people, including the altar, and consecrate it. (Leveticus chapter 16),
The New Access to the Mercy Seat (The New Covenant)
Jesus has made new and permanent access to God.
Access to the Almighty during the old testament involved lots of protocol with limited individual opportunity.
The episode at Calvary has made a difference for us all in this New Testament era, the age of grace; by opening the gates of heaven to as many as will wish for a personal relationship with God, and experience unlimited access to the Mercy Seat. The blood of bulls proved insufficiency to eradicate sin or boost relationship with the Almighty because the cleansing of sin only lasted the shortly after atonement, and people readily result in their sinning, but God in His mercy sent the Lord Jesus Christ to make atonement for the whole world once and for all; he became sin (the scapegoat) for us. He also spilled His blood through the battering and death on the cross to reconcile man with God. “And according to the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood, there is no remission.“(Hebrews 9:22).
His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary delivered us from separation from God, the routine dependence on the High Priest for restricted cleansing; now we can come boldly to the throne of God to obtain mercy and find grace to help at the time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:3-4).
Jesus did not only die to cleanse us, but He also deposited His Spirit- the nature of God within us, the nature of righteousness so that we can live the life compatible with the nature of God.
Today we have a high priest who has gone before us, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but be in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrew 4:14-15).
Jesus’ Word at the cross before he died was “it is finished” (John 19:30b). He opened the access to heaven.
The veil of barrier at the temple tore. (Matthew 27:51). God abolished worship rudiments to gain free, uninterrupted access to Him as individuals to the throne of grace- the Mercy Seat. Today He calls us a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s people (1 Peter 2:9).
Hindrances to the Mercy Seat.
Remaining in ignorance to God’s plan of salvation and His Word, is a hindrance to understanding our inheritance in God. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).
Unbelief in His invitation deprives us from the access to the Mercy Seat. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15)
Stubbornness to His call and ways. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
Sinful habits – The Lord, in His anger to the children of Israel while journeying through the wilderness, said He would not go with them any longer, because he was offended by them, but will send His Angel, and they should be careful for he will not tolerate their sin.
The born again has the Holy Spirit within. The Holy Spirit becomes functionless in the face of iniquity. Scripture tells us a life of sin results in a broken relationship with God.
“Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
One who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted his soul to deceit
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He will receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:3-5).
The believer has no scope of making excuses for sin. Many indulge in sin and call it “my fault,” “my habit,” “my generational pattern.” The Lord is able to eradicate our faults, weaknesses, and habits when we walk with Him with all our hearts.
Some Ways to Approach the Mercy Seat.
The scripture advises the children of God to break up the fallow ground, which are those things that cloud us from breaking through the veil that’s now made bare, sow for ourselves the seed of righteousness; and reap in mercy.
Break up your fallow ground,(some dark areas in our lives we refuse to let go and they prevent us from getting more of God) For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12).
Some Examples of encounters at the mercy seat
Everyone encounters various experiences and times we need help, and cry for mercy. Jesus gave the example of a publican asking God for mercy.
The prodigal son strayed away from his father’s guidance and traveled to a far country.
Hannah cried to the Lord to give her a child.
Blind Bartimeus cried to Jesus for the restoration of his sight.
The Qualifications for Mercy Seat
You must be born again. (John 3:16). Live a life of total surrender to the Lord, trust, and obedience to him (John 15:7-11).
Develop a violent faith. “He who must come to God must believe He is, and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”(Hebrew 11:6).
You should be ready to forsake all and follow Him, “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh is not of the father but the world.” (1 John 2:16).
The season of Easter marks the completion of God’s purpose for the birth of the babe at Bethlehem (Christmas).
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11).
Today many hearts and lives are being restored into a close relationship with the Almighty God and live as God’s favorites through the finished work at Calvary. The Angels proclaimed His birth at Christmas, and we experienced the fulfillment at Calvary on Easter day, when He rose up triumphantly from the grave, a Victor, and He ascended into heaven as our Savior, Lord, and intercessor.
If you are reading this post and have not re-connected to the plan of God, for an unrestricted intimacy with Him, ruined at creation by the devil through Adam and Eve; the good news is; there was reversal at Calvary; the walls of barrier between God and human broke through the sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of the human on the cross. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” ( John 3:16).
You may read my post on how to restore your relationship with God once and for all using this link: https://dubenzjy.com/2020/12/27/what-do-i-benefit-from-thisjesus-called-christ