Have you ever pondered the profound design, meaning, and appearance of the Mercy Seat atop the Ark of the Covenant? This sacred piece of the tabernacle wasn’t just a place of atonement; it was a divine shadow of something far greater. Its configuration, flanked by two cherubim, points to the unity and co-reign of Yahuah (The Father) and Y’shu’ah (The Son). How do the "two seats, one throne" symbolize their eternal harmony and shared authority? Join us as we explore the depth of this holy design and its eternal significance. The Mercy Seat, the sacred covering of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizes the divine dwelling of Yahuah (God) among His people. Its design, with two cherubim covering the seat with their wings, holds deep theological meaning. It points to the unity and co-reign of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) and prefigures the eternal throne they share. This study explores the significance of "two seats, one throne" as revealed in Scripture, uncovering how Y’shu’ah is the fulfillment of the Mercy Seat, the visible manifestation of Yahuah, and the eternal King who reigns alongside the Father.
Two Seats, One Throne: Yahuah and Y’shu’ah—The Eternal Unity of Father and Son
The Mercy Seat, or Kapporet in Hebrew (כפורת), is a profound element of the Ark of the Covenant and plays a critical role in the worship and theology of Israel. Found in the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, the Mercy Seat holds rich symbolism, including themes of Elohim’s throne, mercy, judgment, and His presence among His people. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant is not merely a relic of ancient Israelite worship but a profound revelation of Yahuah’s redemptive plan and His relationship with humanity. When we consider its design, its foreshadowing of Y’shu’ah HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), and the imagery of Y’shu’ah seated at the right hand of the Father, the connections are both compelling and deeply spiritual.
Scriptural Description of the Mercy Seat
Exodus 25:17-22 provides a detailed description of the Mercy Seat:
"You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat."
This imagery sets the stage for understanding the Mercy Seat as both a physical representation of Yahuah’s throne and a foreshadowing of Y’shu’ah’s role in redemption.
Two Seats on the Throne
Configuration of the Mercy Seat:
The Mercy Seat features two cherubim, their wings stretching upward to form the "backrest" and downward to form the "seat."
Between the cherubim is the symbolic throne of Yahuah, where His presence dwells.
The "left" and "right" positions suggest places of authority and honor, foreshadowing Y’shu’ah seated at the right hand of the Father.
Foreshadowing the Two Seats of the Throne:
In ancient courts, the right hand of the king was a place of equal authority and partnership. The two cherubim with the seat between them signify this relationship.
Psalm 110:1: "The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’" This verse prophesies the exaltation of Y’shu’ah as seated at the right hand of Yahuah.
Y’shu’ah at the Right Hand of the Father
The New Testament explicitly portrays Y’shu’ah as seated at the right hand of the Father, a position of equal authority, honor, and divine rulership.
Hebrews 1:3:
"Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
This emphasizes Y’shu’ah’s divine nature and His completed work of redemption.
Mark 16:19:
"After the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God."
Y’shu’ah’s ascension signifies His glorification and the fulfillment of His priestly and kingly roles.
Revelation 3:21:
"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
This verse reveals the unity and shared rulership of the Father and Son, with Y’shu’ah seated alongside Yahuah.
Equality in the Throne:
The image of Y’shu’ah seated at the right hand does not imply subordination but highlights distinct roles within the divine unity of the Father and Son.
John 10:30: "I and My Father are one." This unity in essence is reflected in their shared throne.
Mercy Seat and Y’shu’ah’s Role
The Throne of Mercy and Judgment:
The Mercy Seat was the place where Yahuah’s presence dwelled and where atonement was made for Israel’s sins through the sprinkling of sacrificial blood (Leviticus 16:14-15).
Y’shu’ah fulfills this role as the ultimate atonement:
Romans 3:25: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith."
The Greek word hilasterion used here for "atonement" is the same word used for "Mercy Seat" in the Septuagint.
Two Cherubim as Witnesses:
The two cherubim on the Mercy Seat mirror the witnesses to Y’shu’ah’s resurrection:
John 20:12: "She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."
The positioning of these angels reflects the configuration of the Mercy Seat, underscoring Y’shu’ah as the fulfillment of this divine imagery.
Believers as the Dwelling Place of Yahuah
The Mercy Seat not only points to Y’shu’ah but also reflects Yahuah’s desire to dwell among His people.
John 1:14:
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." The Greek word for "dwelt" (skenoo) means "tabernacled," indicating Y’shu’ah as the living embodiment of the Mercy Seat.
1 Corinthians 3:16:
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
Believers, through the Spirit, become the dwelling place of Yahuah’s presence, extending the function of the Mercy Seat to the assembly of faithful followers.
The Mercy Seat: The Center of Divine Presence
The Design and Purpose of the Mercy Seat
The Mercy Seat was not merely an ornamental piece but the holiest part of the tabernacle, where Yahuah’s presence would appear.
Exodus 25:17-22:
“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold… And you shall make two cherubim of gold… The cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.”
The cherubim’s wings formed a throne-like structure with two distinct sections, symbolizing shared authority while reflecting divine unity.
The space between the cherubim was where Yahuah’s glory manifested, making it the center of communion between Yahuah and His people.
This sacred design prefigures the shared throne of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah, representing their unity in purpose, essence, and authority.
Two Seats, One Throne: Unity in Diversity
The Heavenly Throne and Its Representation
The two cherubim forming the Mercy Seat symbolize the heavenly throne where Yahuah and Y’shu’ah co-reign.
Psalm 110:1: "The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’"
This prophetic psalm reveals the enthronement of Y’shu’ah alongside the Father, signifying shared rulership and divine equality.
Revelation 22:1-3: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life… proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
The singular throne in Revelation, shared by "God and the Lamb," underscores their unity, even as they fulfill distinct roles in redemption and sovereignty.
The Right Hand of Yahuah
The imagery of Y’shu’ah seated at the right hand of Yahuah reflects co-regency and shared authority:
Mark 16:19: "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God."
Hebrews 1:3: "[He] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Y’shu’ah’s position at the right hand demonstrates His equal authority and honor, reinforcing His divine nature.
Y’shu’ah: The Living Mercy Seat
The Mercy Seat as a Shadow of Y’shu’ah
The Mercy Seat was a foreshadowing of Y’shu’ah’s role as the ultimate atonement for humanity:
Romans 3:25: "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood…"
The Greek term hilasterion, translated as "atonement," is the same word used for "Mercy Seat" in the Septuagint, directly linking Y’shu’ah to this sacred object.
John 20:12: "She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."
This imagery mirrors the cherubim on the Mercy Seat, emphasizing Y’shu’ah as the fulfillment of its symbolism and the manifestation of Yahuah’s mercy.
Atonement Fulfilled
The sacrificial blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat during the Day of Atonement points to Y’shu’ah’s ultimate sacrifice:
Leviticus 16:14-15: The High Priest would sprinkle the blood of a sin offering on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of Israel.
Hebrews 9:12: "[Y’shu’ah] entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."
Through His blood, Y’shu’ah fulfilled the function of the Mercy Seat, providing permanent atonement for sin.
Two Seats, One Throne: The Unity of Father and Son
Scriptural Affirmations of Unity
The shared throne of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah is emphasized throughout Scripture:
John 10:30: "I and My Father are one."
Colossians 2:9: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."
These verses affirm the oneness of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah in essence, purpose, and authority.
The Eternal Throne
The throne imagery in Revelation solidifies the eternal reign of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah:
Revelation 5:13-14: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Both the Father and the Son are worshipped together, confirming their shared divinity.
Revelation 3:21: "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Believers are invited to participate in the divine rulership, reflecting the unity of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah.
Believers as the Tabernacle
Y’shu’ah as the Ultimate Tabernacle
John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…"
The term "dwelt" (Greek: skenoo) directly links Y’shu’ah to the concept of the tabernacle, revealing Him as the dwelling place of Yahuah among His people.
Believers as the Dwelling Place
Through Y’shu’ah, believers are transformed into the temple of Elohim:
1 Corinthians 3:16: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
Ephesians 2:22: "In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."
The Ekklēsia (assembly of believers) becomes the earthly reflection of Yahuah’s throne, carrying His presence and authority.
The Profound Unity of Two Seats, One Throne
The concept of "two seats, one throne" encapsulates the divine harmony of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah’s co-reign. It reflects:
Unity in Essence: Yahuah and Y’shu’ah share one divine nature and purpose.
Distinct Roles: While Yahuah is the source of all things, Y’shu’ah is the agent of creation, redemption, and revelation.
Shared Authority: The throne symbolizes their eternal rulership over creation, emphasizing both unity and diversity.
Conclusion The Eternal Reign of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah
The Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant, with its two cherubim forming left and right seats, prefigures the divine throne shared by Yahuah and Y’shu’ah. This imagery connects the ancient symbols of atonement, judgment, and mercy to their ultimate fulfillment in Y’shu’ah HaMashiach. Seated at the right hand of the Father, Y’shu’ah embodies the unity, authority, and redemptive mission of Elohim, calling all believers to become living tabernacles of His presence. This divine throne, with its shared authority, reflects the eternal unity and purpose of Yahuah’s plan for humanity.
The Mercy Seat’s design, with two cherubim forming one throne, symbolizes the shared dominion of Yahuah and Y’shu’ah. This imagery is fulfilled in the shared heavenly throne, where the Father and the Son reign in perfect unity. Y’shu’ah’s position at the right hand of Yahuah reflects His divine authority, role as the ultimate Mercy Seat, and unity with the Father. Believers are called to live as the dwelling place of Yahuah, reflecting His glory and authority. Together, Yahuah and Y’shu’ah invite us to partake in their eternal kingdom, reminding us of their unchanging unity and unending grace. #MercySeat #ArkOfTheCovenant #Yahuah #Yshuah #BiblicalTruth #DivineUnity #TwoSeatsOneThrone #Tabernacle #HolyOfHolies #BiblicalSymbolism #ScripturalRevelation #MessianicProphecy #EternalKingdom #DivineAuthority #CovenantDesign #BiblicalStudy #HebraicPerspective #FaithAndTruth #MessiahRevealed #GodsThrone #HeavenlyBlueprint #Ephraimscry #GregWitter
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