In the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle there was a piece of furniture, a chest, called the Ark of the Covenant. Space does not permit a complete description of it. It had rings at the four corners. Staves were placed in the rings with which four priests carried it when the Israelites moved to a new location. Over the Ark of the Covenant was a lid of pure gold, called the Mercy Seat. On the annual Day of Atonement the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat as He confessed the sins of the people.
In First John 2:2 the word, “propitiation,” is used. It is near in meaning to the Old Testament phrase, “mercy seat.” John is telling us that Jesus is our Mercy Seat, our place of mercy. His mercy is sufficient for us when we sin as well as the sins of the whole world. The book of Hebrews calls Him a merciful and faithful High Priest.
“Mercy there was great and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me; there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.”
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