[FROM HEAVEN TO THE ARK OF THE COVENANT]

[REVELATION 5:4-6]

4    And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5    And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6    And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. “

 

When God came down to earth in human flesh, he came to:

(a).  reveal his mercy to the penitent Sinner

(b). Bring his wrath unto them who cling to evil. [Rom 2:2-11]

All men are given equal opportunity, because all have sinned and none is righteous.

At the fall, in Eden, God meted out judgement against sin and transgressions. He punished Satan first as the author of sin. He punished Eve for being lured into sin which broke God’s continuity program. He also punished Adam for becoming a partaker of the same.  This was God revealing himself not only as a HOLY GOD, but AS A JUST GOD TOO.

God had told Moses that he is also plenteous in mercy . He did not only punish involvement in sin, but he provided a permanent cure for sin. Throughout The Old Testament God provided a temporary solution to bring forth God’s Mercy whenever sin was committed again.

For the first time in Eden, and as a way to restore fellowship again between God and man, an Animal, a Ram, was slain by God Himself. Its shed blood was to testify that death had been executed as a penalty for sin. Until the coming of Jesus Christ, millions of Bulls, Lambs, and goats had died as substitutory offerings for the sins of man. Fellowship with God was only possibly under the blood.

GOD’S MERCY SEAT MOVED THREE TIMES EVER SINCE:

1. First, it moved from Heaven to The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant which Moses was instructed to make in the wilderness journey.[Here The High Priest Met with God]

2. Then it moved to The Heart of The Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God in Flesh, The Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.[This was The Fullness of The Godhead in one man]

3. Finally it moved from the heart one man, Jesus Christ to the Hearts of The True Believers of The 7 Church Ages. [It started with Ephesus on the Day of Pentecost]

 

REV.CHAP.4.PT.2.24.ELDERS_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 585-643  SUNDAY_  61-0101

230    Now, he... John, where's John standing? At the court. Let's just read just a little farther here so you get the picture.

And out of the throne proceed lightnings... thunders... voices: and there was seven lamps of fire... (Wait till we get to that.)... burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God...

Reflecting the Light of God into the church, right straight from the throne of God. Not through a seminary, not through some bishop; but from the throne of God by a revelation of the power of His resurrection, making Him the same yesterday and forever. Them seven stars standing there reflecting that Light, the Shekinnah Light, from the Shekinnah Glory from the holiest of holy. Seven lamps on fire, setting on top of these candlesticks, reflecting His Light, His colors of His power of His resurrection, right into the church. Amen. Hm.

And before the throne... was a sea of glass liken unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and around about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

And he goes ahead and he begins to give this--these beasts, the same thing Ezekiel saw: them guards, one like a man, one like a lion, and one like the eagle. What was it? Now, watch, when we bring them in and show that Lion of the tribe of Judah and all those different ones out of their tribes, that set on four walls, and they were guarding this mercy seat. Oh, what a picture. Oh, I just... There's great days ahead.

 

REV.CHAP.4.PT.2.24.ELDERS_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 585-643  SUNDAY_  61-0101

233    As we seen them... Now, that was God's throne in heaven. Moses patterned it on earth, was God's throne because His judgment seat was represented here on earth IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES. God... All Israel come to that one place to find mercy, 'cause God only met under the shed blood.

Now, listen close. Then the Shekinnah glory raised from that mercy seat one day, and it settled on another Tabernacle (Amen.), this One, "The Father judges no man, but He's committed all judgment to the Son": God's Judgment Seat. "You speak against Me, it'll be forgiven you," speak another--another One coming, another Mercy Seat. Speak... You can speak against the Son of man, and I will forgive you; but someday the Holy Spirit will come to dwell in the hearts of the people, one word against It will never be forgiven."

REV.CHAP.4.PT.2.24.ELDERS_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 585-643  SUNDAY_  61-0101

235 It keeps getting more severe and more severe all the time, the judgment, 'cause God's continually wearing His patience out, trying to get sinners to come to Him to be reconciled.

       - First, He was in the heavens above and shining in the stars.

       - The second, He was on earth shining through the Shekinnah Glory.

       - Next, He come and was made flesh and dwelled among us, still wearing His patience. Then He redeemed ma      n by His Blood, came into His church in the form of the Holy Ghost, and speak against That it's a finished thing, done.   

Now, you can see where the shaking comes. We're at a time they don't realize. People can't comprehend what it means.

REV.CHAP.4.PT.2.24.ELDERS_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 585-643  SUNDAY_  61-0101

237 -     Now, the first throne was in heaven, judgment seat.

       - The second throne was in Christ;

       - The third throne is in man.

A PLACE FOR MERCY was established on earth as shown to Moses in Heaven. Moses was instructed to build a Tabernacle consisting of three sections, or rooms:

The outer Court; The inner Court; and The Holiest of the Holy. In the Holiest of the Holy, Moses was instructed to put:

       1. The Ark of the Covenant.[Where The Mercy Seat was]

       2.The 2 Cherubims, on the Ark of the covenant; (Guards to the Mercy Seat);   

       3. The 2 Tablets of Stones, ( The 10 Commandments or The Law)

       4. The Golden Pot, (Where The Hidden Manna was kept unto all generations)

       5. Aaron’s Rod That Budded. (where dead wood is quickened to live again)

The High Priest was to go in to the Holiest of the Holy, once a year with Blood of Bulls to find mercy for himself and for the people: He had to be washed first. He had to be dressed right, and had to walk right.

[LEVITICUS 16:11-14]

11    And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which [is] for himself:

12    And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring [it] within the vail:

13    And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony that he die not:

14    And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

 

That seven times sprinkling of the Mercy seat by Aaron speaks of Mercy to The 7 Church Ages. God’s mercy would not cease until all The Elect of the 7 Church Ages were brought in and saved. By this therefore, we know that there are only 7 Church Ages, in The New Testament. They are foreshadowed as the SEVEN LAMP STANDS. [Rev. 1:20], with Christ moving in their midst [Rev 1:13]. And there are ONLY SEVEN STARS, or SEVEN MESSENGERS, one for each Age. The Seven Churches are foreshadowed and listed to us in Rev. 1:11, as: EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMOS, THYATIRA, SARDIS, PHILADEL PHIA and LAODICEA. These were actual churches in The Near East. Each one of them bore the nature and characteristics of the church Ages to come. Therefore they were prophetic. And their respective messengers were: Paul, Irenaeus, Columba, Martin, Luther, Wesley, and William Marrion Branham.

 

In the Old Testament, sacrificing animals was God’s way of extending mercy to His people for sins. It was the practice from The First Exodus to The Day Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary.

       - At the River Jordan, He, The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of world was first washed.

       - After being washed, the fullness of The Godhead descended upon him and abode in him.

       - From that time until his cry on the cross “FATHER, FATHER WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME”  he had become the Temple in which The Father or The Holy Ghost came to dwell and to reveal and manifest himself.  Hence He was God’s Throne on Earth,

       - For testing and trial, he was led into the wilderness. He defeated Satan with: “It is written”

       - When he passed the test, he came to the Synagogue to proclaim and to begin the fulfillment of [Isaiah 61:1; and the first portion of [Isaiah 61:2].

       - Jesus Christ or IMMANUEL became God’s Mercy Seat for us. [God in Human Flesh] He went about doing good, healing the sick, saving the savable, opening the eyes of the blind, restoring hearing to the deaf, opening the mouth of the dumb, delivering the demon possessed,  making whole the lepers, and  raising the dead.

       - Here is GOD’S MERCY SEAT, IN HUMAN FLESH.

With the blood of bulls still being offered, The Sin Question was not yet settled. But on The Good Friday, The Law giver Himself went to Calvary. He was wounded, bruised, pierced, cut, bled and died.

Then he was buried. While he was out of sight for those 3 days and 3 nights:

       - He completely disarmed Satan down in his prison territory, hell.

       - Jesus set free all those that Satan took as captives, and made captivity captive.

       - He also went down to the unbelievers of Noah’s days and preached to them The 3^rd Pull.

       - On the 3^RD day, or Easter Sunday, very early in the morning at sunrise, The Spirit That forsook him on the cross came back to the body, and raised it up again according to Scriptures.

[PSALMS 16:9-10]

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

       - Death was conquered and swallowed up in victory

       - Grave was conquered and could not hold him.

       - Satan himself was decisively defeated and he is waiting to be sentenced to total annihilation.

       - Jesus prevailed over all of Satan’s claims

       - Sin was conquered and pardon was given to whomsoever will accept it by faith.

       - Jesus showed himself alive for 40 days, doing the same things he did before he died.

       - On the 40^th day, He ascended to heaven after instructing his disciples to wait in JERUSALEM FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER.

       - Another brand new Mercy Seat was getting ready for inauguration.

       - 120 Believers, including Mary were in one accord in the upper room praying and waiting.

       - When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, [50^th Day] after his resurrection, He poured a measure of himself into each of their hearts.

       - That out pouring of himself was a promise to them, their children, to those who are afar off, as many as The Lord our God would call.

NOW A BRAND NEW MERCY SEAT WAS INAUGURATED :

REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 645-716  SUNDAY_  61-0108

326 ... Now, watch. Each head of three tribes guarding the mercy seat, the mercy seat of the Old Testament... Now, have you got that down, everybody?

Now, here's a brand new one, brother. Listen to this, then we'll go. Now, remember, that was the guards of the Old Testament. How many's ever read it in the Bible, you know that that's right? See, that's the guards of the Old Testament.

 

REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 645-716  SUNDAY_  61-0108

328 Now, we're living in another age. Glory. Oh, I love this age. Don't you? Now, God has a mercy seat today to be guarded. You believe that? Where's the mercy seat found? In the heart of man. Where did it come in the heart of man? At the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost (which is God) come into human hearts. Is that right? Now, let's mark this down here, and get ready to draw it if you want to. Pentecost, P-e-n-t; I'll put: Pentecost. THIS IS THE MERCY SEAT, the Holy Ghost. Put in here... I'll tell you what, make it more appropriate, let's put in here the "Dove" which means the bird. See? All right, guarding the mercy seat, now has God got guards for the mercy seat today? Now that... Now, watch how beautiful it's drawed out.

 

REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 645-716  SUNDAY_  61-0108

... Now, Pentecost, after Pentecost, wrote a Book of what? Acts of the Holy Ghost, A-c-t-s. Is that right? What does the Acts start off with, the first thing to enter into salvation? Acts 2:38. Who's that last one...?... Is that right? They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and begin to speak with other tongues. And Peter stood up and preached them a sermon. They said, "What can we do? How are we going to get into that?" He said, Acts 2:38, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ."

 

REV.CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 645-716  SUNDAY_  61-0108

331 Now, remember, God's got some guards for that mercy seat. What is that mercy seat guard? All right. M-a-t-h, Matthew, on the east; Luke, Mark, and John. All of their four Gospels vindicate the Book of Acts to come; they guard it anywhere you want to look at it.

 

THE 7 CHURCH AGES WOULD BE THE 7 MERCY SEATS:

REV.CHAP.4.PT.2.24.ELDERS_  JEFF.IN  ROJC 585-643  SUNDAY_  61-0101

279... Now, you see what... Where's the throne at now? In the heart. In the heart of who? The members of the Seven Church Ages, Christ. "Speak a word against their action, you're condemned." You'll answer for it in the day of judgment. And who will judge the earth? Saints shall judge the earth.

Who did Daniel see coming with tens of thousands times ten thousands? The Saints. The Books were opened, sinners. Another Book was opened, which was the Book of Life, the sleeping virgin. Oh, my, can't you see that? The sleeping church, them that went out to meet the Bridegroom and let the Oil go out of their lamp; never entered into This, never let Christ take control so He could work miracles and speak with tongues and do wonders and things to prove that He lived in His church.

 ALL THE 7 CHURCH AGES WOULD BE COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.

REV. CHAP.4.PT.3.THRONE.MERCY. JEFF. IN  ROJC 645-716  SUNDAY_  61-0108

103 ...

[LEVITICUS 16:14] “14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.”

 

Oh, isn't that beautiful? "Seven times towards the east." What is it? The seven church ages shall be covered by the Blood. Hallelujah. Jesus Christ's Blood just as sufficient, yesterday, today, and forever, and to every age, to save every sinner, heal every sick person; bring every miracle, every sign to pass:

"Seven times." Way back yonder in the Old Testament, fourteen hundred and ninety years before Christ come, think of it. Symbol...

[LEVITICUS 16:15]  “15. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:...”

 

HOW MERCY SEAT MOVED FROM ONE AGE TO ANOTHER:

Brother Branham has clearly outlined it in the this excerpt as follows:

FIRST.SEAL.THE_  JEFF.IN  MONDAY_  63-0318

126-3  {61}    ... He come in the first age, the Ephesians Age, revealed, sent the messenger. Notice what happened as we go along.... Here's the plan of it:

       - The first thing happens; there is an announcement in the heavens first. What happened?

       - A Seal is opened. What is that?

       - A mystery is unfolded. See? And when a mystery unfolds,

       - then a trumpet sounds. It declares a war. Or a plague falls,   

       - and a church age opened. See? What is the war part?

       - The angel of the Church catches the mystery of God, not fully yet revealed, but when he does, he catches this mystery of God,

       - and then he goes forth to the people (after the mystery has been given to him), goes forth to the people. What does he do out there?

       - He begins to proclaim that message, and what does it start? A war, a spiritual war.

FIRST.SEAL.THE_  JEFF.IN  MONDAY_  63-0318

126-5  {65}  And then -God takes His messenger with the elect of that age, and lays them away asleep,

       - and then He drops a plague upon them who rejected it: a temporary judgment.

       - And then, after that is over, then he goes on,

       - and they denominate, and bring in denominations, and start off with that man's work like of  Wesley and all the rest of them, and then it gets all in a scrapple again;

       - and then another mystery comes forth. Then what happens?

       - Another messenger arrives on earth for a church age. See?

       - Then when he arrives, he trumpet sounds. He declares war. See? And then what happens? Finally then he's caught    away. And then when he's laid away,

       - then plague falls destroys them. Spiritual death hits the church and she's gone, that group.

       - Then He goes on to another one. Oh, it's a great plan until it comes to that last angel.

Once the elect of each age have been called in, God laid them away to wait for the rapture.

[Please continue in part 2].

Pastor Martin Tombe. Restored Bible Truth Assembly.