The Holy Places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. John received a view of the temple of God in heaven. He saw there “seven lamps of fire ... burning before the throne.” He saw an angel “having a golden censer.... He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” (Revelation 4:5; 8:3.) Here the prophet saw the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven, and he saw there the “seven lamps of fire” and the “golden altar,” which the golden lampstand and the altar of incense represented in the sanctuary on earth. LF 171.1
Again, “The temple of God was opened,” and he looked past the inner veil into the Holy of Holies. Here he saw “the ark of His covenant,” represented by the chest that Moses constructed to contain the law of God. (Revelation 11:19.) LF 171.2
And so the believers studying the subject found proof that a sanctuary existed in heaven. John testifies that he saw it in heaven. LF 171.3
In the temple in heaven, in the Most Holy Place, is God's law. The ark that holds the law is covered with the mercy seat, in front of which Christ pleads His blood for sinners. These things represent the union of justice and mercy in the plan of redemption, a union that fills all heaven with amazement. This is the mystery of mercy that the angels would like to understand—that God can be just while He justifies the repenting sinner, that Christ could stoop to raise great numbers of people from ruin and clothe them with the spotless robes of His own righteousness. LF 171.4
Zechariah presents the work of Christ as our intercessor: “He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His [the Father's] throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zechariah 6:13). LF 171.5
“He shall build the temple of the LORD.” By His sacrifice and mediation Christ is the foundation and builder of the church of God, “the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:20, 21). LF 171.6
“He shall bear the glory.” The song of those who are saved will be, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 1:5, 6). LF 171.7
He “shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne.” The kingdom of glory has not yet arrived. Not until His work as a mediator is over will God give Him a kingdom of which “there will be no end” (Luke 1:33). As priest, Christ has now sat down with the Father in His throne. Upon the throne is the One who “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” that He might be “able to aid those who are tempted” (Isaiah 53:4; Hebrews 4:15; 2:18). The wounded hands, the pierced side, the marred feet, plead for fallen humanity whose redemption Jesus purchased at such cost. LF 171.8
“And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” The love of the Father is the fountain of salvation for the lost race. Jesus said to His disciples, “The Father Himself loves you.” God was “in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 16:27; 2 Corinthians 5:19; John 3:16.) LF 172.1