Exodus 51 - No Mercy at Mercy Seat

The Ark of the Covenant is not a boat but actually a sarcophagus, or coffin as we would say, filled with three objects illustrating the Gospel message. The line, commonly called the Mercy Seat, in not a place of mercy but a place of examination for holiness. Only Christ could stand there and He did, for us so we do not have to stand there. However, the lost will have to stand there offering up their "holiness" only to find themselves whisked away to the "fiery angels" to be examined for holiness which will last for eternity since they have none to offer.