Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

[Trivalee]

Like many, I continue to wonder what became of the Ark of the Covenant?

The last reference to the Ark is in 2 Chron 35:1-6 under king Josiah. John saw visions of an Ark in heaven in Rev 11:19; this raises the question whether it is the same one built by Moses or another? Personally, I don't believe the one in heaven is the same one on earth if we remember that most things on earth are shadows and reflections of the real deal in heaven.

Hebrew 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, see, said he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to the in the mount.

The whereabouts of the Ark has been an unending subject of debate for generations. There is no record of it falling into the hands of either the Babylonians or Assyrians during the exiles. Therefore, is there any possibility of it been recalled by God to heaven or is it still on earth? Isn't it inconceivable that the only physical symbol of God's presence with man could be so inexplicably unaccounted for?

[Cloudwalker]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

The prevailing theories that I have heard are (these are not in any particular order)
1) It was carried off by the Queen of Sheba in Solomon's time and now is in Southern Egypt/Ethiopia
2) It was hidden in hidden tunnels by the priests before the temple was destroyed
3) It was carried off by priests to some unknown location
4) It was taken into heaven

[Stonesoffire]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

It is hidden....maybe because the true ark that all mankind can "board" will be focused on in this age of His kingdom on earth?

The spiritual ark that gives us true safety from a satanic flood of evil is only the body of Jesus Christ.

[jayne]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I don't know where the Ark of the Covenant is. But for the entire time of the Second Temple - for all those centuries, the Ark of the Covenant was not there. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple empty because the Ark was gone?

The Temple still functioned just like it should to my knowledge - but I may be wrong on that, too.

With it being made of organic material and only overlaid in gold, it may not be in good shape today - if it is still here at all.

[Fenris]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I don't know where the Ark of the Covenant is. But for the entire time of the Second Temple - for all those centuries, the Ark of the Covenant was not there. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple empty because the Ark was gone?

Correct. In 63 BC when the Romans invaded Jerusalem they forced their way into the Temple. They cut down by the sword the priests who would not stop their duties even under order. And then they entered the Holy of Holies, expecting to find...something. Instead it was empty, as befits the One true God who may not be seen.

The Temple still functioned just like it should to my knowledge - but I may be wrong on that, too.

It did.

With it being made of organic material and only overlaid in gold, it may not be in good shape today - if it is still here at all.

The Talmud says it's buried under the Temple Mount. The book of 2 Maccabees says it was hidden by Jeremiah on Mount Nebo.

[hawkman]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Aksum, Ethiopia but no outsiders get to see it . Article to readhttp://www.slate.com/articles/life/w..._covenant.html

[Tony P]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I have no idea where it is, but two possibilities stand out to me.

1. It was taken to heaven before Nebu destroyed the first Temple. Just as John sees in Revelation.

2. It is still here on earth and will be brought forth by Messiah. Given what is coming soon to the world (Ezekiel 38-39), could there a better time in all of history for the Arc of the Covenant to be found by Messiah than when Messiah fulfills the Covenant made with Abraham? Could you imagine a more gratifying experience for the remnant of Jews who witness Messiah than the reemergence of the Arc? That would fill their heart with gladness for a thousand years.

Number 2 is my favorite, although purely speculation.

[birdy]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Like many, I continue to wonder what became of the Ark of the Covenant?

The ark of the covenant and Noah's ark are two arks we see in the Bible. They provide a picture of the same thing really, and that is the eternal covenant God has with the true believers. When we see the ark of the covenant in heaven in Revelation it is also a picture of the same thing. God is just using parable language to talk about the eternal covenant with his true believers. It is just like when Jesus rides a white horse with the sword coming out of his mouth. It is parable language. The sword is not a physical metal sword but just the word of God. The horse is not a physical animal here but is the people of God. When Rev 11 says there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament, it means that God's eternal covenant with his people (his temple) is seen in them by their existence in Christ spiritually, by God having saved them. Noah's physical ark boat and the Old Testament ark box contraption have probably physically degraded or disappeared by now and if they still exist pysically it doesn't really matter at all. They don't get used in some kind of physical future experience or ritual. There is not some kind of time when suddenly the physical ark box contraption gets used again. These physical things were written about just as a pattern to help understand the nature of the lasting spiritual salvation.

[shepherdsword]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I have no idea where it is, but two possibilities stand out to me.

1. It was taken to heaven before Nebu destroyed the first Temple. Just as John sees in Revelation.

2. It is still here on earth and will be brought forth by Messiah. Given what is coming soon to the world (Ezekiel 38-39), could there a better time in all of history for the Arc of the Covenant to be found by Messiah than when Messiah fulfills the Covenant made with Abraham? Could you imagine a more gratifying experience for the remnant of Jews who witness Messiah than the reemergence of the Arc? That would fill their heart with gladness for a thousand years.

Number 2 is my favorite, although purely speculation.

When Jesus returns the last thing anyone will be thinking about is the Ark:

Jer 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

[follower777]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

The ark is the true gospel carried today on the shoulders of sanctified ministers of the new covenant.

[Trivalee]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I don't know where the Ark of the Covenant is. But for the entire time of the Second Temple - for all those centuries, the Ark of the Covenant was not there. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple empty because the Ark was gone?

The Temple still functioned just like it should to my knowledge - but I may be wrong on that, too.

With it being made of organic material and only overlaid in gold, it may not be in good shape today - if it is still here at all.

If it's still on earth, it will still be in pristine condition. Remember that God preserved the clothes of the children of Israel for 40 years in the desert that wear and tear had no effect on them? I agree with your conclusion though; if it is still here at all--it will still be in perfect condition, for God will look after his own tabernacle.

[Fenris]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

If it's still on earth, it will still be in pristine condition.

Yeah it's not really a normal physical object, and shouldn't be thought of as one. Just touching it could kill a person. So I don't think it would be subject to normal wear and tear either.

[undertheblood]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

I read that the High Priest (yes they have one now) have seen the Ark of the Covenant and at the proper time will reveal it.

[John 8:32]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

Right where it has always been...

Rev 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

The Ark in the Temple was simply a copy or model...

Heb 8:5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "SEE THAT YOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN."

Heb 9:23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

[Tony P]

Re: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

When Jesus returns the last thing anyone will be thinking about is the Ark:

Jer 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

Don't forget the very next verse.

3:17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord"

This is after the Millennium in the NHNE.