The World's Most Mysterious Disappearance
Solved in ONE MINUTE!
Chapter 4 referred to the famous ark of the covenant, the subject of the popular fictitious movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark." A truth of the movie is that there really was an ark and that it really was lost! The fate of this ark is "the world's most mysterious disappearance." That is because there has never been a man-made object or artifact that has been as revered as the ark of the covenant. God Himself gave it special protection. Then all of a sudden-whoosh!-it was lost in history.
Or was it? I believe I have discovered the location of the ark and why it has never been found! In fact, I am convinced. You will be amazed at the answer. You may even get to see it someday!
The Background
The ark was a wooden chest 3.75' long, 2.25' wide, and 2.25' high. God directed Moses to construct it in about 1491 B.C. Its purpose was to contain the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. It had a golden lid called the Mercy Seat (Hebrew for "cover"). It was placed in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle where God manifested His special presence.1 Only the high priest could enter this awesome place. The high priest entered with sacrificial blood to sprinkle on the Mercy Seat. He represented all the people outside who depended on this procedure to remove the guilt of their sins. There is profound and prophetic significance to this and why God would only reveal Himself above the Mercy Seat, or "cover."
As described in Chapter 4, the tablets of the Ten Commandments (the law) within the ark were constantly before God's presence testifying to the guilt of all the people. They represented God's holiness and perfect standard of behavior. But the blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat "covered" and negated these accusations, even before reaching God. This blood "covering" was another prophetic symbol of the true Lamb, the Messiah, who was to come in the future and shed His own blood to "cover" the sins of all people everywhere. When applied, Messiah's blood covers and cancels the accusations of the law against a person. The law is eternal, and its accusations are correct and true against every human who ever lived. No one has ever complied with it perfectly; however, the blood covering invalidates the charges by shielding them from God. Because of the blood, He never even hears the accusations. It is as though they don't even exist.
Such an action is not arbitrary or without logic and rationale. The blood covering shows that the penalty has already been paid. The penalty for violating God's law is death, the Bible says. The blood covering represents that death. The Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) paid that penalty for every human by His substitutionary sacrifice for our sakes. Jesus is the eternal high priest who entered the Holy of Holies of heaven representing all people of all nations. He placed His own blood on the Mercy Seat before God as our "covering." His blood silences the accusations of the law against us. We become forever "not guilty."
The above is included to demonstrate the awesome importance and significance of the ark of the covenant. It was treated with the utmost fear and respect. On one occasion an unauthorized person touched it when he was not supposed to, then fell dead. God required his life. It was so holy that absolutely no mistakes were to be made regarding its handling and use.
Well, what happened to the ark? It was used by the Israelites for hundreds of years and suddenly it was no longer mentioned in history. Scholars believe that it was lost when the Babylonians captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C. But what was its fate? Was it destroyed, or was it kept and hidden by its captors? Because it was so holy, would God actually allow its desecration?
Because it was so revered, it is very strange that no one, not even a Jewish writer, mentioned it again. And, of course, it has never been found by archaeologists. It has been a great mystery for about 2,500 years.
Popular Theories
The whereabouts of the ark is not without opinions and speculations. Below are some of the more popular theories.
1. Some claim the ark is presently known by Israeli authorities to be beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and cannot presently be revealed due to the political situation. As I recall, respected Bible teacher Chuck Missler has mentioned this. His teaching on this is available at 1-800-546-8731. See http://www.khouse.org.
2. In his 1988 book, Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny, author Grant R. Jeffrey claims to document that the ark has been in Ethiopia since Solomon's day, taken there by Solomon's son, to preserve it during a time of apostasy in Israel. Jeffrey has since said that, through a deal with Ethiopia, Israel has been able to obtain the ark and has it in hiding in Israel, although I have not seen this confirmed. His book is available in bookstores. J.R. Church of Prophecy in the News magazine also has said that the ark has been in Ethiopia, but Church believes the ark was taken there through Egypt by exiled Jews.
3. The apocryphal book, II Maccabees, chapter 2, verses 4 and 5, records that the prophet Jeremiah placed the ark in a cave on Mount Nebo. While II Maccabees is not generally accepted as inspired Scripture, that does not mean the information about the ark is necessarily incorrect.
5. Some believe that the Roman Catholic Church has the ark hidden in the Vatican, but I am not aware of any evidence of this.
6. The most interesting claim is that of the late archeologist Ron Wyatt, who claims that he found the ark while digging beneath Golgotha, right below where there is evidence of the location of Jesus’ cross, a crack in the rock structure, and with blood found on the Mercy Seat which DNA tests show to be a person without a human father, which would have been Jesus, the Lamb of God, of course. Many do not believe that Ron is credible. His materials are available at Wyatt Archeological Research, 2502 Lynnville Hwy.,Cornersville, Tennessee, 37047, telephone: 931-293-4745. See http://www.wyattmuseum.com.
Where the ark really is!
I believe that I have discovered the actual present location of the famous ark! In fact, there is not a doubt in my mind as to where the ark is at this moment. It is cared for, specially preserved, and in absolutely perfect condition.
Here's the answer...
The One Minute Solution
I have evidence that the ark and its contents-the tablets of the original Ten Commandments given to Moses by God-are actually located in heaven! How did it get there? I believe that the ark was literally "taken up" into heaven the same way that Enoch3 and later Elijah were taken up.4
This is not just a personal opinion. I discovered it in the Bible, the Word of God. I was shocked when I found this, but it's very clear. The Book of Revelation tells us:
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple.5
That seems clear to me! The ark is in heaven!
I may be wrong, and one of the above theories may be correct, but I believe this is where it is. That would explain why it has been considered "lost" and why it is such a mystery. No wonder it hasn't been found. Maybe it wasn't meant to be found.
Even if there are claims that it has been found, we may never know if it is the original, genuine ark, or a replica, as Jeffrey posits in his book mentioned above.
As to my claim, I once shared this discovery with a friend who had an advanced degree in biblical studies. He replied, "But I always thought that verse was metaphorical and not literal."
I said, "Well, maybe, but I'll tell you what. Let's just see. I'll bet you that when you get to heaven you will find the ark there just like it says." He didn't have an answer or take the bet. Of course, I was joking about a bet, but it made my point. I have no reason to suspect that the description is not literal. I believe that is exactly where the ark is at this moment.
Why would God take the ark and its contents directly to heaven? Well, no one knows. But I have a good idea. First, I believe it is because the ark and its contents, the tablets of the Ten Commandments, are so sacred. But more importantly, I believe it is God's plan for the presence of the ark to be an eternal testimony for the citizens of heaven-a testimony of the eternal blood covenant. It will be a reminder that He gave His own blood to "cover" the accusations of the law against His people. Not a bad reminder.
I hope it is there, for whatever reason. I want to see it. Then I want to say, "Thanks, Lord, for what you did for us. It's really great to be here."
See you there! Really, I'm counting on seeing you, whoever you are.
Look for me. I'll be the one with the big grin.
Be sure and tell me you read this book.
Benediction for all readers of this book:
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ;
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."6