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Does the Ark of the Covenant Exist? – Viral Believer
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Does the Ark of the Covenant Exist?

Introduction

The Ark of the Covenant is an artifact that has fascinated people for centuries. Mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament, the Ark was a sacred chest that contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded.

It was a symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites and represented His covenant and His law. However, the whereabouts of the Ark are unknown, and there is no concrete evidence of its existence today.

As Evangelical Christians, the Ark of the Covenant holds a special significance in our faith. We believe that it represents the covenant that God made with His people and the law that He gave them. We also believe that it points to the ultimate symbol of God’s presence among us, which is Jesus Christ.

In this blog post, we will explore the history and significance of the Ark of the Covenant, and examine whether it still exists.

We will delve into the history of the Ark of the Covenant, including its construction during the time of Moses and its placement in the Temple in Jerusalem. We will also discuss the significance of the Ark, including its association with miraculous events and its representation of God’s presence among His people.

Finally, we will examine the search for the Ark of the Covenant and explore the various theories about its whereabouts. Through this exploration, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the Ark of the Covenant and its importance in our faith as Evangelical Christians.

Ark of the Covenant

The History of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was first built during the time of Moses, as instructed by God Himself. The specifications for the Ark were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, along with the Ten Commandments.

According to Exodus 25:10-16 (NKJV),

“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.”

The Ark was carried by the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness and was kept in the tabernacle until the time of King Solomon. Solomon built the first Temple in Jerusalem, and the Ark was placed inside the Holy of Holies.

The Ark remained in the Temple until it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It is unclear what happened to the Ark after the destruction of the Temple, and there are several theories about its fate.

The Significance of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites. It represented the covenant that God had made with His people, and the Ten Commandments that were inside the Ark were a reminder of God’s law.

The manna in the Ark represented God’s provision for His people, and Aaron’s rod that budded was a sign of God’s choice of Aaron and his descendants as priests.

The Ark was also associated with several miraculous events. For example, when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, the waters parted when the priests carrying the Ark stepped into the water.

The Ark was also carried around the city of Jericho, and the walls of the city fell when the priests blew their trumpets and the people shouted.

The Search for the Ark of the Covenant

Over the years, many people have searched for the Ark of the Covenant, but no one has been able to find it. There are several theories about where the Ark might be, but there is no concrete evidence to support any of them.

Some people believe that the Ark was taken to Ethiopia by Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. According to this theory, the Ark is kept in a church in Axum, Ethiopia, and is guarded by priests who are not allowed to leave the compound.

Others believe that the Ark was hidden in a secret chamber beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. However, there is no evidence to support this theory, and excavations of the Temple Mount have not revealed any evidence of the Ark.

Some have suggested that the Ark was destroyed or lost during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. It is possible that the Babylonians destroyed the Ark along with the Temple, or that it was taken as booty and lost over time.

There are also theories that the Ark was hidden by the Knights Templar or the Freemasons, or that it was taken to the Vatican and is now kept in a secret vault. However, there is no evidence to support these theories, and they are largely based on speculation and conspiracy theories.

The Importance of the Ark of the Covenant Today

While the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant are unknown, its significance remains. The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence among His people, and it represented His covenant and His law.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and the covenant, and that He is the ultimate symbol of God’s presence among us.

In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as the High Priest who entered into the true Holy of Holies in heaven, not made with hands, with His own blood, once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12 NKJV).

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection made it possible for us to have eternal life and to be in the presence of God.

As Christians, we do not need the Ark of the Covenant to experience God’s presence. Through Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites, but we have the Holy Spirit living within us (1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV).

Conclusion

The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most mysterious and intriguing artifacts mentioned in the Bible. Its history and significance have captured the imaginations of people for centuries, and many have searched for it over the years. While its whereabouts are unknown, its importance remains.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate symbol of God’s presence among us, and that through Him we have access to the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites, but we have something even greater – the presence of God living within us.

While the Ark of the Covenant may never be found, we can still learn from its history and significance. We can remember the covenant that God made with His people, and the law that He gave them. We can be reminded of God’s provision and His choice of Aaron and his descendants as priests.

And most importantly, we can remember that through Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and that we can experience His presence in our lives today.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.