Ark of the Covenant

Creation Date: 10-Dec-2018
 

Last updated: 27-Jan-2023
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Sections

1 What is the Ark of the Covenant? 2 Mercy Seat
3 Tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant 4 Ethiopia Location?
5 Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar? 6 Possible Locations
7 Vendyl Jones and the Temple Sacrificial Equipment 8 Scripture Reports Ark Never to be Found?

What is the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant was built as a replica of the real Ark of the Covenant in Heaven, that was always there as read in Revelation 11:19. 

The Ark of the Covenant Construction

  1. Framework was made of Shitim or also known as Acacia Wood.  This is the same wood that made up the Burning Bush that Moses witnessed at Mt Sinai. 
  2. It would be covered with pure gold on the outside and inside.
  3. Had four rings, cast with gold, that were used with two long poles, known as a Staves, on each side to carry the Ark of the Covenant.  The Staves were used by men to carry the Ark of the Covenant so that the Ark was not touched. 
    (a) No one could touch the Ark, when the Shekinah Glory of God was there, or they would die. See 2 Samuel 6:6-7.
    (b) The penalty of death for touching the Ark of the Covenant, was because God was represented as being present there.  Note that all of us have potentially gone to a church that seemed to be absent from the presence of God.  Conversely, Israel would have felt the presence during the times when God was present by the Shekinah Glory.
    (c) The Tabernacle, that was used with the Ark of the Covenant and discussed further in this topic, was also another symbol of separation from Israel and the Holiness of God. 
Revelation 11:19 And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Exodus 25:10-22 10 And they shall make an ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. 12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four feet thereof; and two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 And thou shalt make staves of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, wherewith to bear the ark. 15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
Exodus 25:40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which hath been showed thee in the mount.
2 Samuel 6:6-7 6 And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

The Ark of the Covenant contained:

  1. The Ten Commandments that were tablets of stone.
  2. Golden Pot that contained manna, Hebrews 9:4
  3. Aaron's staff was put in front of the Ark of the Covenant as described in Numbers 17:10, and was possibly also put inside later, Hebrews 9:4.
Numbers 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die."
Hebrews 9:4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Purpose of the Ark of the Covenant:

  1. To store the Ten Commandments that were tablets of stone as inspiration for Israel to know that God was for them.
  2. To be led in marching to the Promise Land
  3. To be used in battles for victory and safety.
  4. To be stored in the Holy of Holies in the permanent future Temple.

Mercy Seat

The Mercy Seat is the covering to the Ark of the Covenant.  It was pure gold with two pure gold Cherubim covering the Mercy Seat with their wings spread out toward high.  The heads of the Cherubim were facing one another but looking down towards the cover.
 
Exodus 25:17-22 17 "Make an atonement cover of pure gold-two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.

The Mercy Seat has a great deal of symbolism:

for sins that occurred.   The important point is the knowledge to Israel that all sins had remedies that were only temporary for a sin, where new sins required additional sacrificing, restitution and in some cases capital punishment.  The Ark of the Covenant was the visual representation and much more.

One of the key verifications on finding the Ark of the Covenant would mean it would have the Mercy Seat on top of it.  This would be one way of several of proving and authenticating the Ark of the Covenant if it were to be found.

The symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant points to Jesus Christ' gift of Salvation through the Cross, which is the final payment that granted permanent mercy by righteousness.

Tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant

In Exodus Chapter 26, Moses is instructed to make a portable Tabernacle with curtains of fine linens of blue, purple and scarlet that separated the tent entrance from inside the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept when not traveling.  The Tabernacle was also known as the Holy of Holies.  When the Temple was in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was part of the Temple and it had the same curtains of fine linens as a separation barrier to the entrance inside the Holy of Holies.

Biblical Scholars point out that the symbolism of the ornate curtains, around the portable Tabernacle tent, was also to remind Israel of the separation between them and a Holy God.  (The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ removed this barrier as discussed shortly.)  The Tabernacle was to resemble the vision given to Moses in Exodus 25:9, along which is confirmation in Hebrews 8:5 and Acts 7:44.

Exodus 25:9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
Exodus 26:1
(read chapter)		 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou make them.  ...
Exodus 26:30 Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.
Hebrews 8:5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Acts 7:44 Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

The Portable Tabernacle, was like the future Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem, as it was the place for God to dwell when with Israel.  It pointed to the Messiah with the multiple references pointing to the blood sacrifice in the times of the Levitical Priesthood before Jesus Christ, and then what Jesus Christ did with the real Tabernacle in Heaven after His death on the Cross.

Notice in Hebrews 9:21-24 the reference of Jesus Christ entering the Heavenly Sanctuary, that had a replica made on Earth.  In Revelation 15:5, we learn that the Apostle John sees the real Tabernacle in Heaven's Temple.

Hebrews 9:21-24 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God s presence.
Revelation 15:5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law and it was opened.

The curtain of fine linens that separated the Holy of Holies, inside the Temple at Jerusalem, from the rest of the Temple areas, was torn in two when Jesus Christ died on the Cross, as noted in Matthew 27:51 and Mark 15:38.  The message that God the Father was sending to us:

  1. Jesus Christ's death took away the separation of God from us by the payment on the Cross for those who would accept Salvation.  Formerly, the Holy of Holies not only contained the Ark of the Covenant but it was the place that God would come and stay when Israel was following, seeking and worshiping God as they were instructed through the Levitical Laws. 
  2. The requirements of being under many of the specifics in the Mosaic Legal System was no longer in effect after the payment of Cross by Jesus Christ.  Note that there were several other things that happened that also ended the Levitical Priesthood, which is discussed more in the topic on the Law.  Jesus Christ became our High Priest, Hebrews 10:21, after the order of Melchizedek. 
  3. The idiom of the curtains being torn, represented the new direct fellowship we have with God that was not available before.  The curtain torn illustrated that there was no longer a barrier to direct fellowship with God.  Israel was subject to blessings by obedience to the Law.  Through the payment of Jesus Christ on the Cross, we had a better covenant that gave us the ability to go directly to the Thrown of God through prayer in Jesus Christ's name and have the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us with our own Spirit part, Hebrews 19-22.
Matthew 27:50-51 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
Mark 15:37-38 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Hebrews 10:19-22 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Ethiopia Location?

There have been legends and news stories that the Ark is currently being held in Aksum, Ethiopia at the Church of the Our Lady Mary of Zion.  There have been several well-known Missionaries and Evangelists who have claimed to have viewed it.  All are very suspect in their ability to know whether it is the real Ark or a copy.  The best witness is Dr. Edward Ullendorff who viewed the Ark of the Covenant, held at Our Lady Mary of Zion in 1941.  His statement on the Ark held there:

  1. It is a replica.
  2. It is in poor condition.
  3. It is not anywhere near the age of the original Ark of the Covenant would be if it were it.
  4. The wooden box is empty.
Note that there are two additional reasons that this author also believes that this is not the real Ark of the Covenant:
1.  The real Ark of the Covenant would be beautifully, ornately, abundantly and gloriously covered with gold.  No one, who has seen this object in Ethiopia, has mentioned anything it being richly covered with gold.
2.  If the real Ark of the Covenant was there in Ethiopia, with gold richly covering it, then invading armies over history at some point would have already stolen it.  There is no possibility of a small group of one or more Ethiopian guards being able to stop a priceless treasure from being taken from them.  After it was stolen, it would end up in a museum somewhere for us to see it now, just like so many other treasures from countries that invading armies took.  As an example, the Egyptian people and government have been demanding for decades the return of all of their treasures that were taken during excavations of the times of the Pharaohs.

Ullendorff states that he viewed the Ark during World War II after forcing his way into the guarded area at Our Mary of Zion with British Soldiers after conquering the area from the Italians in 1941.  From a page on Gordon Franz's website at www.lifeandland.org.

** Click here to see information about Michael Hiltzik.  Click here for article on this from Hiltzik 1,

Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar?

There is a theory by some sources that believe the Ark of the Covenant was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.  This would not have happened in this author's opinion, as Nebuchadnezzar took possession of all religious artifacts, from conquered lands, that were made of precious metals back to his private museum.  This occurred, in the first siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoikum, when the Temple was plundered.  Additionally, no conquering army would destroy gold treasures that could be taken and moved.

In the Book of Daniel, we learn that Belshazzar, 2nd ruler of Babylon after the true King Nabonidues, has Holy Items from the Jerusalem Temple brought out for use, from the museum of treasures in Babylon.  This occurs at his party, Daniel 5:3, before the famous hand writing on the wall incident.  Notice the reference to golden vessels, which shows that the vessels were not destroyed, so why would a gorgeous treasure box of the Ark of the Covenant be destroyed or melted down by a King, such as Nebuchadnezzar, who already had plenty of gold.  Throughout history, conquering kingdoms always brought back treasures from lands that they conquered. 

Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

Possible Locations

There have been several reports over the years that the Ark of the Covenant is located:

  1. In the Church of the Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum, Ethiopia which has been proven wrong by Dr. Edward Ullendorff, as mentioned earlier in this topic.  Also note that there was no mention of Gold surrounding the counterfeit Ark of the Covenant at the Aksum, Ethiopia location which is the first sign of the deceptive forgery.  Gold does not fade or melt off over time.
  2. Hidden in tunnels near or maybe under the old Temple Mount.  This is the location of the perceived Jewish Temple, which is where the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque is currently located. 
    (a) Many Biblical Scholars have pointed out the Temple was not located where the Dome of the Rock is located.  This author agrees. 
    (b) Some research work has speculated the Dome of the Rock is located possibly in what was the Court of the Gentiles, which is outside of the original Jewish Temple.
    (c) Note that back in 1990s, this author heard about secret excavations being done by Israel Archeologist underneath the area where the Dome of the Rock is located.  Therefore, if there was any potential, it should have been found by now.
  3. Hidden and/or buried in a remote and sealed cave, in the wilderness, with the Temple Sacrificial equipment before the Roman Siege of 70AD.  Note that there have been Christian messages going around on cassette tape and MP3s, for decades now, that the famous Vendyl Jones had found the cave where Temple Sacrificial equipment was buried that may also find the Ark of the Covenant as discussed further in this topic.
  4. Hidden in a sealed tunnel underneath the real location of where the Jewish Temple was located before the Temple was destroyed during the Roman Siege of 70AD, which began of April 14th, 70 AD.  This was three days before the Passover began.
    (a) This is not underneath the Dome of the Rock. 
    (b) Note that Rome decided to literally destroy everything Jewish in Jerusalem after the siege was over and to wipe out anything that resembled or reminded anyone of the former Jewish presence.  According to writer Josephus, who witnessed the siege, over 1.1 million of Jews in Jerusalem were killed, that included men, women and children.  This was most likely a fear by Sanhedrin in Jerusalem that would have made the hiding of the Ark of the Covenant a preceding event.
    (c) There are many archeological theories that show the Temple is different from the perceived theories.  This author will add some references at a later date.  No one can simply rely on traditions to establish a location, so it has to be based on some types of evidence.
    (d) One part that can be mentioned, is the research that was done concerning the location of the Roman fortress inside of Jerusalem, which was located near by the old Temple.  The Pharisees were concerned about the Romans watching any Temple sacrifices and ceremonies, so their request to have the fortress built away from the ability to view was granted.  Therefore, establishing the location of the Roman location was part of the research required.  It is this author's understanding that the Roman fortress location has been established, which would make the Dome of the Rock impossible to have been the location of the Jewish Temple.

Many Biblical Scholars believe that the Ark will be found, and it will be used by Jesus Christ as a Judgment seat in the Millennial Kingdom.  This author believes this to be the case as well as Noah's Ark will be found, which according to the scriptural text's directions that Noah's family descended, indicates it is in the mountains of modern-day Iran.

Additionally, Biblical Scholars mention that the last time the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned is in 2 Chronicles 35:1-6.  This author feels, that just because the last time the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned is in 2 Chronicles, does not mean it was lost after that point. 

In the non-canonical book 2 Maccabees states that the Prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant in a cave.

2 Maccabees 2:5-8 5 And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense, and he sealed up the entrance. 6 Some of those who followed him came up to mark the way, but could not find it. 7 When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: The place shall be unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy. 8 And then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated.

Vendyl Jones and the Temple Sacrificial Equipment

Excerpt from Vendyl Jones topic:

There is a very interesting man named Vendyl Jones that has had a very remarkable life that involved many fascinating experiences in Israel.  There is a belief by some that he is the inspiration for the fictional character Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark, based on archeological work that Vendyl was doing using a Copper Scroll found in Cave #3 at Qumran West Bank Lebanon.  Vendyl believed the Copper Scroll is a treasure map to the location of the Ashes of the Red Heifer and other Temple Sacrificial Equipment which may include the Ark of the Covenant. 

The significance of the Ashes of the Red Heifer, Numbers Chapter 19, was it was used in ceremonial cleansings of the Priests and others.  Some believe, as possibly Vendyl believed, that when the ashes were almost gone, then the ashes were part of the ceremony of obtaining ashes from the next Red Heifer.  This author cannot find any documentation on the requirement of dumping the ashes from the previous ashes onto the fire that creates the next ashes from a Red Heifer.  Regardless, it is possible that this was a tradition that was not written down.  There is a great deal more that can be said, but in short, it would be an important find to locate the last known Ashes to be used in a future Temple opening.

We know from the scriptures, that there will be a future Temple in Jerusalem, where there is not one now.  This Temple in Jerusalem, has to be rebuilt and operational, in order for the future Abomination of Desolation to occur in the Tribulation Period. 

Note that this author, back in the 1990s, heard a cassette tape being passed around that was by an Evangelist, concerning Vendyl Jones and his work accomplished which included claims that Vendyl had found a secret cave where the Temple sacrificial equipment was found, using a photo copy of the Copper Scroll.  The Copper Scroll was one item that was found with the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, albeit from a different era.  Part of the cassette tape lecture contained the following information:

  • The Copper Scroll is a manifest of the Jewish Temple sacrificial equipment with additional information that was encrypted in equal distance lettering. 
  • The Jewish Temple sacrificial equipment was taken out of the Temple to be safely hidden before the second continuation of the 70AD Roman Army siege of Jerusalem that eventually succeeded in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem with the killing of the inhabitants.  The siege was interrupted which had the Roman Legions temporarily allowing limited entrance/exit of Jerusalem because of the death of Caesar.
  • The Copper Scroll mentions that the Jewish Temple sacrificial equipment was buried in a cave with a Temple Priest's burial place.
  • Vendyl located the area where the sacrificial equipment by decoding a hidden message in the Copper Scroll while he was in deep prayer back in San Antonio, Texas. 
  • While Vendyl was exploring a cave and near the point of complete disappointment of not finding anything in his numerous explorations of caves, he nearly gave up.  In his exasperation, he hit the floor of a cave he was exploring with his digging hammer which produced an echo sound that indicated a chamber underneath where he was sitting. Next, he realized the floor was a burial place that was covered with ceremonial salt laid on top.  This indicates a burial place of someone of the Levitical Priesthood. 
  • The last part of the Evangelist's message was digging had begun by Vendyl and Jewish Religious authorities under complete secrecy.

It is this author's opinion that the Evangelist's message is most likely true but possibly embellished.  Assuming it is true, the Israeli government and the Jewish religious hierarchy are not going to collaborate or release detailed information on such a delicate subject, which would inflame the Muslim Faith.  By releasing information that the ancient Temple Sacrificial Equipment was found would mean to the Muslim Faith that Israel has plans on rebuilding the Temple on the current Temple of the Mount location that is controlled presently by Muslim Religious authorities.  In several sources in the news, there are plans on rebuilding the Temple, but the location has not been established.

Scripture Reports Ark of Covenant Never to be Found?

Jeremiah 3:16, informs us that the Ark of the Covenant will not be missed which some Biblical Scholars point to the birth of the Church, where Christians will not miss the Ark of the Covenant because we now have our Savior Jesus Christ.  There is the speculation that because of this scriptural verse, the Ark of the Covenant will never be found.

Jeremiah 3:16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, The ark of the covenant of the LORD. It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.

It is the belief of some Biblical Scholars and this author that the Ark of the Covenant will be found.  Furthermore, the Mercy Seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant, will be the place where Jesus Christ will rule from during the 1000 Millennial Kingdom. 

What appears to be the true meaning of the Jeremiah 3:16 passage is Christians, generally speaking, do not have a concern or wonder much about the location of the Ark of the Covenant because we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us through the gift of Salvation where the Ark of the Covenant did have a primary purpose to point to the Messiah which has come for His first mission as the Lamb slain for the sins of the World.

1 Peter 1:17-21 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

What to read next?

What is Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?

Unfortunate Note

Unfortunately, this ancillary comment has to be made.  There is some well intentioned people that are sharing links to articles on the Internet that state the Ark of the Covenant was found under the location of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.   There is a great deal of reasons why this claim, presented as if it has been proven with so many wrong conjectures, is doing an injustice to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. 

A proper scientific approach to an archeological investigation requires many things such as presentation of scientific evidence tools, with results, such as X-Ray imaging, independent team for corroboration and so much more. A primary reason, of many, of why the location is not under the crucifixion site, is the Rabbis would have chosen a place to put the Ark of the Covenant with extreme reverence and in a ceremonial clean / pure place such as a cave with salt surrounding it as a way of ritual cleanliness.