“Lost” Ark? God Forbid!

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Is the Ark of the Covenant lost, or just carefully hidden and preserved?

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By DJ Maxwell

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The Ark of the Covenant was not lost, but strategically placed in a location for a greater purpose. After reading this page and reviewing the referenced links you will know the greater purpose for the location of the Ark of the Covenant, containing the 10 Commandments and covered by the mercy seat.

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), was a very entertaining movie. The movie’s plot developed from a fable that the Ark was taken out of the Temple in Jerusalem (built by Solomon in 957 B.C.) and moved to an Egyptian temple. Then, that entire Egyptian temple was buried by a massive dust storm only to be discovered by the “Raiders”. Spielberg’s movie is pure Hollywood entertainment. I enjoyed the move, watching Indiana Jones many times over the years.

Speculation of the Ark’s location abounds. There are “scholarly” assessments that the Ark of the Covenant was taken out of the Temple, moving the Ark to Ethiopia or another "safe" location. Many authors and speakers on the subject present options, conjectures but these are not based on Scriptures and the Law.

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We do know from several accounts that Nebuchnezzer’s army besieged Jerusalem between 558 and 586 B.C. The Babylonian Chronicle and 2 Kings 24:10-16, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Jeremiah 52:29 record the historical events.

After the Babylonian siege, the Temple was destroyed and many of Hebrews were taken into captivity – including a very young man named Daniel. Jeremiah, the prophet of God at that time, was left behind to provide spiritual leadership to the people remaining in the rubble of the conquering army. Soon thereafter, many of the Hebrews left behind fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them. They all seemed to have died in Egypt.

There are no accounts of the Ark of the Covenant or other Temple artifacts central to sacrificial worship within the Temple built by Solomon in the possession of priests, prophets or anyone after the Babylonian destruction of the Temple. The Ark simply “vanished from the face of the earth”.

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The Law of God

(The Torah = The Law = Old Covenant ~ written within the Old Testament.)

The Ark was designed by God with a holy purpose and is a sacred thread woven into Scriptures.

“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a

half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold…And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.

You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end…And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel” (Exodus 25:10-22, ESV).

The requirements (works), to remove sin is also explained in the Torah (the Law), as we read in the book of Leviticus. A lamb without blemish (sexually pure) was to be slain and the blood of that lamb applied onto the horns of altar.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11, NKJV).

You see, the Ark of the Covenant is essential to fulfilling the Law given to Moses after the first Passover when the Hebrews began their journey to the land of promise. The Ark is also evidence of God’s promise (Old Covenant) between God and His chosen people – the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Temple built by Solomon was destroyed, while the Ark of the Covenant containing the 10 Commandments was saved by Jeremiah and the Temple priests.

The first Passover gives us a dramatic account of the blood of a male lamb required to provided deliverance (a covering from God’s wrath), which fell upon the home of the first born son that did not have faith in applying the sacrifice to their doorway. The following is a summary of the first Passover by John Parsons from his website Hebrew for Christians.

"God commanded that on Nisan 10 (Shabbat HaGadol) each head of the household should set aside a young male lamb which should be examined for blemishes which might disqualify it as an offering. Interestingly, this period of time allowed time for each family to become personally attached to their lamb, so that it would no longer simply be ‘a lamb’ (Exod. 12:3) but rather ‘their lamb’ (Exodus 12:5).

On the afternoon of the Nisan 14 the lambs were to be publicly sacrificed by the "whole assembly" (Exodus 12:6). And even though the entire nation was responsible for the death of the lambs, each family was to apply the blood of their personal lamb upon the doorpost as a sign of their faith in the Lord’s deliverance (Exodus. 12:7)".

Please follow this link, containing exceptional Hebrew religious and cultural content – should you desire to learn more about the required sacrifice of the Old Covenant (the Law) within the Old Testament.

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/index.html

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The Lamb of God

(Lamb of God = New Covenant ~ written within the New Testament.)

You may recall reading John the Baptist’s proclamation when he saw Jesus (Yeshua is His Hebrew name), walking towards him for baptism:

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins if the world!" (John 1:29).

No one but Jesus fully understood what John the Baptist said the day He was baptized. It was not until the first blessed "Easter", when Jesus Christ claimed victory over sin and death that the world began to learn the meaning of John’s proclamation.

Peter, a witness to the ministry and resurrected Christ, describes how the Lamb of God ransomed us on that blessed Passover:

“You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18–20, NKJV).

Jesus was holy, without sin. No original sin was in Him from conception (born of a virgin), and no sin as a result of His own actions or behaviors all the days of His life. Jesus makes this statement as recorded by the Apostle John, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46, NKJV).

The answer to His question is no one.

No one ever convicted Jesus of sin, breaking any Roman law or God’s Law. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22, NKJV; confirmed in Hebrews 4:15 and by Paul in Romans 8:3).

When John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” he means every person in the world (Hebrew and Gentile) is saved from the second death (eternal separation from God, suffering eternal torment), when they believe that Jesus is their Messiah, placing their trust in Him (Psalm 23 and John 10).

To as many people as receive Him, confessing with their mouth and believe in their heart that He is their Messiah (John 1:12), their sin (a law breaking condition from birth) is taken away (John 1:29; 1st John 3:5), and the wrath of God (eternal judgment) is removed or passes over Believers (John 3:36; 1st John 2:2).

All who receive Him as Savior and Lord are made the children of God (John 1:12), given eternal life (John 3:16), by His mercy and grace through Christ Jesus. Therefore, believe in Jesus (Yeshua), as the Lamb of God – your Savior and Lord. Then you will say with the apostles, “…the blood of Jesus [God’s] Son cleanses [me] from all sin” (1st John 1:7).

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Remember, the Ark and mercy seat are essential to fulfilling the Law along with the blood sacrificed lamb without spot or blemish. This sacrifice (“works”) made on Passover must be acceptable to God. And, the Law given to Moses requires the priest apply the blood of the lamb upon the horns of the altar (mercy seat), placing the reminder before the altar.

We know that the sacrificial Lamb of God was slain on that blessed Passover. Jesus Christ is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). So now, where do you think the blood of the Lamb, taking away the sins of the world was placed on that blessed Passover?

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:28-30, New American Standard Bible).

The Lamb’s blood flowed down that Roman cross for 3 long hours into the rock of Golgotha. Down into a cave/grotto where the Ark of the Covenant was laid in hiding – placed exactly where it would be required to receive His precious blood, fulfilling the Law (Old Covenant), redeeming God’s people, all Believers (Hebrews and Gentiles), establishing a New Covenant in His blood as we read in the New Testament (Romans 3:25; Colossians 1:14, 19-21; 1 Peter 1:1-3; 1st John 1:6-8).

The requirement of God’s Law was met by the Word made flesh, our Messiah (John 1:1-18). The blood of the Lamb was applied that blessed Passover, in a holy place designated by God under that old rugged cross (with the extraordinary, remarkable assistance of Jeremiah and Temple priests so many years before), onto the Ark of the Covenant.

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The Witness of God

The Ark of the Covenant is now the witness (evidence) of God’s "Devine Promise" ~ His Old and New Covenant.

Very soon, God will soon call forth His witness (the Ark) presenting His testament (physical evidence) of both the Old Covenant (the Word/His Law), and the New Covenant (the Word/His Blood), for His people (Hebrews and Gentiles) to realize that all are welcome to receive His mercy and grace.

“This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this – that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

And the testimony is this – that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1st John 5:6-10, NASB).

On the day when the Ark is brought forth, His children and our brethren will see God’s testimony (evidence), comprehending that the Messiah came as the Lamb and will soon return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Maybe now we can see the prophetic meaning within the book of Joel, when that day comes.

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you— the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month [Nisan or March/April].

The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil" (Joel 2:21-24, NKJV).

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Archeological Evidence

If these Scriptures and linkages presented herein are not proof enough for you to identify the location of the Ark of the Covenant, then watch these videos regarding Ron Wyatt’s’ archeological finds. Ron uncovered the location of the Red Sea crossing, Noah’s Ark and the Ark of the Covenant.

There are two links that I ask you to watch. The first link is a very good summary of the Ron’s Ark of the Covenant discovery with an added piece of information on the “Temple musical instruments” and other “items” under the care of those responsible for Temple worship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG-IwEWo-zI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Ron’ complete work, locating the Ark of the Covenant, is documented/recorded within this link.

http://ronwyatt.com/new_written_account.html

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Of course, Ron’s discoveries are not headlines and productions for Discovery Channel or History either. Life Magazine reported Noah’s Ark location in a 1970’s publication and there are several YouTube videos of this location.

But, God TV has not presented evidence that the Ark of the Covenant was placed under the cross, fulfilling the Law. So all of this research and writing must not be accurate or truthful, right?

Maybe all the above is false teaching? There is enough false teaching going around today by many "credible" and "scholarly" authors, pastors and teachers. Maybe a pastor or teacher after reading this post seeks to find the Truth for themselves, asking the Lord to teach and led their studies of the Word. That is the best way to understand Scriptures, relying on Him more and others less.

Well, should you not believe Ron’s archeology work or the testimonies, and you don’t believe the Scriptural passages (Old and New Testament) as proof texts presented within this post, or maybe because this information was not produced by God TV – delivered by a recognized, creditable bible scholar or preacher so that you doubt the credibility of this posting, okay. Please send me a thoughtful comment with your reply.

However, should you find this inspiring, please share this post, linking it to others, spreading the Good News!

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End of the Age and His Soon Coming

There are reasons for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought forth very soon. The evidence for this revelation is also found in Scriptures.

Some students of the Word suggest that we are the fig tree generation (Matthew 24). The fig tree is Israel (UN proclamation of 1947) and a generation is 70 years (Psalm 90:10) = 2017.

Jesus tells His disciples (Matthew 24) that all things that He outlines within that chapter will be fulfilled by the end of this particular generation, including His return. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?

You can do the simple math, taking away 7 years (Daniel’s week) from 2017 to determine that we are so close to the end of the age, His return and our gathering up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Some students think Daniel’s time line began October 9, 2009 with a midpoint of March 2013 and before Passover, and ends during one of the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Atonement or Tabernacles) in 2016. No one knows the exact day and hour of His return and the end of the age.

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I am confident God TV and all news media will broadcast the Ark of the Covenant announcement and the events that follow. Dignitaries (religious and political) will be there too.

Some of those dignitaries may gain access; standing close to the Ark. Someone will be seriously close to the Ark of the Covenant, fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel as Jesus told His disciples (Matthew 24).

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Do you know Him, the Lamb of God? This video shares a special message. Please watch and listen.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/yzqTFNfeDnE?showinfo=0&rel=0

I implore you, starting today – begin to comprehend the Armor of Light (Ephesians 5:1-7) and the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:1-20), the power of His blood (Hebrews 9 and 10), preparing your testimony. “We overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony…” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV).

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a Great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean (the Blood of the Lamb) from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (the Word). Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:19-25, NASB).