THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

The Ark of the Covenant is actually known by four different names in the Scriptures:
*   "the Ark of the Covenant" (41 times between Num. 10:33 and Heb. 9:4).
      -   "the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD" (32 times between Num. 10:33 and Heb. 9:4).
*   "the Ark of His Testament" (1 time - Rev. 11:19).
*   "the Ark of the Testimony" (9 times between Ex. 25:22 and Josh. 4:16).

The Ark was a two and a half cubits, by one and a half cubits, by one and a half cubits box made of shittim wood, covered inside and out with gold (Ex. 25:10-11).  Shittim wood is believed to be from the Acacia tree, a tree common to arid climates, and known for its beauty, its hardness, and its pleasant fragrance.  In addition to the Ark having a top of gold, it also had a separate layer of gold which was called the "Mercy Seat" (Ex. 25:17).  On either end of the Ark were two cherubs, facing one another, and having their wings forming a cover for the Mercy Seat (Ex. 25:20).  The LORD told Moses that He would commune with him upon the Mercy Seat, under the wings of the cherubim (Ex. 25:22).  Apparently, after Moses died, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and then only once a year at the Feast of the Atonement (Ex. 30:10).

The last biblical reference to the location of the Ark of the Covenant as being in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, is in 2 Chronicles 35:3.  Many believe it was taken by the Babylonian invasion described in the very next chapter (2 Chron. 26:17-19), but in actuality, there is no where in Scripture that says the Ark of the Covenant was taken by any conquering army.  Theories as to its location have ranged from a secret chamber under the Temple mount, to a secret location in Ethiopia.  The movie, The Raiders of the Lost Ark gave a wooden crate in a Washington, D.C. government warehouse as its present location.  Most biblical scholars say that no one know where it is today, and believe it or not, the majority of them doubt that it ever existed!  Surely we are in the last days described as being filled with apostasy!

One might be wise to simply read their Bible to find the present location of the Ark of the Covenant.  In Revelation 11:19, John wrote, "And the Temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His Temple the Ark of His Testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."  Like Enoch, Elijah, and soon, the Church, is it not possible that before God allowed the Babylonians to destroy Solomon's Temple, He removed the Ark? 

Regardless of the Ark's location, the important question is, where do you think Jesus is today?  Of course, He is seated at His Father's right hand (Acts 2:33), but He is also living within all those who have accepted Him as both Lord and Savior (Jn. 14:20; 15:4; Rom. 8:10; 1 Cor. 14:25; 2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 4:6; Col. 1:27; 1 Jn. 4:4; etc.)!

The God who visited the Arc of the Covenant once a year,

lives in the hearts of those who have placed their trust in Jesus FOREVER!