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.' 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, Messiahs 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 is so revered, it is very strange that no one, not even a Jewish writer, mentioned it again. Arid, of course, it has never been found by archaeologists. It has been a great mystery for about 2,500 years.

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.

The One Minute Solution

Here’s the answer...

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 Enoch and later Elijah were taken up. 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."

Unquestionably, that is where it is. That's why it has been considered "lost" and why it is such a mystery. No wonder it hasn’t been found. It wasn’t meant to be found.

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. And, hopefully, a basketball. Be sure and tell me you read the book.
 

Additional Information on the Ark of the Covenant (see Appendix 2)

1. Some claim the ark is presently 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.

 
2. In his 1988 book, Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny, author Grant R. Jeffrey documents that the ark has been in Ethiopia since Solomon's day. He has since said that Israel has been able to obtain the ark and has it in hiding in Israel. His book is available in bookstores.

 
3.  Bible scholar J. R. Church also provides evidence that the ark has been in Ethiopia but that it was taken there by exiled Jews who were originally in Egypt, but then had to flee to Ethiopia. A copy of his video tape on this can be obtained by calling 1-800-475-1111. 
   
   
4. 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. The most interesting claim is that of archeologist Ron Wyatt, who documents with videotape 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! I have heard Ron's testimony and he seems credible. His materials are available at Wyatt Archeological Research, 713 Lambert Dr., Nashville, TN 37220.