where is the Ark of the covenant? some say here, some say there, where is it?

[ihavefoundgod951]

Question is, where is it now? Does it still exist? What has happened to it.

Did invading forces loot or steal it? Has it been destroyed?

 

[Vince53]

Okay, I'll try to resist telling you that it's in a US Army warehouse.

I had researched the interesting possibility that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has it, but I doubt that they have anything more than an ancient replica.

The Book of Revelation tells us that the Ark is in Heaven, but it could be argued that the one on earth (which you are referring to) is a copy of the one in Heaven.

Jewish tradition tells us that Jeremiah hid it, and if so, he did a good job of hiding it.

 

[football5680]

Question is, where is it now? Does it still exist? What has happened to it.

Did invading forces loot or steal it? Has it been destroyed?

It is a mystery so there is no definitive answer. In 2nd Maccabees it says that the Prophet Jeremiah was warned about the Babylonian Invasion so he took the Ark and buried it on Mount Nebo.

I don't think it was stolen or destroyed by the Babylonians because they looted the temple and took all the valuables away. If the Ark was there then they would have taken it and the location would be known today. If you read the description of it in the Bible, it I clearly something that they would have taken and they wouldn't have destroyed it.

 

[ihavefoundgod951]

Could it of been burned by accident? It was made of wood with gold plating, correct?

I know the Ethiopians claim to have the Ark, but im not sure about this, other locations also claim to have it.

Nazi Germany went to great expense to search for the Ark, did they find it?

Did the Allies retrieve it.

Who knows, the truth is out there somewhere

 

[football5680]

Could it of been burned by accident? It was made of wood with gold plating, correct?

I can't rule that out but they looted the temple before they destroyed it and carried out all the treasures. They wouldn't burn down the temple before taking everything out because looting and pillaging a city is what made war very profitable throughout history.

When the Israelites were liberated and returned to the land of Israel they carried back many of the other treasures that were taken from the temple but not the Ark of the Covenant.

This line of reasoning is why I think it was hidden and this is what the Jewish tradition says as well, and yes it was wood platted with Gold.

I know the Ethiopians claim to have the Ark, but im not sure about this, other locations also claim to have it.

I don't believe the Ethiopian claim. They say that they have it but they refuse to let anybody else see it to verify it. This raises many red flags which is why I doubt the claim.

Nazi Germany went to great expense to search for the Ark, did they find it?

Did the Allies retrieve it.

I doubt it.

 

[lesliedellow]

It was very likely destroyed, along with the Temple, in 587BC. Except as something which had existed in the past, there is no mention of it in the Bible after that date.

 

[Steve Petersen]

Could it of been burned by accident? It was made of wood with gold plating, correct?

I know the Ethiopians claim to have the Ark, but im not sure about this, other locations also claim to have it.

Nazi Germany went to great expense to search for the Ark, did they find it?

Did the Allies retrieve it.

Who knows, the truth is out there somewhere

It would have been worth more as a war trophy than as gold. It was plated, not pure gold.

Capturing the Ark would have been symbolic of the defeat of Israel's God and would have been very publicly displayed if it had been captured. The Philistines captured it during the OT period.

 

[Ubuntu]

When the Israelites returned to Judah from the Babylonian captivity, they would no longer need the Ark of the Covenant. I believe this was because they were to wait in eager expectation for the LORD to return to his temple. If the Divine Presence of the LORD already dwelt in the temple, it would have been more difficult for them to recognize the glory of God through his Son when he appeared. Instead they were to wait for his coming.

"In those days, your population will greatly increase in the land. At that time," says the LORD, "people will no longer talk about having the ark that contains the LORD's covenant with us. They will not call it to mind, remember it, or miss it. No, that will not be done any more!"
- Jeremiah 3:16

Vince53 also makes a very good point. The earthly Ark of the covenant is a mere copy of a greater reality which exists in heaven, and at the end of time this will eventually be revealed to mankind:

"Then the temple of God in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, roaring, crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm."
- Revelation 11:19

 

[luckyfredsdad]

I read in the Observer that it had been taken in to Ethiopia by the Temple Priests and is still there! No Joke!

 

[Archie the Preacher]

I prefer the version of the legend of the Ark where it was 'rescued' from Ethiopia, taken to Scotland by the Knights Templar and hidden in Scotland. Or Southern France or Ireland. Being of Scot's descent, I prefer Scotland, of course.

Seriously, I think the answer is in Revelation 11. My own theory is God decided to put an end to that particular bit of stupidity - clinging to the Ark rather than paying attention to God - and just took it away. No. I cannot prove it, nor will I argue for it. But it just makes sense to me.

Note: No one's eternal fate depends on this question. We will find out when God decides to inform us. In many practical ways, it just doesn't matter. Don't let it wrangle your hormones.

 

[jacksonduluth]

It would have been worth more as a war trophy than as gold. It was plated, not pure gold. Capturing the Ark would have been symbolic of the defeat of Israel's God and would have been very publicly displayed if it had been captured. The Philistines captured it during the OT period.

Very interesting. Thank you.

 

[papakapp]

Google "rood secret of Solomons temple"

That's the legend I prefer

I'm not saying it is for sure true, but it does have the most enthusiastic haters, so that's a big plus in my book.

 

[ihavefoundgod951]

Rev 11:19

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.

 

[Albion]

Seriously, I think the answer is in Revelation 11. My own theory is God decided to put an end to that particular bit of stupidity - clinging to the Ark rather than paying attention to God - and just took it away. No. I cannot prove it, nor will I argue for it. But it just makes sense to me.

Since God hasn't seen fit to wisk away to heaven any other artifact prominent in the Bible accounts, I can't see why this would be an exception.

I read in the Observer that it had been taken in to Ethiopia by the Temple Priests and is still there! No Joke!

It's certainly no joke or tale. The building is very public, the guard keeps watch non-stop, and the people there insist that this is what's being guarded. Unfortunately for us, no newsmen or other outsiders are permitted to verify what it is that is being housed there.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Since God hasn't seen fit to wisk away to heaven any other artifact prominent in the Bible accounts, I can't see why this would be an exception.

Plus, it's probably going to be a stretch to insist that the most figurative and symbolic book of the entire Bible should be read literally here.

It's certainly no joke or tale. The building is very public, the guard keeps watch non-stop, and the people there insist that this is what's being guarded. Unfortunately for us, no newsmen or other outsiders are permitted to verify what it is that is being housed there.

My thought is either the Ethiopian Church does have it, or else we just don't know where it is and probably never will. But it seems that the Ethiopian explanation has some of the best plausibility.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[gideon123]

OF COURSE ... the obvious answer is that No-one knows.
And all of the rumors that it was taken and it's sitting in some far-off building or church ... are complete nonsense.

To me, what SEEMS more logical is that the ancient Israelites HID the Ark in a very safe place, when they knew that Jerusalem and the Temple were in danger. Honestly, would YOU allow an invading army to plunder the most precious thing that you had? I don't think so. Therefore, secret instructions were probable given to a few TRUSTED Men ... to move the Ark to a hiding spot or an ancient cave, and to conceal its presence completely. And later, if the people who moved it were killed in the battle, and the Temple Priests were killed during the defense of the Temple, then no-one was left with the knowledge of where the Ark was located.

So if you ask me ... it still exists. Somewhere out there in the sands of time ... probably in Israel.

 

[4x4toy]

Some of the Rabbis in charge of the Temple rebuild when asked about the Ark simply say "We are ready"

 

[Root of Jesse]

I think it's interesting to note that the Ark disappeared, and nobody could find it for hundreds of years, than it appeared again at the conception of Jesus. Within the Ark of the Covenant was placed a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Where's the Ark? We believe it was Assumed into heaven. The Ark is Mary.
Inside the Ark Inside Mary
The stone tablets of the law - the word of God inscribed on stone The body of Jesus Christ - the word of God in the flesh
The urn filled with manna from the wilderness - the miraculous bread come down from heaven The womb containing Jesus, the bread of life come down from heaven (John 6:41)
The rod of Aaron that budded to prove and defend the true high priest The actual and eternal High Priest