The Ark

Where’s The Ark Of The Covenant?

Q. I’m confused about the Ark of the Covenant. I know that it was not among the things reported stolen by any of the conquerors of Jerusalem, and that it has been missing for 2.5 K years. But there is much speculation about its location, particularly for use in the Third Temple certain Israeli groups are preparing for.

John saw it in the Celestial Temple, but the Bible never mentions it again as being on earth, or anywhere else, for that matter. Because of its enormous importance for Temple worship, I find the absence of further reference to it interesting. It suggests to me that it will never be found. Can you shed any light on the subject?

A. The location of the Ark of the Covenant has not been certain since just before the Babylonian conquest about 600 BC. There are various possibilities. One is that it’s in Ethiopia, taken there by the son born to the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. Another is that it’s below the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. A former chief Rabbi claims to have seen it there. And yet another is that it was buried in the desert, either in a cave or tunnel, by Jeremiah. There is no indication in Scripture that it will ever appear on Earth again. According to Ezekiel there will not be an ark in the Millennial Temple.

Since everything on Earth was a copy of things in Heaven (Hebr. 8:5), Many believe that the ark spoken of in Rev. 11:19 is the original, and not the one Moses had made in the wilderness.

Location Of The Ark Of The Covenant

Q. On TV recently, (a well known author) indicated that the Ark has been moved to Israel from Ethiopia and will be present in the Third Temple.

You and I both believe the Ark is lost and will never be recovered because its presence is never mentioned again. Would you comment, please.

A. This author has insisted that the ark is in Ethopia for many years now, and claims to know its exact heavily guarded location. I have no idea how he would know if it has been returned to Israel. If the Ark will be present in the coming Temple, you’d think that Ezekiel would have mentioned in in his detailed description of the Holy of Holies (Ezekiel 41), but he didn’t.

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