IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK: THE QUEST FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT Series 2: Course 4 of the Net Bible Institute by Don Stewart 1 About The NET Bible Institute (NBI) Welcome to the global classroom! In order to allow anyone, anywhere in the world, to learn more about the Christian faith, AusAmerica Ministries has created the Net Bible Institute (NBI) www.nbible.org. Our Vision Our vision for NBI is that it will be a complete course of study about what Christianity believes and teaches. The Net Bible Institute, when eventually completed, will consist of forty-four individual courses in five different series, and will cover all major areas of Christian belief and practice. A separate textbook will be prepared for each individual course. The various textbooks are now in the process of being written. The entire course of study is called Understanding The Christian Faith. The textbooks for the various courses are produced as educational tools explaining what Christians believe and why they believe it. Each course in the program is designed to be used for either self-study, home Bible study, or for the classroom. It is our goal to make the Net Bible Institute the most comprehensive course of study that is available anywhere. Everything Is Free Everything in the Net Bible Institute is free. All materials (textbooks, audio, tests) are provided on our Web site without charge. There will never be a charge for anything that we offer. It is our vision to reach the entire world with the truths of the Christian faith. It is our conviction that this should be done totally without charge. We invite you to join us at the Net Bible Institute for a thorough study of the Bible – the Word of God. We trust you will be greatly enriched by your experience. Until the whole world hears, AusAmerica Ministries 2 IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK: THE QUEST FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT Series 2: Course 4 of the Net Bible Institute 3 In Search of the Lost Ark (Series 2: Course 4 of the Net Bible Institute) www.nbible.org. By Don Stewart © 1992 By Don Stewart Published by AusAmerica Publishers Box 15 Murrieta, California 92564 USA ISBN 1-877825-10-7 All Rights Reserved. Although the material in this book may be copied and distributed it must not be used for resale. The material must be used unedited and in its entirety. Duplication of more than one hundred copies must be made with permission of AusAmerica Ministries. 4 In Search Of The Lost Ark 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Section 1 THE MOST SACRED OBJECT EVER CONSTRUCTED— THE ARK OF THE COVENANT Chapter 1 Raiders Of The Lost Ark Chapter 2 Mt. Sinai: God’s Covenant And The Ten Commandments Chapter 3 Build Me An Ark Chapter 4 A Temporary Home For The Ark: The Tabernacle Chapter 5 What Was The Purpose Of The Ark? Section 2 THE HISTORY OF THE ARK OF THE COVENANT Chapter 6 Leading The Way To The Promised Land Chapter 7 The Waters Of Jordan Miraculously Part Chapter 8 Conquering A City God’s Way: Jericho Chapter 9 Battling For The Promised Land Chapter 10 The Ark Is Lost To The Philistines Chapter 11 The Ark Becomes A Problem For The Philistines Chapter 12 Back Comes The Ark To Israel Chapter 13 The Ultimate Destination: Jerusalem Chapter 14 Solomon’s Temple: A Permanent Home For The Ark Chapter 15 The Ark Is Mysteriously Returned To The Temple Chapter 16 The First Temple Is Destroyed: The Ark Is Gone Chapter 17 The Second Temple Period: No Ark Chapter 18 From The Second Temple Until The Present: The Ark Remains Lost 6 In Search Of The Lost Ark SECTION 3 “ARKEOLOGY:” IN SEARCH OF THE LOST ARK Was The Ark Taken By Foreign Invaders? Chapter 19 Did The Egyptians Steal the Ark? Chapter 20 Did Jehoash Take The Ark To Israel? Chapter 21 Was The Ark Taken To Babylon? Chapter 22 Did The Romans Take The Ark? Has The Ark Been Found? Chapter 23 Was The Ark Found On Mt. Nebo? Chapter 24 Has The Ark Been Taken To Ethiopia? Chapter 25 Has The Ark Been Discovered Underneath The Temple Mount? Section 4 DOES THE ARK HAVE A ROLE IN THE FUTURE? Chapter 26 Has The Ark Been Forever Lost? Chapter 27 The Ark And The Third Temple Chapter 28 What Does The Bible Say About The Future Of The Ark? Chapter 29 Why The Ark Is No Longer Necessary Appendices Appendix 1 Biblical References To The Ark Appendix 2 Other Theories As To The Location Of The Ark Ein-Gedi Gordon’s Calvary Masada The Vatican Qumran Old City Of Jerusalem In Search Of The Lost Ark 7 INTRODUCTION One of the most fascinating subjects that a person can study concerns the most sacred object of Israel’s past—the Ark of the Covenant. The story of the Ark parallels the story of a nation who was called by God to be His witness to the world. The Bible records that the Lord supernaturally led Israel from a land of slavery to a land of promise. At the center of their journey was the Ark of the Covenant. Though the Ark has been lost for over 2,500 years the mystique that surrounds this ancient artifact is still with us today. Explorers are continuing to look in various spots around the world for this elusive object. The Entire Story Will Be Told The approach in this course will be to examine the Ark of the Covenant in its overall biblical context. Consequently attention will be paid to its construction, history, and meaning as well as its possible location. Our desire is to be thorough in our consideration of this subject; therefore extensive endnotes will be at the end of each chapter for those who wish to pursue any matters further. The Subject Should Be Approached With Reverence When God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush He said. Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). We must remember that the Ark was the most holy object that God has ever commanded humankind to build. Hence, we should approach the subject with reverence and respect. With this attitude in mind, let us now examine one of the most important issues we could ever consider: the true story of the Ark of the Covenant. 8 In Search Of The Lost Ark SECTION 1 THE MOST SACRED OBJECT EVER CONSTRUCTED – THE ARK OF THE COVENANT We begin our study of the Ark of the Covenant with a look at the circumstances that led to its construction. There will also be an examination of the various theories as to the exact purpose of the Ark. This will set the stage for the remainder of the course – the past history of the Ark and the present day searches for this most sacred object. In Search Of The Lost Ark 9 CHAPTER 1 RAIDERS OFTHE LOST ARK The summer of 1981 saw the release of the blockbuster movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. The fanciful plot, set in the 1930’s, depicted the search for the long lost Ark1 of the Covenant—the container that held the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses by God. The searchers included a corrupt French archaeologist, treacherous Nazis, and a dashing American archaeologist named Indiana Jones, portrayed by Harrison Ford. In the end Indiana got both the Ark and the girl. It was a marvelous adventure film. Many Questions Are Raised About The Ark The film raised the consciousness of the world to the subject of the Ark of the Covenant. This ancient artifact, constructed so long ago, became a topic of interest to the general public. Questions abounded concerning this sacred relic. What was the Ark of the Covenant? Did it have some secret power? Does it still exist? What would happen if the lost Ark were found? Would the discovery of the Ark have anything to do with end-time Bible prophecy? These questions, along with many others, will be the focus of this course. Where Is The Ark? The Ark of the Covenant was constructed some 3,500 years ago on Mt. Sinai under God-given directions to the prophet Moses. After forty years of leading the children of Israel through the wilderness, the Ark was brought to the Promised Land. Eventually the Ark of the Covenant was placed in a permanent home in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The last historical reference we have to the Ark is in 621 B.C. For some unknown reason the Ark had been removed from the Temple. King Josiah ordered it returned: Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the Lord: “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel” (2 Chronicles 35:3). In 587 B.C. the armies of the Babylonian Empire under the command of King Nebuchadnezzar, came down and burned the Temple at Jerusalem and took captive some of the holy vessels. The Second Temple Was Built Without The Ark About seventy-one years after this destruction there was a Second Temple2 built by a man named Zerubbabel. According to Jewish tradition, five things that were in the First Temple were missing from the Second Temple: the Spirit of Prophecy, the Holy Fire, the Shekinah Glory, the Urim and Thummin3 and the Ark of the Covenant. Since the time of the Babylonian captivity the fate of the Ark has been a mystery The most sacred object to the nation of Israel vanished without a trace The Bible is silent as to the Ark’s fate What happened to the Ark of the Covenant remains a mystery to this day. Historian Joan Comay, writes. The Ark of the Covenant installed by King Solomon had apparently disappeared before the destruction of the Temple in 587 B.C. It is surmised that the Ark may have been removed and hidden; there is no mention of it among the sacred vessels carried off by the Babylonian conquerors 1 0 In Search Of The Lost Ark and restored by King Cyrus at the time of the return. In this mysterious fashion the most sacred . . . object of the Hebrew faith and nation vanished from history, never to reappear.4 The Ark Is Most Important Treasure Of Humanity The Ark of the Covenant is the most treasured object humanity could ever expect to find. Its importance can hardly be overstated. An ancient Jewish saying states. Palestine is the center of the world. Jerusalem is the center of Palestine. The Temple is the center of Jerusalem. The Holy of Holies is the center of the Temple. The Ark is the center of the Holy of Holies. In the center of the Ark rests the stone called “The Foundation Stone of the World.” The Ark of the Covenant was the central object of the Old Testament. The Possibility Of Discovery The ramifications of the Ark’s discovery cannot be calculated. Rabbi Leibel Reznick, who believes the Ark may still exist under the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, writes. Of all the treasures yet to be discovered, what could be more important, more fascinating and more awe-inspiring than the Tablets of the Ten Commandments? No other archeological find would have greater impact on the destiny of man. These Tablets are the foundation of the three major religions. What a religious resurgence their discovery would cause. How it would cause scholars and laymen to reevaluate the past, examine the present, and speculate on the future cannot be imagined. Is it possible that such a sacred treasure lies but a few feet beneath what our eyes can see? Jewish tradition has always maintained that the treasures would remain until the coming of the Messiah. Muslim tradition forbids the site from being explored. Curiosity is nature’s most powerful force. Tradition is God’s immovable object of faith. Here on the Temple Mount we find the answer to that ancient conundrum, “What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?” for the treasures are yet to be discovered.5 Has The Lost Ark Been Found? Since the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981, there have been three well-publicized claims that the Ark of the Covenant has been found.6 There is an ancient tradition that the prophet Jeremiah buried the Ark on Mt. Nebo which lies in present- day Jordan. On October 31, 1981, an American named Tom Crotser found a golden box-shaped object while he was digging on nearby Mt. Pisgah in Jordan. He later announced to the world that he had discovered the Ark of the Covenant. Though he and his companions took over two hundred pictures of the “Ark,” Crotser has never publicly released his photographs, showing them only to certain select people. In March of 1992, a book was written by British journalist Graham Hancock titled The Sign and the Seal: The Search for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. The back cover of the book reads.