Posted on 05/29/2005 1:28:15 PM PDT by wagglebee
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is one of my all-time favorite movies, filled with mystery and adventure. It focuses on the search for a biblical artifact and treasure called The Ark of the Covenant. What makes the movie particularly exciting is how closely it mimics (with some added Hollywood flair) the real life hunt for the lost Ark.
History has it that the original Ark was where God manifested His presence on earth beginning in the days of Moses. The Ark was designed as a chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It had four golden rings. Each one attached to a corner. These rings provided a means to carry the Ark by inserting two wooden bars (also overlaid with gold) on either side. Atop the Ark were two golden cherubim spreading their wings over the Ark's cover also known as the mercy seat.
The Ark itself contained the Ten Commandments and was housed in the innermost room of the Jewish Temple called the Holy of Holies. Here it was the center of worship, although actual access to the Ark was permitted only once a year on the Day of Atonement called Yom Kippur. On that day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of a goat to make atonement for the sins of the Israelites.
Other contents of the Ark included Aaron's rod and a golden pot of manna. Additionally, the Ark is renowned for its mysterious powers. According to the Bible, when the Ark was carried by the people of Israel into battle, it protected the Israelites, supernaturally defeating any adversaries that came before them.
This explains why in the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark" the Nazis were intent on obtaining it. Their theory (as the story line goes) was that they would be unbeatable if they possessed the Ark and could harness its mysterious powers. Of course, as both the movie and history would have it, things didn't quite work out for the Nazis.
But what of the Ark?
It is believed to have disappeared with the destruction of the First Temple by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in 586 B.C. The exact whereabouts of the Ark have remained a mystery ever since.
One theory is that the Ark was taken from ancient Jerusalem by Prince Menelik of Ethiopia. Menelik was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Menelik purportedly brought the Ark to his country for safekeeping where it currently remains housed in a church in Axum.
Another theory is that the Ark was hidden in a secret chamber housed beneath Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The alleged secret chamber was created by either King Solomon, who built the First Temple, or a subsequent king before the temple was plundered by Nebuchadnezzar.
One version of this theory suggests that in the early 12th century a group of nine Frenchmen known as the original Knights Templars excavated beneath the site of the old Temple of Jerusalem. They retrieved the true Ark of the Covenant and secreted it away.
A second more popular version suggests the Ark is still located in a vault somewhere in the miles of tunnels carved beneath the city of Jerusalem. It is believed the location of the Ark will be revealed when the time is right for the Jewish Temple to be built for the third time.
One famous adherent to this theory is Dr. Vendyl Jones. He is a modern-day explorer and teacher and the true inspiration for the Indiana Jones series. Startling the world, he announced last week on Israel National Radio that he actually knows the location of the Ark.
He says according to ancient documents the Ark is hidden in a secret passage that runs 18 miles south of the Temple Mount into the Judean Desert. Before dismissing his claim as a lark, it is worth noting that Jones published a book in 1959 predicting the precise outbreak of the Six Day War.
He calculated the war in 1967 by analyzing the sequence of events in the First Temple period and transposing them on the Third Temple period. The First Temple period began with its original construction in the days of King Solomon. The Third Temple period began according to Jones with the Jews founding an independent state in the land of Israel in 1948.
Now Jones is convinced that with the help of ancient documents found in Qumran, he has pinpointed the location of the Ark. And armed with the blessing of religious leaders, Jones hopes to reveal the location of the Ark by Aug. 14, which marks the Fast of Tisha B'Av. This holy day commemorates repeated tragedy in Jewish history including the destruction of both the First and the Second Holy Temples.
Jones' plan is simple. It is to drill a borehole into the chamber containing the Ark, drop a pin-camera in and reveal the historic treasure to a watching world.
If Jones is right, many predict this event will turn the world upside down. Jones says this will bring an end to the government's plan to uproot Jews of Gaza and northern Samaria. It also will bring the very idea of any Palestinian state to a screeching halt. In fact, Jones predicts quite the opposite will occur. With the discovery of the Ark, the Jewish people will have the greatest motivation of all time to return to Israel from around the world and rebuild the Temple to house this holy treasure.
Of course, whether Jones actually uncovers the Ark is not the sole issue. Equally compelling is proving once more through science that the Bible is more than just a collection of parables. Are you ready for this?
If they rebuild the temple, do the Jews have to sacrifice animals?
I disagree.
Why did the carriers have to be Levitical priests ..?? The Levites were the only ones who knew the prescribed requirements to be purified enough to keep from being fried in the Holy of Holies - in the Temple.
But why did they need to keep from being fried .. BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT BORN AGAIN - and their spirit was still unrenewed and could not withstand the power of GOD.
As for Righteous faith - Because of their faith, righteousness was accounted unto them .. but they didn't get into heaven until after Jesus died on the cross and went down into the pit of hell and defeated the devil. When GOD sent all his power down into that pit and Jesus became "the first born among the dead" .. it was only then that those who had died and were waiting in paradise, those who had had righteousness accounted unto them because of their faith, were allowed to enter into Heaven with Jesus.
And .. I believe part of the problem was that David had disobeyed the Lord as to how the Ark should be carried - and it resulted in the death of the young man who reached up to keep it from falling. I believe that's why David "modified the transportation" .. not because it required Levites to carry it. In fact, the Levites served in the Temple - and I doubt they would have been lowered in status to carrying the Ark. That just doesn't sound right.
I tried to find that section in my Bible program but I can't seem to find the right word combination in order to check it out.
did you ever hear of the last name- Cohen?
Well .. first of all you're rude and condescending.
To insult me by calling me "silly" is disgusting.
If people didn't have to be "born again" - then Jesus didn't have to die on the cross. Why was Jesus called, "the first born among the dead". According to you - nobody was dead. You're an idiot!!
And .. your logic of Heb 11 - is way off the mark. Just because Old Testament people were listed in Hebrews - that doesn't mean ALL OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE WERE BORN AGAIN. Now .. that's "silly" - and ignorant.
"Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His covenant,
His covenant in the NT is Christ; therefore, the ark is Mary."
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Rev 1:3"
"13:1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
13:2 The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
13:3 One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
13:4 They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
13:5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
13:6 He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven.
13:7 It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.
13:9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
13:10 If anyone has captivity, he will go. If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
13:11 I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
13:12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
13:13 He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
13:14 He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
13:15 It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed.
13:16 He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads;
13:17 and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.
13:18 Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six."
"15:1 I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished.
15:2 I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
15:3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations.
15:4 Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, And glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed."
15:5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
15:6 The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts.
15:7 One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
15:8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished."
"12:1 A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
12:2 She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.
12:3 Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.
12:4 His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
12:5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.
12:6 The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.
12:7 There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.
12:8 They didn't prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven.
12:9 The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
12:10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
12:11 They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.
12:12 Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."
12:13 When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
12:14 Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
12:15 The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.
12:16 The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.
12:17 The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony."
http://www.awitness.org/biblehtm/re
Yikes. It was a comparision of the symbolism between "treasures on earth" vs. "treasures in heaven".
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
worldly = wormy, withered, broken
heavenly = permanent, healthy, whole
When the manna was collected NOT as per instructions, it became wormy and it stank. When the law is broken, rebellion ensues. So, the earthly minded - those who collected manna outside of the proper instructions - found they had wormy manna.
IOW, IF what is found is the broken law, wormy and stinky manna, and a withered rod, it just may mean something.
Yet, an erroneous distinction. Consider Matthew 26:28:
"for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Clearly, it is Jesus' blood, in and of itself, which is the New Covenant in that it is through the shedding of that blood and through Jesus death on the cross that we may have hope of eternal life. Ergo, Jesus, Himself, IS the New Covenant. Thus, it is perfectly reasonable to conclude Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.
And .. it isn't "Uzziah" - the name is "Uzzah".
And .. it says nothing about David getting only Levites to carry the Ark - I read the whole rest of the chapter and there is no mention of it.
Keerect!! A distorted, perverted version is 100% accurate.
My failure to describe the Koran accurately, can be blamed on my brainwashing to obey the rules of being PC.
Spending more time on FR will get my mind straight again.
Anything the devil does is a perversion of what GOD has done. Remember, it was Lucifer who puffed himself up and said, "I will be like GOD". The operative words there are "be like".
Ping to post #25
Do you actually know what supposedly is in the Ark of the covenant?
What point are you trying to make here?
Of course there are many here who believe that Mary is the whore of Babylon, or whatever else Jack Chick is saying these days.
But why did they need to keep from being fried .. BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT BORN AGAIN - and their spirit was still unrenewed and could not withstand the power of GOD.
I am not following your train of thought here. You say you disagree with my assertion that the ark had to be carried by Levites. Then you make a mad dash to say they were the only ones knowledgable about such matters. That is wrong. It was part of the Law which everyone, including David and Uzziah, should have known.
From that sterling author A>W> Pink:
God is very jealous of His appointments and will not suffer them to be defied with impugnity. He had given express commandment that, “None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God” (1 Chron. 15:2). But this was ignored by David, for “they set the ark of God upon a new cart...and Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drave the new cart” (2 Sam. 6:3). “And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his rashness” (vv. 6, 7). Later, David owned his fault, saying to the priests, “The Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought Him not after the due order” (1 Chron. 15:13).
You also maintain that being born-again was a requirement for priestly duty. That is not so either. Note Aaron's rebellious and, apparently unbelieving sons, Nadab and Abihu, were not immediately struck down by the Lord in their temple service. It was only after violating the prohibition against offering strange incense.
As for the rest, I am well aware of what constitutes saving faith in the Old Testament. That doesn't address the issue.
Uzziah should read Uzzah.
You are korrect on the spelling of Uzzah's name. Fourgive me.
ping
please read good friend Thank you"wagglebee"
"Point she is trying to make might not be accepted per se, either fore here is her point. Act of Covenant is beyond human reach it belongs to God himself. Looking for it would be waste of time, rather look beyond what is in front of you and what God gives you. People look for treasures and treasure is in front of them: They should look up. You can ask, will you understand though is the question. What you looking for don’t necessarily mean is there for you to grabs. God works is beyond our comprehension and for it we need to yield."
Thank you good friend be good be strong!!!!!
Well .. I had to do some fancy footwork to find the scripture because it couldn't find the name. But anyway, I did find it.
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