)n my opinion, if this is the genuine item (which it may be - I have always leaned toward the possibility that the Ark was in Ethiopia - the other contender is that the ark lies buried in the Temple Mount - the Ethiopian 'original' may be a copy too), this artifact will play a rôle in credentialising the end-time Anti-Messiah/Antichrist if he can display it with himself in the Talmudic temple-to-be-built in Jerusalem.

If Revelation point blank says it is in heaven-IT IS IN HEAVEN! The demon religion of Islam says their guy will mess with the ark-I don't think God will let that happen. Why would we discuss this when Scripture says the ark is in heaven?

Lev/Christopher said:

)n my opinion, if this is the genuine item (which it may be - I have always leaned toward the possibility that the Ark was in Ethiopia - the other contender is that the ark lies buried in the Temple Mount - the Ethiopian 'original' may be a copy too), this artifact will play a rôle in credentialising the end-time Anti-Messiah/Antichrist if he can display it with himself in the Talmudic temple-to-be-built in Jerusalem.

Rev 11:19
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
NKJV

This cannot possibly be referring to the earthly ark of the covenant. If it was, then the earthly temple would be in heaven too, which we know it is not. The reference is therefore to the heavenly equivalent of the temple and ark, not anything taken from the earth. This is the p'shat or literal meaning of this passage. For this to have been the earthly ark now transported in heaven, there would additionally have to be some evidence of its transportation there, in the manner of Elijah's transportation (for example). I don't know of any reputable Bible commentator who believes the ark revererenced in Revelation is anything other than the heavenly counterpart of the spiritual.

It is universally agreed that the earthly ark was either removed from the earthly temple by Shishak, Egyptian Pharaoh, when he "took away the treasures of the House of Yahweh" (1 Ki.14:25) or it was destroyed along with the Babylonians (cp. Jer.3:16). Jewish tradition claims the ark was hidden in its place (Talmud Yoma 53b) or elsewhere - 52b says King Josiah hid it. The apocrypha (2 Macc.2:4-8) says Jeremiah rescued the ark and brought it to a cave on Mt. Sinai to be preserved until Yahweh gathered His people in messianic times. If the earthly ark symbolised Yahweh's presence guiding His people, the apearance of the heavenly ark described in the passage you cite symbolised Yahweh's being about to fulfil the rest of His covenanted promises.

The burden of proof is, I think, with you :)



Doug Dayhuff said:

If Revelation point blank says it is in heaven-IT IS IN HEAVEN! The demon religion of Islam says their guy will mess with the ark-I don't think God will let that happen. Why would we discuss this when Scripture says the ark is in heaven?

Lev/Christopher said:

)n my opinion, if this is the genuine item (which it may be - I have always leaned toward the possibility that the Ark was in Ethiopia - the other contender is that the ark lies buried in the Temple Mount - the Ethiopian 'original' may be a copy too), this artifact will play a rôle in credentialising the end-time Anti-Messiah/Antichrist if he can display it with himself in the Talmudic temple-to-be-built in Jerusalem.