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. [Revelation 11.19]
Ever wonder why no one has ever found the Ark of the Covenant?
According to this passage today, the Ark of the Covenant is no longer on earth, but in heaven. Today is the first time in my life that I have consciously realized this fact.
I just want to take a little journey then here to discuss the significance of this. The Ark is in heaven and we are to pray for God's will on earth as it is in heaven. Is there a correlation?
It would appear so.
What was the last record we have of the contents of the Ark of the Covenant? Was it not the tablets with the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff that budded? Well, it would seem that way - or at least, sort of that way. There are some questions whether Aaron's staff and the jar of manna were actually 'in' the Ark or only placed beside it. Either way, the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments are a permanent content of the Ark.
To me, the Ark reappearing in the culmination of the world as we know it (described in Revelation) has indisputable significance. It says to me that the Ten Commandments are timeless - that God's desire for man to abide by these ten rules is without end.
But, it also says to me that this Ark is in heaven. And this shouts out to me that we can know that when we declare God's will on earth as it is in heaven, we are praying God's timeless will!
Also, it is important to understand that the Ark carried in and around it significant and undeniable power. So significant was this power that just touching the Ark without proper preparation was deadly. But when given proper devotion, the Ark of the Covenant was responsible for enormous blessing, might, and prosperity.
It makes sense to me today that the Ark is in heaven. It's power has, and never will, change.
Those who are covered by the blood of Jesus, and, who practice life on earth as Jesus demonstrated, have all the demonstrated power of the Ark of the Covenant in their favor. That is precisely why Jesus instructed His followers to pray, "May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." As it is in heaven where the Ark is! Jesus' blood avails every blessing of the Ark of the Covenant (think: obedience to the Ten Commandments) upon those to whom it is applied.
The presence of the Ark in heaven also explains why there is no sickness or disease (or anything bad for that matter) in heaven!
So, while this is exciting news, it cannot be overlooked that it is sober news too. The Ark means blessing to the holy. However, the Ark means devastation to the unholy, and, perhaps this is why the Ark is in heaven now - so that the earth is not wiped out by its holiness.
But back to the exciting news... Jesus's blood, and our association with His blood by repentance and seeking His Kingdom first, authorizes us to walk this earth just like Jesus did! It authorizes us to declare, "May Your Kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" Jesus' blood, recognized on our lives (by our repentance and faith), means all the power demonstrated in and around the Ark of the Covenant while it was on earth is at our avail on earth - just as it was demonstrated by Jesus Christ the Messiah!
I never suspected, in the midst of Revelation's other-worldly events and beings, that I would find the Ark of the Covenant!
Father, thank You for opening my eyes to the presence of the Ark of the Covenant in heaven. And, thank You for the flood of thoughts that accompany that revelation! Help me to sort it out accurately.
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