Ark of the Covenant

I'm sure that most of us have even a nominal familiarity with the Ark of the Covenant. For those that do not, I'll provide a brief synopsis.The Ark of the Covenant is something like a chest completely inlaid with pure gold. The design was specific; asked of Moses by God to build it from Acacia wood and to exact measurements. On the top was to rest to Cherubim situated in a manner as if to be covering Holy God with their wings. Inside was the real treasure, as the Ark is really just a container for the Ten Commandments, which are said to have been penned by the finger of Almighty God. This event began in Mt. Sinai, Egypt. After here, the Ark was transported through the tabernacle only by Levitical priests. The Ark made its way from Mt. Sinai to Jerusalem under the directorate of King David. Its eventually placed in Solomon's temple, inside the tabernacle, covered in the veiled room, the Holy of Holies. However, from about the time of 1000 BC, it disappears and is not mentioned in the texts that were to follow. Interestingly, the Babylonians invaded during that time and were reputed to have plundered Israel completely. It was assumed that the Babylonians had taken the Ark. But if they had it, then why is it still missing today?Another theory had surfaced. It was reported by some that the Israelites caught wind of the impending invasion and took the Ark deep into Hezekiah's tunnel-- a subterranean cavern that exists even to this day. But even if it was taken through the tunnel to safety, where did it go to? Where is it today?The story states that the Queen of Sheba had heard of Solomon's wisdom and visited him in Jerusalem. This meeting is recorded in the Bible. However, after this time, the legend begins that Sheba and Solomon conceived a child named, Menelik, who was born in Jerusalem. After this time, Sheba and Menelik are said to have gone back to Ethiopia (named Ophir in Biblical days).Once Menelik had come of age, the legend states that he returned to Israel to see his father Solomon. His father is said to have known that danger approached and so he had entrusted his son to take the Ark to safety in Ophir. From here it is said to have resided in Debra Domo, which is the largest repository of Christian and Judaic manuscripts on the continent of Africa today.According to oral tradition, that was later annotated in the Kebra Nagast, the Ark was said to have been transported to the island of Tana Kirkos, which is the plot of land seen in this image surrounded by Lake Tana. The island was said to have been selected for its optimal safety. The island itself doubles as a fortress because its formed in the shape of a mesa with a very steep rockface on all sides. The mesa allows for high visibility where the monks can see well in advance any raiders coming into the area and can implement their contingency plans accordingly.What lends credence to the theory is that to this day, numerous relics from Judaic and early Christian artifacts from exist today under the care of the monks inhabiting the island. There is also socket holes in the ground where the Ark was said to have rested. The socket holes are reputed to have held up the Holy of Holies. The spacing between the socket holes is an exact measurement according to the strict standards provided by the Bible, which is 15 x 15.As well, they have in their possession something known as a "gomer," which is an all bronze basin used to collect the blood of sacrificed animals in Judaism. What's interesting about this is that Judaism has ceased animal sacrifice for over 2,000 years. How would a group of Ethiopians have an authenticated piece of antiquity, such as a gomer, unless it really was brought to them by Levitical priests on an odyssey to save the Ark?This is where it is said to have resided for hundreds of years. However, during the 4^th century AD, while Christianity was spreading through Africa, it was said to have been moved yet again under the directive of King Azana of Ethiopia to Akksum, Ethiopia. This is supposedly the final resting place of the Ark to this very day.It is reported that it is housed at St. Mary's of Zion church. This church inside a gated community with armed guards. Inside this gated city resides the church which is surrounded by wrought iron bars. The Guardian of the Ark is the only human being allowed to ever see the Ark. His life is completely devoted to its care and he never leaves the premise for any reason. Since he was called to duty, he has never set foot anywhere else but within the confines of the church grounds. He was selected because he is said to come from a Levitcal line of priests. When he dies, a worthy member of the same line will do as he does, just like those who have gone before him.What are your thoughts on this? Does the actual Ark of the Covenant reside in Akksum, Ethiopia to this day? Do they only think they have the actual Ark or is it the real deal? Did such an Ark ever really exist? If so, did God make it disappear so as to not be worshipped as God Himself? What are your thoughts?

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"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." -C.S. Lewis

Thread copied to the Ark of the Covenant thread in the Faith and Belief forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.