Topical Bible: Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning

◄ Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object within the Tabernacle, holds profound significance in biblical history and prophecy. Constructed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Ark was a symbol of God's covenant with Israel and His presence among His people. It was housed in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle, later finding its permanent home in the Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem.

Biblical Description and Significance

The Ark was a chest made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and out, measuring approximately 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high (Exodus 25:10-11). It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark's cover, known as the Mercy Seat, was flanked by two cherubim of gold, with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17-20).

The Ark represented God's throne on earth, where He would meet with Moses and communicate His will to the Israelites (Exodus 25:22). It was carried by the Levites using poles inserted into rings on its sides, emphasizing its sanctity and the need for reverence (Numbers 4:5-6, 15).

Prophecy Concerning the Ark

The Ark of the Covenant is not only a historical artifact but also a subject of prophetic significance. In Jeremiah 3:16, a prophecy is given concerning a future time when the Ark would no longer be central to the worship of God: "In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land," declares the LORD, "they will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made."

This prophecy points to a future era when the physical representation of God's presence, as embodied by the Ark, would be superseded by a new covenant. This new covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, would be written on the hearts of God's people, signifying a more intimate and direct relationship with the Lord, no longer reliant on physical symbols.

Fulfillment in the New Covenant

The prophecy concerning the Ark finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Covenant, established by Christ, the presence of God is no longer confined to a physical object or location. Instead, believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit, with God's law written on their hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 10:16).

The Book of Revelation also alludes to the Ark in a heavenly context, where John sees the Ark of His Covenant in the temple of God in heaven (Revelation 11:19). This vision underscores the eternal and heavenly reality of God's covenant with His people, transcending the earthly and temporal.

In summary, the Ark of the Covenant, while a pivotal element of Israel's worship and identity, serves as a foreshadowing of the greater reality brought forth in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The prophecy concerning the Ark highlights the transition from the old to the new, from the physical to the spiritual, and from the temporal to the eternal.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 3:16
And it shall come to pass, when you be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, said the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
Nave's Topical Index