Christ in all the scriptures The Ark of the Covenant part 1

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Ark of the Covenant   part 1 

Exodus 25v10-22; 1st Samuel 4v4; 2nd Samuel 6v2; 1st Chronicles 13v6.

Also known as the Ark of the Testimony: both terms refer to the same item; in the first, the emphasis is on God's mercy, His agreement with His people; the second on God's assurance of judgment on those who despise His law.  The testimony (the law) is enshrined on the tablets of stone within the Ark-Ex. 25v16; 31v18.  This aspect is emphasised in Revelation 14v19 and 15v5 when the law of God will be exposed to the godless world.   Other names are; the Ark of God; the Ark of the testimony of the Lord of all the earth, and a few other like descriptions  The Ark is the first mentioned of the component parts of the tabernacle.  Therefore it is of prime importance.  The Ark with its Mercy Seat represent the throne of God in the midst of His people as will become clear in the study.  

Consider the Ark as an INDISPENSIBLE NECESSITY.  This is the message of the Ark, that the whole structure is all about the Ark and the One it symbolises.  It is the fundamental entity around which everything else is built.  Without it, all the rest is meaningless as is clear from the unfolding revelation.

1. The Ark is the first mentioned of the component parts of the tabernacle.
2. It was the only vessel not replaced when they moved into the temple-2nd Chronicles 5v7.  Everything else was renewed, the Ark was installed untouched-you do not alter perfection!  Thus it is unique in the House of God.
3. It was always covered.  As it stood in the sanctuary the veil covered it from the Holy place and the same veil covered it on the journeys.  It was untouched by human hand for the staves were never removed in situ or in transit.
4. There was limited access to it-only Moses by invitation to receive commandments, and Aaron once a year on the day of atonement.
5. The Ark was their infallible guide on the wilderness journeys, leading them through desert tracks.  In their processions the Ark was always at the head.
6. The Ark was the symbol of God's presence, and glory among them.  1st Samuel 4v4 says that when the Ark was taken |"the glory departed".  What made Israel any different from other religious gatherings?  The shekinah cloud, the glory of God, symbolising His presence.  He is "The God that dwells between the cherubims"-1st Chronicles3v6; 2nd Kings 19v15; Isaiah 37v16.  It is called the place of His rest in the midst of His people-2nd Chronicles 6v41.
7. The Ark was their ultimate protection as they journeyed through hostile territory.  The Ark with its visible cloud of glory (fire by night and cloud by day) struck fear in the hearts of their would be enemies.

The Tabernacle was nothing without the Ark.  In modern times the Church is nothing without Christ.  1st Samuel 7v2 reveals that the Ark was absent from the temple for 20 years, at which time it is recorded "All the house of Israel lamented after the Lord".  History shows that the Lord departed from Saul, because of disobedience; from Samson, because of immorality; from Israel in Ezekiel 1-11, because of idolatry.  In Revelation 2, the Lord threatened to remove the lampstand, rendering it a Christless church, because of loveless orthodoxy.  At Laodicea, the Lord was outside the door of the church because of rank materialism.  A church is just an empty shell without the vital presence of the Lord in truth. Gatherings which do not honour Christ as Lord, are nothing more than social clubs.