Robert Rite (02/17/2016): The Ark of the Covenant, also referred to as the “Ark of God” is the holiest artifact in all of Judaism and Christianity (Exodus 26:33; Exodus 30:36; 1 Samuel 4:5; 1 Kings 
8:1; 1 Chronicles 28:2). Why is it so holy? This is what I want to unveil for you in this report.
Among its mysteries, in addition to harnessing supernatural and divine powers, the ark was also a natural conductor of energy by virtue of the manner in which it was constructed. If someone touched it with their hand they would be instantly killed; either by electrocution or some other supernatural means (read 1 Samuel 5:4, and 2 Sam. 6:3-8). In 2 Samuel 6:7 we read how Uzzah had reached out and took hold of it and he instantly died beside the ark of God.
No unclean person (a person bearing sin) could approach the Ark of the Covenant. Even the anointed high priest should he be bearing sin while entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (or any other day) would be instantly struck dead or vaporized.
The Ark of the Covenant was the only piece of furniture in the Holy of Holies, which was the most sacred inner room area of the ancient Jewish temple. The ark was made of acacia wood, 2 1/2 cubits long, 1 1/2 cubits wide, and 1 1/2 cubits tall. It was gold plated throughout.
The Ark was a mult-layered artifact covered with gold that God instructed Moses to build so that God would have a physical place where He could descend and commune with mankind. It would also be an instrument where supernatural power and blessings would flow from heaven to earth during the children of Israel’s journey through the wilderness (the Sinai Peninsula).
On top of the ark was a wooden lid that fully covered the ark; it was called the mercy seat. This lid was also made of acacia wood and was covered in gold. On top of the seat were erected two Cherubim that were positioned facing each other with extended wings so as to cover the ark (1 Chronicles 28:18). The two Cherubim (which are angelic figures) were made of pure beaten gold. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement and he would place the golden vial bearing the expiatory blood of sacrifice on the mercy seat (Exodus 26:34).
What was the Purpose of the Ark of the Covenant
The Ark was the symbol of the everlasting covenant that God made with Israel (1 Kings 8:21). It was an instrument of worship to the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:6).
The ark as a supernatural vessel that guided the nation of Israel during her exodus journey throughout the Sinai Peninsula – and afterwards during Israel’s formative years (Numbers 10:33-34). It was also a place of meeting (symbolic of the church) for the Israelites during their journey. More importantly, it was God’s place of meeting (Numbers 10:33-34; Exodus 25:21-22; Numbers 7:89). God would meet and speak with Moses from above the ark.
Note: The takeaway here is that as with Moses, God wants to meet and speak to all of us from a place of mercy and not one of judgment!
The Levite priests would carry the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the congregation as they journeyed through the wilderness. Not a move was made by the Israelites before the Lord led them via the Ark (Numbers 10:33; Numbers 10:33; Joshua 3:6; Joshua 3:11; Joshua 3:14); just as we should seek the Lord first before we make any moves in our journey through life.
During the Day of Atonement (which is the Holiest of God’s appointed feast days), the blood of the sacrificial lamb was collected in a basin. The high priest would carry this basin into the Holy of Holies. For three hours the High Priest would pray alone for the atonement of the people’s sins. The blood was then poured out of the basin onto the seat.
Upon God’s acceptance of the sacrifice, His Shekinah glory appeared between the Cherubim over the mercy seat. The Shekinah glory of God would rest between the Mercy Seat during holy convocations, and other times when God chose to meet with Moses and the children of Israel. The Shekinah is the manifest presence of the all holy God; which would appear as a cloud that hovered in between the two Cherubim above the ark.
After three hours of atoning for the people’s sins, the high priest would then stand up and cry out: “it is finished” (Leviticus 16:1-28).
What is the significance of the Ark to Christianity?
“It is finished” is also what Jesus Christ cried out just before His death. On that glorious day atop Mount Mariah upon the “mercy seat” of Calvary, Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice. Upon the pouring out His blood, atonement was made for all mankind’s sins; making an end to the need for animal sacrifices. The temple where the animal sacrifices were carried out was leveled within 40 years of Jesus crucifixion (Daniel 9:24; Jeremiah 31:31).
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, the Ark of the Covenant where the blood of the animal sacrifices was poured out, is no longer in use and has not been in use at least since the last Jewish temple was destroyed, around 70 A.D. I believe that it has been hidden by divine order.
Today, Jesus atones for the sins of mankind before the Holy of Holies in heaven. He is our Ark and the High Priest of heaven.
