Behold The Ark Of His Covenant

Jehovah rules! Through his Messianic Kingdom, he is exercising his sovereignty toward mankind in a marvelous way. This is confirmed by what John sees next: "And the temple sanctuary of God that is in heaven was opened, and the Ark of his covenant was seen in his temple sanctuary. And there occurred lightnings and voices and thunders and an earthquake and a great hail." (Revelation 11:19) This is the only mention in Revelation of the ark of God's covenant. The Ark had been the visible symbol of Jehovah's presence with his people Israel. In the tabernacle, and later in the temple built by Solomon, it was kept the Most Holy. But when Israel went into captivity in Babylon in 607 B.C.E., Jerusalem was desolated and the ark of the covenant disappeared. That was when representatives of the house of David ceased "to sit upon Jehovah's throne as king." -1Chronicles 29:23.

Now, after more than 2,500 years, the Ark is seen once more. But in Jehovah's vision this Ark is not in an earthly temple. It appears in the heavenly sanctuary of God. Once again, Jehovah rules by means of a king in the royal line of David. This time, however, the King, Christ Jesus, is enthroned in heavenly Jerusalem-the exalted vantage point from which he executes Jehovah's judgments. ( Hebrews 12:22) The following chapters of Revelation will unveil these to us.

In ancient earthly Jerusalem, the Ark was not seen by the Israelites in general, nor even by the priests serving in the temple, for it was within the Most Holy that was screened off from the Holy Place by a curtain. (Numbers 4:20; Hebrews 9:2, 3) Only the high priest got to see it when he entered the Most Holy on the annual day of Atonement. Nevertheless, when the temple sanctuary in the heavens is opened, the symbolic ark is visible not only to Jehovah's High Priest, Jesus Christ, but also to his under priests, the 144,000 including John.

Those first ones who have been resurrected to heaven see this symbolic ark at close range, for they have taken their place as part of the 24 elders around Jehovah's throne. And the John class on earth have been enlightened by Jehovah's spirit to discern his presence in His spiritual temple. There have also been signs to alert mankind in general to this wonderful development. John's vision speaks of lightnings, voices, thunders, an earthquake and hail.l (Compare Revelation 8:5.) What do these symbolize?

Next time: Continue with Behold The Ark Of His Covenant.