Considering the Ark

In Exodus 25, we find that Moses was given specific instructions - to build a sanctuary and what was termed an "ark."  This "Ark of the Covenant" was, as BibleStudyTools.com notes, "a symbol of the presence of God in the midst of His people is the common teaching of the Old Testament..."
8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
10 "And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around.

The Ark of the Covenant has certainly been a subject of intrigue - the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was centered around the search for the Ark by an archaeologist named Indiana Jones.  Now, comes news, maybe speculation, that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has information related to the Ark's location.

The New York Post related recently:

The CIA claimed to have confirmed the existence of the Ark of the Covenant by way of remote viewing — aka extra sensory perception or ESP — alleging the mysterious and sacred object is guarded by “entities” with an “unknown” power, a recently resurfaced declassified document claims.

In a remote viewing session on Dec. 5, 1988, remote viewer #32 was tasked with identifying a target that, unbeknownst to them, ended up being the storied Ark of the Covenant, according to document, which was declassified on Aug. 8, 2000, and has been circulating on social media.

The Post quoted from a remote viewer named Joe McGoneagle - known as "Remote Viewer 1," saying that he "does not believe that this remote viewing is worth the paper it’s written on." The article quotes him as saying, “Using remote viewing against any target for which ground truth does not exist or is impossible to obtain, such as UFOs, UAPs, the surface of Mars, or the locations of historical relics, is a waste of time and resources,” adding, “If someone claims that remote viewing proves the existence of something, such as the Ark of the Covenant, they must produce the Ark to substantiate their claim.”

Worthy News recently published a report that not only has the CIA identified a location for the Ark of the Covenant, but the site of Noah's Ark, as well.  The article points out that:

Some historians believe the Ark of the Covenant was initially kept inside the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem before it disappeared during the Babylonian seige of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

There is also a legend that the artifact was taken to Ethiopia and now resides in a local church. However, the CIA document declassified in 2000 claims it was discovered in 1988.

However, the world’s most influential spy agencies didn’t only use sophisticated equipment or spies to find one of the most famous Biblical relics.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and several other intelligence agencies, including the CIA, employed individuals ‘alleged to have paranormal capabilities’ as means of acquiring intelligence about ‘distant events.’

So, if you go beyond the headlines, you find some questionable means in order to identify the location of the Ark of the Covenant. But, it has certainly aroused some curiosity. Writing in 2012 for the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry website, the late Jimmy DeYoung recounted having talked to "two rabbis and a Temple Mount expert who have gone on record as having been to the location of the Ark of the Covenant."

He wrote about King Josiah, who "...recognized the threat posed by the Babylonians and Egyptians. These two empires were battling each other at the time, and Israel was caught in the middle. To protect the Ark from being stolen by either nation, King Josiah—a man ahead of his time—ordered the Levites to put the Ark in a secret, secluded hiding place underneath what is now the Dome of the Rock." That is consistent with what those individuals to whom Jimmy referred said. So he wrote then, "The Ark of the Covenant has never left Jerusalem. I believe it now sits in a safe, secret, secluded hiding place prepared by God through King Solomon to protect it for when it will be needed in the last days in the next Temple—the Third Temple, the Tribulation Temple—that will be built shortly after the Rapture of the church."

I think it is intriguing that within the past few days, there have been news stories about the CIA's alleged involvement in finding the Ark of the Covenant, by what could be considered questionable means.  But, it is interesting that this "remote viewer," a.k.a psychic, mentioned "entities" that were guarding it.  That actually seems plausible.  That power was "unknown" to the psychic.  The Bible speaks against certain spiritual and mental practices that leverage the power of spirits or powers that are not of God.  What you may have seen here is some sort of supernatural conflict.  

Whether it's Indiana Jones or the CIA, there is fascination with this Biblical artifact. But, keep in mind, as Jimmy DeYoung wrote, "The Ark is a type or picture of the promised Messiah. When the real thing arrives, the type is unnecessary."  The Ark was a visible, anointed reminder of the presence of God with His people - because of sin, and because the Messiah had not come, God did not dwell in the hearts of human beings. But, He did manifest Himself upon them.  Jesus told His disciples during His earthly ministry that He would no longer be with them, but in them. 

We can truly come to know God through a relationship with His Son.  The presence of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, resides in our hearts to lead us and empower us to walk the Christian life.  Even though there may be fascination with the Ark of the Covenant, when you consider that represents the power and presence of Almighty God, it therefore becomes a challenge to the explorers to consider the significance of this incredible piece and consider the One who has come to earth to bring redemption for our souls.