March 30, 2025 - A. V. Rauf
The Ark of the Covenant and the Coming Third Temple
As I write this post we are entering the month of April of the year 2025 A. D. Just this past week there were SEVERAL items of note that would raise the spiritual antennae of anyone that studies Biblical Eschatology.
Just a few days ago, a massive 7.7 Richter earthquake struck Southeast Asia, affecting Myanmar, Burma and Thailand to be specific. A second quake followed immediately measured at 6.8 on the Richter scale. When studying the Holy Writ we discover that Jesus often referred to earthquakes as “birth pangs,” which were synonymous with indicators of His return.
Matthew 24:7–For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places
As mentioned in the previous blog, In February of 2025, President Trump called for the U.S. to take long-term control of Gaza and for nearly two million Palestinian residents to permanently leave for neighboring countries. In this announcement, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump went on to declare that the United States would seize control of the Gaza Strip, secure it with thousands of armed troops, and rebuild it
On March 7, 2025, the United States of America delivered an ultimatum to the Islamic Republic of Iran: Within 60 days you will enter into negotiations for a new nuclear deal, or else. For those paying attention to the 60-day countdown, it will expire during the first week of May 2025, and that is when “bad, bad things will happen for Iran.” If you recall, last year, Iran was threatening Israel through their powerful, well-armed proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. This is what the Gaza War in October of 2024 involved.
Furthermore, they were rapidly nearing their goal of developing nuclear weapons with which to destroy the Jewish nation, and they clearly envisioned doing it all by themselves: The Iranians saw themselves as the heroes of the Muslim world who would finally wipe the evil Zionist occupiers from the face of the earth once and for all.
Just this past week, at least three B2 stealth bombers, possibly more were deployed to Diego Garcia. C-17 support aircraft and KC tankers are part of the deployed package. These aircraft are also 100% essential for any strike on Iranian nuclear bunkers under a mountain.
On March 28, 2025, 71 targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen were obliterated by American strike aircraft. Could this be a preview to what is coming as the 60 day countdown ends?
Prior to all this, on a separate note, a new study on the Egyptian pyramids has caused a stir worldwide, after researchers from Italy and Scotland claimed that there is a “huge underground city” extending over 6,500 feet beneath Giza pyramids. This study revealed the presence of eight vertical cylindrical structures extending over 2,100 feet beneath the pyramid, in addition to additional unknown structures at a depth of 4,000 feet.
The claim is based on the use of pulse radar devices by experts to create high-resolution images deep underground beneath the structures, in the same way that sonar radar is used to map the depths of the oceans. If the SAR scans of the Khafre Pyramid are accurate, they reveal how deep pillars extend beneath the bedrock under the base of the pyramid. If proven true, this could ultimately rewrite the history of ancient Egypt.
For decades there have been several theories as to how the pyramids themselves were built. As of today, more than 30 pyramids remain in Egypt: colossal feats of architecture and lasting monuments to the ancient civilization of the pharaohs.
The most famous is certainly the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was the oldest of the 7 Wonders of the ancient world and the only one still surviving, and for nearly 4,000 years it stood as the tallest human-made structure in the world. The complexity of the pyramids poses a significant challenge to archaeologists studying ancient Egypt. How, exactly, did this civilization construct such magnificent and technically precise monuments? What made it difficult for the ancient Egyptians to build the pyramid is the manpower limit. If it was humanly impossible to build these pyramids than how can you explain what was discovered beneath them?
God called to Job from the whirlwind in:
Job 38:4-6— “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the sockets thereof made to sink? or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Note in some biblical contexts, “sons of God” refers to a council of heavenly beings or spiritual entities who serve God. I am not even going to delve into Genesis 6 and the sinful acts committed by the Sons of God i.e. fallen angels, that ultimately led to the Flood in the days of Noah. If we again go to Matthew Chapter 24 a verse that comes to mind is the following:
Matthew 24:37-But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Return of the Nephilim???
Going back the Book of Job Chapter 38, in verse 6 we notice reference to foundation “sockets,” “made to sink.” When we examine the foundations of the Great Pyramid we find that the stones at the four base corners were made to sink into corresponding sockets in the rock. (These foundation stones were removed many centuries ago, and the sockets in the rock are exposed to view.) None of the other pyramids throughout Egypt possess such socket foundations. Could thisScriptural reference to a construction feature so distinctive of the Great Pyramid, gave grounds for one to expect to find in this Pyramid the details of God’s plan set forth in symbol.
This a whole different study in itself, but the point I want to make in passing is that if there is and this is a BIG IF……..IF there is a connection to the building of the pyramids and the discovery of what has been found beneath the pyramids and the question then would be exactly who built all this if it was humanly impossible?
Might I suggest that perhaps this very well could be a harbinger to the coming strong delusion that the Apostle Paul alluded to in the 2nd Letter to the Church of Thessalonica:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12—3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I still haven’t even alluded to the title of this blog………..and here….we go…..
I remember in the 1980’s an action film that was released called Raiders of the Lost Ark. The movie did so well that it spawned several sequels. In this film, an archaeologist who has travelled much of the world named Indiana Jones leads a quest to prevent the Nazis from obtaining the Ark of the Covenant, a powerful biblical artifact, and the people involved in that pursuit, including the “raiders” themselves, hence the title of the movie.
The film centers around the Ark, a golden chest said to hold the Ten Commandments and possess immense power, which the Nazis seek to exploit for military advantage. At the end of the film, we learn that the Ark has been sealed away in a government warehouse, suggesting to the viewer perhaps that the power of the Ark is best left untouched and that true knowledge and understanding are not always about seeing or possessing something, but about respecting the unknown. Again this was a movie.
In the Old Testament , the Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest, a central symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites, containing the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod, and was carried on poles made of acacia wood (with rings attached to its sides) by Levites during their journeys through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. The Ark was also carried into battle by the Israelites at times
The Ark also was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, with a golden molding around it. A golden cover, called the mercy seat, was placed on top of the Ark. Two golden cherubim were placed on the mercy seat. The Ark housed the Ten Commandments (written on stone tablets), a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod.
The Ark is mentioned in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and Revelation. As believers in Jesus Christ we identify with the mercy seat, where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement, symboling the atoning blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:1-16—9 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Now here is where it gets very, very interesting: The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and was seen only by the high priest on Yom Kippur. The Ark’s whereabouts after the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE were unknown, and various theories existed about its fate, including it being hidden, stolen, or destroyed. Some suggest that was destroyed during the Babylonian Exile, while some claim it is housed in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Ethiopia, and yet others suggest it might be hidden beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem or in a cave on Mount Nebo.
A long-standing religious legend in Ethiopia claims it was brought there by a man named Menelik, who was supposedly the son of the Queen of Sheba and Israel’s King Solomon.
The Queen of Sheba was from Ethiopia, but ruled over a kingdom in modern-day Yemen. According to legend, she gave birth to Menelik in her country of origin, but he later traveled to Jerusalem to study with his father.
While there, he supposedly stole the Ark and brought it back to Aksum, Ethiopia. Let me also mention in passing a very interesting fact regarding Ethiopia is that the Ethiopian Bible includes the Book of Enoch!
According to In Jewish tradition, the Ark of the Covenant is believed to be lost, hidden until the arrival of the Messiah and the rebuilding of the Third Temple, where it will be restored to its original chamber.
Last year, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant was reconstructed. Interestingly enough, many in attendance of the unveiling of this replica said that “it was meaningful that the ark replica was built and brought to Jerusalem amid Israel’s seven-front war against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and all of the latter’s other terror proxies“:
Just two days ago, it was being reported that declassified CIA reports reveal the existence and location of the Ark of the Covenant:
In the report it states that the ark is located somewhere in the Middle East, hidden underground protected by entities and will be opened until the time is deemed correct. Of more importance that it states that the purpose of the ark, which is referred to as “the target,” is to bring a people together. It has something to do with ceremony, memory, the resurrection.
In the past few years we have read about Red Heifers and the Temple Institute and the preparation of the Aaronic priesthood being trained to serve in the third temple after it is rebuilt. Now news has surfaced that the ark has been found. (For more information on Biblically related articles on this blog site pertaining to the third temple, simple type “third temple” in the Search engine!!!)
Revelation 11 opens up with a specific mention of a third temple which we know will be built some during the seven year tribulation period:
Revelation 11:1-2–And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Forty and two months is equivalent to 3.5 years which in itself is half of seven, or quite possibly midway through the last seven years of history prior to the Return (NOT THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH) of the Lord Jesus Christ. These seven years have been referred to by many scholars as the Tribulation.
At some point there will be a new peace on the Temple Mount. And in this peace the Third Temple will be constructed. However, this peace may come after a future war in the Middle East ignites. Will it be Psalm 83? Will it be Jeremiah 49:34-39?? Will it be the destruction of Syria mentioned in Isaiah 17. Or will it be Ezekiel 38-39?? (PLEASE SEE PREVIOUS FOUR-PART POST ON THE WAR OF GOG AND MAGOG on this blog site .)
The Bible repeatedly describes the Temple as the spiritual center of the world and the source for peace and prosperity.
Over the past decade there has been a growing “Movement” to rebuild the temple in Israel today with thousands of Jews working to rebuild the temple. According to a poll taken last year in a leading newspaper Ha’aretz, one third of Israelis believe that Israel should erect the Temple on the Temple Mount. Just last year, Israel’s Housing Minister called publicly for the rebuilding of the Temple, “We’ve built many little, little temples,” MK Uri Ariel said, referring to synagogues, “but we need to build a real Temple on the Temple Mount.”
Whether or not this ark that has been “found,” is real or not, it is very evident that we are rapidly approaching the time of Jacob’s Trouble and the strong delusion that was spoken of earlier.
As we move into the 2nd quarter of the year 2025 A.D., it is evident that this year promises to be a year of accelerated prophetic fulfillment. The Church Age is quickly coming to a close and God’s attention is moving toward Israel. Now is the time to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of the Kingdom to all that need to hear it before the door to the ark of safety closes and the Church Age comes to an end.
Luke 21:25-28-—25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
And Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…..
Psalm 122:6–Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
MARANATHA!!!