The last verse of the previous chapter
indicates that John MUST PROPHESY again. Many scholars believe that
John will be one of the TWO WITNESSES who are
introduced in this chapter. But first, the heart and soul of the
Israeli nation will be measured because they soon will participate in
one of the most humanly terrifying events to date: the two slain
witnesses are resurrected and the SEVENTH TRUMPET
sounds.
1 I was given a reed like a
measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the
altar, and count the worshipers there.
I was given a reed like a MEASURING ROD
This is a continuation of chapter 10. We will now see the "active" part
of the prophesy. Up to now, John was to hear, see, and write. Now the
prophesy starts, and it usually begins with the prophet measuring
(assessing) the spiritual state of the nation.
and was told,
Many scholars believe this is Christ speaking. However, it also could
be the strong angel with the little scroll (Revelation
10:1).
"Go and measure
The figurative meaning would say this refers to the Christian church in
general. The literal meaning would mean the rebuilt temple in
Jerusalem. Since Revelation is first and foremost a Jewish writing,
this should be taken literally.
What does the measuring mean? The Jews in rebuilding the temple and
resuming animal sacrifices signify they refuse to accept Jesus as
Messiah as He came 2000 years ago. Instead, "the beast" in the rest of
Revelation is accepted, Daniel
9:27, Daniel
12:11, 2
Thessalonians 2:3-4, Matthew
24:15.
Thus, the "measuring" is to show the Jews how lacking Old Testament
temple and altar (ritual) are compared to Jesus Christ and His COMPLETE
forgiveness and High Priestly authority (Hebrews
7:11-19).
this was for atonement in Old Testament times; now Christ
has done it, and 144,000 sealed and 2 witnesses talk about it (Hebrews
10:11-18)
count the WORSHIPERS
there.
finally, this is for the "religious" (as opposed to
agnostic/atheist). The measuring is a separation (Matthew
25:31-46)
LESSON: If you call yourself a Christian, your
worship, sacrifice, and praise MUST be to the Lord and not to a
building, pastor, or fellow believers. You will be MEASURED!
2 But exclude the outer court;
do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will
trample on the holy city for 42 months.
But exclude the outer court; do
not measure it,
Traditionally, the outer court has been the only place where non-Jews
are allowed. Since the three previous temples: Solomon's, Zerubabel's,
and Herod's, which was destroyed in AD70, the TEMPLE mount has been
under Gentile control. Even today, the Dome of the Rock, a Moslem
edifice, occupies the site. This is prophesied by Jesus in Luke
21:20-24.
Apparently, a pact will be made with the Antichrist (Daniel
9:25) which gives the Jews 3 1/2 years to rebuild the TEMPLE on
that site. Even today, Jews have gathered materials for the temple
utensils. The time is near for the rebuilding of the TEMPLE.
The TEMPLE is so protected from non-Jews that Paul was accused of
bringing Greeks into the temple area, Acts
21:27-28-30, instead of leaving them in the court. Some scholars
suggest that the reason the court is not to be measured is that the
Gentiles already have been measured, 2
Samuel 8:1-2-8.
because it has been given to the Gentiles. They
will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
This part of the verse clearly indicates that for 3 1/2 years (42
months) the holy city is occupied, particularly the TEMPLE mount, by
the Gentiles. The expression 'the Gentiles' usually is interpreted to
mean non-Jews. Whether this is limited to Arabs, also of Abraham's
seed, or wider, such as Russians, Americans, Africans, etc. is open to
conjecture.
There is an interesting observation that pre-Tribulation rapture
proponents make. For the true believers in Christ, there was no temple.
True believers worship God in Spirit and in Truth, John
4:23-24. Furthermore, we are called to worship God in the heavenly
sanctuary, Hebrews
10:19-22. If the true believers are, in fact, gone prior to these 3
1/2 years, then there is no reason to try to measure the non-Jewish
believers. Some interpret this verse in that manner.
Lastly, the 'holy city' has always referred to Jerusalem (not Mecca
or Rome or any other religious 'headquarters' city). It is where the
devil took Jesus to be tempted, Matthew
4:1-5-11. It also explains why Israel (and Arabs) get so much news
coverage. Inherently, the spiritual side of mankind knows something
important is going to happen there!
These two witnesses are accusing the beast (chapters 13-19) of
apostasy and desecration of the temple, earth, and human soul. That
this verse personalizes the two witnesses with "MY" two witnesses
indicates that this authority comes straight from the throne. God
always has had witnesses, whether human or His creation (Acts
14:16-17).
and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,
Note the precise fixed time: 1,260 days = 3 1/2 years = 1/2 of 7 years.
clothed in sackcloth."
Sackcloth shows mourning, humility, affliction of the soul, and true
repentance. Jews fully understand what this means (Genesis
37:33-34; 1
Kings 20:31-32;
and Jeremiah
4:7-8). It is an Old Testament example to the nation that things
are WRONG. This symbolism may not be well understood by non-Jews or
non-Arabs. Gentiles (see previous verse) just don't
do this.
4 These are the two olive trees
and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
These are
the two OLIVE TREES and
Olive trees give oil for the lamps on the two lampstands. Often in
scripture the oil represents the Holy Spirit, so these two witnesses
are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians
5:18). Compare this description to Zechariah
4:1-14.
the two LAMPSTANDS
When witnessing (verse 7) or giving their
testimony,
they stand out as lights to the Jewish nation. Recall from the previous verse that under Old Testament methods, there
are two or more witnesses required.
that stand before the LORD OF THE EARTH.
These two have a special place before the "Lord of the
earth". Abram in Genesis
14:22 swore to "Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and
earth.".
After the destruction of the Jewish nation, God is referred to as
the 'God of heaven'; for example Daniel
2:18, 37, 44. Here with this expression "Lord of the earth", God is
again addressing Himself to the Jewish nation. They are witnessing in
'the Great City', verse 8.
Some scholars believe these two are not humans but angels in human
form such as the ones at Christ's tomb, Luke
24:3-4, and at His ascension, Acts
1:10.
5 If anyone tries to harm them,
fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how
anyone who wants to harm them must die.
If anyone tries to harm them,
Apparently, the two witnesses' testimony angers the Jewish people first
and the rest of the world second.
Why?
If you believe in either a pretribulation or midtribulation
'rapture' , people who thought they were Christians and were left
behind don't want to hear the Gospel/testimony (verse 7)
again. They are guilty and too ashamed to admit it; their hearts are
hardened.
The AntiChrist as 'world leader' doesn't like what they say
because they talk of the preeminence of Christ and not his.
There is an implication that these two witnesses can read thoughts by
the use of the phrase "desires to harm them". They understand the
desires/intent of those around them. It is not clear that they also
know of their death (verse 7) and restoration (verse 11).
fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies.
This is a spoken judgment. Elijah was so anointed to 'speak fire' (2
Kings 1:9-10-12-16). Jeremiah
5:14 indicates Jeremiah was able to speak and the people were like
wood.
This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.
This is the second time the phrase "desire to harm" is used in this
verse. This gives an emphatic clue to the way the world and AntiChrist
will be "terminated". It is an 'eye for eye' principle.
Also, this is reactive witnessing (Matthew
12:9-15-16) as opposed to proactive witnessing, that is, attesting
to signs, wonders, and miracles.
6 These men have power to
shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are
prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to
strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
These men have POWER to shut up the sky so that it will not
RAIN during the TIME they are PROPHESYING;
Power is associated with the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:8). When the anointing is upon someone, they have this kind of
POWER. Elijah in 1
Kings 17:1-7 shut off the rain. Elijah's POWER is equated with
prayer for sick and confession of sins, James
5:13-18. Note the exact time it didn't rain in Elijah's
time....what is the duration of these two witnesses PROPHESYING (verse 3).
and they have POWER to turn the WATERS
This carries forth the spirit part of power. If water is the abode of
spirits, these witnesses by shutting off the water in effect are not
giving evil spirits (demons) an abode. See Revelation
9:14. This is another reason why the antichrist is irritated by
these two witnesses.
into BLOOD,
In the Old Jewish laws, there is a direct relationship between life and
BLOOD. Atonement comes through the blood into ETERNAL LIFE. Thus, the
two witnesses not only have the unique ability to inhibit the evil
spirit abode but also to change that abode into life. That is exactly
what Christ did for us on the cross (John
19:31-37)
and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as
often as
they want.
This chapter in Revelation may be a retrospective look to the seven
seals and the seven trumpets. Much of what has been described up to
this point during the first half of the tribulation looks like it
was/is done under the power of these two witnesses. What is interesting
is that these two witnesses are not brought up in Revelation chapter 4
when the seals and trumpets appear. This chapter is like an
afterthought which explains how the seals and trumpets are executed.
'Every kind of plague' denotes that these two witnesses are
dealing at
a spiritual level. Recall that plagues and diseases are part of the sin
curse, Genesis
3:17-19.
7Now
when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from
the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.
Now when they have finished their testimony,
This is 3 and 1/2 years (verse 3); some feel this is
half way through the tribulation. They are immortal until their work is
done. All of our life spans are fixed by God (Job
7:1-10, Hebrews
9:27-28, and James
4:13-17)
the BEAST that comes up from the ABYSS
This is the first mention of the BEAST. John does it so matter of fact
that one wonders if he hadn't seen 'the BEAST' before but just didn't
write it down. On the other hand, the two witnesses are not in
chronological order so this may be at the beginning of John's vision
and just now he is getting around to writing it down. He refers to the
BEAST later in Revelation 13:1,7 and Revelation
17:8.
The ABYSS, the evil abode, is so bad that even the evil spirits do
not wish to be there, Revelation 9:1-2,11.
So scholars believe this 'coming up from the ABYSS' is a mimic of
the resurrection of Christ. How else will the world accept this
evil-occupied human as "Messiah" (he is the only one to be able to kill
the two witnesses. Whether the BEAST is in suspended death/trance and
then "wakes up" is not clear. Mystic Eastern cults claim such
suspension.
will attack them,
Weaponry will be used to kill them. This follows Daniel's prophesy in Daniel
7:17-21-22.
and overpower them and KILL them.
With the two witnesses' death , it appears that the last great obstacle
to total evil control of the earth has been conquered. The 144,000
witnesses in chapter
7 seem to remain until the dragon makes war with
the 'rest of the woman's offspring' (Revelation
12:17).
8 Their bodies will lie in the
street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt,
where also their Lord was crucified.
Their bodies will lie in the street of the GREAT CITY,
Perhaps these two are the prophets referred to in Matthew
23:33-34-36, and maybe they are crucified in front of TV cameras
"Live from Jerusalem". Then their bodies will be left, undignified in
the street. This is very much not Jewish; burial comes quickly after
death in Jewish tradition.
which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt,
The word "figuratively" here translated from the Greek (pneumatikos) is
only used in the New Testament in 1
Corinthians 2:14 where clearly this is spiritual (not of natural
man).
Sodom
- Here is wickedness beyond belief. It came to the point of
wanting homosexual relations with God's angels (messengers) (Genesis
19:1-11).
9
For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and
nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.
For three and a half days men from every people, tribe,
language and nation
No doubt, the two witnesses "sang" the song in Revelation
5:9-10. What infuriated the world
(every people, tribe, language and nation) is that they were guilty of
the Messiah's blood, and that true believers would eventually reign.
The world had gone along with the devil, were deceived, and had a gut
feeling these two witnesses were RIGHT. The world couldn't accept that
they had chosen incorrectly.
will gaze on their BODIES and
REFUSE them burial.
Maybe there was a fear (belief) that these two (or one of them) was the
Messiah. Jesus in John
2:13-22 indicates that after three days the "temple would be raised
again". If Jews only considered Jesus a prophet, then they (and the
world) would want to watch this happen. Modern television will make
this verse possible. At four days much decay sets in (John
11:38-39-44). The two witnesses are DEAD nearly four days!
The "unburied" act also was a reproach to Jews which left them open
to scoffing and derision. The devil has always tried to make fools of
God's chosen people, Psalm
79:1-7.
10The inhabitants of the earth
will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts,
because these
two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
The two witnesses caused them to suffer physically (verse 6).
The two witnesses bothered the world's collective conscience
greatly.
Most likely, Christmas was a celebration without even the possibility
of remembering Christ's birth. The antichrist will have decreed it so.
These two witnesses had reminded the world WHY they had sent gifts.
will CELEBRATE by SENDING each other GIFTS, because these
two
prophets
HAD TORMENTED those who live on the earth.
This celebration coincides with the Festival of Purim (Esther
9:20-28), the Jewish gift-giving festival. Since the festival is
held on the 13th day of Adar month (Jewish calendar), most likely these
two witnesses are killed on this day. Watch for it. Note: the Desert
Storm Persian Gulf conflict concluded on the Festival of Purim.
Coincidence or ???
The two witnesses, as witnesses usually do, cause a study in contrasts.
To believers, they would have brought joyous testimony. To
non-believers, they will bring terrible torment.
11 But after
the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and
they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.
But after the three and a half days
Note the precision in time again. John could have said something like
"during the 4th day ... ", but he is very exact at 3 1/2 days. What is
so fascinating is that to God, time does not exist inasmuch as He is
eternal. However, this precision indicates that even our human ties to
time are well understood by Him. Furthermore, this precision gives
credence to the rest of Revelation. When this event takes place, there
will be NO DOUBT in the observer's minds as to what this means.
What happens after this is a GOD EVENT in 4 parts: a) a God miracle,
b) clear evidence, c) result on observers, and d) a personal
invitation.
the breath of life from God entered them,
All life is breathed into us from God. Physically, Genesis
2:4-9, we breath; spiritually, John
1:1-4-5, we have eternal breath; and our reward, Revelation 2:10, is LIFE.
and they stood on their feet,
We, humans, instantly equate someone lying down as asleep, unconscious,
or dead. Standing up requires us to be alive, awake, and conscious. The
evidence of BREATH on dry bones is clear in Ezekiel
37:1-10.
and TERROR struck those who saw them.
Why would TERROR strike the observers?
12 Then they
heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they
went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
This is a continuation of the previous verse.
Then
they heard a loud VOICE from HEAVEN saying to them, "COME
UP
HERE."
This confirms the two witnesses are of God (not false teachers) because
only God's own people are invited into heaven. This parallels the
request to John in Revelation 4:1.
And they went up to HEAVEN in the cloud,
Note, it is 'the cloud' not 'a cloud'. There may be a special "God's
cloud" which not only transports Jesus (Acts
1:9) and witnesses around but also contains the GLORY of God (Exodus
40:34-38).
while their enemies looked on.
'LOOKED ON' is probably better translated 'STARED TRANSFIXED'. This is
not
a twinkling-of-an-eye exit (1
Corinthians 15:52). It is a slow deliberate departure. Most likely
'their enemies' were watching them closely to see what the two
witnesses were going to do next. Their departure may have been a relief
but even as believers are exhorted to be watchful, Luke
21:34-36, the enemies probably wonder if the two witnesses are
going to return.
Interestingly, they probably do with their Commander in the lead, Revelation 19:14.
13 At that very
hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed.
Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors
were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
At that very hour
Again, note the precision. It's "in that hour" not "some time later".
God's timing is always "on time".
there was a severe
earthquake and
There is no mistaking that these are God's two witnesses (verse
4). The earth through a physical quake acknowledges their true
standing.
a tenth of the city collapsed.
It was violent enough that buildings collapsed. It is not clear that
the epicenter was where the two witnesses were whisked away into heaven
or at the spiritual center of the city. Note that the veil of the
temple (some distance from Golgotha) was torn in the earthquake that
followed Christ's death on the cross, Matthew
27:51-56.
Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and
Some of these people may have been "big shots" from the political
realm, the news media, and religious leaders. The world had kept a
close watch on these two witnesses and their departure. And this is the
price they will pay for rejoicing over the two witnesses' death (verse 10)!
the survivors were terrified and gave GLORY to the GOD OF
HEAVEN.
Those alive recognize God as the one who caused the earthquake. but
note they only can give GLORY. The time for repentance is passed. When
God performs a miracle such as this uptaking or a healing, it is not
only an event for the ones taken up or healed, it most directly affects
the onlookers including skeptics (Luke
5:17-26).
14 The second woe
has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The second WOE has passed;
Remember the eagle in mid-heaven cried out "WOE, WOE, WOE" (Revelation 8:13). Revelation 9:13 through
Revelation 11:13 has been the second WOE which contained:
Sixth trumpet,
Little Book, and
The two witnesses and the beast.
the third WOE is coming soon.
The 'terror' in Jerusalem in the previous verse
shows that the 'rest of Jerusalem' also realizes it. WOEs are common to
Jewish experience over the centuries. Lest they become ordinary,
however,
they (the Jews) and we are told that a third WOE remains and soon will
appear:
15The seventh
angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which
said: "The
kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever."
The SEVENTH angel sounded his trumpet,
This is the last "trumpet" judgment (Revelation
8:2,6). It coincides with the third
woe (verse 14) and contains the portion (Revelation
11:16 - Revelation 19:11) with the seven bowls.
and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
Not clear if these are angelic or saintly or both. There is no context
here other than the previous announcements (Revelation
10:1,3) were by a strong angel with a
loud voice.
"The KINGDOM OF THE WORLD has become THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD,
and of HIS CHRIST,
Kingdom(s) are what Satan offered Jesus at temptation time (Luke
4:1-13). Satan even admitted 'they were handed over to him' so he
got them from someone else. Now that SOMEONE has acquired the 'Kingdom
of the World' again. The world has to be reacquired from the devil such
that he will not have any authority there when he is kicked out of
heaven (Revelation 12:9).
and he will reign for EVER AND EVER."
There will not be a possibility that another "fallen angel" will
acquire the Kingdom of the World. This is a FINAL solution; the end of
Satan's rule. The interpretation of Daniel to a worldly king's dream (Daniel
2:36-44-45) indicates after this king there would be other
kingdoms, and then a FOR EVER kingdom. Psalm
2:1-6, Psalm
45:6-9, and Revelation 19:6 talk
about this 'FOR EVER and EVER' kingdom.
16 And the
twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell
on their faces and worshiped God,
And the twenty-four ELDERS, who were seated on their thrones
BEFORE GOD,
Immediately after John's invitation into heaven (Revelation 4:1), we see the THRONES and
ELDERS (Revelation 4:4). At that time
before the 'seal judgments', they had fallen down and worshiped (Revelation 5:8).
This is the last reference in the Revelation to the 24 THRONES. They
have been made unnecessary by the establishment of the kingdom of our
Lord. Later, in Revelation 19:4, we see
the ELDERS falling down and worshipping God again, but there is no
mention of the THRONES.
Notice that the focus of attention is BEFORE GOD. This is what God
demands: that we do all BEFORE HIM!
fell on their faces and worshiped God,
This is the whole consuming activity of 'redeemed
men' as represented by the 24 ELDERS. The apostile Paul refers to
'redeemed' as the true circumcision who worship in the Spirit of God
and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians
3:3). On earth, we have the Holy Spirit and the glory of Christ; in
heaven, we worship GOD!
Notice that the tense of the verb in Revelation
4:10 is "worship"; here, it is "worshiped" (past active)
meaning it started in the past and is ongoing.
Lastly, the act of worship here in the Revelation is face downward
in complete subjection and humility. This is the opposite of the way
many Pentacostal churches today conduct "Praise and Worship" with hands
raised and faces looking upward. This may be the difference of how it
is in the 'kingdom of the world' in which we are now and the 'kingdom
of the Lord' in the future. It is curious that we don't practice
worship today as it will be done in the 'kingdom of our Lord'.
17saying: "We give thanks to
you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have
taken your great power and have begun to reign.
saying: "We give thanks to you,
All our worship of God should begin with THANKS.
Lord God Almighty,
This is the fullest, most majestic title of God. There is no doubt to
WHOM this thanksgiving is directed. Recall that Satan wanted Jesus to
WORSHIP him in
Luke 4:7. In return, Satan would give Jesus the kingdoms of the
earth (now belongs to Christ, verse 15). How wrong
Satan was!
the ONE who IS and who WAS,
King James Version adds 'who art to come'. BUT He has come and
because YOU have taken YOUR great POWER
This is the same POWER that was promised to us in Acts
1:6-11.
and have begun to REIGN.
There is a time (we are living in it now), where Satan is permitted to
REIGN or be ruler over the earth. During this period, Jesus' wish is
that none should perish (2
Peter 3:9), but with the seventh trumpet (third woe), the time for
repentence is over. Christ has begun to REIGN.
The STONE of Daniel
2:31-35 and Daniel
2:40-44-45 is in the process of crushing kingdoms. It takes GREAT
POWER to accomplish this (Luke
12:5). Jesus prayed that this POWER to REIGN would be given to His
disciples, John
17:6-18-19.
18 The nations
were angry;
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the
prophets
and your saints and those who reverence
your name,
both small and great ---
and for destroying those who destroy
the earth."
This verse is a continuation of the song begun in the previous
verse.
It gives an overview of the seventh trumpet (or the rest of the
Revelation).
The NATIONS were angry;
The devil knows by the time the seventh trumpet is sounded that he only
has a short time to subvert the world (NATIONS). Inasmuch the NATIONS
are enraged, it shows the effectiveness of the devil. But this should
be no surprise. Even the psalmist writes of the uproar of the nations, Psalm
2:1-3.
The time has come for judging the dead,
Daniel sees this in Daniel
12:2-3.
and {the time has come} for REWARDING your
servants the prophets
This "reward giving" is probably different than translated believers (Revelation 4:1), who are investigated (Revelation 4:2), coronated (Revelation 4:4) and then returned the crowns
to Jesus' feet (Revelation 4:10-11). Note who receives this reward:
the PROPHETS and
These are Old Testament and New Testament prophets. They had a
commitment as BOND-SERVANTS (Revelation 1:1).
This is why Paul says prophesy is greater than tongues (1
Corinthians 4:1-5). These are the ones who get this reward.
{the time has come} for DESTROYING those who
destroy the earth."
Remember that the earth is the Lord's, Genesis
1:1 and Exodus
9:29. Yet mankind in our sinful state has systemically destroyed
God's creation. Even so called Christians often don't respect what God
made. They litter, use chemicals, and misuse water sources.
From a figurative view, it is deception which is destroying the
earth. It is carried out by the beast, dragon, and false prophets who
perform signs to confirm their deception (Revelation
19:20, Revelation 20:1ff, and Revelation 16:13ff)
19 Then
God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the
ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings,
peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Then God's temple in heaven was opened,
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is an "opening" book:
What has been hidden from us and the earth in the spiritual realm is
slowly revealed. With the revelation comes an awareness of God's purity
and holiness. The result of the encounter with purity and holiness is
judgment against sin and the devil (Revelation chapters 12-16).
Since the temple is the place of worship, this encounter is a
worshipful experience. John saw parts of this temple previously: throne
and sea of glass (Revelation 4:6); and
altar (Revelation 6:9, Revelation 8:3-5);
and service by tribulation saints (Revelation
7:15).
Isaiah saw the throne and temple in Isaiah
6:1. Paul indicates this temple is where Christ now is ministering
as High Priest (Hebrews
8:1-7). Recall, Christ as the untimate sacrifice is able to be this
High Priest, Hebrews
9:23-26.
and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant.
The ark with its mercy seat (Exodus
37:1-9) speaks to atonement for sin. Thus this typifies Christ; the
law, manna, and Aaron's rod contained therein show man's
dependence/imperfection with respect to God.
In the Old Testament, the last reference to the ark occurs in 2
Chronicles 8:11. Later, Solomon with his involvment with Pharoah's
daughter, Queen Sheba (Ethiopian), gave "all her desire (2
Chronicles 9:12) including perhaps the Ark. Ethiopian history
claims the Ark is guarded in a church in Aksum, Ethiopia.
Isaiah has a prophesy in Isaiah
18:1-7 which may indicate the return of the ark. The 'standard' in
verse 3 (nes in Hebrew) could be translated as 'ark'. Likewise, the
'gift' (nes, again) in verse 7 is returned 'to the place of the name of
the Lord of hosts'.
And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of
thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Compare this to events at the temple at Christ's death, Matthew
27:51.