The Ark of the Covenant was designed by God and created by Moses to mark the exact location of the Holy of Holies, common known as the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and served as a direct connection between God and the Israelites. After Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of the Jewish Temple in 586 B.C., the Ark of the Covenant disappeared in history.

Locating the Ark
Some believe the Ark is hidden and remains to be discovered, while other believes the gold plated wood Covenant was melted for the gold and eventually destroyed. Some believe the prophet Jeremiah hid it in Neba Mountain in Jordan while still some believe it was taken to Ethiopia by King Solomon’s son. Most rabbis in Israel are certain that the Ark never even left the city of Jerusalem. The mysterious disappearance of the Covenant is appealing and the ongoing wondering keeps people interested.

And how close has anyone come to locating the Ark of the Covenant? And what does finding it mean? In 1981, fourteen years after Israel won the Six Day War of 1967, Rabbis Shlomo Goren and Yehuda Getz took part in excavation of the Old City of Jerusalem. Underneath the modern-day city, the team discovered the ancient walls surrounding Jerusalem, dating back to 2,000 years ago. And they felt they were well on their way to finding the ‘Lost Ark.’

As their excavation continued, they uncovered a secret passageway underground leading to the Temple Mount, and Rabbi Getz knew at the end would lie a room with the Covenant. When this passageway was announced, Arab demonstration began in fear the Israelites were building the Jewish Temple on underground on the Temple Mount, a location they called rightfully their. Israeli Police officially sealed the entrance to the tunnel, preventing any further excavation.

What Does Finding the Ark Mean?
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah told of a day when the Ark of the Covenant will not be seen or visited, meaning there will come a time when it will not be there. And once it is found, it will set in motion what has been over 2,000 years in the making – the rebuilding of the 3rd Jewish Temple. And most are convinced it will happen in their lifetime.