Three Arks?

Three Arks

The first ark mentioned in the Bible is the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred container that held the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, as well as other sacred items. This ark was carried by the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

Noah’s Ark as the second ark. However, it is not accurate to say that Noah’s Ark carried people through the flood. According to the biblical story, Noah’s Ark was a large boat that was built by Noah at God’s command to save himself, his family, and pairs of animals from a catastrophic flood that covered the earth. While the Ark did carry the living creatures through the flood, it was not intended to carry people as a means of transportation, but rather as a means of protection from the flood.

The first ark mentioned in the Bible is the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred container built by the Israelites according to God’s instructions. The Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood and covered with gold, and it contained the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

In addition to the Ten Commandments, the Ark of the Covenant also contained other sacred objects, including a golden pot of manna (which represented God’s provision of food for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness) and Aaron’s staff (which represented the authority of the high priest). The lid of the Ark was called the Mercy Seat, and it was made of pure gold and had two cherubim facing each other, with their wings spread over the Mercy Seat.

The Ark of the Covenant was considered to be the most sacred object in the Israelite’s worship of God, and it was kept in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) as a symbol of God’s presence among his people.

The items contained in the Ark of the Covenant – the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, a golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff – are not specifically considered to be part of Jesus in Christian theology. However, they do have symbolic significance that is related to Jesus and his role in salvation.

For example, the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments represent God’s law, which Jesus fulfilled through his life, death, and resurrection. The golden pot of manna, which was the food that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness, symbolizes Jesus as the bread of life who nourishes and sustains believers. Aaron’s staff, which represented the authority of the high priest, is a symbol of Jesus as the high priest who mediates between God and humanity.

In addition, the Ark of the Covenant itself is seen as a symbol of Christ, as it represents the presence of God among his people. Just as the Ark was carried into battle by the Israelites, Christians believe that Christ goes before them in spiritual warfare, leading them to victory over sin and death.

While the items in the Ark of the Covenant are not considered to be a direct part of Jesus, they do have significant symbolic value in Christian theology, and can be used to deepen our understanding of his role in salvation.

The Bible does not record that Noah’s Ark carried any sacred items similar to the Ark of the Covenant. According to the biblical account, God commanded Noah to build the Ark as a means of saving himself, his family, and the animals that God had chosen to preserve from a catastrophic flood.

The Ark that Noah built was a massive vessel made of gopher wood, with three stories and many compartments to house the animals and supplies needed for their survival during the flood. The Ark was not a sacred object like the Ark of the Covenant, but rather a practical means of preserving life.

However, some scholars have noted similarities between the story of Noah’s Ark and other ancient flood myths, in which a boat or ark is used to preserve humanity and/or sacred objects from a devastating flood. In these myths, the boat or ark often represents a refuge from the chaos and destruction of the flood, and symbolizes the hope of rebirth and renewal after the floodwaters recede.

Ten Commandments, pot of manna, Aaron’s staff, the Word of God, The Bread of Life, The staff for protection are not these all what Jesus is

Yes, many Christians believe that the items contained in the Ark of the Covenant – the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff – have symbolic significance that points to Jesus and his role in salvation.

For example, the stone tablets represent God’s law, which Jesus fulfilled through his life, death, and resurrection. The golden pot of manna, which was the food that sustained the Israelites in the wilderness, symbolizes Jesus as the bread of life who nourishes and sustains believers. Aaron’s staff, which represented the authority of the high priest, is a symbol of Jesus as the high priest who mediates between God and humanity.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and also uses the imagery of a shepherd’s staff for protection (John 10:11-16). Furthermore, Jesus is also referred to as the Word of God in the Gospel of John (John 1:1) and is often associated with the concept of God’s law and guidance for his people.

While the items in the Ark of the Covenant are not considered to be a direct part of Jesus, they do have significant symbolic value in Christian theology, and can be used to deepen our understanding of his role in salvation.

While the story of Noah’s Ark is not typically interpreted in Christian theology as having direct symbolic value for the person of Jesus, some Christians have found parallels between the Ark and the redemptive work of Christ.

For example, just as Noah’s Ark provided food and protection for those who were inside, so too does Jesus provide spiritual nourishment and protection for his followers. The Ark was a means of salvation from the physical destruction of the flood, while Jesus is the means of salvation from the spiritual destruction of sin and death.

Additionally, some Christians see the Ark as a symbol of the Church, which is the community of believers who have found refuge in Christ. In this interpretation, the Ark represents the safety and security that Christians find in being part of the body of Christ.

While the symbolic interpretation of the Ark of the Covenant is more clearly established in Christian theology, some Christians have found value in interpreting the story of Noah’s Ark in a way that points to the redemptive work of Christ. However, it is important to note that this interpretation is not universally accepted and is subject to debate and interpretation.

The New Testament refers to believers as the Temple of God, which means that God’s Spirit lives within them (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). This concept is related to the idea that the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God’s presence among his people, was kept in the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) as a dwelling place for God’s glory.

In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle and Temple were the physical places where God’s presence was believed to dwell on earth. The Ark of the Covenant was the most important object in the Tabernacle and Temple, as it represented the throne of God and the means of access to his presence. The High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and to sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat.

However, in the New Testament, with the coming of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers are no longer required to worship at a physical Temple, as God’s presence now dwells within them. Christians are now able to approach God directly through faith in Jesus Christ, and the need for the physical Temple and the sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ.

So, while the Ark of the Covenant was once the most important object in the Temple, believers are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, and are called to live as a holy Temple, set apart for God’s purposes.

While the concept of the Children of God being the third ark is not explicitly found in the Bible, some Christians may find value in using the analogy to deepen their understanding of the relationship between believers and God.

In the biblical narrative, the Ark of the Covenant and Noah’s Ark are both objects that provide safety, protection, and a means of salvation for God’s people. Similarly, believers are called to be a community of people who provide safety, support, and love for one another as they follow Christ. In this sense, the community of believers can be seen as a metaphorical ark, providing refuge and hope for those who are part of it.

Additionally, just as the Ark of the Covenant and Noah’s Ark both symbolize God’s presence among his people, believers are called to be the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, and to reflect God’s love and character in the world. This idea is reflected in the New Testament concept of the Church as the Body of Christ, with Christ as the head and believers as the members.

While the analogy of the Children of God being the third ark is not a direct teaching of the Bible, it can be a helpful way to understand the role of believers in God’s plan of redemption and the importance of community in the Christian life.

Teaching Outline

I. Introduction A. Explanation of the concept of the Ark in the Bible B. Brief overview of the two arks mentioned in the Bible – the Ark of the Covenant and Noah’s Ark C. Introduction of the idea that believers can be seen as the third ark.

II. The Ark of the Covenant A. Explanation of the Ark of the Covenant and its significance in the Old Testament B. Discussion of the symbolic significance of the items contained in the Ark – the Ten Commandments, the pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff C. Explanation of how these items point to Jesus and his redemptive work.

III. Noah’s Ark A. Explanation of the story of Noah’s Ark and its significance B. Discussion of the parallels between the Ark and the redemptive work of Christ C. Explanation of how the Ark can be seen as a symbol of the Church.

IV. The Children of God as the third ark A. Explanation of the concept of believers as the Temple of God and the dwelling place of God’s Spirit B. Discussion of how believers can provide safety, protection, and a means of salvation for one another C. Explanation of how believers are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

V. Conclusion A. Summary of the main points of the teaching B. Application of the concept to the Christian life C. Call to action to live as part of the third ark and to be a community that reflects God’s love and character in the world.

Scriptures that can be used to support the concept of the Children of God as the third ark:

1. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
2. 2 Corinthians 6:16 – “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'”
3. Ephesians 2:19-22 – “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
4. John 6:35 – “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'”
5. John 10:11-16 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”
6. 1 Peter 2:5 – “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

These verses point to the idea that believers are called to be the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, to provide safety and protection for one another, and to be a community that reflects the character of Christ in the world.

Writing on The Three Arks

The concept of the three Arks is a metaphorical representation of the biblical narrative that highlights the significance of God’s presence and protection throughout history. The Arks of the Covenant and Noah’s Ark are two key examples of God’s presence and protection, while the believers or the Children of God are the third Ark that provide hope and refuge to believers today.

The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred container built by the Israelites to house the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, and a golden pot of manna. It was considered the most sacred object in Israelite worship and symbolized God’s presence among his people. The Ark represented the throne of God and the means of access to his presence. The High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat of the Ark. However, with the coming of Christ, the physical Temple and the sacrificial system was fulfilled in Him, and believers no longer needed to worship in a physical Temple but can approach God directly through faith in Jesus Christ.

The story of Noah’s Ark is another biblical account of God’s protection and salvation of his people. In this story, God commanded Noah to build an Ark and to take his family and pairs of animals on board to escape the impending flood. The Ark was not only a means of transportation but a means of protection and safety. The Ark is often seen as a symbol of Christ, who provides spiritual nourishment and protection to believers.

The Children of God are the third Ark, which represents the Church, a community of believers who provide safety, protection, and hope to one another. The New Testament refers to believers as the Temple of God, which means that God’s Spirit lives within them. As members of Christ’s Body, believers are the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, and they reflect God’s love and character in the world.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 states, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Similarly, 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'”

Ephesians 2:19-22 states, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Jesus himself used the imagery of the Shepherd’s staff to protect His followers. John 10:11-16 states, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

In conclusion, the metaphor of the three Arks highlights God’s protection and presence throughout history. The Arks of the Covenant and Noah’s Ark were physical examples of God’s presence and protection, while the Children of God or the Church represent the third Ark, the spiritual dwelling place of God’s Spirit. The believers’ community provides safety, protection, and hope for believers, and reflects God’s love and character in the world. As God’s dwelling place, believers should honor and respect their bodies, the Temple of God.