The Ark of the Covenant was rediscovered through the leading of God. Ron Wyatt, the archeologist whom God had permitted to re-discover a number of significant archeological finds including Noah's ark, the Red Sea crossing site with its encrusted chariot wheels, the real Mt. Sinai with its blackened top and altars, was directed by God to dig in an area outside of old Jerusalem known as the Calvary Escarpment. The place is also known as the place of the Skull, reflecting a pattern in the rock and is fairly close to the Garden Tomb, one of the suspected burial places of Jesus. This was in an area located between the walls of Jerusalem and the Babylonian siege wall during the siege of Jerusalem prior to its fall and destruction around 586 B.C. Permission to excavate was granted by the Israeli government as well as by the owners of the two properties that would be affected.
A lot of rubble was removed from the excavation site and digging commenced. Efforts were fruitless on a number of trips, extending over a 3 year period. Finally the searchers dug into the hill, and found it honeycombed with natural tunnels, most quite narrow.
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At the time of the discovery, the diggers, an Arabian helper and Ron Wyatt came upon a small hole leading into another chamber. The hole was enlarged and the helper crawled into the chamber first, but with a horrified look on his face, rapidly exited, never to return to the honeycombs. Ron enlarged the access hole, entered the chamber, and when he saw the casement and the other sanctuary implements in the chamber and realized that he'd found what he'd been searching for over the past years, he fainted and remained unconscious for around 45 minutes. |
The chamber was about 6 feet high and about 20 feet long. It was filled to within 18 inches of the ceiling with fist sized rocks. The sanctuary implements (see list below) were covered with dry rotted wood and animal skins of some sort. At the far end of the chamber was a casement with a lid on it. It was of the right size to just hold an Ark of the dimensions indicated in the Bible.
Over the next several weeks, the chamber was emptied of the filler rocks and the sanctuary implements were uncovered and cleaned up. Also the original passageway into the chamber (through which the chamber contents had been brought in) was located. Attempts to clear the passageway ended in futility. [There are extensive man-made tunnels under the temple mount on which the temple of the Dome of the Rock currently stands. Some of these extend several miles in length.]
Items positively identified in the chamber include:
1. Ark of the Covenant
2. Table of Shewbread
3. Altar of Incense
4. Seven-branched Lampstand
5. Serving utensils including a Censer
6. 5' 2" sword, most likely that of Goliath.
Besides these, there were many other artifacts and items of archeological significance in the chamber, including oil lamps and implements for the sanctuary service.
This find is probably the most significant archeological find in history. A number of dictators, including Adolph Hitler and Mussolini, felt that possessing the Ark would give them power over their enemies and aggressively sought for it. Yet it should be emphasized that the Ark itself has no power except as God's presence is dwelling there.
The Israeli government after examining artifacts
brought from the chamber, has confirmed to its satisfaction that the Ark has indeed been
found. However, to its credit, the government has been very careful with the release
of information to prevent riots and the potential destruction of the Dome of the Rock by
Jewish extremists. Some examples of what happened when people misused the ark
discovery information.
The Israeli government, satisfied that the Ark has been found, has ordered the chamber to be sealed. The entryway was covered with a steel plate and then covered with 2 feet of rock and dirt. It awaits a better time for God to reveal it.
The following graphics are an artist's computerized renditions from eye-witness descriptions and sketches of the ark of the covenant. The ark was viewed directly by several witnesses both through a crack running down the casement surrounding the ark (see picture below) and through a colonoscope (a flexible yet controllable fiber optic viewing device normally used for examining the insides of a colon) on a number of occasions during a two year period before the Israeli government ordered the chamber sealed.
These pictures are adapted from segments of a computerized video clip that is on the Ark of the Covenant CD-ROM (see below).
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The ark is in a mortar casement with a lid on it which was cracked and the smaller part shifted away. (See sketch in the last graphic below). The crack continued through the casement to its base and permitted viewing through the crack, as well as through a colonoscope. The poles were still in place in the rings attached to the ark.
The atonement cover was of solid gold and was encircled by the pomegranates as mentioned in the Bible. The two cherubim (angels), one on either end, had their wings positioned at right angles to the other, one wing covering the back side of the ark, the other at their sides.
The cherubim at either side of the ark were attached to the lid and would
come off when the lid would be removed from the body of the ark. A close-up of the
cherubim's face indicated it looked much like we would expect an Levitical priest to
appear, with miter and full beard, not as many artists depict angels today.
The book of the law, written by Moses and placed in a pocket at the back side of the Ark, was still there (Deut. 31:24-26). Close examination with the colonoscope showed that the leather still looked fresh and supple. God had promised the Israelites that during their wanderings in the wilderness, their clothes and sandals would not wear out! (Deut. 29:5)
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During the excavations around the Calvary
escarpment,
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Ron Wyatt, the man that made the discovery posted above:
Ron Wyatt was famous for his excavation work on
Noah's Ark, at the site of the ship found in the Mount Ararat region of Turkey, several
thousand feet above sea level. But he has continued over the years to excavate sites that
will prove the Bible of the Old and New Testament to be true.
His excavations have included finding the sites of the five towns that made up Sodom and
Gomorrah, complete with brimstones. Also, the point at which the Israelites crossed the
Red Sea during the exodus, with video footage, showing the chariot parts of Pharaoh's army
under the sea and columns erected by King Solomon 400 years after the crossing to mark the
site. The true site of Mount Sinai, complete with the rock that Moses split for the river
of water to flow when the Israelites were ready to die of thirst and a further nineteen
other points on Mount Sinai that link to passages in the Bible.
One of his more recent excavations led him to find the 'Ark of the Covenant' which is
linked to actual site of the Crucifixion of Jesus. This included finding dried blood which
when tested, was like no other blood ever found before on this earth.
THE
DEATH OF RON WYATT
As many of you already know, Ronald Eldon Wyatt went to his
rest on the morning of August 4, 1999. As I was at the hospital with him during the hours
preceding his death, I will share some of the experience with you.
On Monday afternoon August 2, 1999 after talking with other close
friends of Ron, I was strongly impressed that it was time for me to go to his side. I
reached his bedside the next day about noon (CSDT). As it turned out the impression was
correct as Ron passed away just 17 hours later. However, I had time to talk and pray with
him and a good number of close family members had the chance to visit with him and say
goodbye.
Ron was a Christian all the way to the end. Several times as we stood
around his bed he began to pray. Most of his prayers were not for himself but for his
family to be comforted and cared for, and that the work that the Lord had given him and
blessed over the years, would continue to bless people after he was gone.
Early Wednesday morning, August 4th at 5:41 am., Ron stopped breathing.
The Lord was very merciful to Ron as he suffered little pain in his last days. He simply
fell asleep in the Lord. Ron was a good friend. I will not forget him and I will miss him
very much.
The funeral was held at 2:30 pm. on August 6, 1999 at the Oakes &
Nichols funeral home in Columbia, TN. It was well attended. Ron's younger brother, Bill
Wyatt, organized and officiated at the service. Three of Ron's associates, Richard Rives,
Marty Plott, and myself were asked to give the eulogy. Before the service began another
close friend of Ron's came to Mary Nell Wyatt (Ron's wife) and asked if he might say a few
words also. She felt it would be fine for anyone that wanted to speak, to do so.
After the eulogies were finished, that friend came forward to speak.
From that point on the service became a testimonial as more people (between 20-30) came
forward to share their thoughts. Their words were not so much about Ron Wyatt but about
what God had done through him over the years and how these people had been blessed by his
work. It was one of the most touching scenes I have ever witnessed.
Ron Wyatt was laid to rest at Polk Memorial Gardens just outside of
Columbia, TN. I eagerly await seeing Ron again on that resurrection morning when Jesus
returns.
WHAT NEXT?
At this point most of you are wondering what is going to happen next. I
can reassure you that the work of Ron Wyatt and Wyatt Archaeological Research will
continue to go forward. This work has never been dependent on any person (Ron constantly
reminded us of that) but has always been the Lord's work.
Ron did make various arrangements for the continuation of the work in
case he was not able to continue.
One of the things he felt strongly about were the meetings he would
give as he traveled literally around the world. He commissioned a number of his closest
associates to carry on those meetings and prayed that people would continue to host them
even if he was not able to personally give the meetings. He wanted people to understand
that the greatness of the discoveries was not that he had found them but that God had
preserved and revealed them at this time in earth's history.
Another part of the work that Ron valued was his archaeological tours
which he hosted twice a year. Ron told me about two weeks ago that he wanted to see those
continue and Richard Rives (now the president of W.A.R.), who has always organized the
tours, has told me that they will continue. More on this as the information becomes
available.
Exploration of Ron's sites and his research will continue to go forward
as well. In fact, over the last couple of years, a number of people have made significant
discoveries of artifacts and such associated with Ron's work sites. Those people are
continuing to do work and research on the various discoveries including Noah's Ark, Sodom
& Gomorrah, Mt. Sinai and the Red Sea Crossing site.
COMING SOON FROM WYATT ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
This is the most difficult subject of all and it was the one most
thought of and the least talked about among those in the ministry over the last week. Ron
HAS made arrangements for the finishing of this part of the work. According to God's
timetable, video of the Ark and the contents of the chamber where it now sits, the tables
of stone and the blood on the Mercy Seat will be revealed to the world. No one can be more
specific about this at the present time.
Lastly, I want to encourage each of you to continue sharing this
material with everyone that you know. Time is getting short and there are so many people
who have little or no faith in God's Word. Ron's discoveries were given by God as a tool
to increase faith and to gain the attention of those that have been mislead by the
deceptions of the world. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Ron than to continueto use these things as God intended. Thank you for your continued support. The outpouring
of concern and encouragement over the last several months has been an encouragement to us
all.
Bill Fry
Anchor Stones: Wyatt Archaeological Research Web Site___these people are carrying on Ron's
work.
http://www.anchorstone.com/wyatt
Go to the Q & A Page of anchorstone which gives insights into the Ark of the Covenant
Go to the UPDATES page of anchorstone which has updates about the Ark of the Covenant
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