From January 12-29, 2003, we had the
opportunity to join with Bob Cornuke, the famous international
archaeological investigator, on an invitational expedition to Ethiopia
to participate in the annual Timkat celebration. It turned out to be one
of the most absorbing and life-changing experiences we've ever had.
The Ethiopians have been guarding their
mysterious relic for over 2400 years, which they maintain is the Ark of
the Covenant. Once a year they celebrate it with a two-day procession
called Timkat.
Based on our understanding of 2
Chronicles 35, it appears that the Levites had removed the Ark of the
Covenant from Jerusalem to protect it from the ravages of Manasseh and
sought protection under Pharaoh Necho. (Pharaoh Necho, incidentally,
was an Ethiopian, descended from XXV Dynasty, known as the Ethiopian
Dynasty.) This relic, along with its Levitical retinue, apparently
remained ensconced at Elephantine Island in Egypt for two centuries
before it was moved south to Tana Qirqos Island on Lake Tana in
Ethiopia, where it remained for eight centuries before moving to Axum,
where it has been secured in a highly protected bunker-like building to
this day.
We were able to visit each of these sites
where this mysterious relic has been guarded for over 2400 years.
Elephantine Island
Elephantine Island lies in the middle of
the Nile, just across from where the city of Aswan sits today; however,
in the days of XXV Dynasty, it was a military fortress serving as a
capital, which rendered it as an ideal refuge to protect the Ark from
the reach of the malicious King Manasseh in Israel.
In addition to exploring the extensive
ruins of the original fortifications and the subsequent temples -
particularly from the subsequent Ptolemaic periods - we also encountered
evidence that there previously had been a Jewish colony there in the
sixth century B.C., worshiping in a temple to Yehovah.
Tana Qirqos Island
Lake Tana is a large lake - over 90 miles
across - in Ethiopia. Among its numerous small islands there is one,
Tana Qirqos, which served as the Ark's domicile for eight centuries.
Thanks to the relationships that Bob
Cornuke had established in his numerous earlier visits, we were received
graciously by the small colony of monks that still reside there and were
treated with opportunities to review some of their treasures still in
their safekeeping: bronze flesh hooks that were used for the burnt
offerings, bowls and other assorted implements, etc. We also examined
the postholes that are still visible in the rocks where the Tabernacle
ostensibly stood.
It was interesting to discover that they
also embrace a tradition that Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus visited
there during their sojourn in Egypt.
Axum
In about A.D. 330, the Ark was moved to
Axum where it still resides today, presently housed in a secure building
known as St. Mary's Church of Zion. It is guarded day and night by a
Guardian that never leaves the site. When he dies, a young boy,
specially chosen and groomed for this honor, will take his place until
he, too, dies and is replaced by his successor. This procedure
apparently has been followed for thousands of years.
Once a year, they celebrate Timkat, a
procession from St. Mary's Church of Zion, through the town, to a
waterside ceremony celebrating the Baptism of Christ. The procession
continues to a large area distinguished by numerous stelae and other
fixtures commemorating the nation, where prayers and songs continue on
the second day. Ultimately the ceremonial elements are then returned to
St. Mary's Church of Zion.
The actual Ark does not leave its
secluded vaults, nor does the Guardian leave its side. Ceremonial
replicas and other elements are used in the celebration. But it was
absolutely astonishing to participate with tens of thousands of Levites,
singing and praying - around the clock - for days prior, during, and
subsequent to the processions, all celebrating Jesus Christ!
Here is a living tradition that
apparently has been going on for over 2400 years! It is the only living
tradition of the Ark of the Covenant on the Planet Earth. This is the
only nation in Africa that claims to be Christian - and it has the Lion
of the Tribe of Judah on its currency!
We had the unique privilege to be
received in the home of Mr. Navrud, the Administrator (the one to whom
the Guardian reports). Accompanied by his protégé and heir apparent,
and our interpreter, Bob and I spent several hours in a Bible study with
them, comparing our Scriptures with theirs. While it is clear that they
take their responsibility to protect the Ark until the Messiah comes
very seriously, they seemed surprisingly unaware of any further
eschatological insights.
We shared our views regarding the destiny
of the Mercy Seat and the implications behind Philip's encounter with
the Ethiopian Treasurer in Acts 8, etc. It may seem presumptuous, but
it may ultimately turn out that our visit may have planted some fruitful
seeds for their future.
Other Sites
Of course, we visited other sites as well
(and the three we mentioned have been presented in their historical
order rather than the sequence we encountered them).
We began in Rome, visiting the Vatican,
et al., which, of course, has to be seen to be fully understood. The
scope of the world's history - and its future - is incomplete without
understanding the ostensible grandeur - and agonies - from the struggles
for temporal and religious power.
We entered Ethiopia through Addis Ababa,
"the Capital of Africa," and our visit included the famed rock churches
of Lalibella, which apparently figure prominently in intrigues with the
Knights Templar in the 14th century. When we visited Elephantine
Island, we continued on a cruise down the Nile to Luxor, Karnak, etc.,
all incredibly spectacular and instructive.
Before we left Cairo, we also made some
fascinating discoveries in the Cairo Museum. We examined the stela of
Pharaoh Merenptah, the 13th son of Rameses II, which is distinctive in
that it includes a reference to the "tribe" of Israel. (The mummy of
Pharaoh Merenptah is also distinctive in that the salts in the canopic
lungs indicate that he apparently drowned in salt water!) Could he be
the "missing" pharaoh of the Exodus?
The Reality of the Ark?
Everyone asks us, "Did we actually see
the Ark?" No, we didn't. The actual relic never leaves its protected
enclosure. It is significant that the Guardian himself never leaves the
enclosure - even during the high days of the Timkat celebration.
In our extensive discussion with numerous
officials we never encountered the slightest doubt that they believe
they really do have the actual Ark of the Torah under their protection.
(And we should also bear in mind that it is not in the interests of
Ethiopia for the world to be really aware of their predicament; it would
further complicate the acquittal of their responsibilities.)
I believe it is correct to report that
each member of our expedition "strongly suspect" that the Ark is,
indeed, there under their safekeeping, and that it will ultimately prove
to be the special "gift" that will be presented to the Messiah in the
not-to-distant future.
Join Bob Cornuke on a unique journey to visit the
Ark of the Covenant!
