During the early 1960s I experienced a surprising burst of creativity and learning. Among other things, that’s when I learned programming, built a solar cell from scratch, built a rider attachment for self-propelled push lawn mowers, and attempted to build an ion engine (really). Oh, also, that’s when I tried out to play little league baseball and failed miserably.
Anyway, Dad, in his off hours, was a remodeler of our homes. We moved often and with each home Mom and Dad remodeled it to make the home their own and to make a profit when they sold it.
Two Small Steps for Mankind.
One small project Dad did during the early 1960s was to redo the steps from our house to our attached garage. Part of this remodeling included a small platform with two steps. That gave me the idea to make a time capsule.
None of us thought “our time” would be all that interesting but I wanted to make the capsule and put it inside the platform. Mom said okay so I gathered a few things, put them in a box, and put the box in the platform.
Dad sealed up the platform and steps and that was the end of it. I’ve often wondered if anyone found it, and if anyone appreciated the stuff.
Because of my time capsule I’ve always been drawn to stories about them. In fact, if you have the chance, make one. Even if you never learn of its discovery you will still have that memory to cherish.
The Most Amazing Time Capsule, Ever!
Without a doubt, the most well known and intriguing time capsule in all of human history is the Ark of the Covenant. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that the Ark contained “the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.” That’s not a lot, but God chose these as memorials for the Israelites.
The golden pot that held manna told the nation of Israel that God provides for His people even in the most desolate of places and dangerous of times. Aaron’s rod both attested to the priestly authority of Aaron and his lineage and testified against Israel that they should not challenge his priests’ authority. The tablets of the covenant were a reminder from God to His chosen nation of the Law which they had agreed to and thus to which they were bound.
The Ark contains messages from God to His chosen people and, for a time, it served its purpose, but it is lost to humanity. It is fitting that the Ark can’t be found for all that the Ark and its contents are complete in the person of Jesus Christ. “God with us” is our hope, our redeemer, and our mediator between God and people. The Ark of the Covenant’s purpose has been satisfied by Jesus.
However, we do learn in Revelation 11:19 (KJV) that the Apostle John saw God’s temple in heaven open, “and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple.” So that should answer all the questions about “where’s the ark?”
Since God considers time capsules worthwhile, I think He grins a bit when we make them. By the way, there may be a few other time capsules sprinkled throughout God’s Word. I will leave those for you to find! 🙂
Photo credit: twm1340 on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA
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