Ark of the Covenant

[ATT]

You mean to tell me, all these many years men have beenof sreaching for the Ark of the Covenant , and Juanita Bynum Week have it? ;D ;D

I think she going to do a demonstrate in the natural of take place in the spirit realm... Behind the veil, only demonstrate the level of worship. So bringing in the Ark of the Covenant represent the present of God. Some prophets and prophetesses prophesy through demonstration. It is a type of prophetic deliverance (a way of delivering the Prophetic Word). Like Ezekiel and Hosea they both demonstrated the prophetic Word. Some people conprehend and understand it better than the spoken Word.

ATT

[Beulah5]

Lol all these years of searching and the ark was hiding under Prophetess' bed!!

[lanl ns]

honestly, does anyone have a deep understanding regarding the ark of the covenant and what it really means?

[Jasmine nsi]

Lanl,
Deep? no. Understanding? yes.

Beulah I don't think its in eithopia, I read that it was found still in Jerusalem.

Didn't you all hear about the guy Robert Wyatt who claimed to have found where the Ark was located in 1988? He stated that His divine purpose was to seek out where the Ark of the Covenant was located. He stated that he visited over 20 times. There were 16 other people who tried to also, but somehow died. He is now dead but there are numerous sites about him and his findings. The Ark of the Covenant is said to be 20 feet below the surface of where Jesus was crucified. He also found Jesus blood that flowed through the "earth quake" which flowed from Jesus side and fell upon the mercy seat of the Ark. The blood was tested by scientist, and the blood of the male had 24 chromosomes in white blood plus a Y, Half the number of 46 which humans have.

Interesting also

When the Romans erected the Cross on Calvary, they had no idea of the significance of the location. When the earth shook and the rocks split when Christ died, no one realized the ultimate purpose of it. When Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army destroyed the Temple in 586 B.C. they had no idea what happened to the Ark. But God had a Master Plan. The Ark signified God's presence, but when Jesus walked on the earth, God's bodily presence was with man, hence the Ark was not needed in the Temple. Furthermore, Christ;s blood had to literally fall on the Mercy Seat. All these were wonderfully fulfilled when Christ died on Calvary

Significance:

So far the Ark was presented in isolation, having no connection with the Cross except for the symbolic death of Christ and the shedding of His blood. But can you believe that God wanted a literal fulfillment of Christ's atonement for mankind? This fulfillment would involve Christ's blood literally falling on the Mercy Seat of the Ark.

I dont know how true the whole thing is. but its interesting nonetheless.

[krazeeboi]

A crackhead told me he had the Ark in his basement and would sell it to me for $3.

[nina]

JER 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

In Israel, they have been working for years at finding everything needed to rebuild the temple and for all of it to be done exactly as it was in the most minute details. If and when the temple is rebuilt, it will not be complete without the Ark of the Covenant. So, if the prophecy is to be fulfilled completely, does that mean that the Ark has been already located? Or will it be found between now and then?

I had seen the documentary about the location where the Ark is believed to be kept in Ethiopia, and it was very convincing...

[ElderBeck NSI]

Krazee is living up to his name...ROTF!!!

I heard that it was in Jerusalem also sister Jazz, I saw that documentary about it, but they never showed a picture of it. I havent heard about it being in ethiopia. If someone has an article on it could they post it? thanks!

[Beensi]

I wholly believe the ark is in Ethiopia. I believe it fits in with scripture and history and also the fact that the ark will still possibly have a role to play in the millenial reign of Christ.

However its cool we all can have varying theories ;D

[Beulah5]

The Ethiopian Expedition
by Chuck Missler

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PURSUE THIS TOPIC:

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RESOURCES
Seat of Mercy
The Mystery of the Lost Ark

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ARTICLES
A Relic with a Future?
The Gift From Ethiopia
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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.1 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. 2 (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.3

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.4 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.5 (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.6

Chuck Missler

[Beulah5]

The Gift from Ethiopia:
A Relic with a Future?
by Chuck Missler
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RADIO SHOWS
The Mystery of the Lost Ark


[This article is the first in a series regarding some of the startling disclosures that were presented jointly by Bob Cornuke and Chuck Missler at the Prophecy Summit at Branson, Missouri, August 22-24, 2001.]

The Mystery of the Lost Ark

The Ark of the Covenant, a prominent fixture in the narratives of the Old Testament, certainly seems to have disappeared from view after the Babylonian captivity, which began in 606 B.C. There are many theories as to what happened to the Ark of the Covenant. This issue was, of course, popularized in the well-attended fantasy movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Among the many theories as to its subsequent whereabouts, the "official" position by conservative rabbis in Israel - and also the Temple Institute - is that it remains hidden in some secret location under the Temple Mount to this day. But there are many who doubt this. Some believe it was among the items plundered by the Babylonians during the captivity (however, it is conspicuously absent from the detailed inventories associated with those events). Some believe it was taken by Pharaoh Shishak;1 others believe it was hidden by Jeremiah on Mt. Nebo.2 Ron Wyatt claimed to have found it under Golgatha. Each of these views has various scholastic and technical rebuttals.

Many link its future to the rebuilding of the Temple that appears to be destined before the Second Coming of Christ. We know that the Temple will be rebuilt at that time: Jesus,3 Paul, 4 and John5 each make reference to it. However, the Ark of the Covenant is not an essential. The Tenach, the Tosephta, and the Mishna, regarded as the primary authorities in these matters, all indicate procedural steps regarding its absence. The Ark of the Covenant was not in Herod's Temple, the Temple that was standing during the ministry of Christ.

The Ethiopian Tradition

Many of us have heard of the belief that the Ark was taken to Ethiopia by Menelik I, the offspring of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba who, raised by priests until he was of age, and then leaving behind a replica, removed the Ark to separate it from Solomon's apostasy. (These ideas were developed by Graham Hanthingy in his book, The Sign and the Seal, 6 and also popularized by Grant Jeffrey in some of his publications.) Emperor Haile Selassie has been regarded as the 225th descendant of Menelik, and these traditions continue to be embraced by the current leadership of the government of Ethiopia.

The idea that the Ark is presently ensconced in Ethiopia is a well-documented tradition dating from at least 642 B.C. when it ostensibly was at Elephantine Island, in Egypt; then moved to Tana Kirkos Island, Lake Tana, Ethiopia; and finally to its present site in a well-protected bunker at St. Mary's of Zion Church at Axum, Ethiopia. The Ethiopians believe that it is destined to be delivered to the Messiah when He reigns on Mt. Zion. 7 Most of us have dismissed these tales for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the Ark appears in the Scriptures well after Solomon.8 Perhaps the biggest death knell for these various theories would seem to occur in Jeremiah:

And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. -Jeremiah 3:16

And yet there are some aspects of this mystery, in the Scriptures, that suggest a very different possibility. What may be presently in Ethiopia may have arrived there by a different path altogether, and may have a destiny that has been widely overlooked in the Biblical texts.

The Reign of Manasseh

The very positive reign of Hezekiah was, unfortunately, succeeded by his twelve-year-old son, Manasseh. Reigning for 55 years, and continuing the paganism of Ahaz, he relapsed into idolatry with all its vices. The worship of YHWH was banished; yet faithful prophets, including Isaiah and Micah, lifted up their voices in reproof and in warning. However, their fidelity only aroused bitter hatred, and a period of cruel persecution against all the friends of the traditional practices spread "blood from one border to the other." An ancient Jewish tradition indicates that at this time Isaiah was "sawn asunder."9

Manasseh was succeeded by Josiah, who led a significant revival and thereby gained a personal reprieve from the coming judgment that God had declared as a result of Manasseh's disasters.10

Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. - 2 Chronicles 34:28

What is strange is that Josiah receives his instructions through Huldah the prophetess. Why not through the traditional path involving the Levites and the Ark of the Covenant? Josiah had instructed the Levites to return the Ark to the Temple:

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel... - 2 Chronicles 35:3

The Ark was, obviously, not in the Temple at that time. It is a reasonable conjecture that the Levites, due to the widespread mischief of Manasseh, removed the Ark to a place of safekeeping: out of the Temple, out of Jerusalem, and probably out of the entire jurisdiction of Manasseh. It was apparently in transit: "a burden upon [their] shoulders." (This may also explain why Josiah had to resort to Huldah the prophetess for his counsel.) Notice that this was Josiah's request. There is no evidence that they complied (quite the contrary!).

Pharaoh Necho

The Assyrian Empire, which had ruled the region for many centuries, was on the wane, and Egypt's Pharaoh Necho was moving to pick up some of the pieces. But he is surprised that King Josiah was taking up arms against him. Pharaoh Necho's response is one of astonishment:

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. -2 Chronicles 35:21

Why would Josiah go against Pharaoh Necho? The Assyrians were the adversary of Judah as well. What did Josiah expect to gain from this aggressive commitment? And why did Pharaoh Necho believe that God was on his side? The Chronicler adds an additional provocative insight:

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. - 2 Chronicles 35:22

How could Pharaoh Necho have heard the words "from the mouth of God"? Is it possible that the Levites had sought refuge from Manasseh in Egypt, and had set up shop there? Was this what Josiah was after? Was this how Necho heard "from the mouth of God"?

In any case, Josiah goes in disguise and gets killed at Megiddo. After this battle Necho marched on to Carchemish (a Syrian city on the middle Euphrates River), where he met and conquered the Assyrian army, and thus all the Syrian provinces and Israel came under his dominion. On his return march he deposed Jehoahaz, who had succeeded his father Josiah, and made Eliakim, Josiah's eldest son (whose name he changed to Jehoiakim), king. Jehoahaz he carried down into Egypt, where he died.11

Four years after this conquest, Necho again marched to the Euphrates, but this time his army was met and routed by the Chaldeans under a crown prince by the name of Nebuchadnezzar, who drove Necho back and took from him all the territory he had conquered, from the Euphrates unto the "river of Egypt." 12 The establishment of the Babylonian Empire would thus be the means that God would use to complete the judgment He had pronounced in response to Manasseh's disastrous reign. But what about the fabled Ark of the Covenant? Did the Levites continue to keep it separate from the vicissitudes in Judea? Did this begin its trek southward from Egypt to Ethiopia? (It is interesting to note that Pharaoh Necho II was not Egyptian: he was Ethiopian. He was the grandson of Necho I, of the 25th, or Ethiopian, dynasty.13 )

More Surprises to Come

In the next article we will explore some common misconceptions about the ancient relic that may presently reside under such diligent care in Ethiopia. Perhaps it is not the Ark of the Covenant that is the key issue! There is a separate element of equipment that is closely associated with the Ark, but has a distinct purpose and, perhaps, a distinct destiny: the Mercy Seat.

And, perhaps, there is also a uniquely distinctive role that was involved in the incident with Philip and the Ethiopian treasurer in Acts Chapter 8. Join us for some startling conjectures in the next issue.

[Beulah5]

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A Relic with a Future? Pt. 2
The Gift From Ethiopia
by Chuck Missler and Bob Cornuke

In our previous article we explored some hints, in the Old Testament Scriptures, that the fabled Ark of the Covenant may, indeed, presently reside in Ethiopia, in accordance with a tradition that goes back over 2,600 years. Many of us have been skeptical of the colorful legends surrounding Menelik, the offspring of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, who is reputed to have removed the Ark of the Covenant out of reach of Solomon's apostasy. (These views are still retained by the current leadership in Ethiopia. They believe they have a destiny to deliver their sacred relic to the Messiah when He rules from Mt. Zion.)1

What might be overlooked is that the Ark may have reached Ethiopia by a different path altogether: the Levites may have removed it during the dark days of Manasseh's persecutions2 and sought refuge under Pharaoh Necho II.3 Pharaoh Necho II was not Egyptian: he was Ethiopian: he was the grandson of Necho I of the 25th, or Ethiopian, dynasty.4 Our skepticism concerning the whereabouts of the fabled Ark of the Covenant would seem to be supported by Jeremiah 3:16:

And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

But most of us have failed to fully apprehend the verse that follows!

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the Throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. - Jeremiah 3:17

An Overlooked Piece of Furniture?

We are often guilty of stumbling over our own presuppositions. As we read the various passages concerning the Tabernacle and its seven appliances (the Brazen Altar, the Molten Sea, the Menorah, the Table of Shewbread, the Golden Incense Altar, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Mercy Seat) we tend to view the Mercy Seat as the "lid" of the Ark, since that is where it was located: covering the Ark.5 However, if we examine the passages carefully, we note that the Mercy Seat is distinctively separate: it is always described separately and it's made of different materials. The Ark was made of wood, covered with gold.6 (This is suggestive of both the humanity and the deity of Jesus Christ.) The Mercy Seat was made of pure gold. (This would seem to make it a more enduring relic.)

It is profoundly significant to recognize that all of this was a copy of a heavenly reality which had been shown to Moses.7 It is also important to note that the Holy of Holies was described as the location of the Mercy Seat.8 God Himself is described as "He that dwelleth above the Cherubim" of the Mercy Seat. 9

Millennial Throne

The Throne of the Messiah is surprisingly prominent in Scripture.10 It is interesting to note that there are Messianic psalms that associate the Ark with the Millennial Throne as His resting place forever.11 (It is also noteworthy that on Yom Kippur, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood upon the Mercy Seat, and also in front of it.12 This is provocatively suggestive of the picture presented of the "soles of His feet" in the Millennium.13)

The Gift from Ethiopia

The Ethiopians believe that the relic presently in their trust will be the subject of a very prominent gift to the Messiah when He rules on Mt. Zion.

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. - Zephaniah 3:10

The word "bring" is yabal, to bear or carry, as in a royal procession; the word for "offering" is hxn>mi minchah, a gift, tribute, present. This apparently is the presentation by the Ethiopians which receives such special emphasis in Isaiah 18.14

The Ethiopian Treasurer

This all lends a revealing perspective on the strange events which occurred with Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian Treasurer in Acts Chapter 8. In the middle of a major revival in Samaria, Philip is sent to the desert:

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" Acts 8:26-30

He finds this royal dignitary reading from Isaiah 52 and 53.

And he said, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?" Acts 8:30-34

It is important that Philip interpreted this important passage in terms of the Messiah Himself (and not as symbolizing the nation, as some cling to).

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:30-39

But, why was the Ethiopian Treasurer visiting Jerusalem? And then, why was he confused? Perhaps he was on an official errand for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. He came to worship the Messiah, but learned that He had been killed! Philip shows him that this was all a fulfillment of prophecy and that the Messiah was destined to return in the future.

After being baptized, the official returns to his Queen and when she inquires, "Has the time come?"

He replies, "Not yet!"

[And Such Were Some Of You]

*sigh*, I said I wasn't going to say anything but .......................

I didn't agree with her teaching on this stuff before and I don't now. I couldn't stomach her on tbn the other night (sorry). All sounds like idolatry to me.

[Beulah5]

Lol There is a difference between using symbols to teach which is perfectly biblical and prophetic or if one just wanna get a little creative.

I think the issue is the fact that this seems to be a continuation of some strange behaviours and announcements that have been coming out of that ministry for a while.

After the fiasco of prophecies gone awry including the prayer shawl, st louis, 1 million intercessopr macrh to name a few i think simplicity should be the way forward.

[lanl ns]

krazeeboi said:

A crackhead told me he had the Ark in his basement and would sell it to me for $3.

LOL ;D

[Beulah5]

Does it not say that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise? ;D ;D rofl