posted October 10, 2008
The Ark of the Covenant will visit Chattanooga for nine days when a life-sized replica of the ancient, 3,000-year-old Jewish sanctuary, which includes the ark and courtyard, will be built upon the grounds of Warner Park, Oct. 18-26, from 2-7 p.m.
The project will cost $15,000 to bring here, and organizers will spend more than 700 hours raising the sanctuary. Meanwhile, volunteers have been training to lead free, 75-minute tours through "Messiah's Mansion" every 15 minutes.
The mansion is hitting Chattanooga at an excellent time, said Joel Stapleton, the Chattanooga exhibit coordinator.
"I believe that with the current unsettled state of affairs in the world and in this country many people are wondering about the future and looking for something predictable," he said. "Understanding the sanctuary reveals prophecy and explains many of the questions people have in their minds."
Area residents should not expect to find any gold cherubims. The real value will be in the message.
"It would be cost prohibitive to build it with all the expert workmanship, gold and precious metals that were used in bible times but the effect of even this exhibit will be awesome,"
Mr. Stapleton said. "God has given us a special message in the sanctuary that helps us see His love better, helps us to understand Bible prophecy, experience Biblical history and see the connection between the old and new testaments. We want to share that blessing."
"Messiah's Mansion" has completed 46 exhibits in 15 states, Canada and Jamaica. The life-size replica of the Mosaic sanctuary that God gave instructions to Moses to build in the wilderness is to scale and represents a copy of what it would have looked like to the children of Israel, organizers said.
Everywhere the sanctuary has gone, it generates interest. "The sanctuary is such a remarkable and mysterious building," said Mr. Stapleton. "I think that it intrigues everyone. This is going to get people back into the Word, they are going to be excited about it. It has the potential of revitalizing and re-centering the church."
Mr. Stapleton hopes the project encourages greater dialogue between area churches, who are already calling to schedule groups for the tours.
Operated by the staff and students of Oklahoma Academy in Harrah, Ok., Messiah's Mansion is a Christian ministry in operation since 2003. You can learn more by visiting messiahsmansion.com.
The tour is comprised of five stations through the sanctuary exhibit. At the first station, an overview of the sanctuary is given. The second station is in the outer courtyard. The third station stops in the Holy Place, the first compartment of the tabernacle of sacred tent. The fourth station is in the Most Holy Place where the ark of the covenant sits with its contents. And the fifth station talks about the high priest and his garments.
Clayton and Carolin Linnieweber, custodians of the exhibit, can be reached by writing messiahsmanison@hotmail.com or by calling 405 664-1633. In Chattanooga, call 423 618-8501.
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