In both the Bible and Neville Goddard’s teachings, the Ark of the Covenant holds profound significance. It is more than just a physical object; it serves as a symbol of divine presence, inner transformation, and the process of manifestation. Neville’s teachings emphasise that manifestation is the result of aligning with divine laws and tapping into the creative power of the imagination. The Ark, as a biblical symbol, aligns perfectly with this understanding of manifesting the desires of the heart through conscious thought.
Let’s explore how the Ark of the Covenant connects to Neville’s philosophy of manifestation, its journey throughout the Bible, and how it parallels the inner journey of consciousness that we all undergo.
1. The Ark as Divine Presence Within
The Ark’s primary role was to carry the presence of God. It was the sacred object that symbolised God’s covenant with the Israelites. In Neville’s teachings, the divine presence no longer resides in an external object but within us. This is the new temple where the power of manifestation is located: within our consciousness.
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Exodus 25:8
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”
God desired to dwell among His people through the Ark. Similarly, Neville teaches that God’s presence now resides within our imagination. The imagination is the sanctuary where divine thoughts take form and manifest in reality. -
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
The New Testament affirms that our bodies are now the temples of God. Neville interprets this as meaning that our imagination is the divine power within us, capable of creating the reality we desire.
2. The Ark as the Symbol of the Divine Law of Creation (Manifestation)
The movement of the Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of the Israelites’ journey toward their promised future. In Neville’s teachings, manifestation follows a similar path. The Ark, which led the Israelites to the Promised Land, symbolises the inner guidance provided by the imagination—leading us from lack to abundance.
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Joshua 3:3-4
“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.”
The Ark was the guiding force for the people. Neville teaches that our imagination is the guiding force in our lives, directing us toward the manifestation of our desires. When we fix our thoughts on what we want to manifest and move with conviction, we align ourselves with the divine law. -
Joshua 6:6-7
“And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord.”
The active role of the priests in carrying the Ark illustrates the necessity of active participation in the manifestation process. Neville teaches that manifestation requires action. It is not enough to simply imagine—one must believe and act as though the desire is already realised.
3. The Ark as a Symbol of Transformation and Inner Journey
The Ark represents a spiritual journey from lack to abundance, just as Neville teaches that manifestation involves transforming our inner world to reflect our desires. The Ark’s movement from one place to another reflects the process of spiritual growth, ultimately leading to the manifestation of divine promises.
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Numbers 10:33-34
“And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.”
This passage symbolises the journey through the wilderness, which mirrors the inner journey of transformation. Neville would interpret this as the mental and emotional transformation required to align our beliefs with the fulfilment of our desires. -
Exodus 40:36-37
“And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.”
The cloud of God’s presence symbolises divine guidance. Neville teaches that the divine presence (through our imagination) leads us on our journey toward the manifestation of our desires. The manifestation process requires constant guidance and alignment with divine law.
4. The Ark’s Return to Jerusalem: Rebirth and Renewal
The return of the Ark to Jerusalem represents the renewal of God’s divine presence among His people. In Neville’s philosophy, this can be seen as the rebirth of consciousness, where the divine presence (through the imagination) becomes fully realised in the material world.
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2 Samuel 6:12-15
“And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.”
The Ark brings blessings to those who accept it. Neville teaches that manifestation brings blessings when we align our inner world with our desired external reality. When we accept that we are the creators of our world, blessings follow as we consciously manifest them. -
Psalm 132:8
“Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.”
The return of the Ark symbolises peace and rest in the divine presence. Neville teaches that true manifestation comes when we rest in the knowledge that what we desire is already fulfilled in the imaginal world, awaiting its external manifestation.
5. The Ark as a Symbol of the New Temple: Jesus and the Inner Transformation
In the New Testament, Jesus refers to His body as the temple. Neville would interpret this as the shift from an external to an internal experience of God’s presence. The Ark, once the external object representing God's presence, now finds its ultimate expression within us.
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John 2:19-21
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. But he spake of the temple of his body.”
The temple of Jesus’ body refers to the inner temple where God now resides. Neville teaches that Jesus represents the Christ consciousness within us, which is the true source of all manifestation. The Ark’s journey ends in the realisation that the power of creation lies within us. -
Hebrews 9:11-12
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
This shift from external sacrifice to inner transformation mirrors Neville’s view that manifestation is the result of transforming our inner consciousness, not relying on external factors or rituals.
Conclusion
The Ark of the Covenant, through its journey in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of the movement from lack to abundance, from separation to unity with divine consciousness. Just as the Ark was once a physical representation of God’s presence, Neville Goddard teaches that we now have the ability to access the divine presence within us through the power of imagination. The process of manifestation is the process of aligning our inner world with the desires of our heart, guided by the laws of creation.
By reflecting on the journey of the Ark and integrating Neville’s teachings, we come to realise that the true power to manifest resides within us. Just as the Ark guided the Israelites to the Promised Land, our imagination can guide us to the realisation of our dreams. The Ark of the Covenant is no longer an external object—it is the consciousness within that holds the power to create and transform our lives.