Fast Fact – Assumption of Mary

At the end of her earthly life, God assumed Mary, body and soul, into Heaven. In the Assumption of Mary, God crowns which work of grace in Mary as she freely cooperated in his work of Redemption. Luke describes Mary in terms used to describe the Ark of the Covenant in Second Samuel 6. The Old Testament Ark of the Covenant found it rest in the Temple in Jerusalem. We know that the Temple was constructed as a copy of the Temple in Heaven. Mary, being the Ark of the New Covenant, by analogy, was also taken to Heaven. Both Ark of the Covenant imagery and Genesis 3:15 imagery can be seen in Revelation 12 where the Mother of the Messiah is seen in the form of a body in Heaven.

(The hyperlinks will open an online NAS bible to the chapter referenced)

 

Scripture

Major Texts

 Genesis 3:15 – "And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."

 

Luke describes the actions of Mary using words drawn the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant in Second Samuel 6.

Luke 1 and 2 Samuel 6

Both Mary and the David with the Ark "arose and made the journey" (2 Sam. 6:2 and Luke 1:39)

Elizabeth in the presence of Mary and David in the presence of the Ark says, "How can the ark [mother of my Lord] come to me?" (2 Sam. 6:9 and Luke 1:43)

John the Baptist "leaps" inside Elizabeth’s womb as David "leaped" before the Ark (2 Sam. 6:14,21b and Luke 1:44)

Both David and Elizabeth were "joyful" before the Ark and Mary – (2 Sam. 5:12 and Luke 1:44)

David "cried out" before the Ark as did Elizabeth (both used the same Greek word) – (2 Sam. 6:15, 1 Chr. 16:4 and Luke 1:42).

The musicians "intoned" music before the Ark just as Elizabeth "intoned" before Mary (same Greek work) – (1 Chr. 16:4,5 and 42 and Luke 1:42)

Both the Ark and Mary remained at their respective houses (Obed-edom and Elizabeth) for three month – (2 Sam. 6:11 and Luke 1:56).

Both Mary and the Ark (and also the Temple) were "overshadowed" – (Heb. 9:4, 2 Sam. 6:2 and Exodus 40:1-3, 34-35 and Luke 1:35)

 

This is more than typology. Luke is actually describing the Mary’s Visitation using terms and phrases taken from 2 Sam. 6.

Psalm 138:8 – "Arise, O LORD, to Your resting

place, You and the ark of Your strength."

 

Tradition / History

 

Summary