Thank you for the question on the reality of the Ark of the Covenant, “Do you believe that the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25) mentioned in the Bible really existed? Why yes or why no?”
I believe the construction of the Ark of the Covenant is real along with the other furniture in the Tabernacle. The furniture are a copy of the heavenly tabernacle.
Exodus 26 says this, “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain” (NIV).
Here’s are the reasons for one’s consideration why the Ark of the Covenant is real:
A. The descriptions of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant are detailed specific. In other words, a craftsman can actually make those furniture based on the descriptions given with its dimensions and material in Exodus 36–38.
B. The description of the priestly clothing are detailed specific. In other words, a craftsman can actually make those clothing based on the design given in Exodus 39
C. The festivals and the specific animal sacrifices to enter the Tabernacle and into the Holy of Holies are detailed specific in Leviticus 1–7.
D. The Jewish calendar is based on the first Passover and the sacrifices in the Tabernacle.
E. The construction of the Solomon’s Temple and the rebuilding of Zerubbabel’s Temple with its religious practices reflect that Ark of the Covenant with its furniture in I Kings 7,
F. The destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE by the9 Babylonians reflected the pillage of the Temple by stating the items being taken to Babylon in II Kings 25, II Chronicle 36:18–19. It is unclear whether the Temple furniture were taken to Babylon.
G. The exiled Jews returned to the Promised Land with a list of temple utensils without stating anything about its furniture in Ezra 1:9–11.
More importantly, there are Orthodox Jews who are making the priestly garments and preparations to rebuild the Temple. The utensils, the priestly clothing, the search for the Red Heifer, and perhaps the construction of the Temple furniture is happening. One can read about the preparations by the Temple Institute for the Third Temple.https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/israels-priests-prepare-third-temple/
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/article/update-building-third-temple
Whether the original Ark of the Covenant still exist today is debated. It would seem that the priests would have removed the Ark of the Covenant from being captured by the Babylonians. With the Presence of the LORD leaving the Temple, the Ark of the Covenant is a piece of furniture. It is the Presence of the LORD that represented that the LORD was with Israel. Is it hidden or destroyed? It is unclear, but in my opinion the Ark is hidden somewhere. That’s my conjecture.
SUMMARY: The Ark of the Covenant is a literal furniture that can be constructed given its description and dimensions in Exodus.
For more perspectives: