Eli’s corrupt priesthood came to an end when the Ark was taken by the Philistines. Saul’s corrupt kingdom came to a full end when the Ark returned (hence Michal’s barrenness). The last of Eli’s priesthood (Abiathar) was exiled when Solomon’s government began. Solomon’s kingdom was a new firmament (1 Kings 10:19). Isaiah, however, saw it being rolled up like a scroll (Is. 34:4).

Solomon’s corrupt priesthood came to an end when the Ark was taken by God to heaven. [1] But spiritually, Solomon’s corrupt kingdom did not come to a full end until the Ark “returned”. Zechariah saw it as a flying scroll, and the ephah-ark of false worship was exiled when Zerubbabel’s and Joshua’s government began. [2] Cyrus’s empire was a new firmament, with the Jews as priests.

Caiaphas’ corrupt priesthood came to an end when Christ ascended to heaven (Daniel 9:27). Herod’s kingdom came to a full end when Christ returned to judge in AD70. The last Herodian High Priest was thrown into outer darkness, and Greater Solomon kept the concubine of Greater David.

Once again, we see a link between the grain and fruit of Day 3 as a promise of consummation on Day 7, only this is the negative side.

What goes up must come down. The Ascension replaced the priesthood. The Parousia replaced the kingdom.

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[1] Like Enoch and Elijah, the Ark was the Firstfruits. See The Lost Ark.

[2] The literary structure of Zechariah’s visions makes these two Arks the two goats of Atonement. See Furnishing the New House.