Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant
When Scripture was originally written there were no chapter separations or verses, these were added later. So, originally the "vision" St. John had in the Book of Revelation would have read with the end of chapter 11 - going right into 12 as just one verse following the other.
The rendering would have went like this:
"Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, loud noises peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars:...".
"Clothed with the sun" Shows: Fullness of Divine Grace, Glorified state, Royalty, covered by her son Jesus "Light of the World", v. 4ff, exemption from all diabolical influences.
When people challenge the teaching of The Church on the Assumption of the Blessed Mother into heaven, I show them this verse.
St. Luke, in his Gospel compares the original Ark of the Covenant to the Blessed Mother as the New Ark of the New covenant.
He does this in a very subtle way. The teaching is 'hidden' in the background... yet it is very clear, once revealed. Some say that St. Luke was writing to the gentiles, but it seems strange to me that he would put in such obvious references to, what we call today, the Old Testament. If he was writing to the gentiles only, then the connection of his verses to the Scriptures would have been wasted. The Jews knew Scripture like you and I know the quickest way to the nearest convenience store.
References to Jewish Scripture would have been lost on gentiles, but not so for the Jews. They would have easily seen a connection where you and I have to struggle.
The comparison of the original Ark of the Covenant
to
The Blessed Mother as The New Ark of the Covenant
The Ark carried Aaron's Rod that blossomed signifying the Priesthood
Mary held in her womb Jesus Christ The Great High Priest, "according to the order of Melchiz'edek." [Hebrews 5:6]
David leaps before the Ark [2 Sam 6:16]
John The Baptist leaps before Mary's approach [Luke 1:44].
David is afraid, "Who am I..." [2 Sam 6:9]
Elizabeth is afraid..."Who am I..." [Luke 1:43].
Ark three months in country [2 Sam 6:11]
Mary three months with Elizabeth [Luke 1:56]
Ark contains old Law [Deut. 10:2]
Mary carries the new Law in Christ
Ark contains Manna - the miracle food for the journey to the Promised Land
Mary carries "The Bread of Life" as food for the journey to the ultimate Promised Land, which is Heaven.
John 6:48 "I am the bread of life."
"David arose and went..." [2 Sam 6:2]
"Mary arose and went..." [Luke 1:39].
The "Ark" was in "hill" country at the "house of Abinadab" [2 Sam 6:3]The Blessed Mother went to Elizabeth, who lived in the "hill country".
[Luke 1:39]