Despite the fact Raiders of the Lost Ark may have put the Ark of the Covenant into the realm of fantasy, I don't think it is fantasy.
If it's not a larp then what is it?
What is it's purpose?
Will it be needed in the future?
The Ark of the Covenant also translated as the mercy seat is a gold covered wooden box 51"x31"x31" that God commanded Moses to build.
It housed manna - the food the Lord provided every morning collected by the Israelites in the 40yr wilderness trek - the Ten Commandment tablets and the top of Aaron's rod.
It's description is given in the OT Bible.
An acacia wood box covered in hammered gold sheet metal 'overlaid' with cherubim (angels) on either side with outstretched wings.
Most images have the angels with outstretched wings and look as though they were made from castings of gold although it doesn't mention castings only that it was 'overlaid' with gold. Because of that I believe the Cherubim angels were shaped out of the sheet metal not cast.
Between the cherubim is where the Lord would speak from. The Israelites would carry it with poles never touching it as commanded ahead of them and into battle. Later it was placed in the inner sanctum of the temple behind a large thick cloth curtain where the priest's would enter once a year sprinkling animal blood on it to cover the sins of the nation of Israel.
At some point the Ark went missing from Israel and any mention of it in the OT ceased.
During Jesus' time it was apparently not present in the temple which begs an interesting question - how did Israel perform its mandatory yearly blood sprinkle onto the mercy seat?
What was the Ark of the Covenant in reality? I believe it's purpose is hidden in the translation mercy seat.
How does a box get translated mercy seat it's not even close to a normal translation of a box in any language? What does 'mercy seat' mean?
I think there is a future use for the Ark of the Covenant important to everyone especially dark forces such as Luciferians and other Satanists.
The Bible says at Jesus' return he will assume His rightful place on the throne.
I believe the Ark of the Covenant is a chair, the throne of God and the reason for the odd translation Mercy Seat and I think Satanists believe if they have possession of it they can prevent the return of Christ and if not the return then maybe they can block his ascension to His throne.
When you're desperate you would probably grasp at any hope however unlikely.
I wonder if all the searching is to find the Ark of the Covenant to prevent the King from assuming the throne.