At the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, why is the scene where Belloq opens the Ark of the Covenant so incredibly satisfying? It’s got to be one of the most amazing endings ever put to film. I think I know why.

It illustrates a true principle.

Scriptures Brought to Life

Check out these three verses from 1 Nephi 22:15-17:

“For the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must be burned.

“For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.

“Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.”

These scriptural verses are brought to life in astonishing accuracy by Raiders of the Lost Ark.

It Rings True

The Nazis proudly open the Ark in defiance of God’s warnings. Toht laughs at what they find inside, but his laughter soon turns into screams when he witnesses the full power of God on display. God sends down divine fire on those wicked people. And he preserves Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood by fire, burning off their bonds and making them the sole survivors of that terrible ordeal.

This is a fictional story, but it rings true because this sort of thing has happened many times in the past. And it will likely happen again in the future. The righteous will be saved, even if it so be as by fire, and the wicked must be burned. That’s a frightening prospect. I doubt that anyone will want to keep their eyes open to witness such a scene of destruction as this in real life.

This is the Deja Reviewer bidding you farewell until we meet again.

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