Finnish UFOlogical Bulletin - 1993 Number 1

Magazine Overview

Title: FINNISH UFOLOGICAL BULLETIN
Issue: 1/93
Date: 1993
Editor: Kalevi Mikkonen

This issue of the Finnish Ufological Bulletin focuses on the historical and esoteric quest for the Ark of the Covenant, primarily through the research of Dr. Valter H. Juvelius, and also includes a section on recent UFO sightings in Finland.

Dr. Juvelius and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant

The lead article delves into the mystery surrounding the Ark of the Covenant, a significant artifact kept in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The Bible describes it as a richly-decorated box built by the Israelites. Its fate after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. is not mentioned in the Bible. However, various traditions offer explanations: the Mishnah suggests it was hidden underground, while the Apocrypha (2. Maccabees) states that Jeremiah the prophet hid it in a cave on Mount Nebo. Another tradition, the Kebra Negast, posits that the Ark was transferred to Ethiopia, with the Coptic church in Axum believed to be its current location.

The article then introduces Dr. Valter H. Juvelius (1865-1922), a Finnish biblical scholar who, in the early 1900s, became convinced that the Ark might still exist and be hidden near the Temple Mount. He believed that certain ciphers within biblical passages, particularly in the Book of Ezekiel, held the key to its location. Juvelius theorized that this secret was known only to high priests and Ezekiel himself but was lost after the Babylonian captivity.

Juvelius dedicated himself to deciphering Ezekiel's code, creating maps in Finland based on his findings and subsequently traveling to Jerusalem. To conduct archaeological excavations, he formed a company called J.M.P.F.W. Ltd. in London in 1908. The expedition, which began in August 1909, aimed to find the Ark, with Johan Millen believing it would signify the Millennium. The expedition's target was the Temple Mount, a sacred site for Muslims and Jews, necessitating secrecy.

Due to restrictions, excavations commenced about 600 meters south of the Temple Mount, near the Virgins Well. Engineer Johan Millen documented the three-year excavation process, emphasizing that it relied heavily on Juvelius's decipherment of the Ezekiel cipher. Millen reported the discovery of a complex system of tunnels, labyrinths, and water canals beneath the Temple Mount, some sealed with artificial walls indistinguishable from natural rock. The crew encountered dangers, including poisonous gas and traps, and found artifacts like urns and lamps bearing the seal of Solomon.

The article discusses the potential power and characteristics of the Ark. Juvelius and Millen speculated that Moses might have known about a radioactive substance or device within the Ark, possibly used to sustain the Israelites during their desert wanderings. The text cites biblical accounts of the Ark's dangerous effects on those who mishandled it, such as the Philistines and the men of Beth-shemesh.

Concerns about radiation were also raised, with Henry Kjellson suggesting a device resembling a sandglass was involved. While Kjellson detected no radiation at the Virgins Well, it was speculated that radiation might be contained within the Temple Mount's vaults.

The expedition's work was abruptly halted in April 1911 due to a public scandal involving the desecration of the Dome of the Rock, which led to unrest in Jerusalem. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 further ended any possibility of continuing the excavations. Dr. Juvelius also claimed that his original maps and directions were stolen, suggesting a spy within the expedition.

Despite the expedition's failure, Juvelius continued to work on his maps in Finland until his death in 1922. The article touches upon the debate regarding the accuracy of Juvelius's decipherment, with skeptics questioning his findings while others point to the expedition's conviction. Johan Millen's book, "På Rätta Vägar," reportedly omitted some details, and his personal papers, left to a theosophical society, were never fully recovered.

The possibility of finding the Ark today is discussed, referencing theories that it might be a nuclear-powered device producing food. The article concludes by suggesting that with modern detection instruments, finding such relics might be possible, emphasizing their importance for understanding civilization and science.

UFO-NEWS

The latter part of the bulletin shifts to contemporary ufology with a "UFO-NEWS" section. It reports numerous UFO observations in Finland over the past year, with people becoming more informed about reporting sightings to UFO-research organizations.

Satakunta, Finland Sightings:

• Eura, March 18, 1993: A farmer, Matti Puputti, observed a brightly-colored object moving noiselessly eastwards, about 0.5 km above the ground and 1 km away. The object, estimated at 15-25 meters, displayed windows and a light changing from red to yellow and blue. It was visible for about one minute.
• Kiukainen, March 18, 1993: Around the same time, people in Kiukainen heard a buzzing noise and saw an object with red and blue lights flying from west to east. No airplanes were in the sky at that time. Similar sightings were reported on consecutive days.

UFO Seminar in Oulu:

A local science center, Tietomaa, organized an international UFO seminar in Oulu from May 13th to 15th. Speakers included Russian cosmonaut Pavel Popovich, Russian uforesearcher Dr. Vladimir Azaza, Estonian uforesearcher Igor Volke, and Canadian physicist Stanton Friedman.

Pavel Popovich shared an experience of seeing a mysterious, fast-moving object during a flight from Washington to Moscow. The object, resembling a large lighted triangle, was observed at an altitude of 11.5 kilometers for about three minutes and moved at a speed comparable to an airplane.

The Tietomaa science center also hosted a new UFO exhibition during the seminar.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently explores the intersection of ancient mysteries, biblical texts, and modern scientific inquiry, particularly in the realm of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into unexplained phenomena, historical enigmas, and potential extraterrestrial or advanced technological influences, as exemplified by the detailed examination of Dr. Juvelius's research and the reporting of contemporary UFO sightings. The publication seems to encourage a critical yet curious approach to these subjects.