Angela,

Thank you for your extensive reply!

Beyond the scripture you mentioned, the last time that the ark, on earth, is mentioned, was by king Josiah: 

II Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

There is only an "apocryphal" reference to the ark in II Maccabees:

II Maccabees 2:4 It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God.

  5 And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.

  6 And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.

  7 Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

The ark was not mentioned as being taken to Babylon, nor returned after the captivity.

My question to you, is, was there no ark in the second temple?

If that is the case, what did the high priest do on the day of atonement, with the ark?

Did the high priest fake it?

Were they found out, that there was no ark in the second temple, when the veil rent in twain, at the crucifixion?

At that moment, all the other priests would have been able to look into the most holy place.