The Philistines were struck by God for living in the presence of the ark, 1 Samuel 5. Living with holiness without preparation is deadly. The Israelites would have also been struck, were it not for the sacrifices that enabled God to dwell among men without destroying them. This demonstrates both the pristine holiness of God, and the efficacious power of Calvary to provide intimacy with such a holy God. -Bob Sorge