What Is This World Coming To?

From what I know about Bible prophecy, I found myself fascinated by the Yizre’el Valley.  It stretches across the Holy Land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordon River.  This valley is referred to by many different names throughout the Bible:  The Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2); The Valley of Decision (Joel 3:14); and The Valley of Megiddo (Zech. 12:11) & (2nd Chron. 35:22); but in Revelation 16:16 it is called The Valley of Armageddon (Har-megiddo).

As we crossed this  wide, fertile plain, I could not help but think that some time in the not too distant future, all of the armies of the world will assemble in this valley, to make war with the King of Kings.  I also thought of all the people in the cities of this valley that will be wiped out, due to the carnage that will take place here, and I prayed for them.

Located on the western edge of the Yizre’el Valley is Mt. Meggido.  Due to it’s strategic location, many battles have been fought over this small mountain.  Excavations have uncovered more than twenty different layers of occupation on Tel Megiddo.

In the fifteenth century B.C., Thutmose III turned it into a major base for Egypt.  Megiddo is mentioned many times in the Bible:  the Israelites conquered it  (Joshua 12:21);  Solomon rebuilt the ciy and made it one of his chief administrative districts (1 Kings 4-12); Ahaziah, King of Judah, died there after being wounded by Jehu (2 Kings 9:27); King Josiah was killed there by Pharaoh Neco, King of Egypt (2 Kings 23:29-30).  It was also one of Solomon’s “chariot cities”, and a portion of the stables still exsist.

Model of City        Meggido   Stables

Like all ancient cities in this area, the main concern was a source of water, especially when under siege.  They built an elaborate water system, where water from a spring would flow into an opening in the side of the mound, outside the city gate, and run through an aqueduct to a well within the city.  We ventured down into this well, through the tunnel to the outside.

When we left Meggido we traveled back across the Yizre’el Valley, to the city of Afula, where we stopped for lunch.  Then it was on to Kinneret, where the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordon River.

Located here is the Yardenit Baptismal site, and Jack baptized eight members of our group.  Since I was fortunate enough to be one of these members, I did not get any pictures.  I hope that someone else will post some pictures, or even the video, so that we can all share in this event.

Before returning to our hotel, we stopped at a “farmers market” where we all bought fresh fruits & nuts from the area.  We then went back to the hotel, where we packed our bags for tomorrow’s move, because for us, we could now say…….

“Tomorrow in Jerusalem”