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The Jezreel Valley

Today was our first full day of touring the Holy Land. In just a few words… absolutely wonderful. I marveled at the sights as we traveled along the coast from Netanya and northern Israel.

Highlights

Today’s sights included Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Gospel to the Roman Centurian (Acts 10) and Paul stood before King Agrippa (Acts 23-26). We also saw Megiddo and Mount Caramel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). We ended our afternoon in Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus, and went to Cana and Mount Precipice (Luke 4).

To be honest, there were so many sights that moved me today. Words can’t describe how impactful the time was in total. To consider the spread of the Gospel, King Herod, Peter, and Paul at Caesarea Maritima was incredible. Plus, what a blessings to go to the childhood home of Jesus. Mount Caramel and the story of Elijah also came alive.

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Reading 1 Kings 18 to the group on Mount Caramel

For Your Consideration

Two things really gripped my heart today.

First, the children of Israel disobeyed God and did not tear down this alter from Egypt (Deuteronomy 12:1-5). Instead, Israel allowed this alter to stand. As I looked at it, the alter becomes a specific landmark as it signifies the disobedience of Israel. And I wonder how many times I’m disobedient as well? What about you? Obey God and honor Him as you respond to His love for you in Christ!

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Egyptian alter at Megiddo

The second thing that gripped my heart today was the beauty and significance of Megiddo and the Valley of Jezreel. We saw this valley many times today. This is the valley where the Bible teaches the future of Battle of Armegeddon, the final battle, will take place. It is gorgeous. The Valley runs 15 miles north to south, and 30 miles across. You can see this valley from Nazareth, Mount Caramel, and Megiddo. Again, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

There’s just one problem.There is coming a day when this will be the scene of the final battle of the ages. The Battle of Armageddon refers to the final war between human government and God, just before eternity begins (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-16, 19-21). Jesus will lead a heavenly army to defeat, or in other words,  have final victory over God’s enemies. The blood from the carnage will rise up to a horse’s bridle. The battle sounds fierce and ugly.

Seeing this valley drove home the fact that although everything looks peaceful and quiet now, God will ultimately judge the world in the future. In that spot. With a guaranteed result. With incredible bloodshed. This was the issue that weighed heavily on my mind all day. The time to believe in Jesus Christ is now. In the future, there’s no guaranteed chance of turning to God by the blood of Christ and asking for forgiveness. If you are reading this blog now, there is time now. In the future, it is not guaranteed for any of us. The bottom line…believe on the name of the Lord Jesus for forgiveness of sins to be saved. Because although today the Valley of Jezreel is beautiful and calm, tomorrow may be different. We do not know when this great battle will take place (in terms of a calendar), but we do know it is the last thing on God’s calendar before the final Judgement.

So two thought-provoking questions today:
1) Are you obedient to God, striving to be God-honoring in all you do?
2) Are you ready for the final judgement? Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

 

From this blog series:
Last post: Israel Day 1 – Anticipation and Prayer
Next post: Israel Day 3 – Around the Sea of Galilee

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