Dear Friends Following the scripture passage and the strongs definition for the word (Arabah = Arava = Aravah) that was translated as "desert" there is a very good analysis by Kevin Johnson of the process of prophetic fulfillment in the land of Israel today. I have added a few comments (very few) and links to resources backing up the claims. To get a complete picture you should follow the links (highlighted text in most places).
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
| Strong's Number: 06160 |
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| Definition |
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| King James Word Usage - Total: 61 |
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| plain 42, desert 9, wilderness 5,
Arabah 2, champaign 1, evenings 1, heavens 1 |
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Arabah = Arava = Aravah
Agape <><
From: <Contender@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 1:43 PM
Subject: Bible Prophecy and ISRAEL
Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,
When Yeshua (Jesus) was ten years
old, prophecy was in process of being fulfilled. Most could not see the
many prophecies being fulfilled in this little adolescent's life. During
this time the religious scholars and elite in Jerusalem publicly lamented
when Rome took away Judah's right to execute criminals, thinking that the
scriptures had been broken since this had happened and "Shiloh" (the Messiah)
hadn't come. Even His own family could not foresee the crucifixion and the
resurrection, and certainly not the glorious ascension on the Mount of Olives.
Nevertheless, prophecy was in process of being fulfilled through events
that appeared to be everyday normal life. With every beat of that little
boy's heart centuries old prophetic destiny was moving steadily forward
towards its literal fulfillment.
Ancient Bible prophecy is once again
in process of being fulfilled. Most Bible believers have heard that the
modern people of Israel and Jerusalem have already played an important part
in this phenomenon. We have heard that Israel is a strong army and that
their existence is exciting the Muslims into hatred that could result in
Armageddon or in the Battle of Magog predicted in Ezekiel 38-39 . What we
have not heard much of is the way the general land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael)
is responding to the presence of the people of the land and how that is
fulfilling ancient prophecy right now. Much of what is happening right now
has in the past been thought to be something that would be fulfilled in
the future Millennial reign of Christ. Again, to be redundant for
emphasis: the process of prophecy is currently happening!
Most tours groups do not go near
the Arava and, therefore, they do not see the things I am
speaking of in this article. We visited the Arava from top to bottom last
April and will again, Lord willing, this April 21st do so as well. I have
seen these things with my own eyes. If you want to come with us let me know.
Write me at contender@aol.com or call at 815-947-2858! Perry Stone has covered all
of this in a most excellent way on his new DVD called "Israel: Racing Toward The Second Coming!" which was
produced with the help of our mutual friend and tour guide, Gideon
Shor.
Two and a half millennium old prophecy
is also in process of being fulfilled! The desert (Arava)
is blossoming
(palm tree
plantation ostriches,
See Sapir-Park
in the Arava) and the Dead
Sea has been turned into two
parts.
Why is the Dead Sea being in two
parts important? It is because God predicted that water would come from
Jerusalem and heal part of the Dead Sea and not the other part which would
be "given to salt". The southern end of the Dead Sea is where the salt and
mineral extraction companies exist. I have always wondered how "part" of
the Dead
Sea could be healed (become fresh water) while leaving the other part
to salt? If it is one body of water how does that happen? Today the Dead
Sea is divided into two bodies of water! I have watched this happen over
the 14 year span of my leading several tours to Israel. One estimate says
that at the current rate of water loss there might not be a "Dead Sea" twenty
years from now! When you stand atop Masada you can see the devastation left
by the loss of water. There appears dry land in a wide expanse dividing
the Sea into two parts. (Compare with historical survey of 1848)
The Northern half of The Dead Sea
has the freshwater brook Kidron currently coming into it from Jerusalem
right now. The Kidron also follows the fault line (see the USGS
Map of the dead sea fault system) from The Mount of Olives and flows
near an underground 3 1/2 square mile natural water reserve. This could
be broken up in a future earthquake and contribute its waters to the river
that Ezekiel saw in the future. The Kidron brook also flows by the
new group/forest of fruit trees
(it appeared over the years since I was first there in 1991) near the
shores of the northern Dead Sea. Who knew that the Dead Sea would be divided
into two, would have fish
nearby in fish farms and small fresh water areas, and that trees would be
planted in abundance on the shores of the Dead Sea? God did, and He
told Ezekiel to write about it! The following prophecy isn't completely
fulfilled, as it will be when Jesus returns, but it is prophecy in process!
Ezekiel 47: 1 Then he brought me back to the door of
the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the
temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water
was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.
2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on
the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running
out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with
the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me
through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured
one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my
knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water
came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was
a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which
one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me,
"Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me and returned me to
the bank of the river. 7 When I returned, there, along the bank of
the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then
he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into
the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are
healed. 9 "And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever
the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish,
because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will
live wherever the river goes. 10 "It shall be that fishermen will
stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading
their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great
Sea, exceedingly many. 11 "But its swamps and marshes will not be
healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 "Along the bank of the
river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food;
their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear
fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit
will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
The ARAVAH:
Twenty years ago The United States
informed Israel that our satellites showed a huge amount of water under
the Aravah. It represents 50 times the amount of water that Israel currently
has. Who knew? There are now between 55-60 farms in the Aravah. The packing
company is called Carmel
(Carmel means "garden of God"). Fruit is shipped
to Europe and England from this very region. (The Arava Region had for years made an effort to position itself in
the forefront of Israeli Agriculture. Arava farmers export nearly
half of all Israel's vegetable exports, and about 15% of Israel's
flower exports.) Isaiah must have seemed out of
his mind to his listeners or readers since this area of desert has been
desolate for most of recorded history. Water is now springing up on its
own and is being very easily coaxed from the ground with wells. It is water
that is known as "juvenile water" and is not the product of rainfall or
flooding but has been there for centuries underground.
There is currently a Highway in the
Aravah (Araba in Arabic) desert that can connect to other roads to Egypt
and Syria. I have been on the highway that has been put there through the Aravah by
Modern Israel. It too is mentioned in the Isaiah prophecy about the Aravah
desert. I count it a great blessing to have traveled that road to the bottom
of the land of Israel.
The Aravah is producing a huge amount
of crops and milk
products that rivals that of US outputs in some categories.
Isaiah 27:6 In days to come shall
Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud; and they shall fill the face
of the world with fruit.
Isaiah 35: 1 The wilderness and the dry land shall
be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the
rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and
singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of
Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of
our God. 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold,
your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come
and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap
as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness
shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7 And the glowing
sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the
habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called
The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be
for the redeemed : the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not
err therein.
All of this is very exciting to me
and is usually not spoken of by prophecy teachers. It may not seem as exciting,
perhaps, as talk about armies and politics or "wars and rumors of wars".
I assure you that it is very exciting to see this for yourself! God is a
God of the land which He calls His own in Joel 3. To see His land fulfilling
words that were spoken thousands of years ago by the prophets of Israel,
Ezekiel and Isaiah, is thrilling!
In His Service Gladly,
Rev. Kevin S. Johnson President The Institute For Christian Apologetics
Director Mount Carmel Outreach
Co-Host C0-Producer Perspective
Underground The Radio Program Heard Saturdays At Noon on FM 88.3 WFEN
in Rockford, IL and 103 FM in Madison, WI
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Here is something on the later rains.
Flooding in the Arava just two weeks ago.