Readers -

Since Israel is in open conflict in Gaza, I thought I'd repost something I've been watching for years. 

The last mention of Gaza in the Bible is Acts 8:26:

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert."

Numbers for that verse are found here:

http://www.biblewheel.com/GR/GR_Database.php?bnum=44&cnum=8&vnum=26

You must read the entire chapter to get the full account. This verse in particular is also notable:

Acts 8:39
"And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away (Harpazo Strong's 726g) Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he (the Eunuch) went on his way rejoicing."

Any use of the Harpazo word is worth a look, so this account is worth studying. 

Since Acts 8:26 uses the Strong's 2597g word (Descend) and Acts 8:39 uses the Strong's 726g word (Caught up), as well as the fact that Philip gets his direction from an angel who "speaks" to him, I always considered these verses kind of sister verses to the key 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 verses that state:

1) The Lord Himself "descends"
Strong's 2597g katabaino

2) The archangel "Shouts" 

3) the dead in Christ are raised

4) the dead and living in Christ are "caught up".

5) Both groups meet The Lord in the air

The thing of note, imho, was what the angel told Philip -

Go to the road that descends (goes down) from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Israel was always in conflict with Gaza, but since, at the End, we are to watch for "extremes", this "road" might imply a "relationship", and that all things will be in extreme decline (descending) at the End before The Lord Himself actually gets up from His Throne and descends to earth. 

Jesus is Lord.