We are Living in Momentous Times
At the start of this year, I committed to reading daily from my “One Year Bible” (broken up each day in a chapter from the Old Testament, New Testament, a Psalm and Proverbs chapter in order). I’ve had some eye-opening encounters with the characters, the stories, the challenges, the miracles, and the Sovereign God we serve as I have read with intentionality.
Last week I read Ezekiel 47 about the prophet Ezekiel who had a vision that was obviously for today. I’m no theologian, but the words were an epiphany to me and a great expectation that something good is about to happen. See if you can read between the lines like I did.
Ezekiel wrote:“This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah (the Jordan Valley), where it enters the Sea (the Dead Sea). When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea (the Mediterranean)” — Ezekiel 47:8-10.
Wowser! I was at the Dead Sea in 2016 (pictured here with my friend) and there were NO fish in the waters, which are 35% salt. There were no living creatures (other than us humans) swarming in that place. There were no fishermen. There were no trees for food. So, then, what does this scripture mean? I asked God and Google about it!
I remember that barren sandy desert, which makes Ezekiel’s vision more incredible and it also tells us that this vision wasn’t about past events. The Jordan River flows from the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea which is salty because there is no outlet for this body of water. Nothing can live in it – hence, the name, the Dead Sea. But Ezekiel is told that when the Kingdom arrives, the water flowing east from the temple will reach this sea. And when it does, the Temple river will transform the Dead Sea into fresh water and will become filled with every kind of fish!
Have I lost you yet? Hold on to your seat belt. When I googled about this, several “Life in the Dead Sea” articles popped up. Have I had my head in the sand and missed this phenomenon? Apparently so. The article I read was written in May, 2021. “Dead Sea Comes to Life”.
Maybe this isn’t news to you, but it was for me. It is a sure sign of the imminent return of Jesus. One of Ezekiel’s famous prophecies is now being fulfilled just as he said it would 2,600 years ago! Fresh water is now flowing into it that has been unable to support life since the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah thousands of years ago. It was useful only for drawing tourists (like my friends and me) to sample its healing properties while floating unsupported. But now, freshwater fish have been seen swimming in the surrounding sinkholes that have opened up in recent years as the sea has been receding.
I found that 81% of Ezekiel’s prophecies have already been fulfilled with pinpoint accuracy, so this is another example that God has His Word exploding in technicolor right before our eyes, right on His schedule.
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking up with great expectation. I am not going to be deceived by the enemy who wants me to focus my attention on matters that don’t matter. In fact, like the Dead Sea, I’m coming alive with new life and hope. We are living in momentous times that could well usher in the return of our Lord. Doesn’t that give you hope that if a phenomenon like this is taking place in our world, that our lives are as equally on purpose?
May we pay attention to the signs of the times and pray so that we (and our loved ones) are not caught unaware. If this word connects with you as it did me, grab hold of my hand and let’s get on our marks and get set and be ready to GO!
https://www.israel365news.com/72711/fulfillment-dead-sea-prophecy-begun/#QJVmQro7HeUKEcrl.97