Elijah on Mount Carmel & Megiddo/Valley of
Armageddon
During each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared with us the biblical and historical significance of Elijah on Mount Carmel & Megiddo/Valley of Armageddon from First Kings 18:1-2, 17-46 and Revelation 16:12-21; 22:1-7, 20.
Elijah
on Mount Carmel—First Kings 18:1-2 When
Elijah stood on this mountain to face down wicked King Ahab, Ahab was the king
in Northern Israel. The people worshipped false gods and followed false
prophets, so God sent the prophet Elijah to tell them to repent. At the time,
there was a drought in the land. Elijah used that as an opportunity to show
God’s power over all creation and His superiority over the false gods. The god
who could prove his power by sending fire would be acknowledged as the one true
God. The false prophets cried out to Baal, who remained silent. Then Elijah
made two moves that were counterintuitive given the drought. He poured gallons
of water on the ground—water they needed. Then he called for a fire—something
they’d want to avoid in a drought.
God
sent a scorching fire; it burned the offering, the stones, and the dust!
Afterward God brought the rain Elijah prayed for! Elijah knew God would answer
that prayer with a yes because God had promised rain before Elijah ever met
with King Ahab. Elijah’s faith was in the on true God, Maker of heaven and
earth, Commander of fire and rain.
At
the showdown at Mount Carmel, Elijah pitted the Baal gods against the Lord God,
and no matter what the 450 prophets of Baal did—dance wildly, cut themselves,
and shout for hours for Baal to answer—there was “no reply, no voice, no
answer” (v. 29). But when Elijah placed himself before the Lord and did what
God showed him to do by rebuilding the altar and praying, God heard and
answered in a mighty way. He revealed himself by sending fire from heaven that
consumed the sacrifice and everything surrounding it, even the water. And the
people returned to him. Our God is not a “God at a distance” as a popular song
and modern culture often depicts him. He is not like the impotent false gods
who had no reply, no voice, and no answer. The Lord is a God who not only hears
and speaks but who answers and acts on behalf of those who seek him.
LORD,
you are the one true God and I praise you! Thank you for going to such great
lengths to demonstrate your power and to bring people back to you. Those great
lengths led your only Son to the cross because of your love for those who are
blind to your glory and power. Show yourself powerful in my life. In Jesus’
name we pray, amen.
Megiddo/Valley
of Armageddon—Revelation 16:12-21; 22:1-7, 20. This valley is widely known
as the Valley of Armageddon, described in the book of Revelation as the site of
a major battle and a turning point in the story of God’s redemption. For many
people, the book of Revelation sounds terrifying because they fear the end
times, the final days. But it’s a book that tells us about Jesus’ return to
earth, and it promises the redemption of all things. Cities that were once
destroyed will have trees that bear fruit all year long. Nothing will be
accursed. And Jesus will reign forever from His throne in the middle of the
city!
While
the end is near, the end is good news for believers in Jesus. When we
forget this, we focus on the short-term, where fear is nothing but a
distraction stealing our hope and joy. Through all the pain and trials, we wait
for the Lord’s return. His nearness will be our healing and our joy. So we
believe His words, “Surely I am coming soon,” and we echo the cry of the
saints, “Come Lord Jesus.”
Lord
Jesus, I can’t imagine what it will be like to see your light fully for the
first time and bask in the light of your glory. Your light has changed my life,
given me wisdom, and helped me find my way out of dark places. It has
illuminated your Word and comforted me and taught me. What will it be like one
day to walk in a city where the Lamb is the light! In Jesus’ name we pray,
amen.
Look
Up—meditate on Revelation 22…pray to see what it reveals about the
character of God.
Look
In—as you meditate on Revelation 22…pray to see how you might apply it
to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries:
"Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look
Out—as you meditate on Revelation 22…pray to see how you might apply
it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every
relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
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