“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.”
Exodus 14:13
One of the amazing evidences for the divine inspiration of the Bible is its wonderful consistency. Not only do its 66 books, written by 40 men over 1500 years comment on numerous controversial subjects with complete agreement, sometimes the consistency is somewhat hidden, waiting for the diligent student of the Scriptures to discover it. Lately I have been studying Zechariah’s astounding prophecies. Near the end of his book, the prophet describes the events that will precede, accompany, and follow the Lord’s return. What is remarkable to me is how the events described fit so perfectly with other events recorded in Scripture, including those that took place in the distant past. In Zechariah 14, we read that at the end of the age, Gentile armies will storm Jerusalem in an attempt to destroy God’s covenant people. Suddenly, God Himself will appear, standing on the Mound of Olives. He will tear the mountain in half, creating a large valley through which His people will flee to safety (Zechariah 14:1-5). This supernatural deliverance reminds us of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt and the “valley” God cut through the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Moses states that once God’s people were safely on the other side, the sea closed in and destroyed the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:27-28). According to the prophet Joel, God will judge and destroy Israel’s enemies at the end of the age in “the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14). Elsewhere this place is called the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2), which means “Jehovah has judged.” No one is sure where this valley is. I am inclined to believe that it refers to the valley through which the fleeing Israelis will find safety. Whatever the case, we are constantly reminded that our all-knowing, all-wise God is wonderfully dependable. Whatever He has promised He will deliver on. His amazing faithfulness and consistency, displayed without fail in ages past, gives us unshakable hope for the future. Hallelujah (Praise the Lord) and Maranatha (our Lord come)!
God bless,
Pastor John
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