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This is an Infamous Field of
Losers: By
Ken Raggio Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was probably standing in the very place where I would personally view Jesus Christ when He stands for the very first time with all the saints from all the ages celebrating His victory after the Battle of Armageddon. I became excited as it occurred to me that I am very likely to return to that very site within the next few years, but in the company of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and millions of saints from all the ages. In that very place deep within the Valley of Kidron, according to the scriptures, I will see Jesus Christ lead his victorious saints through the Eastern Gate onto the Temple Mount where we will hail Him and proclaim Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The scriptures (in Ezekiel) teach that He will build a new Temple which will become His throne for 1000 years. (The third temple is likely to be destroyed, since Antichrist desecrated it.) Let me teach you some things about that valley. The geography on the south side of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is full of historic and prophetic significance.  This photo is the view from the northeast looking toward the south and southwest across the Temple Mount. Kidron is in the foreground, and Hinnom-Tophet is in the far distance. Olivet is in the center left of the photo. For a larger version, see here. From the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount (traditionally referred to as the pinnacle where Satan tempted Jesus to cast Himself down) looking panoramically from the East to the Southeast to the South, you first of all must look across a large, significant valley. That valley runs completely around the northeast, east, and southeast edges of the Temple Mount. Actually, one long extended valley has various names in various segments. Generally, it is the same valley. Kidron on the east, and Hinnom on the south and west run together.
Joab came through this valley from the older City of David, on the south where Kidron and Hinnom meet, when he first took his troops into the city to conquer Jerusalem for the first time. King David fled from Saul and Absolam across the Brook Kidron to the east, over the Mount of Olives into the desert toward Qumram. Some people believe that this is the place David referred to in the 23rd Psalm, "Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil." The Kidron Valley contains the Pillar of Absalom, the Tomb of Zechariah, and Hezekiah's Tunnel, where water was safely accessed during sieges. Judas Iscariot crossed this valley to the southeast to a hill where he met with the the High Priest Caiaphas and the temple priests who would give him 30 pieces of silver for the arrest of Jesus, (John 11:47-50). Since Byzantine times, it has been called the "Hill of Evil Counsel."  Today, the "Hill of Evil Counsel" is
the location of the Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Troop
Supervision Organization - UNTSO. It is tragically ironic that both Judas and the United Nations are distinguished by the act of betrayal. Judas betrayed Jesus, and the UN is betraying Israel by forbidding them jurisdiction over Jerusalem and forcing them out of the holy promised land. When Judas returned in regret to give back the silver, the priests could not put it into the temple treasury because it was the price of blood, so they purchased the Potter's Field, called Akeldama - meaning "field of blood." "Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at The Garden of Gethsemane sits on the side of this valley, directly across from the Eastern Gate of the old wall. The troops who arrested Jesus would have traipsed through the valley to find him, then taken him back down through the valley to the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was thrown into a dungeon temporarily. Jeremiah the Prophet spoke repeatedly of this valley by the names of Tophet and Hinnom. He denounced the "high places" and altars the people built in Tophet, where they burned their sons and daughters in the fire, and burned incense to the hosts of heaven and poured out drinks to other gods. Jeremiah prophesied a day when the place would be called the Valley of Slaughter, and there would be so many dead, there would be no place to bury. He also spoke in judgment of the sins of the people of Israel, and warned them that they and the entire city would be broken "as one breaketh a potter's vessel" and "...bury them in Tophet." This Old Testament reference compares Tophet to a potter's field, where broken shards of pottery are disposed. That relates to Judas' purchase hundreds of years later. Isaiah 30 referred to Tophet as a place deep and large, where the breath of the LORD kindles fire and wood like brimstone, ordained from old in preparation for a coming king. Since the days of Judas Iscariot, the purchase of the Potter's Field, the area has known little use but as a smoldering city dump. Throughout history, the valley has been associated with death, destruction, fire, brimstone, betrayal, and judgment. Most significantly, however, this is where Jesus Christ will return to this valley during the battle of Armageddon. The word Armageddon comes from Megiddo - Har-megiddo - the Hill of Megiddo. Let me explain. About 130 miles to the Northwest of Jerusalem is an ancient city called Megiddo. It has enormous significance throughout antiquity, and has been built and destroyed many, many times. It sits on a very strategic hill, near the Mediterranean Sea, and is a critical military holding. Because of the spectacular view from Megiddo, it was a very important military base throughout history. King Solomon had a vast livery at Megiddo where he kept hundreds, if not thousands of his horses. From the hill of Megiddo, approaching armies could easily be seen, whether they were coming from the Mediterranean Sea, or from Lebanon or Syria. Megiddo was critical to the defense of Israel. From Har-Megiddo - Armageddon, a VALLEY runs southeasterly all the way to Jerusalem. The valley of Megiddo finally empties into Jerusalem as it runs into the Kidron Valley and finally the Valley of Hinnom or Tophet. This 130-mile-long valley will be the sight of the final battle of Armageddon. It is said that in that awesome battle, the blood will flow to the horses' bridles. The prophecies tell us that Jerusalem will be encompassed by armies. For a more detailed description of Armageddon, please read my article: "Is Ezekiel's War Armageddon?" There will be a massive earthquake when Jesus returns with the armies of His saints from the eastern skies across the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. The prophecy says that Mt. Olive will split to the North and to the South, and the eastern gate will open at that time. In the conclusion of the war, Jesus Christ will take the Beast (Antichrist) and False Prophet (Pope) and cast them into the lake of fire. Immediately afterward, He will lead His victorious saints through the Eastern Gate onto the Temple Mount, which is part of Ancient Jerusalem. There we will crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He will begin to establish His millennial kingdom for 1000 years, ruling the entire world from Jerusalem, Israel. (Ezekiel 40-48) and other verses. I am continually writing new content for this site. Please return often for more material, and tell your friends about www.kenraggio.com , too! THANKS! And God bless you! Ken Raggio 
Click here for BOOKS and VIDEOS by Ken Raggio ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY KEN RAGGIO, Copyright 1988-2008 Articles may not be republished on the Internet without express permission. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Thanks for coming by! |
