Pella….Didn’t Make the “Left Behind” Glossary tagged: , , , ,

Pella….Didn’t Make the “Left Behind” Glossary

Posted by in Baptist Life, Bible & Theology, IMPACT Features, News & Culture

Well, I have finally returned from my travels to several parts of Europe and the Middle East. Some of my co-writers thought I might have disappeared. And then in an unusual turn of events…. I actually met up with an sbcIMPACT writer along the path,…..you know him as Rastis, and we spent a few hours discussing mission work and how the SBC is aligned to meet the needs of missionaries. I learned a lot from Rastis as he explained his work and passion for God’s people and ministry. His viewpoint gave me some good ideas for the future.

As I go to this Middle Eastern area every few years or so, one of my favorite spots is Pella, Jordan. This is an amazing and wonderful place to spend some quality time; if you like scratching around in the dirt. Pella is located several kilometers north of Amman in the Jordan Valley and the ruins run for miles throughout the valley and along the hills on both sides. The reason for my intrigue is that the valley where Pella lay is somewhat off the beaten path and there is still a great deal of digging taking place. So, me and the guys I travel with are always interested in antiquities, and Pella is a plethora of uncharted dirt piles that just encourage a wide grin from ear to ear. I love to explore the tags from recent digs and then chart out other hills for discovery.

Another more grand reason for Pella is its abounding evidence of several great events. Egyptian inscriptions date back to the 19th century BC and just recently, city walls have been charted back to around 3400BC. The most captivating event and of timely theological value for Christians is the valley’s refuge for Jerusalem Christians during the first century AD as they fled Jerusalem during the Jewish-Roman wars. It is not hard to imagine Christians eagerly escaping to this valley as one stands on the hill just behind one of the unearthed temples of ruins today; especially with all the evidence strewn about the countryside. On the other hand,…those of you that use the Left Behind series for commentary might not find Pella quite as appealing. Its evidence kind of takes the punch lines out of the series.

Matthew 24:15-20 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. (NIV)

When you zoom in a little closer (just above the round four foot column on the floor of the dig) you can see the tags from a recent dig exposing the BC strata of activity.

If you have the opportunity, find your way to Pella. Meet the people! Dig around in the dirt and discover one of the most revealing historical valley’s on earth.

Blessings,
Chris