4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. –Zechariah 14:4
A giant and rapidly growing crack that suddenly appeared in AL-Majma’ah Governorate, a small town north of the Riyadh Province, has literally split Saudi Arabia in two. The area and surrounding streets have been closed off as surveillance and study by local Geologists continue.
Screen shot of Rift in Saudi Arabia’s desert region. Photo Credit: Youtube
The giant rift, which extends well over 200 meters (656 ft) in length and continues to grow at alarming rates, inexplicably appeared on February 27, 2018, after heavy rainfall and hailstorms.
The desert area, which is normally scorching hot, has had several reports of bizarre and wild weather anomalies, “strong winds, snow, rain, and clouds all over the Arab Kingdom,” reports the Arab News Channel. When you look at this video posted to Twitter, this is more than just an anomaly, it is a warning that judgment is coming.
These Plate Movements Foreshadow the “Very Great Valley” Prophesied by Zechariah
Zechariah prophesied that in the last of days, “a very great valley,” will form as the result of the Mount of Olives splitting. The prophesy tells us that the land south of Jerusalem will be changed into a plain from Geba (6 miles north of Jerusalem) to Rimmon (45 miles south of Jerusalem). This amazing prophecy will literally redraw the map of Africa and the Arabian region, as well as Israel. Zechariah also suggests that this event will be spurred by seismological activity (vs 5) and references this with the prophesy of Amos.
Jesus himself warned that earthquakes and volcanoes were all signs of the times, and marked them as the “beginning of sorrows.” Jesus spoke to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, the exact location where the prophecy of Zechariah takes us.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. 10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses. –Zechariah 14:4-10
Comment: The “former sea” is referring to the Dead Sea and the “hinder sea” is the Mediterranean.
The recent developments in Saudi Arabia, along with the giant 35-mile-long crack that opened up along a fault in the Afar desert of Ethiopia, where the African and Arabian tectonic plates meet, provides us with the strongest indications that Zechariah’s prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes!
This Saudi rift comes exactly at the time of the great upheaval that is also prophesied in Zechariah 12 and is happening right now!. Zechariah 12 is a prophesy foretelling of judgment against Israel’s neighbors, the nations, and those seeking to wage war against Jerusalem.. It should be noted, that there is never coincidences with God, but rather, warnings and confirmations. Likewise, it is never unusual to see a partial fulfillment or the beginning of a prophecy starting, with “lulls” or down time in between the prophecies, either! Throughout the Bible we see these starts and stops, and I truly believe they are indicative of “grace periods” before the final fulfillment of the prophecy. I particularly love the ending of this prophecy, as it coincides with the return of Jesus, but it is also a rather ominous prophecy as it details a destructive end for those opposed to God and his WILL.
The region where the Saudi Arabia and Ethiopian cracks have appeared are located along the area which has been dubbed the “Great Rift Valley.” The name was coined after the gigantic zipper rift appeared in Ethiopia’s Afar desert region back in 2005.
The African rift, which continues to open and sink between two parallel faults, is among the largest visible rift in the world. The Rift, which starts at the Dead Sea in the north and runs down to Tanzania, is one of the major faults in the Earth’s surface. The area is currently under watch as it is prone to frequent seismic events. Historically, earthquakes and volcanoes are associated to ‘rifting” or separation of the plates and the shifts in land. Strangely, the Saudi Arabia rift was not associated to any earthquake activity.
The Great Rift Valley extends approximately 4,000 miles southward from Syria north of Israel, through the Gulf of Aqaba, through Ethiopia, and all the way to Mozambique in southeast Africa. Ethiopia is near the southern end of the fault. But near the northern end and still within the Great Rift Valley lies the Dead Sea in Israel. The Mount of Olives is only about 15 miles to its west. Between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives lies the Kidron Valley, which carries the seasonal Kidron stream on a 20-mile-long, 4,000-foot drop eastward to the Dead Sea.
Map shows the location of the fissure in the desert of Saudi Arabia and the location of the African Rift that began and continues to grow since 2005. The prophecy of Zechariah tells us that these regions will literally “fall into the sea.,” widening the Red Sea and redrawing the map of Africa and the Arabian region. Photo Credit: created by Lisa Muhar on Google Maps.
Scientists say that the plates that surround the the Great Valley Rift region, are already separating at rapid speeds. When we view the maps, it is easy to see how these splits will eventually create the “very great valley” that Zechariah predicted.
The combination of this African rift and the Arabian rift appearing in Saudi Arabia will also widen the Red Sea between Africa and the Arabian peninsula and extend it southwards, which will also fulfill another prophecy that we discuss below.
A map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded, center)—a triple junction where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somali) splitting along the East African Rift Zone The region which is surrounded by multiple plates and faults is regarded as highly dangerous due to potential earthquake and volcanic activity. The rift runs north and south along the Jordan Valley, the Red Sea, and through Africa to the Zambesi River, in the south-east. (USGS).
Much of Afar is already below sea level but is protected from flooding by a barrier of low hills in Eritrea. Geologists have predicted that the protective barrier will be overcome, allowing the Red Sea to inundate the whole area.
After a recent surge in volcanic activity and earthquakes, plus the appearance of giant cracks throughout the Ethiopian area, Scientists have reported that the tectonic plates are pulling apart and moving faster than previously thought.
Satellite data show the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean moving toward the southeast by about an inch or so a year. “That`s really fast in geologic terms, and we see the same movement in Kenya,” says Kevin Burke, a prominent expert on plate tectonics at the University of Houston.
The same rift activity is also responsible for the Second parting of the Red Sea
Through the hand of God, Moses parted the Red Sea, and now thousands of years later, God himself is once again parting the Red Sea.
The Red Sea itself harbors a giant fault below its depths, which has been under investigation as a model for sea floor spreading.
The rifting northern East Africa led to the separation of the Africa (Nubia) and Arabia plates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and in the Turkana area at the Kenya-Ethiopia border. A superplume beneath East Africa caused extension within the Nubia plate, as well as a first order topographic high known as the African superswell which now includes most of the eastern and southern segments of the Nubia plate. Widespread volcanism erupted onto much of the rising plateau in Ethiopia which has chains of volcanoes forming along the rift separating Africa and Arabia. Since the initiation of rifting in northeastern Africa, the system has propagated over 3000 km to the south and southwest, and it experiences seismicity as a direct result of the extension, as well as active magmatism.
Scientists have reported that magma build-up is present at the Red Sea floor, where there is splitting and moving in such a way that it appears to be preparing for the creation of a new ocean basin.
Cindy Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study, said: “We know that seafloor ridges are created by a similar intrusion of magma into a rift, but we never knew that a huge length of the ridge could break open at once like this.”
In 2005, seismic activity spurred the gaping crack through the desert of Ethiopia. During this time, a 25ft-wide tongue of lava spread 40 miles under Afar in 10 days and solidified, and many more followed. Afar lies in east Africa`s Great Rift Valley at a point where three tectonic plates are pulling apart from each other. Such movement creates gaps, or rifts, in the Earth`s crust, which allows molten rock to well up from deep below. Now, the scientists have mapped the colossal underground lake of magma.
“We estimate that there is 3,000 cubic kilometres of molten rock under Afar — enough to cover all of London within the M25 with around a kilometre of rock,” said Kathy Whaler, professor of geophysics at Edinburgh University. The reservoir is under such pressure that it has forced tongues of molten rock up towards the surface, producing eruptions and earthquakes.
When these two countries literally break off into the sea, it will also completely fulfill another prophecy told to us by Ezekiel.
8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. Ezekiel 47:8-9
Zechariah further prophesies that the Jordan Valley “shall be lifted up.” (Zechariah 14:5) Israeli scientists have also discovered an enormous subterranean lake or underground spring beneath Jerusalem, and they believe that this will release waters to flow west to the Mediterranean, east to the Dead Sea, and south through the Gulf of Aqaba to the Red Sea.
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Genesis 13:10
The River Jordan runs north and south through a portion of this great fault in the earth’s crust. This fault begins in the Toros Mountains, in Turkey, continues down the Jordan Valley, through the Gulf of Aqaba, across the Red Sea, and ends somewhere in south-east Africa. From its source in the mountains in Turkey the Jordan River flows southward over a distance of 240 miles, descending to a remarkable 1,290 feet below sea level where it reaches the Dead Sea. This is the lowest body of water on the surface of the earth.
The old city of Jerusalem lies 15 miles west of the Dead Sea and 36 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, and the altitude of Jerusalem is 2,500 feet above sea level. The Mount of Olives, situated close by, is 2,600 feet above sea level and belongs to the same range of hills, which runs north and south. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
While there are thousands of miles of these rifts around the world, most of these rifts all lie deep below the ocean. As of recent, more and more visible rifts are appearing above the ground, such as the one in East Africa, Pakistan, and now Saudi Arabia.
Wikipedia provides the following description of the areas that are impacted by the “Great Rift Valley:”
The northernmost part of the Rift corresponds to the central section of what is called today the Dead Sea Transform (DST) or Rift. This midsection of the DST forms the Beqaa Valleyin Lebanon, separating the Lebanon from the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Further south it is known as the Hula Valley separating the Galilee mountains and the Golan Heights
The River Jordan begins here and flows southward through Lake Hula into the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The Rift then continues south through the Jordan Rift Valley into the Dead Seaon the Israeli-Jordanian border. From the Dead Sea southwards, the Rift is occupied by the Wadi Arabah, then the Gulf of Aqaba, and then the Red Sea.
Off the southern tip of Sinai in the Red Sea, the Dead Sea Transform meets the Red Sea Rift which runs the length of the Red Sea. The Red Sea Rift comes ashore to meet the East African Rift and the Aden Ridge in the Afar Depression of East Africa. The junction of these three rifts is called the Afar Triple Junction
The African rift isn’t the only bizarre topography in Africa, either. The continent is also roiled by bulges and depressions, like a cauldron of bubbling oil that`s been flash-frozen. There are many bible verses that refer to this as “pitch” or tar. The Summit crater in the Afar region seems to allude to chapters like Micah, where we read:
And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. Micah 1:4
The summit crater at Erta Ale (Afar region in Ethiopia) in 1994. Erta Ale (meaning “smoking mountain”) is part of the East African Rift, where the African Continent is tearing apart along a seam that runs from the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden (two other arms of the rift themselves) south through eastern Africa.
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. Isaiah 24:17-21
The geological processes taking place are not following any of man’s theories!
The Rift, which starts at the Dead Sea in the north and runs down to Tanzania, is situated on the world’s largest fault, and is one of the largest rifts in recorded history. It is the only rift system in the world that is active on a continent-wide scale. Scientists confirm that the rift is rapidly spreading and widening, and confirm that East Africa will eventually break off from the rest of the continent. Simply put, Africa is also splitting in two and so is Saudi Arabia.
Tim J Wright, a Royal Society University Research Fellow, told LiveScience:
“The ground is continually moving—much more rapidly now than before the rifting episode. On average, the two sides move apart at about 2 centimeters per year [0.8 inches per year]. But, as this event demonstrates, the motion is episodic and jerky. This poses considerable hazard to the local inhabitants, which is higher for the next few years.”
Scientist predict that these pieces that break off will drift somewhere, but when we research scripture, it appears that they will literally fall into the sea.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea- Psalm 46:2 (KJV).
Another very important side note needs to be made known as well. These events occurred in a matter of days, not millions of years like secular science has said of previous rifts. Prophecy tells us that in the end times, lies will be exposed, and that “knowledge will increase.” That is exactly what is happening! God also says, he will make foolish the wisdom of man (1 Corinthians 1:20-21). What we are seeing now is the “millions” of years lie being exposed for the false doctrine that it is.
The constant dating of the earth and events to billions and thousand of years ago, seeks to discredit biblical text. It is important to understand that the BIBLE itself gives us the age of the earth, and that these false dates hide and mask important data. Support a young earth and understand the deception! If you believe the Bible, as I do, you will study this very important point!
Scientists like to maintain the millions of years lie in order to lead followers away from God, and to the belief in Evolution and other “theories.” The earth’s crusts are broken, and the shifting, cracking, and breaking apart is the direct result of the GLOBAL FLOOD told to us in Genesis. Secular science, who are deceived by Satan, reject these facts because it proves the Bible to be accurate, and it proves the existence of God. While scientists consistently argue pointlessly against the world wide flood, a plethora of evidence, like all these rifts, points us directly to the deluge! REPEATEDLY!
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. -Psalm 82:5
Christian scientists have long taught and contended that the earth’s plates continue to move rapidly, not slowly. When God flooded the earth, we are told that the foundations of the earth were violently broken apart (Genesis 7:11) and in turn caused the continents to rip apart. Secular science teaches that the continents have been drifting apart “slowly” and took millions of years to get where they are today. When we have events such as these HUGE GAPING RIFTS, appearing rapidly, within days, it defies secular theories, and instead proves the reliability of scripture and solidifies that we can and should always trust GOD over man. God is using these events to make his presence known, and all of the “drift theories,” that were predicted to have occurred over millions of years, is literally being proven WRONG by evidence manifesting before our eyes.
The moving and shaking of mountains is something that is prophesied throughout the Bible, and holds spiritual significance. It is a call to repentance, to make crooked paths straight, to lead the way to God, both literally and spiritually. (Isaiah 40, Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 42:7, Luke 24:47, Matthew 3:3, Matthew 21:21, Isaiah 35:8).
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
The fact that the entire earth is “out of course” is a literal representation of the state of sin that the world is in. The symbolic meaning behind mountains being removed and paths straightened references the path that God is creating for us to reach him directly! The very nature of God is righteousness and perfection, and that is our divine destiny if we are faithful and follow God. When Jesus returns, the restoration of the all things will follow, when all things will be made new! Hence the reason we are told that this earth and heaven will pass away,and a new heaven and earth is coming! (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, Hebrews 12:26-27, 2 Peter 3:12-13, Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:3-4). This new world will be absent of evil and sin, and ruled by our savior and king Jesus Christ. Interestingly, we also find that there will be no SEA in the new earth either. Instead, we are told there will be life-giving streams.
All prophesies are given to us to teach, warn and correct. While God displays his wrath, it is always contrasted with his mercy. Right before God issues his final judgment, there has always been a period of “Grace.” Much like when Jesus prophesied that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, and God gave Jerusalem FORTY YEARS to repent before the Second Temple saw its destruction (this time is actually longer when we count the prophesy of Daniel), In other instances, scripture records a 400 year grace period, there are countless examples of events prophesied, grace periods and then destruction. This pattern has been a part of God’s plan, because he is loving and merciful. But, there comes a time when all men must either repent or face the wrath of their creator. Sin indeed has a consequence, and there is a righteous judge.
The Bible teaches that God does not wish any man to perish (2 Peter 3:9) but rather, to turn to him and repent, before destruction falls. God has always given a grace period before the prophesied destruction comes, and we are in that period of “grace” now! These events should all be considered WARNINGS! God says that the period of grace is a way of refining and chastising us on earth, so that we do not suffer the eternal punishment of the second death, which is hell (Job 5:17). Weather and other disastrous events like earth cracks, animal die-offs, disease, etc, are all used to refocus our attention to God.
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:1-9
I sincerely hope and pray that all who read this are saved and know Jesus Christ as their savior, because these events clearly focus our attention to the warning period and proclaim the very coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.-Matthew 24:44
Do you know where you will spend eternity? You can know for sure, before you die, 1 John 5:13 says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” If you simply trust Jesus Christ died to pardon your sins and accept his free gift of salvation, the Bible declares that you will be saved! “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13. If you are ready for this life saving step, call upon your savior TODAY! Learn more here.
In the Faithful Service of Jesus Christ,
Lisa Muhar
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PROPHECY:
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth – Psalm 18:7 (KJV).
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea- Psalm 46:2 (KJV).
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh- Psalm 60:2 (KJV).
They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. Psalm 82:5 (KJV).
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:-Psalm 102:25-26 (KJV).
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up- 2 Peter 3:10 (KJV).
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.– Isaiah 51:6 (KJV).
13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. -Isaiah 29:13-14 (KJV).
4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. -Micah 1:4
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. -Isaiah 24:19
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. -Psalm 46:3
.. “Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith…” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (KJV).
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; -Haggai 2:6 (KJV).
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken– Luke 21:26 (KJV).
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.– Matthew 24:7 (KJV).
He is Coming-Are You Ready Ministries focuses on preparing the elect for the events to come, and to wake up the lost –as God does not wish anyone to perish -2 Peter 3:9 (KJV). We vet, source and report daily headline news stories and reveal their relation to prophecy. We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, we support and love Israel as God commands us, and we believe the BIBLE is the final authority on all matters of life.