She Threw Up in Petra

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 12:14

A lady told me a little story about her daughter. They were to visit the rock-hewn city of Petra in Jordan. You must enter the city by what is described as a narrow defile, and by horseback. The little girl bounced around on the horse until just as they entered this marvelous place, the little girl got so sick she threw up. What an introduction to this marvelous city!

Not only is it marvelous because it is in a deep canyon of rock and carved out of the solid rock, but because it may be of great prophetic importance. The book of Daniel speaks of the short reign of Antichrist. In this reign he dominates most of the world. Israelites flee him into the wilderness.

Chapter twelve of Daniel is echoed by chapter twelve of Revelation. They go together. Daniel eleven, verse forty-one, has this very important statement: ...but these shall escape out of is hand, even Edom, Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. The King James says the chief of the children. Other translations clear up this phrase and translate it "the main portion of the Ammonite territory."

Now we are getting geographical. Ammon is modern Jordan, as in Ammon, Jordan. The Bible tells us this will be a refuge to the Israelites, a place of safety from Antichrist. How ironic that their flight will be through Edom and Moab! These ancient territories previously have been trouble for Israel, but now they save her.

What has this to do with Petra? Petra is in Jordan, and could be Israel's three and one half year dwelling place during the great tribulation--a place "prepared for her". There is so much to be said about Edom and Moab, from their terrible origin in Genesis, to God using them to save his people.

And as for the now uninhabited city of Petra, one little girl will remember it as the place where she threw up.