The story of what happened there put these two places on the map.
by Robert Harman
Events in the Bible happened in real places in real times of history; they aren’t imaginary lands.
If a book you trust names many towns and cities, but none of them can be found, should you question its accuracy? Of course! The Bible has thousands of place names, and we can identify a full 94% of them.
Besides Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and other obvious places, here are two surprises of geography.
The events that happened at these places gave them a new name.
“The Vision”
If you travel along the old road from Jerusalem toward Damascus, you will come to a suburb named “The Vision” in Arabic. Can you guess what happened here?
This is where a persecutor of Christians, Saul of Tarsus (the future Apostle Paul), was traveling when he was knocked off his horse by his vision of a light and voice from the risen Jesus. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Forever after, the place was called “The Vision.”
“El Lazaria”
Bethany, the hometown of Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus, is named in Arabic “El Lazaria,” the Place of Lazarus. Why would this be?
This is where Jesus did one of his most famous and astonishing miracles. After Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus raised him back to life. The people started to call the town “Lazarus’ Place.”
Many other proofs could be given; here is one quick one. Dr. Paul Maier, Professor of Ancient History for Western Michigan University, set out with a film crew to locate all the places mentioned in the life of Paul.
Every one of the places can be identified!
Each one falls in the exact order of travel listed in the book of Acts.
Is the Bible true?
Geography says Yes!
In four related articles, I briefly look at other evidence that supports the Bible. I hope you enjoy them!
4 Top Archaeology Discoveries That Back The Bible
5 Times Jesus Was Documented By Historians of His Time
The City That Fulfilled 6 Biblical Predictions
Two Methods To Know The Truth
The Journey of a World Changer starts here…