Post by Cindy on May 12, 2016 9:14:18 GMT -5
Matthew 24:12-25 are referring to "the great tribulation" which is the last 3 and a half years of the trib and not the rapture. It's instructions for the Jew's who are present when the AC defiles the Temple because it's at that point that they had better run for their lives as the scriptures say, "to the mountains". Many bible scholars believe that God is pointing them to Petra or Bozrah where He will protect them. They believe that those are the only two places on this earth where believers (and children) will be safe because God will protect everyone there supernaturally. Some believe it's only one of those places, but the majority seem to think it's both.
When the AC defiles the Temple with the abomination that is what will turn the Jew's to their real Messiah, Jesus, and He tells them in this verse to run for their lives for their lives will be in grave danger just as the lives of the Christians are at this time.
He says it will be especially hard for those who are pregnant and nursing for obvious reasons--it's difficult to run for your life that way, and if it's the sabbath they're in big trouble for they will have to once and for all decide to follow Jesus and not the law.
It will be a big test for them because remember they will have gone back to following the law during the first 3 and half years of the trib including doing their sacrifices.
My understanding is that Petra and Bozrah near each other and also near Jerusalem and Armageddon. They will still be able to die from disease or an accident or things like that when they are there, but the antichrist and his forces won't be able to lay a hand on anyone in those two places. Here are the main passages that this is discussed in God's Word, besides the passage in Matthew:
Revelation 12:14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.
Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Isaiah 26:20-21 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.
Zechariah 14:2-3 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.
It's also in Joel 2 but it's pretty much the whole chapter so I don't want to post all of that. Here is some information about each place so you can understand a bit more about it:
PETRA [PET ruh] (rock) — the capital of Nabatea, situated about 275 kilometers (170 miles) southwest of modern Amman and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the Dead Sea. Petra is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but many scholars believe it was the same place as Sela (Judg. 1:36; 2 Kin. 14:7).
Petra is one of the most spectacular archaeological ruins in the Near East and is a popular attraction on Holy Land tours. Most of the buildings and tombs of Petra are cut into the rose-red rock cliffs of the area.
Petra’s ruins consist of about 750 monuments, most of them dating from the second half of the first century b.c. to the second century after Christ. In a.d. 131 the Roman emperor Hadrian (ruled a.d. 117–38) visited the city and ordered construction to begin on the so-called treasury, which has been called “Petra’s gem”—a temple to Isis.
Many ruins of Roman construction may be seen at Petra: a triumphal arch, an amphitheater, remains of baths, temples, tombs, and sections of a road. Above the city is the great high place, containing sacrificial altars hewn from the solid rock. Such open-air sanctuaries have thrown light on the High Places mentioned in the Old Testament.
Petra is reached from the west by ascending the Wadi Musa and passing through a narrow, high-walled gorge, known as the Siq. Over a mile in length, this gorge provided Petra with excellent defense. The city is situated in a basin that is about 900 meters (3,000 feet) wide and about 1,600 meters (one mile) long. The city is surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs of a dark red color. Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary
PETRA (Pĕʹ tra) Capital city of the Nabatean Arabs located about 60 miles north of the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is sometimes identified with Sela (Judg. 1:36; 2 Kings 14:7; Isa. 16:1; 42:11) because both names mean “rock.” Lack of archaeological evidence of Edomite settlement in the basin suggests that Sela is better identified with Um el Bayyarah on the mountain plateau overlooking Petra. The Nabatean king Aretas IV (2 Cor. 11:32–33) reigned from Petra. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
PETRA (πέτρα, petra, “rock”). The capital of the Nabatean kingdom (Arabia), about 75 kilometers (46.5 miles) south of the Dead Sea. This kingdom flourished during the late Hellenistic and early Roman imperial periods. The Nabatean king Aretas IV is mentioned in 2 Cor 11:32–33. The Nabateans (or “Nabataeans”) designated themselves as the Nabaṭû (nbṭw). Known either as the Nabataioi or as “Arabs” by Greek writers (Graf, “Petra,” 4:970). The kingdom fell to Rome in AD 106.
Although Petra is not mentioned directly in the Bible, it has been identified with Selah (“es-Sela”)—a site 2.5 miles northwest of Bozrah (Buseira). The identification of Petra with the biblical Selah in Edom derives from the Septuagint and was accepted by Eusebius, who also identified Selah (Judg 1:36; 2 Kgs 14:7; Isa 16:1; 42:11) with Petra (Onom. 36, 13; 142, 7; 144, 7). Josephus (Ant. 4.161), when discussing the five Midianite kings who were defeated by the Israelites on their way to Canaan (Num 31:8), identifies Rekem—the town named after its founder—with Petra. This identification has been confirmed by a Nabatean inscription from the first century AD, discovered at Petra, that mentions Raqmu—the town’s Semitic name (Negev, “Petra,” 1181). The Lexham Bible Dictionary
BOZRAH [BAHZ ruh] — the name of two cities in the Old Testament:
1. The royal city of Edom (see Map 4, B–5), on which several of the prophets pronounced divine judgment (Jer. 49:13, 22). The Lord is represented as coming from Bozrah, wearing blood-sprinkled garments, having trodden the winepress of His wrath upon the Gentile nations (Is. 63:1–6).
2. A city in the tableland of Moab, which also received prophecy of coming divine judgment (Jer. 48:24). Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary
Bozrah — enclosure; fortress. "sheepfold" (1.) The city of Jobab, one of the early Edomite kings (Gen. 36:33). This place is mentioned by the prophets in later times (Isa. 34:6; Jer. 49:13; Amos 1:12; Micah 2:12). Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea. Easton's Bible dictionary.
Bozrah (“stronghold”). [1] The capital of Edom (Gen. 36:33; 1 Chr. 1:44). [2] A city of Moab; probably Bezer (Jer. 48:24).
Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible
BOZRAH (Bŏzʹ răh) Place-name meaning “inaccessible.” 1. Ancestral home of Jobab, a king in Edom before Israel had a king (Gen. 36:33). Isaiah announced a great judgment on Bozrah in which God would sacrifice His enemies (Isa. 34:6). A center of shepherds, it was known for woolen garments. God is pictured as returning from Bozrah with dyed garments as His spoil of victory (Isa. 63:1). Thus He demonstrated His righteousness and power to save from enemies. Jeremiah proclaimed doom on Bozrah (Jer. 49:13, 22), as did Amos (1:12). A major city, which at times served as capital of Edom, Bozrah lay about 25 miles southeast of the southern end of the Dead Sea at modern Buseirah. See Edom. 2. City of Moab Jeremiah condemned (Jer. 48:24). It may be equated with Bezer. See Bezer. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
I did a quick search to see if I could find a map and came across these pictures you might like to see. I did NOT read what is written here so I have no idea if it's correct or not, I'm only posting the link for the photos:
www.yeshuatyisrael.com/bozrah.htm
here's some more:
www.bibleplaces.com/edom.htm
It seems that many bible dictionaries and maps have different ideas about where Petra and Bozrah are. Some say they are one and the same place, that Bozrah is like the name of the country or area that Petra is located in. Others say they're two different places. It's the same way with looking for the distance between them and Jerusalem. I've seen everything from 88 miles to 200 miles. It's not hard to find Petra as it's still well known today. The differences in distance is mainly because of the bible dictionaries trying to interpret stadia or another biblical word and convert it to miles or kilometers. However, the distance between Jerusalem and Petra seems to be about 188 miles. So it will be a long hike.
In Matt. 24:16 the Lord warned those in Judea (Israel) to flee to the mountains when they see the Abomination of Desolation. The closest mountains are to the east in southern Jordan where Petra is located. Rev. 12:14 tells of Satan pursuing them across the desert as they flee to a place prepared for them. This desert lies between Israel and the mountains of southern Jordan around the northern and eastern shores of the Dead Sea. And in Isaiah 63: 1-6 there’s a description of the Lord coming from Bozrah in Edom after single handedly defeating His enemies there. This indicates that when the time comes the Lord will declare Jordan off limits to the anti-Christ and give His people refuge there. Daniel 11:41 also indicates that Edom will not fall to the AC so they would be safe there.
“He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.” (Daniel 11:41)
Edom, Moab and Ammon are all in Jordan; these areas must escape the Antichrist. Israel then, can flee to Edom (Bozrah/Petra), where she escapes during the last 1/2 of the Tribulation
“The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.” (Revelation 12:14) The length of time mentioned in this verse would equal the last half of the tribulation, just as in the following verse.
“The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” (Revelation 12:6)
“Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”” (Isaiah 63:1–6)
“Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:9–12)
“Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 108:10–13) Some believe that the "fortified city" or the "strong city" is Petra.
I would say then that it's this "region" that God will protect, and that the two main "cities" (they're only ruins now) there are Petra and Bozrah, and those are the most likely places for humans to seek shelter in that region.
While it is possible that the 2 wings of an Eagle is a reference to US aircraft as some think, it's also possible it's simply a reference to aircraft in general. The most likely possibility is that it's simply again referring to God supernaturally helping them escape so it's really hard to tell. That figure of speech is used by God several times in the old testament to speak about His divine help:
“‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4)
Deuteronomy 32:9-11 For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. It will be interesting to see from Heaven just how the Lord carries this out!
““I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.”” (Micah 2:12–13)
“In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ ”” (Zechariah 13:8–9)
“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.” (Isaiah 26:20–21)
So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)
““Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night— at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:3–5)
When the AC defiles the Temple with the abomination that is what will turn the Jew's to their real Messiah, Jesus, and He tells them in this verse to run for their lives for their lives will be in grave danger just as the lives of the Christians are at this time.
He says it will be especially hard for those who are pregnant and nursing for obvious reasons--it's difficult to run for your life that way, and if it's the sabbath they're in big trouble for they will have to once and for all decide to follow Jesus and not the law.
It will be a big test for them because remember they will have gone back to following the law during the first 3 and half years of the trib including doing their sacrifices.
My understanding is that Petra and Bozrah near each other and also near Jerusalem and Armageddon. They will still be able to die from disease or an accident or things like that when they are there, but the antichrist and his forces won't be able to lay a hand on anyone in those two places. Here are the main passages that this is discussed in God's Word, besides the passage in Matthew:
Revelation 12:14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.
Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Isaiah 26:20-21 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.
Zechariah 14:2-3 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.
It's also in Joel 2 but it's pretty much the whole chapter so I don't want to post all of that. Here is some information about each place so you can understand a bit more about it:
PETRA [PET ruh] (rock) — the capital of Nabatea, situated about 275 kilometers (170 miles) southwest of modern Amman and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the Dead Sea. Petra is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but many scholars believe it was the same place as Sela (Judg. 1:36; 2 Kin. 14:7).
Petra is one of the most spectacular archaeological ruins in the Near East and is a popular attraction on Holy Land tours. Most of the buildings and tombs of Petra are cut into the rose-red rock cliffs of the area.
Petra’s ruins consist of about 750 monuments, most of them dating from the second half of the first century b.c. to the second century after Christ. In a.d. 131 the Roman emperor Hadrian (ruled a.d. 117–38) visited the city and ordered construction to begin on the so-called treasury, which has been called “Petra’s gem”—a temple to Isis.
Many ruins of Roman construction may be seen at Petra: a triumphal arch, an amphitheater, remains of baths, temples, tombs, and sections of a road. Above the city is the great high place, containing sacrificial altars hewn from the solid rock. Such open-air sanctuaries have thrown light on the High Places mentioned in the Old Testament.
Petra is reached from the west by ascending the Wadi Musa and passing through a narrow, high-walled gorge, known as the Siq. Over a mile in length, this gorge provided Petra with excellent defense. The city is situated in a basin that is about 900 meters (3,000 feet) wide and about 1,600 meters (one mile) long. The city is surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs of a dark red color. Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary
PETRA (Pĕʹ tra) Capital city of the Nabatean Arabs located about 60 miles north of the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is sometimes identified with Sela (Judg. 1:36; 2 Kings 14:7; Isa. 16:1; 42:11) because both names mean “rock.” Lack of archaeological evidence of Edomite settlement in the basin suggests that Sela is better identified with Um el Bayyarah on the mountain plateau overlooking Petra. The Nabatean king Aretas IV (2 Cor. 11:32–33) reigned from Petra. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
PETRA (πέτρα, petra, “rock”). The capital of the Nabatean kingdom (Arabia), about 75 kilometers (46.5 miles) south of the Dead Sea. This kingdom flourished during the late Hellenistic and early Roman imperial periods. The Nabatean king Aretas IV is mentioned in 2 Cor 11:32–33. The Nabateans (or “Nabataeans”) designated themselves as the Nabaṭû (nbṭw). Known either as the Nabataioi or as “Arabs” by Greek writers (Graf, “Petra,” 4:970). The kingdom fell to Rome in AD 106.
Although Petra is not mentioned directly in the Bible, it has been identified with Selah (“es-Sela”)—a site 2.5 miles northwest of Bozrah (Buseira). The identification of Petra with the biblical Selah in Edom derives from the Septuagint and was accepted by Eusebius, who also identified Selah (Judg 1:36; 2 Kgs 14:7; Isa 16:1; 42:11) with Petra (Onom. 36, 13; 142, 7; 144, 7). Josephus (Ant. 4.161), when discussing the five Midianite kings who were defeated by the Israelites on their way to Canaan (Num 31:8), identifies Rekem—the town named after its founder—with Petra. This identification has been confirmed by a Nabatean inscription from the first century AD, discovered at Petra, that mentions Raqmu—the town’s Semitic name (Negev, “Petra,” 1181). The Lexham Bible Dictionary
BOZRAH [BAHZ ruh] — the name of two cities in the Old Testament:
1. The royal city of Edom (see Map 4, B–5), on which several of the prophets pronounced divine judgment (Jer. 49:13, 22). The Lord is represented as coming from Bozrah, wearing blood-sprinkled garments, having trodden the winepress of His wrath upon the Gentile nations (Is. 63:1–6).
2. A city in the tableland of Moab, which also received prophecy of coming divine judgment (Jer. 48:24). Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary
Bozrah — enclosure; fortress. "sheepfold" (1.) The city of Jobab, one of the early Edomite kings (Gen. 36:33). This place is mentioned by the prophets in later times (Isa. 34:6; Jer. 49:13; Amos 1:12; Micah 2:12). Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea. Easton's Bible dictionary.
Bozrah (“stronghold”). [1] The capital of Edom (Gen. 36:33; 1 Chr. 1:44). [2] A city of Moab; probably Bezer (Jer. 48:24).
Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible
BOZRAH (Bŏzʹ răh) Place-name meaning “inaccessible.” 1. Ancestral home of Jobab, a king in Edom before Israel had a king (Gen. 36:33). Isaiah announced a great judgment on Bozrah in which God would sacrifice His enemies (Isa. 34:6). A center of shepherds, it was known for woolen garments. God is pictured as returning from Bozrah with dyed garments as His spoil of victory (Isa. 63:1). Thus He demonstrated His righteousness and power to save from enemies. Jeremiah proclaimed doom on Bozrah (Jer. 49:13, 22), as did Amos (1:12). A major city, which at times served as capital of Edom, Bozrah lay about 25 miles southeast of the southern end of the Dead Sea at modern Buseirah. See Edom. 2. City of Moab Jeremiah condemned (Jer. 48:24). It may be equated with Bezer. See Bezer. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
I did a quick search to see if I could find a map and came across these pictures you might like to see. I did NOT read what is written here so I have no idea if it's correct or not, I'm only posting the link for the photos:
www.yeshuatyisrael.com/bozrah.htm
here's some more:
www.bibleplaces.com/edom.htm
It seems that many bible dictionaries and maps have different ideas about where Petra and Bozrah are. Some say they are one and the same place, that Bozrah is like the name of the country or area that Petra is located in. Others say they're two different places. It's the same way with looking for the distance between them and Jerusalem. I've seen everything from 88 miles to 200 miles. It's not hard to find Petra as it's still well known today. The differences in distance is mainly because of the bible dictionaries trying to interpret stadia or another biblical word and convert it to miles or kilometers. However, the distance between Jerusalem and Petra seems to be about 188 miles. So it will be a long hike.
In Matt. 24:16 the Lord warned those in Judea (Israel) to flee to the mountains when they see the Abomination of Desolation. The closest mountains are to the east in southern Jordan where Petra is located. Rev. 12:14 tells of Satan pursuing them across the desert as they flee to a place prepared for them. This desert lies between Israel and the mountains of southern Jordan around the northern and eastern shores of the Dead Sea. And in Isaiah 63: 1-6 there’s a description of the Lord coming from Bozrah in Edom after single handedly defeating His enemies there. This indicates that when the time comes the Lord will declare Jordan off limits to the anti-Christ and give His people refuge there. Daniel 11:41 also indicates that Edom will not fall to the AC so they would be safe there.
“He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.” (Daniel 11:41)
Edom, Moab and Ammon are all in Jordan; these areas must escape the Antichrist. Israel then, can flee to Edom (Bozrah/Petra), where she escapes during the last 1/2 of the Tribulation
“The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.” (Revelation 12:14) The length of time mentioned in this verse would equal the last half of the tribulation, just as in the following verse.
“The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” (Revelation 12:6)
“Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”” (Isaiah 63:1–6)
“Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:9–12)
“Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 108:10–13) Some believe that the "fortified city" or the "strong city" is Petra.
I would say then that it's this "region" that God will protect, and that the two main "cities" (they're only ruins now) there are Petra and Bozrah, and those are the most likely places for humans to seek shelter in that region.
While it is possible that the 2 wings of an Eagle is a reference to US aircraft as some think, it's also possible it's simply a reference to aircraft in general. The most likely possibility is that it's simply again referring to God supernaturally helping them escape so it's really hard to tell. That figure of speech is used by God several times in the old testament to speak about His divine help:
“‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Exodus 19:4)
Deuteronomy 32:9-11 For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. It will be interesting to see from Heaven just how the Lord carries this out!
““I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.”” (Micah 2:12–13)
“In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ ”” (Zechariah 13:8–9)
“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.” (Isaiah 26:20–21)
So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)
““Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night— at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:3–5)