This was our final day. We took a long walk through the old city. It was fairly quiet since it was Sabbath, but some of the Arab shops were open. We spent some time in what would have been the Antonia Fortress. We stood at “The Pavement” where Jesus allowed himself to be beaten for us. Remember this is where much of Psalm 22, 69 & Isaiah 52/53 was fulfilled. Most of the blood shed for us was shed there. We’re told in Isaiah 52.14 “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” We made our way through the Lions gate and walked down to the Kidron Valley. As we crossed the Kidron, we came to Getsemene where Jesus allowed himself to be arrested. We then went to the Pools of Bethesda (House Of Mercy) where the man who was impotent was healed in John 5. We had a great Bible Study there. We sang quite a while in St. Anne’s Church where the acoustics makes any of us sound good! We then went to the top of the Mount Of Olives and had a great Bible Study about the return of our Lord. Fantastic! After a couple of hours of free time, we made our way to Golgotha and the tomb where Jesus was laid. FYI - the tomb is still empty! Tomorrow we fly home. What a great tour, what a great group. We are all ready to go home though and share all our experiences. Maybe next year, you can go with us. Maranatha!
Today we started at the Southern steps to the Temple Mount. We went over John 9, the man who was healed by the Lord and told to go wash in the pool of Siloam. We then went over to the Southwest corner and walked on the street level that Jesus walked on. I’ve included a picture of that street level and the stones from the Temple that were thrown down by Titus in 70 A.D. We then went to a Roman Coliseum and went over Romans 1, followed by a great Bible study at the Elah Valley. You really get the picture of David & Goliath. Tonight we’re going to take the group through the old city near the Western wall, it should be quiet since it is Sabbath.
Temple Stones thrown down by Titus in 70 A.D.
We had a good reminder of just how volatile this area remains. Today on Sabbath, the Israeli police had a tip that Muslim riots were going to break out. They believed that Muslims would come out of their Church services all filled with hate, ready to riot. Much of the city was closed off and there were many more Police and IDF Soldiers everywhere. It’s another reminder that there won’t be any real Sabbath until the Prince Of Peace arrives. Maranatha!
P.S. One other note for all those back in the fellowship. Remember this is “Spring Forward” weekend. We’ve decided to wait until after Church service to move our clocks forward, so don’t forget!
We started the day with a Bible Study at EnGedi where David hid from Saul. 1 Samuel 24 records the situation, what a chapter and what a great number of lessons we benefit from. The group saw some Ibex and some Conies. Remember we’re told 2 things about the Conies, “they are a feeble folk” just like us. Also, “they are wise because they make their homes in the rock”, just like us! Some say that the Conies are related to the Elephant, but I think they are related to us. We then went to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, again, is a tremendous testimony to the reliablility of the Biblical text. Finally, we made our way to Jerusalem where we viewed a model of the Old City and toured the Dead Sea Scroll Museum. Maranatha!
EnGediNever mess with a lone Conie in the wild
A cave in Qumran - Dead Sea Scrolls
What's an Israel Tour without mentioning the food?
Today we started on the Arbel, it was pretty overcast, but still many saw the view. This most likely was where Jesus “went into a mountain to pray” while the disciples were in the boat toiling in rowing. He then proceeded to walk on the water by them. It’s just to remind us that Jesus will come sometimes even when we can’t remember to pray for help. That’s how much he cares for us. We then went to Bet-Shean a Roman city, and where Saul & Jonathan’s dead bodies were on display. Of course, none of that was as good as how we finished the day. A late lunch, followed by a Baptism at Sachne. Maranatha!
Today was a great day, then again every day is a great day in Israel. We started in Caesarea, and we had a Bible Study in “the place of hearing” found in Acts 25.23. This is the Theatre where the Apostle Paul gave his great testimony before Agrippa & Bernice. It was amazing. Then we had a time of worship and Study at Mount Carmel out of 1 Kings 18 overlooking the Jezreel Valley. Caesarea was jammed packed with buses, there were so many people there, it was unbelievable. One of the things I noticed is that with all the groups there in the Theatre, we were the only group with Bibles. Psalm 85.11 says “truth shall spring out of the ground”. Certainly every archeological find confirms the truth of the Scripture. But I didn’t need an archeological find, to let me know that the Bible is true. I told the tour, the Bible that they have in their hand is THE SURE WORD OF GOD, and it is more sure, than the stone of the Theatre they were sitting on. What is a visit to Israel without your Bible? Here’s a couple of pictures. Maranatha!
Today we went started out the day at Caesarea Philippi. We had a Bible study out of Matthew 16-17 concerning our Lords revelation about the establishment of the Church, his discussion about his death, and then the Glory of who he really is. We then went to Tel-Dan and had a great Bible study about Jeroboam and the establishment of Idolatry in Israel, which also was the time in which Israel was divided. We finished out the day on the Golan Heights with a good history lesson of how God is Israel’s Defense Department. Here are a couple of snapshots of the day:
Caesarea Philippi
The Jeroboam Altar
This last photo is Fantastic! This is called Abraham’s Gate. Why is this archeological find soooo significant? Well, it’s because it is sooooo old. You think America is old? Right, it’s a baby in diapers, only a little over 2oo years old. You think England is old? What, 800 years? Just a teeny-bopper. Even any remnant of the second temple period (Herod’s) is a mere 2000 years old. But this gate, dates back to the time when Abraham came from the Dead Sea region to Dan on a rescue mission of his nephew Lot in Genesis 14. That makes this gate you’re looking at, roughly 3900 plus years old!!! Maranatha!
Time is flying by so quickly, but I keep hearing from the group, “It’s only day 3, and we’ve seen so much!” They are blown away. Some observations about a group made up primarily of “newbies”. Number 1, they mostly start up very reserved, almost like Presbyterians (the frozen chosen). Then over the course of the trip they end up like Pentecostals! Today they started loosening up, “oooohhh mama”, they had a good time. The other observation is that they have thrown off every bit of restraint with regard to the food. I had to give out two desert king awards. One for the “net weight” class and one for the “variety” class. The winner of the variety class, sees just how many different types of desert fits on to a very, very small plate. It is amazing, if not supernatural. Today we started out at Megiddo and our tour guide gave us an overview from both Old Testament and New about the Jezreel Valley and it’s historical & future significance. Remember, the book of Revelation tells us that there will be a great gathering of a Multi-National force there, with the intent of striking at Jerusalem in the Jacob’s Trouble. We then had a lunch where we have never been before. It was a ranch over looking the Hula Valley. We felt like we were in Wyoming! Words can’t describe it, you have to come next year. We finished up the day with a boat ride on the Galilee where I had a chance to teach out of Mark 4.35-41. Just a good reminder that the Lord has certain tests designed for us, but designed to strengthen our trust in our ever loving, loyal savior Jesus. Here are a couple of pictures from the day.
The Jezreel Valley or The Valley Of Armageddon.
Philip helping the Ethiopian on Isa 53 in the Chariot! How often does this happen???
We started the day in Matthew 5, going over the Beatitudes on the Mount overlooking the Galilee. What a way to start the day! We then went to Tabka where Jesus commissioned Peter, James and John, and where Jesus asked Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21). We then went to Capernaum for another Study and below is a picture of the remains of a 3rd century synagogue. What’s significant about this one is, it is built on top the foundation of the 1st century version that we find in the Scriptures. This would be the place where Jesus healed the man with the withered hand. We had a great fish lunch on the other side of the lake near Gadera and then we decided to give the group some needed rest. Most are still suffering from jet-lag, so by tomorrow most will be ready for another full day. Maranatha!
Day 1 seems longer than Joshua’s longest. We arrived with great anticipation, and great exhaustion. Most of the new people are so excited, they’re like kids on Christmas Eve, so they can’t sleep. We had a new plane, and 150 empty seats! I was able to lay down for a few hours and get some sleep. Anyway, we made it without any glitches and we are in the Galilee pictured at left. Today the crew got to see a 1st century fishing boat that Peter, James & John would have used. Tomorrow, we hit the ground running. Maranatha!
Heading off for our annual Church trip to Israel. The people are incredibly excited. I txt’d a “first timer” and he said it was like Christmas Eve as a little boy, he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep. Every day, I intend to post some highlight of the trip which will hopefully include a picture and a scripture, to display the Glory of the Lord. Maranatha!
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