Wow what a whirlwind. Today is our last day in Israel on our HolyLand trip, and it has been an adventure of biblical proportions. I can’t describe the amount of information we have attained. This trip has turned out to be much more than a simple trip to Israel. We have been engulfed in history and architecture. It is absolutely amazing– looking and learning about communities and builidings that were built 2 or 3 thousand years ago!

 Not only is the architecture and history amazing, have we been surrounded by the birthplace of Christianity. Through our tour guide Malcolm, and the great people of this country, we’ve had the opportunity to learn about many of the worlds’ other religions such as Judaism and Muslim. In reality there is not a huge difference, except for the main difference of course Being, our Saviour The Christ. And while wars rage in the name of God everyday, I’m quite sure that God would not be happy.

During our travels we got an inside look at the life of the people here, and their politics. It seems to me that my great country, America, would not only help Israel by standing up a little more for the people of Israel, but would also greatly benefit the all U.S.as well. Although Israel is a great military force, without the backing of the U.S. it is very unlikely that it could stand up against the forces that surround this country. Syria, where I believe Iraq’s “Weapons of Mass Destruction” were moved, is to the North West, Lebanon, with a huge Hezbollah stranglehold is to the north and funded by Iran.  Israel has backed the United States since it’s existance and we should have theirs backs well – to any and all lengths.  The tyrants in this world are interested in supremacy, not peaceful co-existence.  Sanctions are a temporary solution for a permanent problem and unless some means of communication can be opened it seems that war will most likely be inevitable. With the threat of nuclear weapons from Iran for years, did sanctions work? Will they work in the future? God only knows. 

While Israel is constantly pressured to give up it’s land “in the name of peace,” other nations are more than willing to take land “in the name of God”. With the U.N. (definition: Usually Nothing), the U.S., and many other nations suggesting that Israel give up more and more land “in the name of peace,” how is this small country, and It’s people, expected to survive? It seems to me that forcing Israel to cede land will not solve problems.  Would the U.S. be willing to give up land, or has it ever?  The politics here are immense. The people have to live their lives on a daily basis wondering what could possible happen next, and the Christian community is dwindling daily. It makes you wonder, how much longer can Israel survive with so much pressure from every direction?  It isn’t religion that should be focused on, faith is what matters and people of all faiths can live in peace if that is their true desire.

Until next time,
Ron and Heidi

Another beautiful day in Israel with lots of sunshine.  By the end of the day it seems we both got a little overwhelmed by the “Son”. Up again by 6 and home by 7 or so. We began our day on the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Holy City of David, then went on to the Western Wall, the Temple and Bethlehem… It took a little while to get home from Bethlehem. Under Palestinian control, we had to take our passports with us. Our tour guide was unable to enter the city of Bethlehem because of his Israeli citizenship. We met up with a new tour guide once we crossed the security wall named George. A nice young man who helped us to understand the history of this fantastic area.

On our way back traffic was congested and once we finally made it through one checkpoint out of Bethlehem we had to go through the Israel checkpoint. Security entered our bus to make sure we were who we said we were. Hey, fine with me. With Hammas in many of the Palestinian areas you cant be too careful. It was still a fantastic day and we’ve even got pictures to prove it!

We began our day with an orientation to Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives.  Notice the graves which are over 3,500 years old.  People place stones on the graves to indicate that they have visited.  Flowers are not used because they are cut and that indicates death.  We had a magnificent view of the Holy City from the top of Mt. Olives.

The Mount of Olives rises to the East of Jerusalem and reaches a height of almost 2,500 feet.  It use to be covered with olive groves but today, it is largely covered with Jewish graves and Christian Shrines.  2 Samuel 15:30-37 tells of King David walking up the Mt. of Olives as he fled Jerusalem to escape from his son Absalom.  He was, “weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot.”  Luke 19 also refers to Jesus weeping, and today the walls are wet- signifying this weeping. The East gate, described in Mt. 23 can be seen from here as well.  The Muslims filled in the gate and put in a massive cemetary in front of it- perhaps because they recognize that Jesus, upon his return, will be taking the same path and they are trying to prevent this???

Jesus rode down the Mt. of Olives into Jerusalem on a donkey for His “triumphal entry.” Mt. 24-25; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21: 5-6.  Mt. 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22 all describe Jesus and His deciples leaving the upper room and going to the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, it is here that Jesus was arrested.  We went to the upper room and the garden of Gethsemene- there is an olive tree there dating back to the time of Jesus!!!  After His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven fro the Mt. of Olives Luke 24: 50-53; Acts 1: 9-12.

We decended the Mt. of Olives on the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“Our Lord Weeps”) which is more traditionally known as the Church of all Nations.  The church was erected in 1927 and there are many crests recognizing contributing countries, including the good old U.S.A.  This church contains the rock which Jesus prayed on, “a stones throw away” from the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemine.

We then boarded our chariot and drove to the Dung Gate, just inside, we walked to the Southern Wall excavations.  Some nice Israeli soldiers took photos with us.  All Israelis must enlist at the age of 19- boys for 3 years and girls for 2.  If they choose to leave after that, they are all still in the reserves- boys until age 55 and girls until age 35.   We examined the ruins near the south side of the Temple complex, which is a massive undertaking.  It is impossible to comprehend how this massive Temple was constructed so long ago.  The Temple has been destroyed twice, and the third time it is destroyed is the coming of the Messiah.  The Temple is being rebuilt today. After the Temple, we went to the slopes of Mt. Zion, visiting the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb.  Acts 1:29 describes this.  The Zion gate is closest to the Jewish Quarter and was somewhat destroyed during the war.  From 1948-1967 this part of the city was divided as 1/2 Jordanian and 1/2 Israeli.

We then went South past Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years, passing the Monastery of Hortus Conclusus (the sealed garden) in Artas, then on to Bethlehem.  Our guides changed at this point for this part of the tour because Israeli’s aren’t allowed in occupied Bethlehem.  Our new guide, George was wonderful.  He speaks Arabic, English and Spanish, understanding some Hebrew. 

Bethlehem use to be 75% Christian but now is only about 15% Christian.  It contains 40,000 people in the city, which is walled at the border crossing, and 180,000 total.  We entered Palestinean territory.  In fulfillment of the prophecy of Micah 5:2, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Mt. 2: 1-12 tells the story of the wise men, led by the star, visited and worshiped the infant “king of the Jews” in Bethlehem.  The Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the Holyland was our first stop.  This church survived the Persian invasion because it is believed that the wisemen were from Persia and mosaic’s depicting them on the outside of the church made the Persians believe it wasn’t a Christian church.  It is here that we were able to see where Mary gave birth to Jesus (the photo with the star) and also the place where the manger was.  Bethlehem means House of Bread in some languages and House of Meat in others.  The church that contains these wonderful antiquities houses Greek, Armenian and Roman faiths.  The traditional Christmas broadcast each year is held at the Roman St. Catherine’s Church.  The tomb of Rachel, wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is just outside Bethlehem.  Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin. Genesis 35:16-20; 48:7.  When we were in Bethlehem, we saw where Jerome, in 384 AD lived interpreting the Bible from Greek to Latin.  He lived here, the site of the INN for 56 years.  This is known as the Volgate.  Jerome and Josephus, his contemporary are both entoumbed here, at the same place the innocent children of Bethlehem were slaughtered by Herod the Great, who feared Jesus becoming king, ordered the slaughter of all male children 2 years and under.  Mt. 2:13-18.  When excavated, several skulls were found.  There were many Christian groups visiting this holy place at the same time as us who were singing familiar Christmas songs.  When we exited, we saw a tribute to Jerome Hieronymus. 

Next was the Church of Shepard’s Field which is at the site where Ruth and Boaz lived.  Naomi, whom David and Jesus are descendant’s of, went to Jordan, but after her husband died and Naomi’s husband died, they returned to this place and lived.  Naomi knew Boaz and encouraged their relationship. 

We hope you enjoy our photos.  As before, we promise to try to label as many as we can, when we get a chance, but alas, it is now time for bed for our early rise at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow to enter the Old City, the Southern Wall, Dome of the Rock, Holy Sepulcher, Via Dolorosa, Upper Room, Gardent Tomb and communion!!

We began in Nazareth, travelling through Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine (John2).  We went on to Nazareth where we ventured into Jesus’ home town, visiting its spring.  We then went on to the Church of Annunciation.  Unfortunately, we could not take any photos inside the church to show you Mary’s Well- where she learned she would be the mother of the Savior.  Then we went on to the Mount of Precipice, overlooking the Valley of Jezreel/ synonymous with Armageddon.    We then ascended Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal.  From there we drove towards the Mediterranean coast travelling South along the coastal highway to Caesarea by the Sea.  We entered Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springoard to the West.  After the visit, we went to Beth Horon (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing to Jerusalem.  Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we beheld the majestic Jerusalem, where we had a blessing with unfermented grape juice and salted bread.

The first photo is of a church built on the site where Mary was drawing water from the well and learned she was to bear the savior.  We were able to view the well, which the church is built around.

Next is the Mt. of Precipice, where the men of Jesus’ time tried to throw him, yet he just left unharmed.  You can see Mt. Tabor from this place, the bountry point between the tribes of Zebulun, Isachar ad Naphtali.  Mt. Tabor is the traditional sight of the transfiguration, although Mt. Hermon may be a better candidate.

From here we go to Megiddo, which lies on the southern end of the Plain of Esdraelon.  Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and his armies “by the waters of Megisso.” (Judges 5:19-20).  During biblical times, Megiddo was one of the most important cities in the country.  Megiddo is usually identified as Armageddon of the New Testament book of Revelation 16:16, the scene of John’s apocalyptic vision of the battle between the forces of good and evil, to be followed by God’s reign on earth.

We then ascended Mt Carmel.  Elijah had his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1Kings 18: 42-46), he also prayed on the top of Mt. Carmel and announced that the 3 1/2 yr. drought would end.  Isaiah used Mt. Carmel as a symbol of beauty, fruitfulness, majesty, and glory. 

Caesarea was next, originally a poor harbor on the Mediterranean coast that was called Strato’s Tower.  The city was founded by Herod the Great in 22 BCE, and the seat of the Roman government for over 500 years.  You can see in the photos, toward the end the aqueduct that was built in the second century AD.  (Acts 10) Peter came to Caesarea in response to a vision at Joppa and preached the gospel in Cornelius’s home.  The Holy Spirit was poured out as at Pentecost, showing that the door of the gospel was now open to the Gentiles.(Acts 12:19-24)  states that God struck down Herod Agripa I in Caesarea for accepting the worship of others who called him a god and for persecuting the early church.

Paul visited the city three times, and on the third occasion he was warned that if he want to Jerusalem, he would be captured by the Jews and delivered to the Gentiles.  He then spent two years in prison there. (Acts 9, 18, 21, 23-27).

Caesarea was a magnificent city, very large with much grandeur.  Herod had a swimming pool that was at the base of the Mediterranean filled with unsalted water to swim in, much like today’s infinity pools.  There were horse races which took place there, as well as a large amphitheatre.  We find out later, that Herod the Great was a bit strange with many bad habits, one of which killed him.

Can you imagine having just one of your homes on the beautiful Mediteranean Sea?  The courts were there, the theatre was there, and even the horse track!

We end our day to view the magnificent Holy City of Jerusalem, where we stay for 4 nights.  Mt. Scopus is where we have a blessing to enter the city with our wonderful Jewish Guide.  The grape juice wasn’t Welch’s and the bread was leavened and salty.

 We will see you tommorow bright and early. 6:00 a.m. comes early when you’re a day ahead!!