The church of Dominus Flevit marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem as He entered it on Palm Sunday at His famous, Triumphal Entry from the Mount of Olives. See everything you want to know about this historical event. Dominus Flevit Church Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dominus Flevit Church Introduction Dominus Flevit Church is located on the Triumphal Entry Path and is where Jesus stopped and wept over Jerusalem. 1. He wept over Jerusalem because they would reject Him, and as a result, destruction would come upon them. 2. The church is shaped like a large teardrop. This is so as it represents the tears Jesus wept over Jerusalem. 3. There are only two times in the Bible where Jesus wept. This is one of them. 4. Let's experience and explore this meaningful site. Location 1. Dominus Flevit (Latin for "the Lord wept") is a Roman Catholic church on the Mount of Olives, opposite the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in Israel. 2. It's located halfway down the western slope of the Mount of Olives just across from the Temple Mount and Old City Jerusalem. It marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem's future fate. 3. The Triumphal Entry begins at the upper part of the Mount of Olives and winds its way down to the bottom of the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane. Historical Background 1. The present church (finished in 1955) was built upon the foundations of an earlier Byzantine church from the 5th century, which, like most churches, faced east. 2. During the Crusader era (1099-1291 AD), people began commemorating the location. 3. After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the church fell into ruin. 4. Around 1525 AD, the Turks claimed to have built a mosque or madrasah using the remains of the earlier church. 5. For quite some time, the Franciscans could not obtain the ruins of the original Dominus Flevit Church. In 1891, they solved this problem by purchasing a plot of land nearby and building a small chapel on it. 6. In 1913, a private home was built in front of the Franciscan chapel. The home was given to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, although they eventually sold it to a Portuguese woman. During the construction of the boundary wall of this private home, the workers found the remains of ancient tombs. The site was then thoroughly excavated from 1953 to 1955. 7. During the sanctuary's construction, archaeologists uncovered artifacts dating back to the Canaanite period, as well as tombs from the Second Temple and Byzantine eras. 8. Other artifacts found were a tomb from the bronze era and a necropolis (building used to encase tombs) dating back between 136 BC to 300 AD. This particular necropolis spanned two different periods, as suggested by the two very different tomb styles. The Second Temple era tombs are in the Koki style, and the Byzantine period tombs had an arcosolium from the 4th century. 9. In 1940, the Benedictine Sisters sold part of the property to the Franciscans. The old boundary wall was moved at this time to make the division. In 1953, the Franciscans began construction of another wall. While digging the foundations, workers unearthed ancient tombs. 10. The modern church, designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi and constructed between 1953 and 1955, is held in trust by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. Places of Interest 1. Triumphal Entry Path 2. Entrance to Dominus Flevit Church Property 3. Just after entering the church property, to the right are ancient burial caves with different kinds of tombs. This is also called a N ecropolis, which is a building used to encase tombs. The first type of tomb is a slab with an arch. This was a common tomb style during Christ's time. It was used for wealthier people. The second tomb style is an open shaft and was used for middle-class people. Lower-class people were just buried in the ground with little or no markers. During this time period, the bones would be gathered for a second burial after about a year (when the bodies had decomposed) and placed in boxes called "Ossuaries." 4. Outside the Modern Church It was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi and constructed between 1953 and 1955. It is held in trust by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. It is shaped in the form of a tear. Signifying Christ weeping over Jerusalem because of the future destruction He knew would come because the city would reject Him as their Messiah. It has four jars on the upper corners for holding tears, which was common in Jesus's time. A tear bottle is a small glass bottle representing sorrow, described in the Bible. Tear bottles were used to capture an individual’s tears during moments of grief as a sign of mourning or repentance. The bottles on this church represent the tears Jesus shed over Jerusalem. The Bible says that one day, God will wipe away all our tears: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). 5. Pillars from the Crusader Period It appears these pillars were part of a Crusader Church from around 1150 AD, built over the ruins of the original Byzantine Church. 6. Mosaic from the Byzantine Church Just to the left of the modern church is a Byzantine mosaic floor, dating back to the beginning of the 4th or 5th century AD. Ribbons and wave motifs surround the floor. The center of the carpet is divided by squares containing round frames. The circles contain fruit, vegetables, flowers, and fish. The motifs reflect the importance of agriculture in Jerusalem's Byzantine era. Parts of the mosaic can also be seen inside the modern church building, featuring a limestone slab with a large cross at its center. 7. Inside the Modern Church Apse of the Byzantine Church — After entering the modern church, the original apse (semi-round circle marking the front of a church) can be seen. The original Byzantine church faced east, as did all churches during this era. Some of the mosaic floors from this church have been preserved. A cross from this period can be seen at the center of the floor. Ceiling—The ceiling is covered with gold. This color represents heavenly tears, namely, those of Jesus as He wept for Jerusalem, knowing its coming destruction. Four carved reliefs on the sides of the ceiling show the (1) Triumphal Entry, (2) the destruction of Jerusalem, (3) Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women, and (4) Peter, James, and John, disciples of Jesus. The western window of the Dominus Flevit Church provides a beautiful view of the Temple Mount. A mosaic on the altar of the Dominus Flevit Church illustrates a hen gathering her chickens, according to Luke 13:34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings , and you would not have it! 8. Crown of Thorns Tree Right in front of the modern church is a tree with huge thorns. It was from a tree like this that the crown of thorns was most likely made and placed on Jesus' head. 9. Location Where the Ashes of the Red Heifer Were Offered Some believe the ashes of the Red Heifer would have been offered in this area. It was right across from the Temple and fits the biblical description. Numbers 19:1-3: Now the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer without defect, in which there is no blemish, and on which a yoke has never come. 3 And you shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be taken outside the camp and slaughtered before him. 10. Winepress While the Mount of Olives consisted mainly of olive trees, it also had vineyards on it. Just below the church to the north there is an ancient winepress that was used for processing grapes. People would crush the grapes in a large pit (barefoot so they wouldn't crush the seeds and make the wine bitter), and then the juice would flow by gravity down into wine barrels for making wine. 11. Bethphage (beginning point of the Triumphal Entry) 12. Mount of Olives 13. Garden of Gethsemane 14. Temple Mount 15. Kidron Valley Triumphal Entry Background 1. The Triumphal Entry was a major event in the life of Jesus wherein He entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before He would be crucified and rise from the dead the following Sunday. 2. Christ designed this event to broadcast to the Nation of Israel that He was their Passover Lamb. 3. It is also called Palm Sunday because palm branches were laid on the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. 4. It would mark Christ’s last days of intensive teaching and condemnation of the Jews for rejecting Him and His message. 5. It would begin Christ’s last week on earth. Triumphal Entry in the Bible 1. The Triumphal Entry was prophesied in the Old Testament. Some 450–500 years earlier, the Prophet Zechariah prophesied: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” ( Zech. 9:9). 2. The Triumphal Entry was fulfilled in the New Testament. Matthew 21:7–9: They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” 3. Palm Sunday was also the fulfillment of the Prophet Daniel's "seventy-sevens" prophecy. Daniel 9:25: Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. 4. The Triumphal Entry, which occurred on the Sunday before the Passover, was also the day of the lamb selection for the Passover. According to Exodus 12, this was the day set aside for each Israelite family to choose the lamb they would kill for their Passover meal. The blood from their lamb was to be put on the doorposts of their homes so the angel of death would not kill their firstborn children. The Passover was celebrated each year to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and to acknowledge God's miraculous salvation. The fact that Christ entered Jerusalem on this very day was no accident. He was proclaiming Himself as the Passover Lamb, not only for the Israelites but for all humanity. 5. Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Luke 19:28–35: And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 And they said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. The meaning of a donkey. A donkey was a symbol of peace; a horse was a symbol of war. Christ came to make peace with mankind at His first coming by dying for our sins. However, at His second coming, He will come riding a horse to wage war with mankind and judge them for their sinful rejection of Him. 6. The crowd took branches of palm trees and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” John 12:12–13: So, they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" The meaning of the palm branches. It was a cry for deliverance from Roman occupation. The last time the Israelites had their freedom, during the Maccabean rule from 167–63 BC, their money had the symbol of a palm branch as a sign of freedom. It was like the national flag of a country. It was the Jew’s way of saying that they wanted Christ to be their King and deliver them from the Romans.The meaning of the palm branches. 7. At the place marked by the church, Dominus Flevit, Christ paused and wept over Jerusalem. Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation." There are only two times in the Bible where it is noted that Christ wept. The first time was at the death of Lazarus, and the second during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both places are located on the Mount of Olives. In this account of Christ weeping, He wept for those who aren’t saved and the judgment that awaits them. Within 40 years, in AD 70, Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled. Roman legions besieged Jerusalem and, after six months of fighting, burnt the temple and leveled the city. 8. The first time Christ wept took place at the death of Lazarus, just a week or so earlier on the backside of the Mount of Olives. J ohn 11:33–36: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" In this account, Christ weeps for those who suffer. Faith Lesson 1. The Triumphal Entry was a prophesied event from the Old Testament and reveals the validity of Scripture and God’s sovereignty. 2. Christ wept over Jerusalem because of their rejection of Him and the judgment that would await them as a result. Does Christ weep for you because you don’t know Him and will be separated from Him in hell for all eternity? 3. Christ wept with those at the death of Lazarus. Does Christ weep with you as He understands your pain and suffering?

Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel. In-depth Bible-centered tour trips to Israel. May 1-17, 2026, 17-Day Package Trip. Affordable tours of all the biblical sites in Israel. Holy Land Tour Trip to Is rael The Holy Land Experience Trip of a Lifetime May 1 ~ 17, 2026 17-Day Trip (Includes travel to and from Israel) This trip is currently full. Please consider our next Holy Land Trip with availability or to be placed on the waiting list. Next trip with availability: Holy Land Trip: April 30 - May 16, 2027 The length of your trip can be shortened if needed. You can start or depart the tour at any time. Our Holy Land Trips are open to anyone worldwide with a valid passport for travel to Israel. Status of Our Holy Land Tour Trips We are leading trips to Israel and have had no safety issues. All our trips are proceeding as scheduled, with no plans to cancel future trips. Would you like to have a life-changing and never-to-be-forgotten experience in the Holy Land? If so, it is our joy to invite you to join us on a trip of a lifetime to the Land of the Bible, where you will find a new dimension in understanding the Bible and the life of Jesus. We will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, visit places where Jesus walked, lived, taught, performed miracles, walked on the water, calmed the sea, and where He was crucified and raised from the dead. We will immerse ourselves in the Land of the Bible and experience it in the depths of our souls. You will never be the same, nor will you read your Bible the same way, after a trip like this. If it's Bible you want, then this trip is for you. At each site, we will give biblical and historical teaching, along with a faith lesson. Therefore, this trip is designed to provide an in-depth study and perspective on the events and places of the Bible as outlined in the Scriptures. Our goal is to offer a highly biblical, non-touristy, and inspirational trip to the Land of the Bible. Our trips also include sites that are off the beaten path. ___________________ "An absolutely amazing trip with a guy who knows his Bible and can relate it to you in-country. I've gone to Israel with this dear friend of mine twice. It's an 11 out of 10 trip!" Dan Reeves "I've looked and looked, but I just haven't found any groups with the same approach I got spoiled by when we went with you to Israel. Also, they're not really Bible-teaching tours. Your teaching tour is still head and shoulders above anything else, so if it works out, I'd like to go with you again next year." Todd Yaney Quick Links Registration Form (Required for each person) Deposit Payment ~ $500 USD Final Payment ~ $1,650 USD Hotel Reservation Bookings & Airplane Flights About Your Tour Hosts Trip Registration, Deposits, Payments, & Cancelation Info Documents Needed to Enter Israel Itinerary Holy Land Trip Travel Orientation Helpful Holy Land Learning Resources Anchor 5 The Holy Land Experience! 17-Day Trip (Includes travel to and from Israel) HolyLandSite.com Fee: $2 ,1 50 USD Items Included in HolyLandSite.com Fee: Transportation in Israel Via a Deluxe A/C Motorcoach All Park & Entrance Passes Holy Land Site Tour Guide and Bible Teacher (Dr. Todd Fink) Wireless Headsets for a Better Listening Experience All Tips for Tour Bus Driver and Hotel Staff Personal Expenses: $3,000 USD To keep our trips as affordable as possible, we have individuals book their own lodging, airfare, and pay for their own meals. The costs below are estimates. Your price may vary depending on airfare from your location, room selection, and the level of dining expense you prefer. Items each individual pays for on their own: Meals in Israel: $500 per person ~ Meals can be eaten at the hotels, local restaurants, or in your room. Lodging in Israel: $1,250 per person ~ Based on private, double occupancy rooms. ~ We provide links to the three hotels we use, and you book them. ~ Hotels can be found below . Airfare: $1,200 per person Personal transportation in Israel: $50 per person Note: Personal transportation means travel from Ben Gurion Airport to Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel in Tel Aviv and from Prima Park Hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport. Taxis are the best method of transportation. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate everyone's time schedules due to the different arrival and departure times of our passengers. However, we are happy to help in any way possible with these arrangements. Total Cost of Trip HolyLandSite.com Fee: $2,1 50 Personal Costs: $3,000 (Estimated Costs) Total: $5,1 50 USD THIS IS A CUSTOM-DESIGNED TRIP If you want to spend more time in Israel and see more holy sites, this trip is designed for you. Most trips to the Holy Land include around 7-8 full touring days in Israel. This severely limits what can be seen. Therefore, most who go to the Holy Land miss seeing many significant holy sites. Our trips include 13 full touring days in Israel. This allows you to see almost every significant site in Israel. A 17-day trip like ours is typically quite expensive (if you can find one). Why can we do it so inexpensively? We eliminate tour companies, travel agencies, and tour guides, and provide these services directly. We also allow you to book your own airfare, lodging, and pay for your own meals, providing you with a great deal of flexibility and options. We are pleased to serve you and our Lord Jesus Christ by offering you this unique and affordable trip of a lifetime. Since this is a custom trip, each participant is responsible for booking their airfare, lodging, and purchasing their meals. DO WE OFFER SHORTER TOUR TRIPS? If the length of the trip is too long, you are welcome to start or end at any time. You are not required to participate in the entire trip. MEALS IN ISRAEL (Paid by Each Individual) Eating in Israel is really quite simple. Below is what most people on our tours do: Breakfast ~ The hotels provide a large buffet-style breakfast, which can be paid for when you book your lodging or at the hotel. We highly recommend eating breakfast at the hotels as it saves a lot of time. They are large buffet meals that are already prepared, hot, and ready to eat. However, if you prefer, you can eat breakfast at a local restaurant or make it yourself in your hotel room (all rooms have small refrigerators). Lunch ~ Because eating out is expensive in Israel, time-consuming with a large group, and we will not always be close to a restaurant while sightseeing, each trip participant will need to prepare a daily sack lunch. Lunch items can be purchased at local grocery stores, or you can take extra items and your leftovers from the breakfast buffets at the hotels. All hotels have refrigerators in the rooms. Dinner ~ Many enjoy the local culture by eating out at local restaurants. However, if you prefer to eat at the hotels, they offer large buffet-style dinners. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Those considering this trip should be in reasonably good physical shape. Our estimated daily walking distance (including some steps and minor hiking) will be about 2 to 4 miles (3 to 6 km). Each day will consist of about 8 hours of sightseeing. If desired, you are welcome to take a day off or stay on the tour bus to rest at any time during the trip. GROUP SIZE LIMIT To provide a more intimate and enhanced experience, we limit our group size to approximately 40 people. This allows us to be more efficient and see more places in Israel. Larger teams bring a different dynamic that slows things down and makes travel more difficult. AIR TRAVEL Each person will be responsible for booking their own air travel to Israel (Ben Gurion Airport). Please plan to arrive with plenty of time to attend our required orientation and get-acquainted meeting, scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel in Tel Aviv. Due to customs, visa processing, luggage collection, and other factors, please allow 3 hours from the time of airport arrival to hotel arrival. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic conditions. Note: For those with the time and resources, arriving a day early will allow you to rest up and better prepare for your experience in Israel. TRANSPORTATION IN ISRAEL We will be transported via a large, air-conditioned motorcoach . Our bus driver is an Arab Christian who can take us to all the sites in Israel. LODGING IN ISRAEL During our time in Israel, we will stay at three nice hotels with private rooms and bathrooms. Our itinerary shows the hotels where we will stay: Tel Aviv, Tiberias, and Jerusalem). LUGGAGE SIZE AND AMOUNT We don't have a specific luggage size and number allowance per person, but we suggest not exceeding 40-50 lbs (18-22 kg) per piece of luggage, as it makes handling easier. The lighter, the better. You will be responsible for handling your luggage during the trip (although we, or others in the group, can help you if needed), so please pack only what you can comfortably lift. PARK & ENTRANCE PASSES Holy Land Site Ministries will pay all park and entrance fees for all sites. You are responsible for paying any entrance fees you want to see during your free time. WHAT WILL OUR VISITS TO EACH SITE BE LIKE? Our visits will typically last around two hours. We'll begin with an introduction to the site, then explore and experience its key points of interest. When touring the sites, we will take our time and walk at a leisurely pace, stopping along the way to explore and discuss the points of interest. Our estimated daily walking distance (including some steps and minor hiking) will be about 2 to 4 miles (3 to 6 km). We'll then find a quiet spot to reflect on the main events from the Bible that took place there and conclude with a faith lesson to learn the key truths God desires to teach us. Afterward, you will have approximately 15 minutes to purchase souvenirs, if desired. TRIP PREPARATION Please utilize the videos and information on our website, which provide helpful guidance and orientation to better understand the many biblical sites we will be visiting, the history of Israel, and other relevant information. Additionally, we will provide helpful details leading up to our trip to help you get the most out of your Holy Land experience. We also ask that you familiarize yourself with our Travel Orientation Material, which can be found on our website. You will find it extremely helpful. TIME OF YEAR FOR THIS TRIP We’ve chosen the dates of this trip to visit Israel because the weather is stable, and there are no Jewish Holidays that will interfere with our travels. DAILY ITINERARY Please note that the schedule may be slightly adjusted due to circumstances beyond our control. MONEY IN ISRAEL Credit cards and Dollars are readily accepted, and Shekels can be drawn from ATMs. INTERNET IN ISRAEL Phone SIM or eSIM cards can be purchased for around $39.99 if you want Internet service in Israel. You can also activate your phone for international service. If you don't have Internet access through your phone service, free Wi-Fi is available at each hotel, and the tour bus offers complimentary Internet service. DIGITAL MAPS OF DAILY TRIP ITINERARY For each day's tour trip itinerary , a link to a Google Map of the route and sites we'll see is provided . These maps are in the Itinerary Section. Here's an example: Tour Day 1: G oogle Map Itinerary DAILY SCHEDULE We will meet in the main lobby of each hotel at 7:15 am and depart promptly at 7:30 am to board the tour bus. We will return around 4:00 - 5:00 pm. After returning to our hotel at the end of each day, you will have free time to relax, dine at the hotel, or explore the local sites, enjoy dining out, and experience the local culture. PERSONAL TRAVEL IN ISRAEL You can take a taxi, walk, or use the bus or light rail train system. It's helpful to have Internet service (you can activate your phone or obtain an Israeli SIM or eSIM card) and use Google or Apple Maps to navigate. It will tell you which bus, light rail train, or walking route suits you best. It also works in real-time, so you can see precisely when buses and trains are arriving and departing. AGE LIMIT The minimum age for trip participants is 12 years old unless other arrangements have been made with us. ITINERARY Please see our detailed itinerary below. DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO ENTER ISRAEL Valid Passport Our Holy Land Trips are open to anyone worldwide with a valid passport for travel to Israel. Passports must have at least six months left before expiration. B2 Stay Permit This permit is issued upon arrival at the airport. Self-service kiosks are available, where you can scan your passport, and a printed B2 Stay Permit will be issued. It's essential to keep this permit safe, as you will be required to present it multiple times during your stay in Israel. For convenience, you may want to place it inside your passport or wallet. Here is our helpful Ben Gurion Arrival Orientation Video that shows all about this: https://youtu.be/65N9VktYE0c Visa Israel does not require Visas from almost all countries in the world to enter its country. However, if you are from a country that Israel does require a Visa from before entering its country, you will need to check and verify this in advance. ETA-IL Electronic Document The rules for travel to Israel have changed. Starting from January 2025, visitors from Visa-exempt countries (meaning you don't need a Visa to enter Israel) are required to obtain an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit. All Visa-exempt travelers to Israel must have an ETA-IL approval before they start their journey. ETA-IL is designed to smoothen border control upon arrival in Israel and ensure Israel's national security. How long is an ETA-IL valid? Obtaining an ETA-IL indicates you can travel to Israel as a tourist and stay up to 90 days. Your ETA-IL authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years from the date your application is approved, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. What does the ETA-IL application cost? 25 NIS ($7.50 USD) per applicant. How to apply for an ETA-IL? The application is made online through the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority website. Here's the link: ETA-IL (piba.gov.il) When to apply for ETA-IL Please apply no later than one month before your trip departure date to allow for any issues that may arise. You can submit your application sooner if you prefer. Helpful video from the Israeli government website about the ETA-IL document, and how to obtain it: How to Use ETA-IL for Eligibility to Enter Israel Anchor 1 TOUR HOSTS Todd & Letsy Fink More about the Finks TRIP REGISTRATION, DEPOSITS, PAYMENTS, & CANCELATION INFO HOW TO REGISTER & CONFIRM YOUR SPOT 1. Please fill out the online registration form, and we will notify you of your acceptance on the tour trip team. 2. After being notified of your acceptance on the tour team, please pay your non-refundable registration deposit of $500 USD. Your deposit is what confirms your spot on the tour team. REGISTRATION, DEPOSIT, AND FINAL PAYMENT LINKS Holy Land Trip Registration Form (Required for each person) Deposit Payment ~ $500 USD Final Payment ~ $1,650 USD FINAL PAYMENT DEADLINE Your final payment deadline is February 1, 2026 . For those who wish to attend this trip after February 1, 2026, we will handle reservations on a space availability basis. Thanks for your understanding. CANCEL ATIONS & REFUNDS Deposit Payment to Holy Land Site Ministries All deposit payments are non-refundable and non-transferable to other trip dates, as HolyLandSite.com has significant overhead commitments invested in each trip, including reservations, office staff, travel arrangements, bus rental, and so forth, which cannot be recuperated. Refund of Final Payment to Holy Land Site Ministries 1. If you need to cancel your trip for personal reasons before February 1, 2026 , Holy Land Site Ministries will only be able to refund one-half of your final payment. 2. If you must cancel your trip for personal reasons after February 1, 2026 , Holy Land Site Ministries will not be able to refund any of your final payment due to expenses already incurred that cannot be recuperated. Transferring Payments to a Different Tour Trip Date No payments to Holy Land Site Ministries can be transferred from one tour trip to another. Refunds from Purchases of Airline Tickets, Lodging, etc. Holy Land Site Ministries cannot refund any of these funds because they were not paid to Holy Land Site Ministries. Refund if the Trip is Canceled Due to Events Out of Our Control, like Covid, Other Viruses, War, and So Forth 1. 100% of the final payment to Holy Land Site Ministries will be refunded. 2. The deposit payment of $500 is not refundable because HolyLandSite.com has many overhead commitments invested in each trip, such as reservations, office staff, travel commitments, bus rental, and so forth, that cannot be recuperated. However, rest assured that we are "Old School" and don't cancel trips unless it's impossible for us to go. The fact that we have led tour trips during wartime reveals that we don't cancel our trips. 3. Refunds from flights and lodging will be the responsibility of each person, as these were booked personally. 4. Unfortunately, Holy Land Site Ministries cannot act as your trip insurance if the trip must be canceled or you choose to cancel for personal reasons. Therefore, we encourage you to follow our suggestions below to book your trip with little financial commitment. IDEAS TO BOOK YOUR TRIP WITH LITTLE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT 1. Book Your Lodging Through Booking.com They require no upfront charge and allow free cancelation up to one week or so before your trip. 2. If Possible, Book Your Airfare With Cancelation Coverage 3. Buy Trip Protection Insurance If you would like trip protection insurance to protect you in the event of trip cancelation for any reason, many third-party insurance agencies offer travel protection insurance in case of unforeseen cancelations. Travel Protection Agency Options Travel Guard: https://www.travelguard.com Allianz Travel Insurance: allianztravelinsurance.com Seven Corners: sevencorners.com World Nomads: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance HOTEL RESERVATION BOOKINGS & AIRLINE FLIGHTS Lodging For those with the time and resources, arriving a day or two early in Israel will allow you to rest up and better prepare for your experience in Israel. Hotels generally allow bookings about one year in advance. It's wise to book your lodging as soon as possible within this timeframe, as accommodations in Israel fill up quickly. Flights You can book your flights at your convenience. Most people book their flights around four to six months before the trip. Israel's main international airport is Ben Gurion Airport, abbreviated TLV. HOTEL RESERVATION BOOKING LINKS We list Booking.com as an option because they offer no upfront charges, and cancelations can be made 72 hours in advance with no additional fees. However, if you want to book using another booking platform, you are welcome to do so. When booking your lodging, please mention in the message section that you are part of the HolyLandSite.com Tour Group. They will give you better rooms, along with other benefits. Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel , 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv Check-in: May 2 Check-out: May 3, one-night stay. Hotel Reservation Link: Booking.com Prima Galil Tiberias Hotel, 1 El Hadif Street, Tiberias Check-in: May 3 Check-out: May 7, four-night stay. Hotel Reservation Link: Booking.com Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem: 2 Vilnay Street, Jerusalem Check-in: May 7 Check-out: May 16, nine-night stay. Hotel Reservation Link: Booking.com If, for some reason, a hotel is full, just book a hotel of your choice nearby and meet us at the main lobby of the hotel at 7:15 am, where the rest of the group is staying. We will promptly depart the hotel lobby to board the tour bus at 7:30 am. CONTACT INFO: Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Website : HolyLandSite.com Anchor 2 Anchor 4 DAILY ITINERARY FRI, MAY 1 DEPART FOR THE HOLY LAND Please plan to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, no later than May 2, by 3:00 pm if possible. This will give you plenty of time to attend the required orientation and get-acquainted meeting at 7:00 pm. We'll meet at the main check-in lobby of the Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel and then go to our meeting place. Note: For those with the time and resources, arriving a day early will allow you to rest up and get better prepared for your experience in Israel. Click to see the "Ben Gurion Airport Arrival Orientation Video." SAT, MAY 2 TEL AVIV After arriving at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, you will proceed through the airport. Please don’t lose the small B2 Stay Permit paper you will be provided at one of the kiosks. Afterward, you can take a taxi to Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel, 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv. Due to customs and visa processing, please allow approximately 3 hours of travel time from the airport to the hotel. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic conditions. The orientation and get-acquainted meeting is at 7:00 pm. Please meet in the main hotel lobby. Free time afterward. Lodging at Kfar Maccabiah Business & Sport Hotel, 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv. One night total. Google Map from Ben Gurion to Kfar Maccabiah Hotel SUN, MAY 3 TEL AVIV – SEA OF GALILEE AREA Refreshed from a good night's sleep, we’ll visit Old Jaffa (Joppa), the traditional home of Simon the Tanner, the port from which Jonah sailed, and the logs arrived for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. We’ll then pass through the fast-growing towns and farms of the Plain of Sharon in route to Caesarea Maritima , where the Holy Spirit came to the Gentiles and the site of major events in the lives of Peter and Paul. We’ll drive through the rolling hills of Galilee to Nazareth , where Jesus grew up, and visit the Church of the Annunciation , where the angel, Gabriel, announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. We'll then drive through Cana , where Christ performed His first public miracle. Then it’s on to Tiberias by the beautiful Sea of Galilee . Free time afterward. Lodging at Prima Galil Tiberias Hotel, 1 El Hadif Street, Tiberias. Four nights total. Tour Day 1: Google Map Itinerary MON, MAY 4 SEA OF GALILEE AREA This day alone is worth the trip! We are now literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We'll start the day with a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of an ancient wooden boat used during Jesus' time. We’ll visit the Mount of Beatitudes , the location of the beautiful Sermon on the Mount, where Christ preached his longest and most famous sermon. Then, on to Capernaum , where Jesus established his home ministry base and often preached in the ancient synagogue. We will continue our drive around the Sea of Galilee to Kursi , where Christ cast out a legion of demons from a demon-possessed man. We'll conclude this amazing day of walking in the footsteps of Jesus by visiting Kinar Beach, where the Feeding of the 5,000 most likely happened. At this beach, you'll have the rare treat of swimming in the beautiful waters of the Sea of Galilee . Free time afterward. Tour Day 2: Google Map Itinerary TUES, MAY 5 SEA OF GALILEE AREA We’ll journey north to Caesarea Philippi , where Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God ." We'll then visit Chorazin , one of the towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief in Him. We’ll visit Tabgha , the place where Jesus restored Peter to fellowship and ministry. We'll wrap up the day with a visit to Magdala , the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. Free time afterward. Tour Day 3: Google Map Itinerary WED, MAY 6 SEA OF GALILEE AREA We’ll drive along the Jordan Valley to Beth Shean , a stunning Roman Decapolis city and the place where Saul and his son’s bodies were hanged after defeat in battle. We’ll visit Gideon’s Spring , where Gideon selected his soldiers to battle against the Midianites. We’ll return to the Sea of Galilee and finish the day on top of Mt. Arbel , the site believed to be where Christ gave the Great Commission, and where we'll see all the sites of the Sea of Galilee from its breathtaking view. Free time afterward. Tour Day 4: Google Map Itinerary THURS, MAY 7 JORDAN VALLEY AREA We’ll drive south along the Jordan Valley , following the footsteps that Jesus and His disciples would have walked, arriving at the Baptismal Site of Jesus, where John baptized Jesus. We'll provide an option for those who would like to get baptized to do so. Then to Jericho , the oldest known walled city, and the first place Joshua and the Israelites conquered upon entering the Promised Land. We’ll then visit Qumran , where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Then, we'll ascend and enter Jerusalem as pilgrims have done since ancient times to fulfill the words of the prophet: "I was glad when they said unto me: 'Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem'" (Psalms 122:1-2). Free time afterward. Lodging at Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem: 2 Vilnay Street, Jerusalem. Nine nights total. Tour Day 5: Google Map Itinerary FRI, MAY 8 DEAD SEA AREA We’ll begin the day by driving to Masada , a massive fortress rock column that overlooks the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on Earth). We'll ascend Masada by cable car to visit the remnants of Herod's Palace, where in 73 AD, the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome. We'll drive by En Gedi , pointing out where David hid in this area from King Saul. We’ll visit ancient Gomorrah , one of the cities God destroyed by fire and brimstone due to their wickedness. Then, what would a visit to Israel be without taking a dip, or rather a float, in the Dead Sea ? Free time afterward. Tour Day 6: Google Map Itinerary SAT, MAY 9 BETHLEHEM – JUDAH AREA We'll begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Herodian Fortress . While there, we'll view Bethlehem in the distance, the Shepherds' Fields, the Fields of Boaz and Ruth, and see where David kept his sheep as a young man . Then, we'll visit Bethlehem, Manger Square, and the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born. We’ll continue our travels to the Valley of Elah , where David slew Goliath. Then on to Beth Shemesh , where key events in the life of Samson took place and where the Ark of the Covenant was miraculously returned to the Israelites by the Philistines. Free time afterward. Tour Day 7: Google Map Itinerary SUN, MAY 10 SAMARIA AREA Today, we’ll travel north to the ancient Samaria region of the Bible. We visit Shechem , where Abraham first entered the Promised Land and erected an altar. We’ll see and drink from Jacob’s Well , where Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman. We’ll see where Joseph’s bones were buried at the Tomb of Joseph . We’ll see ancient Shiloh , where the Tabernacle resided for 369 years, and Hannah prayed for a son (Samuel). Then it’s on to ancient Bethel , where Jacob saw a ladder to heaven, where the tabernacle resided, and where Jeroboam erected a Golden Calf. We'll drive by the site of ancient Ai , the second city Joshua and the Israelites destroyed. Free time afterward. Tour Day 8: Google Map Itinerary MON, MAY 11 NEGEV & ISRAEL MUSEUM Today, we’ll travel to Hebron , where Abraham had many encounters with God and from where King David reigned over Judah for 7 1/2 years. We'll begin by seeing the Oaks of Mamre, where God made a covenant with Abraham, one of the most important covenants in the Bible. We'll then travel a short distance to the Cave of Machpelah , where the patriarchs and their wives are buried. Close to Machpelah are the ruins of ancient Tel Hebron . We'll then return to Jerusalem and visit the Israel Museum , where an amazing model of Jerusalem from 66 AD is located. We'll also see the Shrine of the Book and the archaeological wing of the museum. Free time afterward. Tour Day 9: Google Map Itinerary TUES, MAY 12 JERUSALEM We’ll begin the day at the highest point on the Mount of Olives , where we'll v isit the Chapel of Ascension , the place Christ ascended back to heaven, and where His feet will touch down at His glorious second coming. We'll then visit Pater Noster Church , where Christ taught His disciples how to pray. As we descend the Mount of Olives , we’ll stop at a lookout spot that offers a magnificent view of Old City Jerusalem , allowing us to orient ourselves to the city's layout and key places . We'll see the Tombs of the Prophets , where Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are believed to be buried. We’ll then walk the Triumphal Entry Path to Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations . Along the way, we’ll visit Dominus Flevit Church , where Christ wept over Jerusalem. We’ll then see Mary’s Tomb and then finish the day visiting Gethsemane Cave , where Jesus spent His last hours before going to the cross to be crucified. Free time afterward. Tour Day 10: Google Map Itinerary WED, MAY 13 JERUSALEM Today, we’ ll visit and walk on the Temple Mount , the location of Solomon’s Temple and the holiest and most contested piece of land in the world. We'll then see the Western Wall , the Jews’ most sacred site in Israel. We’ll visit the Jerusalem Archaeological Park , which has numerous amazing attractions, including the Southern Stairs Area , the main entrance to the Temple Mount —a place where Christ and His disciples would have often been —and the likely location where those who received Christ at Pentecost were baptized. We’ll then walk through part of the Cardo , an original Roman street, and see the amazing remains of the massive Broad Wall built by King Hezekiah. We'll wind up the day by walking the Rooftop Walk over Old City Jerusalem. Free time afterward. Tour Day 11 : Google Map Itinerary THURS, MAY 14 JERUSALEM Today, we'll be privileged to visit the City of David , where everything began in Jerusalem. While in the City of David, we'll see David's Palace , ancient ruins, the remains of Nehemiah's Wall, and King David's Tomb. For those who would like, you can walk through Hezekiah's Water Tunnel , which diverts the water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam. For the others, you can walk the Canaanite Dry Tunnel . We'll then all meet and see the Pool of Siloam , where Christ healed a blind man. We’ll then walk part of the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat), where God’s winepress of wrath will be poured out on the gathered nations at Christ's second coming and from where the blood (the height of a horse’s bridle) will flow to the Dead Sea and beyond. We'll then visit the Upper Room , the location of the Last Supper , and where an early Christian church/synagogue was built shortly after the time of Christ. Next, we'll see the House of Caiaphas , where Christ was tried before Caiaphas, Peter denied Christ three times, and where Christ was beaten and spent the night in a dungeon . While at the House of Caiaphas, we'll see a Model of Jerusalem from around 600 AD . Tour Day 12: Google Map Itinerary FRI, MAY 15 JERUSALEM We’ll begin the day by walking along the Eastern Wall and seeing the famous Eastern Gate , where we'll see ancient stones dating back to Solomon's time and evidence of the original Temple Mount and its expansions over the years. Then it's on to see the Pools of Bethesda , where Jesus healed a sick man after he had waited 38 long years. We’ll walk the traditional path of the Via Dolorosa and see the 14 Stations of the Cross that lead to Golgotha, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located today. We'll then visit and explore the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and see why it's the best candidate for Golgotha. From there, we'll walk the biblical Via Dolorosa (painful path to the Cross) to Pilate’s Palace and Gabbatha (stone pavement and judgment place where Christ was condemned to crucifixion). Tour Day 13: Google Map Itinerary Farew ell Dinner at 5:30 pm. Free time afterward. SAT, MAY 16 ISRAEL - HOME Unless you plan on continuing your stay in Israel, you’ll transfer to the airport and arrive home with wonderful memories of a visit to the Land of the Bible! You will be responsible for your own transportation from the hotel to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The hotel in Jerusalem (Prima Park) offers several options for direct transportation to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. All of them can be prearranged in advance. Check-out time at the hotel is 11:00 am. However, they will hold your luggage in a safe place if your flight is later in the day or evening. Travel time to Ben Gurion Airport is about one hour. We recommend arriving at Ben Gurion Airport at least 3 hours before flight departure. This means you should leave the hotel in Jerusalem at least 4 hours in advance. The following are your transportation options: 1. Taxi: C osts around $100 USD for up to 4 people (depending on how much luggage each person has). 2. Shuttle Taxi: Costs around $120 USD for up to 6 people (depending on how much luggage each person has). Please arrange transportation with the hotel's front desk at least a day in advance. All transportation options take approximately an hour to reach the airport and operate daily, including on Shabbat (Saturday), the Sabbath. Google Map from Prima Park Hotel to Ben Gurion Airport C li ck t o see the "Ben Gurion Airport Departure Orientation Video." SUN, MAY 17 ARRIVE HOME (Depending on when you leave for home.) Return home filled with an overflowing heart, knowing that you walked in the footsteps of Christ and experienced the actual places where many of the events in the Bible took place. Anchor 3

See all the outstanding major holy sites (over 55) in Israel, the Holy Land in 4K and with a Drone. Amazing, clear footage with a biblical overview of each site. See amazing and interesting facts about Israel, the Holy Land. Videos, maps, books, talks, archaeology, Bible teachings, history, walls, gates, people, and language of the people and places in Israel. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, Masada, Negev, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Hebron, Shechem, Samaria, Jordan River, Beersheba, and more. Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites Israel – God’s Chosen Land Israel . . . Land of the Bible . . . Land of Faith . . . the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land lies the source of religious belief of much of mankind. Here, amongst the barren hills and fertile plains, man’s spirit learned to soar and from here a new message went out to all the world: “. . . and many peoples shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Hill next to Jerusalem) will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3,4). The unique factor about the Holy Land is its special location in the World. Situated as it is, straddling the divide between Africa and Asia, the area has almost always been a battleground. Wave after wave of conquerors poured into it, anxious to control the strategic trade routes linking the centers of the ancient world. It’s not by accident that it’s virtually in the center of the world. In God’s master plan of creation, He decided to place Israel exactly in the center of His creation. Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there is no other way to get between the two of them except through Israel. It’s located on the crossroads of the world. Whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and events that have taken place in Israel than any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in its unique location in order to influence the world and be on “Center Stage” so all of creation would know that He alone is God. For nearly 2,000 years, Christian visitors from all over the world have come to the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bible in hand, they have walked the places Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, Israel is a place like no other. It provides them a one of a kind opportunity to experience the land of the Bible, to deepen their faith, and to be spiritually transformed for a lifetime.

The Chapel of the Ascension marks the place on the Mount of Olives where Christ ascended back to heaven and where He will return to at His second coming. Learn all about it here. Sites of interest include: Mount of Olives, Kidron Valley, (Valley of Jehoshaphat), Garden of Gethsemane 3. Mary’s Tomb, Church of Mary Magdalene, Church of Dominus Flevit, Triumphal Entry Path, Bethphage, Tomb of Lazarus, Pater Noster Church, Absalom’s Monument, Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) Chapel of the Ascension Photo Gallery Places of Interest Chapel of the Ascension Ascension and Return of Christ Introduction The events that have occurred here and will occur in the future are monumental. They are so astounding that it's hard to grasp them fully. 1. This spot marks the highest place on the Mount of Olives. 2. It's right here that Jesus ascended back to heaven in the sight of His disciples. 3. It's also right here that Christ will return to earth in power and astounding glory. Revelation 1:7: Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him , even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 4. Inside the chapel is a stone slab with an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth that was touched by Him before He ascended to heaven. It's believed one of Jesus' disciples carved it in stone. The Muslims removed the left foot, and it is located in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. 5. This will be a moving experience as we see this site and behold everything that happened, and will happen here soon. 6. We're going to be reflecting on the Bible, all these events, and letting them soak in and fill our souls. Location 1. The Chapel of Ascension sits at one of the highest places on the Mount of Olives and is the leading candidate for where the ascension of Christ took place. 2. A couple of other sites have been considered as the location of the Ascension of Christ back to heaven. One is the Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension, and the other is the Pater Noster Church. However, this site is the best candidate for where this event actually happened. 3. All these churches are within a stone's throw of each other on the top of the Mount of Olives, so we're right in the area where this monumental event happened. Historical Background 1. Early Christians soon memorialized this place after Christ’s resurrection. 2. In 384 AD, a pilgrim named Egeria found two footprints embedded in a rock that she claimed were those of Christ when He ascended to heaven. It's believed that one of Jesus' disciples carved them into the stone to mark the spot where Jesus ascended. 3. Constantine's mother, Helena, had a church built here at the end of the 4th Century as a memorial chapel. It was an open-air building to preserve the view of the sky where Jesus ascended. 4. There has never been a roof on this church – not even since the beginning. The builders didn’t think it made sense to put a roof on the site where Jesus was taken up into heaven. They believed worshippers should have an unobstructed view of the sky, so the church remained roofless. 5. This chapel was rebuilt in the 7th Century. 6. It was rebuilt by the Crusaders again around 1100 AD. 7. In 1198 AD, Saladin destroyed the chapel under Ottoman Muslim conquest, and a mosque was built on its site. However, part of the original chapel was left intact. The column bases are visible today. 8. At this time, since the chapel was primarily used by Christians, a mosque was built during the Ottoman period on the south side of the compound, and the chapel was converted into a Muslim shrine. 9. Today, both Christians and Muslims visit this place, and it’s open to all. 10. Because it’s the highest place on the Mount of Olives, it’s believed to be the place from where Christ ascended back to heaven. 11. It’s also the believed place where Christ will return at His second coming. 12. Around the walls of this open-air church, you see a few altars. These altars belong to several Christian denominations that hold festivals in this courtyard to celebrate the ascension of Jesus. These Christian groups use the hooks in the walls to hang awnings, banners, and ribbons during these celebrations. 13. On the floor of this chapel, inside a frame, is a stone slab with what many people believe is an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth that was touched by Him before He rose into the air. In the year 680 AD, the French monk Arculf recalled seeing two footprints, one for each of Jesus' right and left feet. However, the left footprint was later removed during the Middle Ages, and today it sits just behind the main pulpit in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Muslims also believe in the ascension of Jesus, which is why they also consider the left footprint holy. How did these impressions get here? People assume one of Jesus’ disciples carved these two footprints into the rock after remembering the spot where Christ stood when He was taken into Heaven. While these might not be actual impressions of Jesus’ feet, we can be certain that someone believed He stood on this very spot when He was caught up in the air. Places of Interest 1. Foundations of the pillars of Helena's Church, built around 335 AD. 2. Chapel There were no walls around this chapel. It was an open-air structure, with only pillars and arches along the sides. It didn’t have a dome either. Like the entire rotunda, this small chapel was also open to the sky. However, in 1198, Saladin filled the space between the chapel's walls and placed a stone dome on top. Inside the chapel lies a stone slab with what many believe is an impression of Jesus' right foot, the last point on earth He touched before ascending to heaven. One of the first things you see upon entering the chapel is a Muslim prayer niche, known as the mihrab, in the wall. Saladin built it here in 1198 AD, when he converted this chapel into a mosque. The mihrab points toward Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the direction Muslims are commanded to pray. 3. Altars by the outer walls. Around the walls of this open-air church, you see a few altars. These belong to several Christian denominations that hold festivals in this courtyard to celebrate the ascension of Jesus. 4. Hooks in the outer walls. Christian groups use the hooks to hang awnings, banners, and ribbons during their celebrations. 5. The original Byzantine Church was in the shape of an octagon. Today, part of the back wall (east) has been rebuilt, so it's now not a true octagon. Chapel of the Ascension in the Bible 1. Christ ascended back to heaven from the top of the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:6–12: So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 2. The return of Christ to earth will be one of the greatest culminating events of Scripture. Zechariah 14:4: On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.” 3. Every being that has ever been created will see Christ’s return. Revelation 1:7: Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 4. Christ’s return conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Him. Revelation 19:15: From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 5. Christ's coming will be in extreme power and great glory. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Revelation 6:12–17: When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" 6. Believers and angels will return with Christ in power and great glory as well. Revelation 19:11–15: Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 7. Christ will judge the nations and separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers). Revelation 14:17–20: Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia [200 miles or 300 kilometers]. 8. The judgment of unbelievers will be severe. Zechariah 14:12: And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. Faith Lesson from the Chapel of the Ascension 1. Every being that has ever been created will see Christ’s return in power and great glory. What about us? Will we come back with Him in victory, or will He judge us? 2. Christ’s return conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Him. What about us? Will we reign with Christ in glory, or be under His wrath? 3. Scripture repeatedly warns us to be ready because Christ could return anytime for His church. What about us? Are we living a devoted life to Christ and serving Him? Are we watchful and ready for His return?

An amazing and sobering message from the cursed town of Chorazin. Take a tour and learn all about this place. See all the sites, learn about the history, places of interest, see videos and learn a faith lesson about Chorazin (Korazim). Sites of interest include: Mount Arbel, Magdala, Gennesaret, Tabhga, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Kirsi, Feeding the 5,000, Synagogue, Seat of Moses, Sea of Galilee Chorazin (Korazim) Photo Gallery Places of Interest Chorazin Introduction Welcome to Chorazin. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. Chorazin is one of the three towns Jesus cursed because of their unbelief in Him as the Messiah. 2. Christ performed many miracles and taught here frequently. 3. It has one of the most preserved synagogues in Israel. 4. Today, its ruins testify to the fulfillment of Christ's prophecy that it would be cursed. 5. It has a well-preserved synagogue and other buildings. 6. A replica of an ancient "Seat of Moses" can be seen here. 7. One striking thing about Chorazin is that the Gospels do not describe an individual miracle here. Yet Jesus’ words make clear that mighty works had taken place among its people. 8. I'm confident the people living here would give everything in the world to turn back the clock and recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Location 1. Chorazin (Korazim) is located about 2 miles (3 km) north of the Sea of Galilee. 2. From Chorazin, you can see the Sea of Galilee, Bethsaida, and some of Capernaum. 3. It’s located a little off the beaten path. 4. It was built out of black basalt stone, which was common in the Galilee area. 5. The construction of the homes in Chorazin is quite well preserved and shows how the home where Jesus lived in Capernaum might have looked. 6. The walls of the homes were stone, and the roofs were commonly made of wooden beams and thatching, covered with mud. 7. This area is very dry, and the water supply was essential for sustaining life in this town. A spring on the northeast side of the town supplied the city's water. Many homes had cisterns under or near them. 8. In the time of Jesus, Chorazin was about 15 acres (7 hectares) in size and had an estimated population of around 500–1,000. Historical Background 1. Chorazin was one of the three towns (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum) that made up what scholars call “The Evangelical Triangle.” 2. Jesus set up His home ministry base in Capernaum, which was close to Chorazin. 3. Jesus spent around 65 - 70% of His ministry time around the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, so those in Chorazin would have repeatedly heard and seen all Jesus did. 4. A Tree with the kind of thorns that would have been used for the crown of thorns Jesus wore at His crucifixion can be found here. Places of Interest 1. Basalt Stones Notice the dark stone. This basalt formed from volcanic activity. People built their homes and synagogue from the material available around them. Today, these black stones give Chorazin its distinctive appearance. 2. Water Sources To the north and northeast were water sources for Chorazin. 3. The Ritual Bath: Purity in Daily Life The park identifies the nearby covered reservoir as a possible otzar, a water-storage component associated with the ritual bath. This is a mikveh, a Jewish ritual immersion bath. Its purpose was ritual purification. In biblical law, becoming ritually unclean did not necessarily mean someone had committed a sin. Ordinary life experiences could affect a person’s ritual status. Purification was part of the community’s practice of obedience to God. Imagine someone descending these steps and immersing in the water. This physical act showed how seriously people took the distinction between clean and unclean. For us as Christian visitors, this also provides background for understanding the Jewish world in which John the Baptist and Jesus ministered. Jewish immersion practices help explain why washing and purification were familiar religious ideas, although John’s baptism and Christian baptism carried their own particular meanings. 4. The Synagogue Most of the ruins we see date today back to about 250 AD. However, recent archaeology led by archaeologist Achia Kohn-Tavor, conducted while lifting the heavy basalt pavers of the 4th-century synagogue floor—a task previous excavators had avoided—revealed pottery and coins that date decisively to the 1st century AD. This suggests that the synagogue was built directly atop the synagogue of Jesus' day. First, look at the building's layout. The columns organized the interior, and benches lined the walls. Imagine a congregation assembled here, listening to Scripture and instruction. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Synagogues developed before Jesus to give Jewish communities local places to gather, learn Scripture, pray, and maintain their faith. Some believe they began after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Jerusalem Temple was the center of the priesthood and sacrificial worship. Synagogues did not perform the Temple’s sacrificial functions. This helps us understand the pattern of ministry described in the Gospels. Jesus taught in synagogues because they were established places where communities gathered to hear and discuss the Scriptures. The most significant recent developments at Chorazin have been Jesus would have taught in this vicinity frequently. It has an ornamental shell, which would have been the top part of the cabinet where the Torah and Old Testament scrolls were kept. Medusa: In Greek mythology, she was generally described as a winged human female with living, venomous snakes for hair. Supposedly, anyone who looked directly at Medusa was turned to stone. The presence of the Medusa at this synagogue indicates assimilation into the Greek and pagan practices of the time. 5. Seat of Moses In the 1920s, the excavators discovered a unique artifact: a chair carved from a single block of basalt. This is identified as a "Seat of Moses," a piece of synagogue furniture mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 23:1–3: Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses ; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. The chair seen here is a replica of the original. The original is in the Jerusalem museum. Jesus used the phrase “Chair of Moses” to signify the authority the Scribes and Pharisees held in interpreting the Law and governing the Jewish people. 6. The Courtyard House Look at how the rooms relate to the courtyard. A home like this organized family life around a shared space. This is called an Insula. In Jesus’ time, the courtyard was central to household life. Rooms around it provided space for sleeping and storage, while the courtyard was used for cooking, food preparation, work, and socializing. Picture several families living close together, with daily activities spilling into a shared outdoor area. Imagine the sounds that once filled this place: conversation, children playing, food being prepared, and people returning from their work. Archaeological ruins can feel silent and distant, but the people who lived here had many of the same concerns we have—providing for their families, maintaining relationships, and planning for tomorrow. The Gospels repeatedly show Jesus entering the everyday world of households. He shared meals, healed the sick, answered questions, and taught people in their homes. 7. The Olive Press: Work, Food, and Light They crushed olives, then pressed them under huge weights to extract the oil. There were three presses. Press One: Called "virgin oil." They sent it to the temple in Jerusalem for temple lamps, anointing oil, and meal offerings. They also used it locally for ritual purposes. Press Two: Used for cooking, food, medicine, and daily household use. Press Three: Used for heating and lighting, making soap, cleansing, and lubrication. Olive oil was valuable for everyday needs, including food and lighting. Think about how different evening life was before electric lights. A supply of lamp oil could determine whether a household remained active after sunset. This background helps us appreciate how often Jesus drew His illustrations from ordinary life. Lamps, fields, harvests, vineyards, and household work were familiar to His listeners. When we understand the practical world behind an illustration, we often hear the teaching more clearly. These images connected to people's daily responsibilities. In addition to olive trees for making oil, people who lived here farmed, raised livestock, and some might have fished. 8. Synagogue to the West Another synagogue was believed to be located about 225 yards (200 m) west of the current synagogue. Some thought it was used during Jesus' time, but recent archaeological evidence has dismissed this. 9. Residential Homes 10. Public Buildings 11. Winepress In addition to olive oil production, a community winepress has also been discovered here. People crushed grapes by stomping on them with their feet. This was done to prevent the seeds from being crushed and to avoid bitterness in the wine. 12. Sea of Galilee 13. Capernaum Chorazin in the Bible 1. Christ pronounced judgment upon the cities and towns that rejected the gospel. Luke 9:1-6: And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. 2. Jesus cursed those in Chorazin because they rejected Him, His teachings, and the many miracles He had done in their midst. Matthew 11:21-24: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. Nevertheless, I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you. Romans chapters 1 and 2 tell us everyone knows certain things about God. They know He exists, and His laws are written in their hearts. The amount of light those in Chorazin had compared to Sodom and Gomorrah was huge. Therefore, they were under greater judgment. 3. To whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12:48: Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. What about us? How much have we been given? 4. Instead of being blessed, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum chose to be cursed. Today, each town stands as a testament to God’s curse on them. Faith Lesson from Chorazin 1. Chorazin is a testament to Christ’s judgment on a people who rejected His teachings, miracles, healing, and salvation. Are we guilty of rejecting Christ and His teaching in some way? 2. Chorazin stands as a warning to us today not to do the same. Are we walking in close obedience, living casually obediently to Christ, or even disobeying? 3. In the same way this town lies in ruins, our lives will lie in ruins if we reject Christ and the life He offers. Are we genuinely living for Christ and putting His Word into practice? 4. Today, if these people had a chance, they would turn back time and change everything. What about us? Are we living in such a way that we will have few regrets when we stand before Christ? 5. It appears there will be different degrees of torment and judgment in hell because Christ said it would be more tolerable in the day of judgment for other cities than for Chorazin. What do you think? 5. Following Christ brings life and blessing, and rejecting Him brings death and destruction. Romans 8:6–8: For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Take a tour of the stunning and mystical Dead Sea. See all the places of interest. Learn about its past and future, Bible prophecies, Dead Sea Scrolls, beaches, and more. Sites of interest include Zoar, Admah, Zeboiim, Jericho, Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud), Judean Desert, Jordan River, Northern Beaches, Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls), Avnat (Kidron Valley Drainage from Jerusalem), Ein Gedi, Sink Holes, Masada, Southern Beaches, Dead Sea Mineral Factories. Dead Sea Area Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dead Sea Area At the very lowest point on earth, at about 1,410 feet (430 meters) below sea level, lies a natural wonder replete with its own unique ecosystem, breathtaking desert views, and mineral treasures that have attracted visitors for thousands of years. Because of its unique location, healing properties, geological and historical background, surrounding ecosystem, and the epic biblical events that have happened around it, the Dead Sea is an irresistible venue for tourists. Location 1. The Dead Sea is a large salt lake located in the Judean desert of southern Israel. It's about 15 miles (25 km.) east of Jerusalem and is Israel's largest body of water within its borders. It also forms part of the border between Israel and Jordan, with Jordan being on the east side. Historical Background & Info 1. The Dead Sea is one of the world's four saltiest bodies of water. These special conditions are an outcome of its extreme geomorphological structure alongside a harsh desert climate. These create constant dramatic changes that form a landscape different from any other in the world. The unique mineral content of the air, land, and water in the area is globally renowned for its therapeutic qualities. Even since the time of Herod the Great (37-4 BC), it has been a health resort. 2. The Jordan River is the only major water source flowing into the Dead Sea, although there are small perennial springs under and around the lake, forming pools and quicksand pits along its edges. Today, after diversifying the waters from the Sea of Galilee in the 1960s, the only incoming water sources are from sulfur springs and wastewater, along with rare drizzles and flash floods. 3. The water level of the Dead Sea has been receding gradually, at an average yearly rate of about 3 feet (1 meter). This is causing large concern about the Dead Sea drying up. This drop in water level is caused by evaporation under the harsh desert sun, but also because little water is now flowing into the Dead Sea. 4. Why is it called the Dead Sea? For several reasons. Because it has 10 times more salt than other oceans. Because of this, fish and plant life cannot exist. There is absolutely no life whatsoever in the Dead Sea. In various languages, the Dead Sea is referred to by different names, all reflective of its characteristics. The earliest known name is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, referred to as “the Salt Sea," due to its significantly high salt content. It was also called the "Sea of Arabah." It's called in Hebrew "Yam HaMelaẖ" (Salt Sea), and in Arabic "Al-Baḥr Al-Mayyit," ( Sea of Death). Salt was a highly valued commodity in the later Roman era – Roman soldiers were paid in salt rather than money! This is also the source of the Latin word “salary,” which comes from “salt.” In a spiritual sense, some have likened it to being dead because water comes in but doesn't leave. That's what happens to us. If we only receive but don't give, then we will also be spiritually dead. 5. The Dead Sea is globally renowned for the therapeutic effect of the minerals in its waters and mud, which are especially high in concentration. Dead Sea minerals in the water and mud have helped improve many skin conditions, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and acne. 6. Why is the Dead Sea so salty? It appears that after the Great Flood, this body of water was landlocked. Like the other oceans, this water had a certain level of salt. Then, over the years, its salt content was derived from the erosion of rocks on land, with their salt ions driven by rivers into the landlocked lake. Its extremely low elevation means that water cannot escape the Dead Sea once it enters, and exposed to the intense heat, the water evaporates more quickly, leading to an intense salinity. Another reason it is so salty appears to be because God destroyed the area, as found in Genesis 19:23–29. Deuteronomy 29:23 mentions, "All its land is brimstone and salt , burned debris, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows on it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath." 7. Why do you float in the Dead Sea? Because of the high concentration of salt, the water is much denser than plain fresh water, meaning that our body weight is lighter – which causes us to float! It's important not to say in the water for long periods as it can be dangerous. B e careful about getting water in your eyes or open cuts. It's best not to shave too soon before entering the water as this can cause burning and irritation. Lastly, it's best not to dunk your head under the water. 8. The drop in the level of the water after 1960 or so, has changed the physical appearance of the Dead Sea. Most noticeably, the peninsula of Al-Lisan gradually extended eastward until a dry land strip separated the lake’s northern and southern basins. In addition, the southern basin was eventually subdivided into dozens of large evaporation pools (for the extraction of salt), so by the 21st century, it had essentially ceased to be a natural body of water. The northern basin—effectively now the actual Dead Sea—largely retained its overall dimensions despite its great loss of water, mainly because its shoreline plunged downward so steeply from the surrounding landscape. 9. The Dead Sea lies in a desert. Rainfall is scarce and irregular. It averages about 2.5 inches (65 mm) of rain a year. Because of the lake’s extremely low elevation and sheltered location, winter temperatures are mild, averaging around 63 °F (17 °C) in the winter months. Freezing temperatures never occur. Summer is oppressively hot, averaging 93 °F (34 °C) in August, with a recorded maximum of 124 °F (51 °C). Evaporation of the lake’s waters often creates a thick mist above the lake. Places of Interest 1. Sodom Lot’s Wife Mount Sodom 2. Gomorrah Sphinx Pyramid 3. Zoar 4. Admah 5. Zeboiim 6. Jericho 7. Jordan River Crossing Site 8. Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud) 9. Judean Desert 10. Jordan River Inlet 11 . Northern Beaches 12. Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) 13. Avnat (Kidron Valley Drainage from Jerusalem) 14. En Gedi 15. Sink Holes 16. Masada 17. Southern Beaches 18. Dead Sea Mineral Factories The Dead Sea in the Bible There are many mentions of the Dead Sea in the Bible, and it has long been associated with mysticism, wonderment, and religious significance. 1. It appears the area around the Dead Sea was lush and well-watered before God destroyed the area with fire and brimstone. Genesis 13:10: Lot raised his eyes and saw all the vicinity of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt going toward Zoar. 2. It appears that after God destroyed the area, it changed to the state it is today, a dry, barren desert. Deuteronomy 29:23: All its land is brimstone and salt , burned debris, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows on it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and in His wrath . 3. It is referenced often to describe the borders of Israel. Numbers 34:12: And the border shall go down to the Jordan, and its termination shall be at the Salt Sea . This shall be your land according to its borders on all sides. 4. It was a densely populated area during the time of Abraham before God destroyed the area. Genesis 14:1-3: And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these kings came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 5. Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the other cities of the valley, were wicked, sinful people. Genesis 18:20–21: And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 I will go down now and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” 6. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:23–29: The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar [located south of Sodom and Gomorrah]. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley , and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. 29 Thus, it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley , that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. 7. The slopes of Mount Sodom are located in the southeast corner of the Dead Sea, and they feature salt formations that look like pillars – which are traditionally referred to as Lot’s wife. 8. At the end of the Tribulation Period, when God judges the nations in the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat), the blood will flow from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea, and south. The drainage system from the Kidron Valley empties into the Dead Sea at Avnat. Revelation 14:20: And the wine press was trampled outside the city [Jerusalem], and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of 1,600 stadia [185 miles, 300 km.]. The Kidron Stream is about 30 miles, 50 km., from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. This blood river will then flow south from Avnat for a distance of 150 miles, 241 km., to the Red Sea. 9. During the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth after the Great Tribulation Period, a supernatural river will flow from Jerusalem, using the same Kidron Valley drainage system, and will change the Dead Sea area entirely. Ezekiel 47:7-11: Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea [Dead Sea], being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh . 9 And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh ; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Zechariah 14:8-9: And on that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem , half of them toward the eastern sea [Dead Sea] and the other half toward the western sea [Mediterranean Sea]; it will be in summer as well as in winter. 9 And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one. Faith Lesson from the Dead Sea Area 1. The main lesson we'll take from this area is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. The reason it was destroyed is a serious, sobering message we should allow to sink in deeply. 2. The primary sin for which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexuality. However, they sinned in many other ways as well. 3. Sodom and Gomorrah are a foreshadow of what hell will be like. 4. Jesus talked about how His second coming would be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus also spoke more about hell than heaven. 5. If God, the prophets, Christ, and the apostles used Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the eternal judgment in hell that awaits the ungodly, then we should do the same today as well. 6. God is a God of love and has done everything He can to save us, but for those who reject His offer of salvation, eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire awaits them (Rev. 20:10).

Megiddo was one of the most important fortified cities in Israel! The name Armageddon is derived from “Har-Megiddo,” which is translated, as “Armageddon.” Har means hill, and Megeddon is the place. When these words are joined together, mean Armageddon. Megiddo lay at the juncture of several key routes (the main route is called the Via Maris), which linked Africa to Asia and Europe. For this reason, any country that rose to world power had to control Megiddo due to its strategic location. Megiddo: Armageddon Photo Gallery Places of Interest Megiddo Armageddon & the End Times Introduction 1. Welcome to Tel Megiddo—one of the most strategic, fought-over, and prophetically charged places on earth. 2. Beneath the Tel are the remains of more than 26 ancient cities, layer upon layer, built and destroyed across thousands of years. We'll see and experience each layer and place. 3. It's the location where one of the last major battles will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 4. The name Armageddon is derived from “Har-Megiddo,” which is translated as “Armageddon.” Har means hill, and Megeddon is the place. When these words are joined together, it is Armageddon. 5. Today, this place is called Megiddo in English. 6. Megiddo is the only site in Israel mentioned in the records of all Near Eastern ancient powers, and one of the most fought-over cities in the region. 7. More battles have taken place here than in any place in Israel. 8. It lay on the Via Maris, and whoever controlled it controlled the most important travel route linking Africa and Egypt to Asia and Europe. 9. We're going to explore and see this site, and look at the exact place and read from the Bible where part of the last battle on earth will take place. It will be meaningful and sobering. 10. We'll see an elaborate water system built to have access to water from within the city and protect it from invading armies. 11. So, gear up for an exhilarating journey back in time at the legendary site of ancient battles and biblical prophecies. Location 1. Tel Megiddo is located about 15 miles (26 km) east of the Mediterranean Sea and about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the Sea of Galilee. 2. Megiddo lay at the juncture of several key routes (the main route is called the Via Maris) that linked Africa and Egypt to Asia and Europe. For this reason, any country that rose to world power had to control Megiddo due to its strategic location. 3. It’s located in the most fertile valley in Israel, called the Jezreel Valley. Historical Background 1. More battles have been fought in this location than any other place in the entire world. 2. It is a "Tel," which is made up of layer upon layer of different civilizations that make up an artificial hill. 3. Tel Megiddo is made up of at least 26 layers of civilizations. 4. Today, you can see a busy highway right beside Tel Megiddo that uses the same ancient travel route that has been used for 6,000 years. 5. One of the Pharaohs, Thutmose III, said conquering Megiddo was like conquering a thousand cities. 6. Megiddo was not important because it was large. It was important because it sat at the choke point of the land. Armies had to pass here. Merchants had to pass here. Empires had to pass here. That is why this place became a battlefield again and again. Historical Timeline 1. 4000 BC: Early settlements. 2. 2000 BC: City walls were built. 3. 1800 BC: A Canaanite gate was constructed on the north side. 4. 1500 BC: The gate and walls were rebuilt. 5. 1468 BC: The city rebelled against the Egyptians with other Canaanite cities and was conquered by Thutmose III after a great battle and a 7-month siege. 6. 960 BC: A new gate and walls were built by the Israelites under Solomon's command. 7. 945 BC: Pharaoh Shishak conquered the city (1 Kings 14:25). A fragment of a tablet with Pharaoh Shishak's name was found here. 8. 850 BC: King Ahab fortified Megiddo and dug a water tunnel to access water within the city walls. 9. 732 BC: The city was captured by the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III. Megiddo became the capital of the Assyrian province of the Galilee. 10. 650 BC: Battle between the Egyptian Army and the Kingdom of Judah (King Josiah died in this battle). 11. 609 BC: The Egyptians replaced the Assyrians. 12. 300 BC: The city was abandoned and left in ruins. Places of Interest 1. Reservoir 2. Canaanite City Gate 3. Canaanite Palace 4. Israelite Gate 5. Lesser Canaanite Palace 6. Northern Stables 7. Northern Palace 8. Northern Observation Point 9. Canaanite Temple and Altar 10. Burial Chamber ~ Aegean Tomb 11. Israelite Administrative Structure 12. Southern Observation Point 13. Israelite Dwelling / Four-Room House 14. Southern Palace 15. Public Granary 16. Southern Stables 17. Assyrian Quarter 18. Assyrian Palaces 19. Gallery / earlier spring access 20. Water System Tel Megiddo Tour Route 1. Reservoir This reservoir is connected with the Israelite-period city gate. A staircase descends to a plastered pool, though the exact source of the water remains unclear. Water was life, and a city without water could not survive a siege. As we walk through Megiddo, notice how much planning went into securing water. The final stop—the great water system—will show us how seriously ancient people took survival. 2. Canaanite City Gate This Late Bronze Age (1500–1200 BC) gate was flanked by four chambers. Interestingly, the city was not fortified at that time, so the gate was likely ceremonial rather than purely defensive. It served as the entrance to the palace complex and later went out of use after the palace burned. Megiddo had been fortified in earlier Canaanite periods, especially in the Early Bronze (4000–2000 BC) and Middle Bronze 2000–1500 BC) ages. So Megiddo was walled at times, unwalled at other times, and fortified again later in the Israelite period. This gate reminds us that long before Israel controlled this city, Megiddo was a powerful Canaanite center. Kings, officials, soldiers, merchants, and servants would have passed through here. Joshua 17 and Judges 1 say Manasseh failed to fully drive out the Canaanites from Megiddo. This gate helps us visualize the powerful Canaanite city that Israel faced. 3. Canaanite Palace Only part of the palace remains, including a massive two-meter-thick wall. The palace reached its greatest size in the Late Canaanite period and included a large courtyard with surrounding rooms. Hundreds of carved ivory objects were discovered in a “treasure room,” revealing the wealth and international connections of Megiddo’s rulers. Megiddo was not a poor village. It was a royal city. The ivories found here show luxury, trade, art, and political power. This was a city tied to the great cultures of the ancient Near East. Power without God does not last. The palace burned, the rulers disappeared, but the Word of God remains. 4. Israelite Gate This is one of the most important stops for Bible teaching. The Israelite city gate had multiple chambers and was incorporated into the fortifications. Earlier scholars attributed it to Solomon, but present-day excavators often date it later, to the time of Jeroboam II in the eighth century BC. City gates in the Bible were more than entrances. They were places of judgment, business, defense, and leadership. Elders sat in the gate. Legal decisions were made in the gate. So when you stand in an ancient gate, you are standing in the civic heart of the city. 1 Kings 9:15 mentions Solomon building Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. "And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the Lord and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer ." Archaeology confirms major Israelite construction here, while scholars still debate which structures belong to Solomon’s time and which belong to later Israelite kings. 5. Lesser Canaanite Palace This smaller palace belonged to the Late Canaanite palace complex. It had a large courtyard surrounded by rooms, and two stone basins were found in place. This stop helps us see that Megiddo was not a single building but an entire royal complex. The Canaanite rulers had gates, palaces, courtyards, storage areas, and service areas. Canaanite Megiddo was organized, wealthy, and deeply rooted. Israel’s struggle to possess the land was not against weak villages but against established city-states. 6. Northern Stables Two stable complexes were found at Megiddo, one in the northeast and one in the southwest. They show Megiddo’s importance as a cavalry base or horse-trading center. The construction has been attributed by different scholars either to Ahab in the ninth century BC or Jeroboam II in the eighth century BC, while some suggest the structures may have served other functions, such as storehouses, markets, or barracks. This is where Megiddo becomes a military city. Chariots and horses were the tanks and armored vehicles of the ancient world. Whoever controlled Megiddo could project power across the Jezreel Valley. Solomon is known for horses and chariots, and the northern kingdom of Israel later became a significant military power. Megiddo fits that world well. 7. Northern Palace The northern palace was a major ashlar-built structure from the Israelite period. Yigael Yadin suggested it may belong to the time of Solomon, while other scholars date it later, possibly to Ahab. This is one of the places where archaeology and the Bible meet—and where archaeology also reminds us to be careful. The Bible says Solomon built Megiddo. The ruins show a royal Israelite city. But the exact dating of some buildings is debated. It's important to understand that archaeology supports the Bible but does not always answer every question with perfect certainty. 8. Northern Observation Point From here, you can see the Jezreel Valley, the Carmel Range, the Nazareth area, Mount Tabor, the Hill of Moreh, the Gilboa Mountains, Samaria, and sometimes even the mountains of Gilead. Look around. This is why Megiddo mattered. Armies could move through this valley. Trade could flow through this valley. Whoever held this hill could watch the nations pass by and control its flow. 9. Canaanite Temple and Altar Here we can see a large cut through the tel. It was carried out between 1903 and 1905 by Gottlieb Schumacher for the German Society for Oriental Research. This is one of the most fascinating areas on the tel. The deep trench shows many layers of occupation, with more than 26 cities excavated down to bedrock. The temple area includes cultic activity from the fourth millennium BC through the beginning of the Israelite period. A circular altar about eight meters in diameter, with seven steps, remained in use, and animal bones were found at its base. This is one of the oldest and most powerful religious areas in the land. For over 2,000 years, people came here to worship false gods. It's widely believed that even children were offered to these false gods here. This helps us understand why the Bible speaks so strongly against the Canaanite religion. This stop helps explain the spiritual battle behind the conquest. Israel was not merely entering a land; they were confronting deeply rooted idolatry. 10. Burial Chamber ~ Aegean Tomb This arched-roofed structure was preserved in its entirety, but it was found empty, so its exact purpose and date are debated. Scholars have compared it with structures in the Levant and Greece and suggested it was a burial chamber. This tomb reminds us that archaeology often gives us clues, not always complete answers. We have the structure, but not the people. We have the architecture, but not the full story. Every ancient city was filled with real people—rulers, soldiers, families, worshipers, and the dead. Megiddo is not just stones; it is human history. 11. Israelite Administrative Structure This was an impressive Israelite-period structure, perhaps a palace or administrative building. Seven proto-Ionic capitals were found here; such capitals were typical of important public buildings in the Israelite period. Now we are looking at government and administration. Megiddo was not just a military outpost. It was a managed royal city with officials, records, storage, and public buildings. This fits the world of Israel’s monarchy—taxation, forced labor, military districts, and royal administration. 12. Southern Observation Point This is a great spot to observe and contemplate an epic end-times battle that will happen or be staged here. Revelation 16:13-16: And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon . 13. Israelite Dwelling / Four-Room House This dwelling reflects the classic Israelite four-room house plan: three parallel spaces with a fourth space perpendicular to them. The side spaces were used for storage, the middle as an open courtyard, and the perpendicular space as the living area. Here we move from kings and armies to daily life. People cooked here, stored food here, raised families here, and lived under the shadow of empire. Megiddo was not only a battlefield. It was home for many people. 14. Southern Palace Most of the southern palace was dismantled by the Chicago expedition to reach earlier layers, but its courtyard and gate remain. Near its outer gate, Schumacher found the famous seal inscribed “to Shema, servant of Jeroboam.” The original seal was lost, but it is known from a drawing. This palace connects us to the world of Israel’s kings. Even the name Jeroboam appears here in an administrative context, reminding us that these biblical kingdoms were real political entities with officials and servants. Some scholars connect the palace to the tenth century BC; others date it later, possibly to the ninth century BC, during Ahab’s reign. 15. Public Granary This huge silo is about seven meters deep and eleven meters in diameter. It had two staircases leading down, and wheat kernels and straw remains helped identify it as a granary. Its capacity was about 450 cubic meters, enough for roughly 1,000 tons of wheat. Food was power. A fortified city needed grain for soldiers, horses, officials, and civilians. This granary shows planning, wealth, and preparation for crisis. This is a great place to connect with the Bible’s frequent emphasis on grain, famine, siege, and storage. 16. Southern Stables This is one of Megiddo’s two stable complexes. The southern stables included long buildings opening onto a large training ground, with stone pillars, troughs, tethering holes, and even horse bite marks on the troughs. One of the stables has been reconstructed. The horses of Megiddo tell us that this city was built for movement and war. Chariots could move quickly across the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo was a military machine. Human power often trusts in horses and chariots, but Scripture says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God ” — Psalm 20:7. 17. Assyrian Quarter After the Assyrian conquest in 732 BC, Megiddo was rebuilt as an Assyrian administrative city. The Assyrian quarter represents the city after Israel’s northern kingdom fell under Assyrian rule. This is the world after Israel’s defeat. The northern kingdom fell, and Assyria reorganized the land. Megiddo became part of an imperial system. This connects with 2 Kings 17 and the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. 18. Assyrian Palaces These palaces served Assyrian governors when Megiddo was the capital of an Assyrian district. Their plan resembles Assyrian palace architecture, though on a smaller scale. Here we see the footprint of empire. The Assyrians did not just conquer; they administered, taxed, resettled, and reshaped the land. Megiddo shows how quickly power changes hands. Canaanite, Israelite, Assyrian, Egyptian, Roman, Ottoman, British—each had its moment, but none lasted forever. 19. Early Spring Access Before the great water system was built, a narrow passage ran beneath the city wall toward the spring outside the city. Some scholars date this gallery to Solomon’s time in the tenth century BC, while others attribute it to Ahab in the ninth century BC. This was an earlier solution to the water problem. In siege warfare, the question was simple: could the people inside the walls reach water without being killed outside them? 20. Water System This is the dramatic finale. Megiddo’s inhabitants dug a 36-meter-deep shaft and a 70-meter-long horizontal tunnel to reach the spring outside the city walls. The tunnel was designed so that water would flow to the bottom of the shaft, allowing people to draw water from within the city. The outside entrance to the spring was sealed and hidden so enemies could not find it during a siege. This tunnel is ancient engineering at its best. It tells us that Megiddo expected war. The city prepared for siege. They hid their water, protected their people, and carved through rock to survive. Spiritual application: Cities prepare for temporary survival, but Scripture calls us to prepare for eternity. Tel Megiddo In the Bible 1. King Solomon fortified Megiddo and used it as a fort of protection. He had 450 chariots stationed here. 1 Kings 9:15: Now this is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon levied to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo , and Gezer. 2. A monumental battle will be fought here and in Jerusalem at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Revelation 16:1-21: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God .” 2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. 3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. 4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!” 7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” 8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 11 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. 12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) 16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon . 17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. 21 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. 3. Harvest of the earth in God’s winepress of wrath in Jerusalem. Revelation 14:14-20: Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city [Jerusalem], and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia [180 miles, 300 km]. Matthew 25:31-34: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:46: And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Faith Lesson from Megiddo 1. Part of the last battle of Armageddon will be fought in Megiddo and the other part in Jerusalem. The war seems to happen simultaneously. 2. This battle will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. 3. Scripture says that unless these days were shortened, no life would survive. 4. The Tribulation Period will be a time when God pours out His wrath on a world that has rejected Him after all He has done for them. 5. Where will I be at this battle? Will I be fighting with Christ or against Him? 6. Water was the main source of life for every city in ancient days. These cities could be conquered when their enemies cut off their water supply. 7. God’s Word is our water source of life. Our enemy, Satan, can defeat us by cutting off our intake of God’s Word. When he can do this, he can conquer us. To stand against Satan and his attacks, am I daily drinking abundantly from the water source of God’s Word?

See the amazing miracle of the blind man healed at the Pool of Siloam (John 9:1–7). Learn the purposes for sickness, the location, and historical facts about this highly visited site in Jerusalem. Additional sites of interest are: Road from the Pool of Siloam leading up to the southern entrance to the temple (Pilgrims' Road), the southern temple entrance, Gihon Spring, City of David, Temple Mount, Hezekiah's Tunnel Pool of Siloam Photo Gallery Places of Interest Pool of Siloam Introduction 1. The Pool of Siloam was a large purification mitzvah for the Jewish holy festivals like Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, Pentecost, etc. 2. The historian Josephus, who lived just after the time of Christ, records that up to a million Jews would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on these holy festivals. These Jews had to be purified before entering the Temple Mount. 3. The water for the Pool of Siloam came from the Gihon Spring, ran through Hezekiah's Tunnel, filled it, and then continued below the pool. 4. The water in the Pool of Siloam was living water. 5. The Pilgrimage Road, which was a wide street with shops on both sides, went from the Pool of Siloam up to the southern entrances to the temple. As they ascended this road, they would sing the songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. 6. It was here that Jesus performed an astounding miracle by healing a blind man, as found in John chapter 9. 7. Just above the pool a ways is the Synagogue of Theodotus, the place where the Pharisees questioned the blind man after Jesus healed him. 8. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The Pool of Siloam was uncovered in 2004 during a water pipe break. 2. It is in the lower part of the City of David. 3. It was located on a main road that headed up to the Southern Gate entrance to the temple. Historical Background 1. The Pool of Siloam was a large purification mitzvah for the Jewish holy festivals like the Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, Pentecost, etc. 2. The historian Josephus, who lived just after the time of Christ, records that up to a million Jews would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on these holy festivals. These Jews had to be purified before entering the Temple Mount. 3. It was the size of two Olympic-sized swimming pools. 4. It has the same kind of stones and style as the Southern Stairs. 5. Its water source comes from the Gihon Spring in the City of David. 6. The water runs through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which was built in 700 BC to prevent Jerusalem’s water source from being cut off by the warring army of the Assyrians. 7. When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army, the first-century historian, Flavius Josephus, said that this area was set on fire. At that point, silt and debris started to slide into the pool. Soon, it was covered and forgotten. And now, almost 2000 years later, the pool is being excavated and uncovered. 8. The Gihon Spring still exists, and the water from it still flows down through what is called Hezekiah’s tunnel. It ends at a smaller pool built by the Byzantines at the end of Hezekiah's Tunnel today, which is about 160 ft (50 m) above the main Pool of Siloam today. 9. Since the main Pool of Siloam disappeared, Christians throughout the centuries came to believe that the smaller pool, above the now Siloam Pool, was the original Pool of Siloam. They even built a church there, which the Persians destroyed in 614 AD. 10. In 2004, workers repairing a damaged sewage pipe discovered some large stone steps. Archaeologists then arrived and realized that the stones were part of a large pool mentioned in the Bible. The archaeologist Eli Shukron was watching a team of workers trying to repair a drainage pipeline near the south side of the City of David ridge. Their tractor hit some slabs, and the archaeologists stopped work and summoned their colleague, Ronny Reich. They continued peeling back the soil and revealed a section of the steps of an ancient pool, dating to the Second Temple period. After extensive cleaning and conservation work, they revealed the full extent of the pool's northern section. Places of Interest 1. Pool of Siloam 2. Pilgrimage Road that went from the Pool of Siloam up to the southern entrances to the temple. As they ascended this road, they would sing the songs of ascent found in Psalms 120-134. 3. Southern temple entrances (Southern Stairs & Robinson's Arch Stairway) 4. Gihon Spring 5. City of David 6. Temple Mount 7. Hezekiah's Tunnel 8. Synagogue of Theodotus In John chapter 9, when Jesus rubbed clay on the blind man’s eyes, He told him to go wash it off in this pool. After the blind man was healed, the Pharisees brought him to the synagogue up the hill to question him. The synagogue is located near the Tomb of David in the City of David. Pool of Siloam in the Bible 1. Jesus performed an astounding miracle here by healing a blind man. John 9:1–7: As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 2. Why did Jesus make clay out of dirt and His saliva? To show that He was the Creator, just as He formed Adam and Eve from the dust of the ground. According to the Gospel of John, the blind man was not healed until he himself washed the mud from his eyes. If Jesus had healed him instantly, the confrontation with the Pharisees in John 9 would never have taken place. Jesus intended for this trial to unfold, and He set it in motion by making clay on the Sabbath—a practice the Pharisees considered unlawful. This miracle occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2), when the Pool of Siloam was filled with people. Many of those present already knew the blind man (John 9:8– 9). By sending him through the streets with mud covering both eyes, Jesus drew public attention to him, making it inevitable that he would be brought before the Pharisees. 3. Why the Pool of Siloam? It was a key place of purification, and multitudes were likely present to witness the miracle. It was an example of living water. John 7:37–38: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 4. Confrontation between the blind man and the religious leaders. John 9:28–34: And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. 5. Later, this man also received spiritual sight and became a follower of Christ. John 9:35–38: Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 6. Jesus pronounced judgment on those who refuse the light God gives them. John 9:39–41: Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind .” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” Faith Lesson from the Pool of Siloam 1. The blind man received physical sight because of Jesus. 2. Later, he would receive spiritual sight as well and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Have we received spiritual sight by being born again? 3. The blind man was cast out of the synagogue, which was an enormous price to pay for a Jew. Are we willing to pay any price to follow Christ? 4. If we refuse the light God gives us, we can become spiritually blind like the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day. 5. Contrary to what many believe, God does not always heal everyone and has more than one purpose for sickness. Seven Biblical Purposes for Sickness and Ailments 1. Sickness for the glory of God. Example of the blind man Jesus healed at the Pool of Siloam. John 9:3: Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 2. Sickness for disciplining believers living in sin. Example: believers who partook of the Lord’s Supper while living in sin. 1 Corinthians 11:30: For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 3. Sickness to keep us humble and dependent on God. Example of the Apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:7: So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 4. Sickness that allows us to glorify God in our suffering as we show our love and devotion to God despite our problems. Example of the life of Job. Job 13:15: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. 5. Sickness for transforming us into the image of Christ. Romans 8:28–29: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. 6. Sickness will develop within us a greater appreciation for heaven and all its pleasures. 2 Corinthians 4:17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 7. Sickness unto death. Eventually, we’re all going to die regardless of what happens. Example: the great Prophet Elisha.

What are the differences between Christianity and Islam? Which one is true? There are huge differences that you need to know. Learn all about them in this comprehensive discussion of this important topic. The Differences Between Islam & Christianity What Are the Differences Between Islam and Christianity? Which One Is True? Introduction What are the differences between Islam and Christianity? Which one is true? You will be amazed at the differences! Islam and Christianity are the world's two largest religions. We will explore and show you things you probably don't know about this important topic, so let's explore it and see what we can learn. God Loves All P eople The religion of Islam is primarily made up of Arabs. However, this discussion is not about all Arabs and is not intended to be anti-Arab. I have several Arab friends and have met many Arab people while in the Holy Land who are wonderful folks. God loves all people, and every person is equal and created in the image of God. The Differences Bet ween the Bible and the Quran Details About the Bible 1. It has 1,189 chapters with about 783,000 words. 2. The Bible was written over a period of 1500 years, beginning in 1400 BC and ending in 100 AD. However, it reveals everything from the details of creation at the beginning of time and goes all the way to the end of the world and the creation of the new heavens and earth and eternity future. 3. It was written by around 40 different authors. This is a miracle in and of itself and gives the Bible incredible credibility. The fact that all the accounts harmonize is amazing. 4. It was w ritten on 3 different continents. 5. It is generally chronological in nature and has many different genres. 6. It claims to be inspired by God and is His word to humanity. 7. Jesus affirmed the Bible as God's Word. 8. The Bible contains many, many detailed prophecies. Many of which have come to pass. Details A bout the Quran 1. The Quran consists of 114 chapters, with around 78,000 words in all. It’s about one-tenth the size of the Bible. 2. The Quran was supposedly revealed to Muhammad by an angel (Muslims say it was Gabriel) over a period of around 22 years, beginning in around 61 0 AD and ending in 632 AD. 3. It is not chronologically written. It has the longer chapters at the beginning and the shorter chapters towards the end. 4. Muhammad, who received the so-called revelations, was illiterate and did not write any of the Quran. It was written after Muhammad died from accounts he shared with others. 5. It appears the Quran used other sources known at the time that are included in it. 6. It has some of the same characters as the Bible but changes many things about them. 7. It claims to be inspired by Allah and is his word to humanity. 8. The Quran contains just a few general prophecies . 9. Muslims claim the Quran has been unchanged during the past 1400 years of its existence. However, this is not true at all. There have been many different versions of the Quran, with thousands of differences among them. It's only since 1985 that there has been a universal Quran that is used worldwide by Muslims. Observation About the Quran Logically, why would God wait until 610 AD to reveal His will to mankind? What about the thousands of years of history before this time? How were people supposed to relate to their Creator? This fact about the Quran is very problematic and makes God out to be extremely irresponsible. The Roots of Christianity and Islam Both Christianity and Islam have their roots in Abraham and his offspring. Therefore, it's vital that we carefully look at this issue. While both faiths share the same roots, they have totally different beliefs regarding the Abrahamic Covenant and its meaning. We'll mainly be looking at the Bible's account of this covenant because this is where it's mainly found. The Abrahamic Covenant consists of three promises God established with Abraham. 1. A Land 2. A Nation or People 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The Abrahamic Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant is given numerous times in Genesis chapters 12-17 and continually reaffirmed throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. You will notice that the Bible uses the name Abram before it is later changed to Abraham, which means father of many nations. God promises a land and a people: Genesis 13:14-17 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever . 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk throug h the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” God promises Abraham a son: Genesis 15:18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. After waiting a long time without Abraham and Sarah having a child, Sarah tries to fulfill this promise through her handmaid, Hagar. The birth of Ishmael: Genesis16:11-12 After Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, there arose bitterness between Sarah and Hagar. Then God describes the kind of person Ishmael would be. “Behold, you [Hagar] are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.” What do we see here? 1. The bitterness between Sarah and Hagar begins the conflict we see today. Later, this bitterness would include Ishmael and Isaac. 2. Ishmael will be a wild donkey of a man and will be against everyone and everyone against him. We certainly see this throughout history. The fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant would come through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, not through Ishmael. Genesis 17:15-22: And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. What do we see here? 1. The Abrahamic Covenant, an everlasting covenant, would be through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. God’s covenant would not be through Ishmael. 2. Ishmael would be the father of a great multitude, which are the Arab people. 3. Through the Abrahamic Covenant, fulfilled in Isaac, would come Jesus Christ, the prophesied Savior. Galatians 3:13-14, 16: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles , so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed . He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. Galatians 3:29: And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring , heirs according to promise. What do we see here? 1. The genealogies of the Bible, which oftentimes we think are boring, are so important. They prove that Jesus Christ fulfills the lineage aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant that dates back to around 4,000 years. 2. P rophecy is what sets the Bible apart from any other writing. It contains very specific, detailed prophecies. So, in summary, the Abrahamic Covenant, which is the major storyline of the Bible, includes three major aspects: 1. A Land through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today is known as the Holy Land. 2. A Nation or people through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today are called the Jews or Israelis. 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Christ, the Savior of the world. The Ro ots of Islam The religion of Islam, which came into being in around 610 AD, completely denies the Bible’s storyline and radically changes it. Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohamad and gave him a number of revelations from around 610-632 AD. The Quran and Muslim theology believe the following: 1. The Abrahamic Covenant was intended for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 2. The Holy Land is for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 3. The promise of a nation or people is through Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 4. Jesus Christ is not the Savior but just a prophet, and Mohamad is greater than Jesus and is the last prophet. 5. I t denies the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 6. It believes the Bible is corrupted and that the Quran is the true revelation from God. Note: This Muslim belief cannot be true because the Dead Sea Scrolls, written around 100 BC, 700 years before Mohamad, verify that the Old Testament we have today is the same as what was written in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Also, Islam does more than just claim the Bible has been corrupted. It denies about 95% of the Bible is even true. For example, the New Testament's main theme is that salvation is through Jesus Christ and how to live and serve Him as a result. Islam denies all this. So, saying the Bible has been corrupted is not an accurate statement. The truth is that Islam rejects virtually all of the Bible and what it teaches. 6. Mohamad is the main example of how we should live. This even includes marrying children, as Mohamad married a 6-year-old girl when he was 51 and then consummated the marriage (had sex with her) when she was 10 years old. Marrying children is extremely common among Muslims. The Difference Between Jesus and Muhammad 1. Jesus performed every kind of miracle to show He was Lord of every aspect of creation. Muhammad performed no miracles. Here are the kinds of miracles Christ performed: He healed all kinds of sickness. He had power over the demons and the demonic world. He had power over the weather and calmed the sea. He had power over nature and cursed a fig tree, and it died. He had power over animals – He cast demons into a herd of swine, performed miraculous catches of fish, and rode into Jerusalem on an untamed donkey. He had power over food – He fed 5,000 and 4,000 people. He had power over death – He raised a number of people from the dead and rose from the dead Himself. He had the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). Only God can forgive sins. 2. Jesus fulfilled countless detailed prophecies spoken of in the Old Testament. Muhammad fulfilled no prophecies spoken of in the Old Testament. In fact, his name is not even mentioned. 3. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. Muhammad made no such claim. 4. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. Muham mad was sinful and had a very troubling life. 5. Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. Muhammad did not. 6. Jesus was never married. Mohammed had eleven wives. 7. Jesus had a supernatural birth through Mary, a virgin. Muhammad's birth was natural. 8. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are historical facts that can be proven by history, eyewitness accounts, many extra-biblical sources, and archaeology. Muhammad denied all these facts and said they were lies. 9. Jesus rose from His grave and ascended back to heaven. Muhammad did no such thing. What Does the Quran Teach About Jesus? Now, because Jesus is the center of the entire storyline of the Bible, performed countless miracles, fulfilled countless prophecies, fulfilled the Abrahamic Covenant lineage, was crucified for our sins, rose from the dead, claimed to be God in the flesh, and that salvation from our sins only comes through Jesus, the Savior of the world, let’s look at what the Quran says about Jesus. This is what the Quran says about Jesus: Jesus is not the Son of God. Quran 19:88-92: And they (Christians) say, “The Most Merciful has begotten son ?” 89. You (Christians) have come up with something monstrous. 90. At which the heavens almost rupture, and the earth splits, and the mountains fall and crumble. 91. Because they (Christians) attribute a son to the Most Merciful. 92. It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to have a son. Jesus did not die on the Cross for our sins. Quran 4:157: And for their saying, “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him. Unbelievers are those who believe Jesus was the Messiah. Quran 5:17. They disbelieve those who say, “God is the Christ, the son of Mary .” Those who believe Jesus is the Messiah are cursed by Allah. Quran 9:30. The Jews said, “Ezra is the son of God (which is not true),” and the Christians said, “The Messiah is the son of God.” These are their statements, out of their mouths. They emulate the statements of those who blasphemed before. May Allah assail them! How deceived they are! 31. They have taken their rabbis and their priests as lords instead of Allah, as well as the Messiah son of Mary. According to Muslims, the Angel Gabriel revealed the Quran to Mohamad. Interestingly, what the Angel Gabriel said in the Bible about Jesus is totally opposite of what Muslims believe he said to Mohamad. Luke 1:26-33 says: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David [who is the descendant of Isaac]; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High ; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob [son of Isaac] forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Islam teaches that salvation is not through Jesus Christ. Islam denies that salvation is attained through believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and that Jesus did all this to be a sacrifice for our sins. That salvation is a free gift given when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Islam, salvation comes through keeping the five pillars of Islam. Salvation in Islam is through works. Salvation in the Bible is a free gift offered by Jesus Christ, our sacrifice for sins. What Does the Bible Say About Those Who deny the Bible’s Claims about Jesus Christ? 1 John 2:22-23: Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist , the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 2 John 1:7: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Jude 1:3: Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints. Galatians 1:6-9: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! The Bible claims you can only tr uly know God and be saved by believing and embracing Jesus. 1 John 5:11-13: And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. The Bible claims there is only one way to salvation. Acts 4:12: And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” What do we see here? 1. According to the Bible, the religion of Islam is cursed because an angel revealed a different gospel to Mohamad than what was already revealed in the Bible. 2. The Bible claims that there is no other truth and Gospel but that found in the Bible and that it was given once and for all. Islam states just the opposite and contradicts the Bible. 3. Someone who is anti-Christ denies Jesus is the Savior, denies God is His Father, and denies Jesus came in the flesh. The religion of the Antichrist will do the same. 4. As you can see, what the Quran says about Jesus is entirely different than what the Bible says. Therefore, it could not be the Angel Gabriel who revealed any revelation to Mohamad. The problem with believing Jesus was a prophet or great teacher. Bible prophesies claim Jesus was God in the flesh. Also, Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child [Jesus Christ] is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace. John 8:56-59: Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am [same Hebrew word God said to Moses when Moses asked Him who he should tell the Egyptians sent him].” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. John 10:31-33: The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” T here are three options about who Jesus said He was: 1. He was a liar. 2. He was a lunatic. 3. He was who He claimed to be. We can’t believe Jesus was just a prophet because a prophet wouldn’t be a liar or lunatic. The only logical conclusion is that Jesus Christ is indeed who He and the Bible claim Him to be. The Bible’s Claim About Islam According to the Bible, Islam is completely opposite to what the Bible teaches and is an antichrist religion. This explains why they hate Christians and Jews so much. The Jews believe in the Old Testament, and Christians believe in both the Old and New Testaments. Will the coming Antichrist be a Muslim? Many believe that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. This makes sense as Islam theology believes in a coming world leader called Mahdi. He will make a peace treaty for seven years, rule from the temple in Jerusalem, intend to kill all Jews and Christians and force all people to worship Allah. This Mahdi is exactly what the Bible describes as the Antichrist. Also, there is no other religion that is so against Christians and Jews like Islam. Additionally, Muslims believe Jesus will return to earth from heaven. But in their version of Jesus, he returns as a Muslim and will tell all the Christians that what the Bible says about him is wrong. He will destroy Christianity and demand that everyone convert to Islam and set up Islam as the one world faith. As you can see, Islam is anti-Bible and totally changes what the Bible teaches about the Abrahamic Covenant, which includes a land, a people, and a lineage. And most importantly, it teaches that Jesus was not who the Bible claims He is. Jesus warned about this when He was on earth. In Matthew 24:3-5, when Jesus was talking about the end times it says: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you . 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. What Islam teaches is the very thing Jesus warned believers to be on the lookout for and not to be deceived by it. Islamic World Conquest Through Jihad Explains the Conflicts in Israel The theology of Musli ms is to conquer the world for Allah and institute Muslim rule over the entire world. This rule is also known as Sharia Law. After this is done, they say, then peace will finally come to the world. This is why, since the inception of Islam, Muslims have been engaged in conquering land for Allah. This can be clearly seen in its nearly 1500-year-old history. Therefore, Islam is a violent faith that conquers lands and peoples for Allah by whatever means necessary, as taught in the Quran. We can see this in the following quotes and teachings of Islam. 1. World conquest and Jihad is taught in the Quran and Islamic theology. Quran 8:60: And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize , to thereby Allah’s enemies and your enemies. By using terrorism, governments and people yield to Muslims because of fear. They see the horrifying acts of terrorism and don’t want to make the devoted Muslims angry so they won’t be terrorized. Quran 8:39: Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for Allah. But if they desist—Allah is Seeing of what they do. Quran 47:4: When you encounter those who disbelieve, strike at their necks. Then, when you have routed them, bind them firmly. Then, either release them by grace, or by ransom, until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. Quran 9:29: Fight those who do not believe in Allah. The theology of Islam promotes the raping and sexual slavery of women if it’s done in connection with Jihad. That’s why the men are generally killed, and the women taken into slavery. 2. Jihad groups, like Hamas, use as part of their warfare, placing their rockets and military operations behind women, children, schools, hospitals, mosques, and so forth. This way, when these places are targeted and destroyed, they can cry out that horrific abuses have been done to their innocent places and people. 3. According to the current leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, no Jews would be allowed to live in the land of Israel unless they converted to Muslim if a State of Palestine was created. This is completely opposite to what the state of Israel allows. Israel has many Arab citizens, has Arabs in their government leadership, and allows for complete freedom of religion. 4. According to a Muslim statement, Muslims should not submit to any form of government that is not Muslim, and no non-Muslim government has the right to rule Muslims. And if they do, Muslims have the duty to dislodge non-Muslim governments from power by any means possible. 5. Under Muslim-run countries, there is no separation of church and state. The government rules as a theocracy for Allah. This is also known as Sharia Law. 6. When Muslims conquer countries, they persecute and pressure non-Muslims to convert, or life will become unbearable for them, even to the point of execution. 7. They also destroy all religious sites like churches, synagogues, and so forth. They do this to show dominance and conquest. This is why they built the Dome of the Rock exactly over where the temple once stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 8. In Islamic Jihad, it is okay to lie to defeat non-Muslims. This is partly what happened with the recent Hamas invasion of Israel at the time of this filming in 2023, where they killed around 1,400 people and kidnapped around 220 people. They told Israel they wanted peace. Therefore, Israel let their guard down and were deceived. 9. It is also commonly promoted that Islam is a peaceful religion. This is done to deceive the ignorant. History and Muslim theology clearly state that Islam’s purpose is to conquer the world for Allah through Jihad, which is war by all means necessary. 10. There are also terrorism and death sentences in Islam for those who leave Islam or convert to another religion. This includes honor killings, imprisonment, and persecution within Muslim-run countries. I have personal Arabic friends living in Israel who have left Islam and are under threat from family members and other Muslims who want to kill them. 11. Many Arabs and Arab Muslims just want to live in peace and live their lives. However, the devoted Islamic Jihadists are the ones causing most of the trouble. That’s why when peace agreements are made between Israel and Arabs, the Jihadists increase their terrorism. This was clearly evidenced by the OSLO agreement that President Bill Clinton oversaw. The peaceful Muslims don’t do or say anything contrary to the Jihadists out of fear for their lives. So, it’s the devoted Jihadists who control most of the Arab countries. Again, the goal of the devoted Jihadists is to conquer the world for Allah. 12. The devoted Jihadists reject peace because, in their view, peace is losing ground and yielding power. According to them, it stops the progress of conquering the world for Allah. 13. The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, is a Palestinian Islamist militant group founded in 1987. The group’s primary objective is to establish an independent Islamic state in all the Holy Land. To accomplish their purpose, they want to eliminate Israel from the Holy Land. Hamas is known for its armed resistance against Israel and has been designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. 14. The group’s charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in what they call “historic Palestine.” Hamas has been governing more than two million Arabs in the Gaza Strip since 2007. 15. In summary, the Quran, Muslim theology, Mohamad’s life, and Muslim history all call for Jihad to punish and fight for Allah in the conquest of the world. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. This is what the Bible says about Islamic Jihad. John 16:2-3: They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God . 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me. Faith Lesson 1. Islam is totally contrary to the Bible and denies about 95% of it. 2. Islam denies the main themes of both the Old and New Testaments. 3. Islam denies Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be and did not die on the Cross for our sins. Therefore, according to the Bible, Islam is an antichrist religion. 4. Islam teaches salvation by works, and Christianity teaches salvation by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 5. While oftentimes Islam is claimed to be a peaceful religion, this is really not the case. The Quran teaches violence and conquest of the world for Allah and Islam. 6. The main source of the conflicts moving forward will come from Islamic-run countries. Their goal is to conquer the world for Allah by whatever means necessary. This includes every kind of terror imaginable. Therefore, they will be the main players in events moving forward. 7 . It’s very logical a nd probable that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. As we have seen, in Muslim theology, a prophesied future Muslim leader will rule from the Temple Mount over the entire world for seven years. 8. God loves both the Jews and Muslims, and for that matter, all people and desires that everyone comes to salvation through Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish , but that all should reach repentance.

There are two main sites that have their own Shepherds’ Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing Christ’s birth. There is the Franciscan Shepherds’ Field and the Greek Orthodox Shepherds' Field. Both sites have substantial archaeological evidence and tradition supporting them. Shepherds' Field Bethlehem Photo Gallery Places of Interest Shepherds’ Field Bethlehem Location 1. There are two main sites that have their own Shepherds’ Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing Christ’s birth. Less than a half-mile (1 km.) separates them from one another. Franciscan Shepherds’ Field (the most visited as it’s more easily accessed and is set up for tourists). The Greek Orthodox Shepherds’ Field. 2. Both sites have substantial archaeological evidence and tradition supporting them. However, the Greek Orthodox site has more ruins and longer continuous usage. 3. Both places are located about a mile (2 km.) east of Bethlehem in the Beit Sahour village. The Church of the Nativity can be seen from each site. 4. Because the sites are so close to one another, it’s very possible that the angels’ appearance was seen from both places as there could have easily been numerous shepherds in close proximity. There are also various other ruins, churches, and monasteries in the area, which testify to the fact that this event happened here. Historical Background General Evidence 1. At the end of the 4th century, Jerome, who was translating the Hebrew and Greek Bible manuscripts into Latin at the Church of the Nativity, mentioned that the church in Jerusalem celebrated a feast-day at the Church of the Shepherds’ in this area on Christmas Eve. 2. In 384 AD, the pilgrim Egeria was shown the church called "At the Shepherds" in a valley near Bethlehem. She reported, "A big garden is there now, protected by a neat wall all around, and also there is a very splendid cave with an altar." 3. In the 7th century, Bishop Archulph spoke of a burial place of three shepherds in the church at the Shepherds' Field. 4. In the 12th century, Peter the Deacon, a Benedictine monk, quoted an anonymous pilgrim who said, "Not far from there, there is a church called of the Shepherds, where a large garden is fully enclosed by a wall, and there, there is a very luminous grotto which has an altar where an angel, appearing to the shepherds in a vigil, announced the birth of Christ." Franciscan Shepherds’ Field 1. It has a cave with a soot-blackened roof that has been partly enclosed to make a modern chapel. 2. A church built in the 4th century was erected by the cave. 3. The church was destroyed by the time the Crusaders arrived, but pilgrims continued to visit and commemorate this site. 4. It has ruins of a monastery dating from the 4th century to the 7th century. 5. A large complex of caves containing Mikvahs, tunnels, and rooms can be found here. 6. Today, above the cave is a modern church shaped like a tent and decorated with a bronze angel that was built near the ruins of an ancient monastery in 1953. Greek Orthodox Shepherds’ Field 1. The original church was in a cave located on the site. 2. Helena, the mother of Constantine, modified the cave into a church in 325 AD. It is the only original church Helena built that has survived to this day. 3. In the 5th century, a barrel-vaulted roof was built on the cave-church, and a monastery was built on the site later. 4. Above the 5th-century cave-church, a Byzantine chapel was built that was replaced by a larger church, which was destroyed in 614 AD. The Byzantine church and monastery were rebuilt in the 7th century and survived until the 10th century. 5. In 1972, in order to build a new church above the cave-church, excavations verified the remains of three different churches dating to the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries. 6. The cave-church Helena built served the Orthodox community from the 4th century to 1955. 7. Today, a new large church has been built, the 4th-century cave-church has been restored, and the remains of the upper church and monastery have been preserved. 8. According to tradition dating from the 4th century, this site was associated with the place where Jacob pastured his flock and built Mignal Eder (Tower of the Flocks), referred to in Genesis 35:16. The remains of the base of this tower are still visible today. 9. If Mignal Eder is the site where Jacob erected a tower in Rachel’s memory, this would also be the biblical location of Rachel’s Tomb, and Jacob would have lived in this area for some time. Places of Interest 1. Rachel’s Tomb 2. Church of the Nativity 3. Franciscan Shepherds’ Field 4. Greek Orthodox Shepherds’ Field Mignal Eder Tower 5. Fields of Boaz Shepherds’ Fields in the Bible 1. The Greek Orthodox Church site is associated with Mignal Eder, the place Jacob erected a tower of memorial to Rachel after her death. Genesis 35:16–21: Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath [Bethlehem], Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, "Do not fear, for you have another son." 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder . 2. Ruth gleaned in the grain fields of Boaz and then married him (Boaz was the Great Grandfather of King David). Ruth 2:1–2: Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” 3. Angels appeared to shepherds out in the field, watching their flocks by night. Luke 2:8–14: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field , keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 4. The shepherds went in haste to see Jesus. Luke 2:15–16: When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 5. The shepherds spread the good news of Jesus’ birth and returned, glorifying and praising God. Luke 2:17–20: And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Faith Lesson from the Shepherds’ Fields 1. The shepherds were the first to hear the announcement of Jesus’ birth. 2. Shepherds were considered among the lowliest people. To be a shepherd was to be a nobody. It was a boring, lonely, despised job no one wanted. 3. Because Christ came to save all people and show his humility, the angels appeared to the shepherds as a sign that the “Good News” was available for all, from the lowliest shepherds to the noblest kings (the Magi). 4. Do we believe salvation is for everyone? 5. Are we humble like the shepherds were? 6. The shepherds went in haste to see Jesus. Do we show zeal and fervor in our desire to be with Jesus? 7. The shepherds spread the good news about Jesus. Do we share the good news (gospel) with others as well?