If this artifact is true, it proves the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is a total game-changer. Join us as we look at the evidence! You'll be amazed at what is discussed! Shroud of Turin (Jesus), In Italy Photo Gallery Shroud of Turin (Jesus), In Italy Fact or Fiction? If you want to know everything about the Shroud of Turin, we provide a complete analysis of this extremely unique artifact here. What Is It? Is the Shroud found in the Bible? Why Is It Called the Shroud of Turin? Where Is the Shroud Located Today? Has the Shroud always been a Catholic Relic? How Was the Shroud Wrapped Around the Body? What Is Its Historical Timeline? What Are the Arguments Supporting the Shroud's Authenticity? What Are the Arguments Against Its Authenticity? Conclusion Faith Lesson for Us Today What Is It? 1. The Shroud of Turin is a 2,000-year-old linen cloth bearing the image of a man who suffered injuries consistent with crucifixion. Many believe it to be Jesus' burial linen cloth, as found in the four gospels in the Bible. 2. The cloth measures about 14.5 feet (4.4 meters) long and 3.5 feet (1 meter) wide. 3. It is the most studied and researched artifact today. It defies science and is a historical artifact that continues to captivate people worldwide. It has been a subject of religious devotion and scientific scrutiny for years. 4. The Shroud has two amazing factors. First, the image is just two or three microns thick and disappears if you get closer than about 8 feet (2.5 meters) to the Shroud. This baffles scientists and confirms it's not a work of art or man-made. Second, the image is just on the surface and was created by a tremendous burst of light, amounting to around 34 trillion watts of energy, taking 1/4th of a billionth of a second to leave the image on the Shroud. Otherwise, it would have scorched the image and destroyed it. 5. Science shows that the blood on the Shroud was there first, and then the image was created from the massive energy that came later. The Shroud is estimated to have several pints of blood on it. What is fascinating is that the Shroud shows evidence of the crucifixion and resurrection of the man in it. 6. To date, around 102 different scientific disciplines have spent over 600,000 hours studying the Shroud, and they virtually all agree it defies science and is unexplainable by natural laws. 7. Many photos seen of the Shroud's image are photo negatives. This image reproduces bright portions of the photographed subject as dark and the dark parts as light. A natural image doesn't show the details like a negative image. 8. The negative image also has 3-dimensional properties that are unexplainable. 9. As of the time of this filming, there is an offer of 1 million dollars to anyone who can replicate the Shroud. No one has been able to do it even using all our modern high-tech technology. Join us on this fascinating journey as we examine the evidence to determine whether this relic is authentic or a hoax. If it is authentic, the ramifications are staggering. Is the Shroud Found in the Bible? The Bible Affirms Jesus Was Wrapped In Linen Cloths (Shroud) at His Burial In All Four Gospels Matthew 27:57-60: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mark 15:45-46: And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph [of Arimathea]. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud , and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Luke 23:53: Then he [Joseph of Arimathea] took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. Luke 24:12: But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. John 19:40: So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 20:4-7: Both of them were running together, but the other disciple [John] outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth , which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Why Is It Called the Shroud of Turin? It has this name because it has been stored in Turin, Italy, since 1578. It's also widely known as the Shroud of Jesus. Where Is the Shroud Located Today? It's stored at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. It's housed in a climate-controlled case in a chapel built just to hold it. However, because of its extremely fragile state, the shroud is not viewable to the public except during very rare public viewings, as the pope determines. Has the Shroud always been a Catholic Relic? No, the House of Savoy entrusted the Shroud of Turin to the Catholic Pope (and each succeeding Pope) in 1983. It seems there is some relation with the Vatican as well. So, it is technically not entrusted to the Catholic Church. It has been in the hands of many people and places throughout its long history. How Was the Shroud Wrapped Around the Body? The long linen cloth was laid down, and the body was placed on the lower part of the cloth. Next, the cloth was folded over the entire body, with the head at the centerfold, ending at the feet, where it began. Then strips of linen were wrapped around the shroud and body to keep the shroud in place. A head covering was also used. This is consistent with Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11:43-44: When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen , and a cloth around his face. How Tall Was the Man Covered in the Shroud? According to the image on the Shroud, the body would have been about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall. This is taller than the average height of a person in Israel during the time of Jesus. However, this would be consistent with Jesus because in order to minister to the multitudes, he would have had to be taller than others, or he wouldn't have been seen or heard. What Is Its Historical Timeline? 33 AD The Bible describes Jesus being wrapped in a linen cloth after the crucifixion. Some believe the Shroud was kept secretly by early Christians because of persecution under Roman rule. 100 AD Legend and folklore speak of a mysterious cloth with healing power bearing an image of Jesus that arrived in Edessa (now Urfa, Turkey) in the First Century AD. The Apostle Jude Thaddeus, one of the original Apostles of Jesus Christ, is associated with bringing the cloth from Jerusalem to Edessa. 525 AD After a severe flood destroyed most of Edessa, the cloth was removed from the walls where it had been hidden for over 400 years. The cloth became known as "The Image of Edessa" and later was called “The True Likeness of Christ Not Made by Human Hands.” All Orthodox icons of Jesus and Byzantine coins dramatically changed to conform to the "True Likeness" image featured a man with long hair, a full beard, large eyes, and a flattened nose—all of which are stylistically similar to the Shroud image. Additionally, Byzantine texts describe a folded cloth bearing the image of Jesus “not made by human hands” hidden in a wall in Edessa. 944 AD The Byzantine Imperial Army invaded Edessa to retrieve the cloth from the city that had fallen to Islam. The cloth was taken to Constantinople (now Istanbul) and presented to the Emperor. The cloth was reportedly shown during church feasts. 1203 AD A document from French Crusader Robert de Clari describes a cloth in Constantinople showing the full body of Christ, displayed every Friday — some say this refers to the Shroud. 1204 AD The Fourth Crusade invaded Constantinople, and the revered cloth disappeared. Some historians believe the Shroud was held secretly by the Knights Templar before 1356, when it was displayed in France. Vatican research from 2009 supports this long-time oral tradition. 1354 The Shroud reappeared in the hands of French knight Geoffrey de Charny, who displayed it at a church he founded in Lirey, France. 1453 Geoffrey’s granddaughter, Marguerite de Charny, gave the Shroud to the royal House of Savoy. 1502 The Shroud was no longer displayed in different churches within the House of Savoy Kingdom, but was given a permanent home in the royal chapel at Chambery, also known as Sainte Chapelle. 1532 A fire damaged the Shroud in Chambery Chapel, where it was stored. A drop of molten silver from the container produced a symmetrically placed mark through the layers of the folded cloth. Poor Clare Nuns, a group of nuns, repaired this damage with patches. Some have suggested that water damage also occurred when the fire was being extinguished. These burn marks are still visible. 1578 It was moved to Turin, Italy, where it has remained to this day. What Are the Arguments Supporting the Shroud's Authenticity? 1. The Image Itself Is a Mystery The image on the Shroud is not painted, drawn, or dyed — no pigment or brushstrokes have been found. When viewed as a negative image, it appears more detailed and lifelike. This is something not understood until it was first photographed in 1898. The image also contains 3D information, which is very rare. When processed by image analyzers like the NASA VP-8, it produces a three-dimensional relief, unlike typical photographs or paintings. 2. The Marks on the Shroud Match Exactly the Wounds of the Crucifixion of Jesus Bloodstains on the head are compatible with a crown of thorns. There is no historical account of anyone being crucified with a crown of thorns. The Shroud didn't touch every part of the body. But considering the parts it did touch, there are over 120 scourges or marks, creating over 370 lacerations. It's estimated the body would have had over 700 lacerations. This is compatible with Roman flogging and what Jesus endured. He was beaten at the House of Caiaphas, the High Priest, before Pilate, before Herod, and then again severely before Pilate. Nail wounds on the wrists. Roman crucifixion generally put nails through the wrists to better support the weight of a body on a cross. Nails through the hand typically wouldn't support the weight and rip through. The wrist was considered part of the hand during this period. Nail wounds in the feet. The man’s feet were on top of one another. The legs are slightly bent due to rigor mortis, a muscle stiffness that sets in quickly after death and lasts less than four days. After four days, the muscles relax and the body becomes limp. Interestingly, Jesus rose from the dead after three days and nights in the tomb. Blood from the body runs downward, showing evidence of the man being crucified. There are no stains or signs of the body decomposing. This is compatible with Jesus' resurrection, which happened on the third day before the body had time to decay. Wound in the side, compatible in size with a Roman spear tip. Post-mortem blood flow from the side wound also flows across the back. The man's legs were not broken. This would be consistent with what happened to Jesus. Interestingly, the two men crucified with Jesus both had their legs broken. Marks on the back of the man from carrying a wooden beam. This is consistent with Jesus carrying His cross. Deviated septum. This would have been caused by the heavy blows Jesus received to His face by the Roman soldiers. 3. Authentic Human Bloodstains The blood on the Shroud is type AB, a Jewish blood type found in less than 3% of the world's population. So the Shroud most likely originated from Israel. The blood is real human blood and shows signs of the chemical bilirubin. It's produced by the liver during extreme trauma or stress. This is consistent with the traumatic injuries that Jesus would have suffered. The blood on the Shroud is reddish. Normally, blood turns blackish when exposed to oxygen. The chemical bilirubin keeps the blood reddish and stops it from turning blackish, which is again consistent with Christ's sufferings before and during the crucifixion. 4. Pollen, Dust, and Plant Evidence The pollen grains found on the Shroud are from plants native to Jerusalem. Some of these plants bloom only in the spring, around the time of Passover. Additionally, other pollen on the Shroud matches perfectly with the places it has traveled throughout its history, such as Jerusalem, Northern Syria, Turkey, and Europe. Limestone Dust from Jerusalem on the Shroud 5. Weaving Style and Material It is made of expensive cloth using the exceptionally durable herringbone weave pattern. It was rare but well-known in the ancient Middle East and is consistent with 1st-century Jewish burial cloths. The linen matches first-century Jewish burial customs. Even the seam on the shroud is identical to stitching found only at Masada, a Jewish fortress destroyed by the Romans in 73 AD. It perfectly matches the Bible's account of being donated by Joseph of Arimathea, who was very wealthy. We also have other ancient clothing that has been preserved. Some are as old as 5,000 years. So, it's not abnormal to have ancient clothing preserved. 6. A Byzantine coin from 692 AD shows Jesus on a cross resembling the Shroud's face. 7. Scientific Affirmation that the Shroud of Turin is Authentic In 1978, King Umberto II, the owner of the Shroud at the time, authorized comprehensive hands-on testing for a group called the "Shroud of Turin Research Project," also known as STURP. The group was made up of over 30 distinguished scientists. STURP’s findings remain a primary scientific source cataloging the Shroud’s unique properties. Below is a partial list of the STURP findings: No substances were manually applied to the cloth. No artistic substances such as paint, ink, dye, pigments, or stain were used to constitute the image. No collagen binder as would be used with paint. No fibers are cemented to each other as with paint. No liquids were applied to create the image. No substances were found between the threads, as with dust rubbing. Bloodstains on the cloth tested positive for heme, bile, serum albumin, and other human blood components. The blood is of the male type, AB. The blood marks seen on the shroud are consistent with a contact transfer to the cloth of blood clot exudates that would have resulted from major wounds inflicted on a man who died in the position of crucifixion. The following are image characteristics found on or about the Shroud: The image is purely superficial. It does not penetrate the cloth but only rests on the top two micro-fibers. (Analogous to the Shroud image resting on the hairs of your forearm.) The image is a photographic negative that develops as a positive. The image contains 3D “distance information” similar to a topographical map. No directionality to the image, as found with a brush or any substance application tool. No variation in the depth of the image. (Virtually impossible with human hands.) The yellowing of the image is uniform in intensity. No outline or defined edges are found on the image. STURP conclusion: “There are no chemical or physical methods known which can account for the totality of the image, nor can any combination of physical, chemical, biological, or medical circumstances explain the image adequately.” 8. Latest Scientific Affirmations As mentioned earlier, it is impressive that around 102 different scientific disciplines have spent over 600,000 hours studying the Shroud, and the great majority of them have concluded that it is indeed 2,000 years old and authentic. The Institute of Crystallography in Italy has confirmed, using wide-angle x-ray scattering technology (WAXS), that the Shroud of Turin is 2,000 years old. Paolo Di Lazzaro of ENEA Laboratory in Italy conducted a five-year study and calculated that it would have taken 34,000 trillion watts of energy, or 1/4th of a billionth of a second, to leave the image on the Shroud. Otherwise, it would have scorched the image and destroyed it. The image is just two or three microns thick and disappears if you get closer than 8 feet (2.5 meters) to the Shroud. This baffles scientists and confirms it's not a work of art or man-made. What Are the Arguments Against Its Authenticity? 1. Radiocarbon Dating In 1988, the Vatican provided three laboratories in different countries with a postage-stamp-sized piece of the Shroud’s linen cloth. Carbon-14 dating from all three laboratories concluded that the cloth had been made sometime between 1260 and 1390 AD, thus indicating that it was not authentic and was a hoax. As a result, this news hit all the news outlets and became a major story. It seemed the Shroud was proven to be a forgery from the Middle Ages. However, some scientists raised doubts about the researchers’ methodology. Recently, it has been verified that the test pieces from the Shroud were from repairs that had been carefully done on a corner of the linen and not from the actual fabric itself. Based on these recent test results, the Vatican encouraged scientists to conduct further investigations of the shroud’s authenticity. In 2022, researchers in Italy published the results of a study in which they used the technique of wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) to analyze a small piece of the shroud. The study concluded that the structural degradations of the Shroud’s linen were “fully compatible” with those of another linen sample dating to 55–74 AD. The 2022 study’s results bolstered the hypothesis that the Shroud of Turin truly is from the time of Christ. 2. Artistic Techniques Critics argue that the image could have been created using medieval methods, such as bas-relief or other artistic techniques. However, recent discoveries and the most recent technology have nullified these claims. 3. The Shroud Lacks Historical Documentation Throughout Its Entire History Some argue that its documented history only begins in 1356 AD, leaving a supposed gap from its beginning until then. An essential fact about the Shroud's history is that it has two distinct periods. The first is before 1356, based on circumstantial evidence, legend, art, and coins. The second is after 1356, when the Shroud's trail is documented and accepted by historians. The Shroud's timeline before 1356 AD is quite verifiable and credible. Legends, art, coins, etc., are commonly valued highly when attempting to verify historical events. This same standard should apply to the Shroud as well. Just because the history from its beginning to 1356 is not documented as well as after that time, does not nullify all the scientific tests done on it. It's a very weak argument against the Shroud's authenticity. Conclusion Whether or not the Shroud is authentic doesn't affect the historicity of Jesus and our faith. We have overwhelming evidence for the existence of Christ and His death and resurrection, so the Shroud isn't needed to prove this. Someone has said that if we stacked the written evidence supporting the Shroud's authenticity, it would reach the ceiling height in a typical house. The evidence against the Shroud's authenticity amounts to a few weak arguments. As mentioned earlier, as of the time of this filming, there is an offer of 1 million dollars to anyone who can replicate the Shroud. No one has been able to do it even using all our modern high-tech technology. With this being the case, it's virtually impossible that the Shroud could be a forgery from the Middle Ages. The Shroud's authenticity is beyond a reasonable doubt and overwhelmingly provides sufficient evidence to convince any modern-day "Doubting Thomas." The DNA of Jesus is not available, so the Shroud can never be 100 percent proven to be his burial cloth. (Although many would argue that the Sudarium of Oviedo provides a blood and stain match.) The fact that the Shroud exists and has been preserved for around 2000 years strongly suggests its high value and supernatural preservation. It is not just any old cloth that endures for millennia if something special isn't going on. Historian John Walsh gives us a good perspective on the Shroud: “The Shroud is either the most awesome and instructive relic of Christ in existence, or it is one of the most ingenious, most unbelievably clever products of the human mind and hand on record. It is either one or the other; there is no middle ground.” After four decades of devoted study to the Shroud of Turin, the French historian Jean-Christian Petitfils is fully convinced that the face unveiled to the world by the Italian photographer Secondo Pia in 1898 is indeed that of Jesus Christ in the tomb. We, at HolyLandSite.com Ministries, are convinced the Shroud is authentic. Faith Lesson for Us Today from the Shroud of Turin 1. Jesus voluntarily submitted to the most horrible manner of death possible to pay for our sins and grant us eternal life. The Shroud provides additional evidence of what Jesus suffered for us. The 120 flogging marks, the 700 or more lacerations, and the beatings show His love. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What about us? Have we received Christ's gift of salvation, and are we grateful for what He did for us? 2. The physical suffering Jesus endured to pay for our sins was overwhelming. However, the spiritual suffering He paid was even greater. What about us? Do we understand how much Jesus loves us and wants to have a relationship with us? 3. Regardless of whether the Shroud of Turin is authentic, we have so much more evidence supporting the death and resurrection of Jesus. What about us? Do we believe the truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus, or are we skeptical and unbelieving? 4. With the overwhelming evidence that the Shroud is authentic, we are not to worship it in any way. We worship God, not a thing. 5. The evidence for the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin meets the standard of truthfulness beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, we have an accurate representation of the Face of God. This is amazing! What about us? Does this change our hearts and make us grateful to God for preserving this relic for us to behold today?

Solomon's Temple was located at the same place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to God. King David then purchased the original place when it was a threshing floor. He purchased it to build an altar to the Lord. Solomon then built the Temple in this exact location. Construction on Solomon’s temple began in 960 BC. It took 7 years to build the first temple. When the Temple was dedicated, the Ark of the Covenant was put in it. The temple was to be a House of Prayer for all nations. Temple Mount: Solomon's Temple Temple Mount: Solomon’s Temple Welcome to the Holy Land and the biblical site of the temple mount where the original temple Solomon built was dedicated. See the Bible come to life as we take a look at this key event from Scripture that took place here. The location of the temple was the same place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to God. Gen. 22:1: “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." King David then purchased the original Temple Mount when it was a threshing floor. He purchased it to build an altar to the Lord. 1 Chron. 21:18: “Now the angel of the LORD had commanded Gad to say to David that David should go up and raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” King Solomon then built the Temple in this exact location. 2 Chron. 3:1: “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." Construction on Solomon’s temple began in 960 BC. 1 Kings 6:1: “In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.” It took 7 years to build the first temple. 1 Kings 6:37-38:, “In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv. And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it.” When the Temple was dedicated, and the Ark of the Covenant put in it, God filled it with such brilliant glory that the priests had to suspend their dedication activities until it subsided. 1 Kings 8:1-10: “Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the men of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. And they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up. And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. During the dedication of the temple, Solomon prays a prayer of dedication. 1 Kings 8:22-24: “Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. The temple was to be a House of Prayer for all nations, not just for Israel. Mark 11:15-17: "And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." What can we observe and learn from these events that happened at this significant place? As we can see, the temple has played a key role as the center of God’s dwelling place and ministry on this earth. It will play a key part during the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth as well. God has chosen to focus His presence and attention here like a laser beam from heaven like no other place. What about us? In the Old Testament, the temple was the center place where God dwelt, in the New Testament we are now the temple of God as He dwells in our hearts by faith. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17, says, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” What kind of temple am I?

Learn about Ashdod and the 5 cities of the Philistines. What all happened in Ashdod? What is its history? Who were the Philistines, where did they come from, and where did they live? They are mentioned in many places in the Old Testament and were the enemies of the Israelites. The Other Cities Were: Ekron, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Gath. Biblical Ashdod Photo Gallery Places of Interest Ashdod 1. Ashdod is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is the northernmost city of the five Philistine cities. 2. It's about 18 miles (29 km) south of Jaffa and Tel Aviv. 3. Tel Ashod is just about 2.5 miles (4.5 km) inland from the sea. It remains in its natural form and has had some excavations carried out but not extensive ones. 4. It appears that the city was large and extended all the way to the sea, or had another part of the city that was by the sea. 5. During the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua and the Israelites, giants known as Anakim were found here (Josh. 11:22). Ashdod was allotted to Judah, but they failed to conquer it (Josh. 13:3, 15:46–47). 6. During the time of Samuel, Ashdod and the other main cities of the Philistines were still independent. 7. Ashdod was conquered and came under the authority of Assyria around 711 BC. Later, Babylon also conquered it around 605 BC. 8. In later times, the Ashdod-Yam Fortress (also called Qal’at el-Mina) was built by Caliph Abd al-Malik (685-705 AD) at the end of the seventh century AD on the ruins of a Byzantine settlement. The fortress was part of a coastal defense system designed to prevent a Byzantine invasion from the sea. The system consisted of a string of strongholds along the Mediterranean Sea situated in sight of one another. In times of danger, messages were conveyed using fire beacons (at night) and smoke signals (during the day). In 1033, the fortress was destroyed by an earthquake and abandoned. It was reconstructed and resettled during the Crusader Period (12th and 13th centuries AD). Its name was changed to Castellum Beroart. It was finally abandoned after the Crusaders were banished from the country in 1290. Places of Interest 1. Tel Ashdod 2. Ashdod-Yam Fortress Ashdod in the Bible 1. The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it to Ashdod, and placed it in the House of Dagon (their false god). 1 Samuel 5:1-2: Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod . 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon , and placed it beside Dagon. The Ark may have resided in the house of their false god, Dagon, which could have been by the sea. From Ashdod, the Ark was taken to Gath. 2. God revealed Himself as the Lord of Lords to the Philistines by making their false god, Dagon, bow down and submit to Him. 1 Samuel 5:3-4: When the Ashdodites got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him back in his place. 4 But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the torso of Dagon was left. 3. God struck the people of Ashdod with tumors to show them He was the true God. 1 Samuel 5:6-7: Now the hand of the Lord was heavy on the Ashdodites , and He made them feel devastated and struck them with tumors , both Ashdod and its territories. 7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, because His hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god.” 4. God prophesied that a people of mixed origins or nationalities would live in Ashdod and among the Philistines. This was certainly fulfilled in history and can even be seen today. Zechariah 9:6: And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod , and I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines . 5. Ashdod was the recipient of many prophecies proclaiming its doom and destruction. Isaiah 20:11, Amos 1:8, Jeremiah 25:20, and Zechariah 2:4, 9:6. However, Ashdod continued to be inhabited as the Jews intermarried with its inhabitants after their return from Babylon (Neh. 13:23–24). 6. In the New Testament, Ashdod is called Azotus. Acts 8:40: But Philip found himself at Azotus , and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Faith Lesson from Ashdod 1. God revealed Himself as the Creator and true Lord to the Philistines on different occasions so they would know He was the true God. God reveals Himself to everyone through His creation, so that no one can claim to be without excuse. Romans 1:18-20: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse . 3. Any person from any nation was welcome to join in the Jewish faith, obtain salvation, and be right with God. The Philistines had this opportunity, like every other nation. 4. What about us? Are we right with God and letting our lights shine to a world that needs God and His salvation through Jesus Christ?

All about HolyLandSite.com Ministries. Bible Videos, teachings, maps, Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel, resources, and more. See amazing and interesting facts and truths 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. About Us About Us In 2010 we began going to Israel, and in 2011 we began leading tour trips to Israel. God gave us a passion for helping people see the places and context in which the Bible took place. As a result, we started creating videos, writing books, and leading tour trips to Israel to fulfill this calling and passion. In 2012 we officially launched HolyLandSite.com Ministries. It is a rapidly growing ministry that has become our central ministry focus. In conjunction with leading Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel, we go to Israel regularly to film more sites for our Bible teaching videos. For example, we just spent 2 months in Israel filming around 100 sites for the upcoming videos we plan to produce. Holy Land Site is a ministry affiliated with Go Missions to Mexico, a Christ-centered, biblically-based, non-denominational mission organization that has 29 years of experience in missionary service. It exists to incorporate short-term mission teams in the Great Commission to reach the unreached and strengthen churches and believers of Christ in Mexico. Scroll down to see more info about us. Todd & Letsy Fink (left), Logan Fink (center), Joel and Miriam Fink (right), Jonathan & Jason (Joel & Miriam's children) Todd Fink Todd has 45 years of ministry experience in the U.S. and Mexico. During this time, he has served as Youth Director, Campus Life Staff, AWANA Director, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, Hispanic Outreach Pastor, Building Construction Chairman, and Missionary. He also has experience in the secular field in agriculture and construction. Currently, he is in his 25th year as a missionary in Mexico and is the founder of Go Missions to Mexico and Holy Land Site Ministries. Todd is married to Letsy Fink and has four grown children and 8 grandchildren . Todd holds the following Bible degrees Bachelor of Theology Degree from Freelandia Bible College Master of Divinity studies at Western Seminary Master of Theology Degree from Freedom Bible College Master of Biblical Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary Doctor of Theology Degree (Ph.D.) from Trinity Theological Seminary. For books by Todd, click here . Letsy Fink Letsy has many years of ministry experience in both the U.S. and Mexico. She has served in many children's ministries, served with Todd in youth ministry, and loves leading Vacation Bible School Outreaches in Mexico with short-term mission teams. She has become a vital part of Holy Land Site Ministries and does a lot of camera work and filming for our videos. Letsy grew up in a godly home and went to church in an evangelic, Bible-believing church her whole life. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Theology Degree and delights in learning and growing in the Lord. Letsy has four grown children and 8 grandchildren . Joel Fink Joel moved to Mexico with his parents when he was 9 years old. He has grown up in Mexico and attended a local high school. It was there he met his high school sweetheart, Miriam, and later married. The culture of Mexico is second nature to Joel, and his Spanish speaking abilities are flawless. He has been working with short-term mission teams for practically his whole life. He has many building skills, ministry skills, and is a worship leader at his home church in Mexico. Joel accompanies us on all our Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel and helps with all the details, and is the main camera operator. Joel received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Freedom Bible College and Seminary. Joel has two children. Miriam Fink Miriam is from Mexico and married Joel Fink in 2009. She has been an incredible addition to the ministry team and loves the Lord. She enjoys working with children and short-term mission teams. She is a great mother and loves her family deeply. Mirian goes to Israel on occasion and loves it very much. Miriam received a Bachelor of Business Degree from a university in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Trinity Bible College and Seminary. Miriam has two children. Logan Fink Logan moved to Mexico with his parents when he was about a year old. He has grown up in Mexico and feels very at home in the culture and his Spanish speaking abilities are flawless. He has been working with short-term mission teams for practically his whole life. He has many building skills, ministry skills, and is the youth pastor at his home church in Mexico. Logan accompanies us on many of our Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel and helps with all the details, and is one of the main camera operators. Logan has done Bachelor of Theology studies at Freedom Bible College and Seminary. Bere Fink Bere is from Mexico and married Logan in 2019. She has been an incredible addition to the ministry team and loves the Lord. She is the children's director at her home church, helps Logan in youth ministry, and is active in leading VBSs with Go Missions to Mexico. She is very gifted administratively and brings organization to whatever she does. Bere goes to Israel on occasion and loves it very much.

Tel Hazor was one of the largest and most important biblical sites in the Canaanite and Israelite periods. The victory over Hazor by Joshua and the Israelites is probably one of the most overlooked miracles in the Bible. When we realize how powerful Hazor was and how Jabin, the King of Hazor, gathered countless armies against the Israelites, we see that only God could have given them victory. It was on the Via Maris, north of the Sea of Galilee. Tel Hazor Photo Gallery Places of Interest Hazor Location 1. Hazor is located about 10 miles (16 km.) due north of the Sea of Galilee and just to the east of Hwy. 90. 2. It was on one of the most important travel routes called the “Via Maris,” which linked Africa and Egypt with Syria and Asia. 3. It was the largest and most strategic city in northern Galilee due to its size and location. Historical Background 1. Hazor was one of the most important cities of the Canaanites and was the head of all the northern kingdoms (Josh. 11:10). 2. It was 10 times the size of Jerusalem and totaled 200 acres (81 hectares, 200 football fields) in size. 3. The upper part of the tel is around 30 acres (12 hectares), and the lower part is around 170 acres (69 hectares). 4. What we see today of Hazor is 1/8 the size of what it once was. 5. To the north lies most of the city, which is now a farm field. 6. It’s the largest tel in Israel. 7. It’s also believed to have been the largest city in ancient Canaan. 8. It was one of three major cities of defense in Israel (Gezer, to the south, Megiddo, in the middle of the country, and Hazor, in the north). All three cities were on the Via Maris. 9. Hazor rivaled Nineveh in size and importance. 10. Hazor is mentioned 19 times in the Bible. Places of Interest 1. Israelite City Ruins 2. Israelite Walls 3. Lower City 4. Temple Tombs 5. Northern Walls 6. Canaanite Temple/Palace 7. Solomon’s Walls and Gate (archaeologists have uncovered a six-chambered gate at Hazor, which is nearly identical in size and design to gates at Megiddo and Gezer). 8. Ash layer in the Canaanite Palace/Temple 9. Canaanite Altar 10. Water System (a century after Solomon’s time, the Israelites built a massive shaft 131 ft. (40 m.) deep into the tel, reaching the water table below). 11. Israelite Fortress/Tower 12. Rooms & Buildings 13. Canaanite passage between the upper and lower cities. Hazor in the Bible The victory over Hazor by Joshua and the Israelites is probably one of the most overlooked miracles in the Bible. When we realize how powerful Hazor was and how Jabin, the King of Hazor, gathered countless armies against the Israelites, we see that it was only God who could have given them the victory. 1. When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard that Joshua and the Israelites had been on a conquering rampage throughout all the southern part of the land, he gathered a host of kings in the northern part of the land to unite and fight against the Israelites. Joshua 11:1–5: When Jabin, king of Hazor , heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2 and to the kings who were in the northern hill country, and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and in Naphoth-dor on the west, 3 to the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. 4 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. 5 And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom [3.5 miles, 5.5 km. north of Hazor] to fight against Israel. 2. All the unified kings and soldiers believed that with their countless armies and gods, Israel would be no match for them. 3. God told Joshua and the Israelites not to be afraid because He would be with them and deliver all these kings into their hands. Joshua 11:6–9: And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” 7 So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. 8 And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining. 9 And Joshua did to them just as the Lord said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire. 4. After defeating all the armies, Joshua conquered Hazor and burned it with fire. Joshua 11:10–13: Then Joshua turned back at that time, and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms . They struck every person who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was no one left who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire . Joshua captured all the cities of these kings, and all their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. 13 But none of the cities that stood on mounds did Israel burn, except Hazor alone; that Joshua burned . Evidence of the burn marks and ash layer can be seen in the Canaanite Palace at Hazor. 5. Hazor was later retaken and rebuilt by the Canaanites. God used the Canaanites to punish Israel for their disobedience to Him. Judges 4:1–3: And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. 2 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin [title, not a person’s name, i.e., pharaoh] king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor . The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. 3 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. 6. God used Deborah and Barak to deliver the Israelites after they repented of their sins and cried out to Him for help. Joshua 4:14–16: And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. 15 And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. 16 And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left. 7. Hazor later came under the control of Israel during the period of King David and Solomon, and Solomon rebuilt and fortified Hazor, along with Megiddo and Gezer. 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. 8. . Jeremiah prophesied against Hazor due to the Israelites disobedience after David and Solomon’s time. Jeremiah 49:33: Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolation forever; no one will live there, nor will a son of man reside in it. It’s amazing that this once sought-after prime location is now desolate. It shows the power of God and His proclaimed word. 9. As a result of Israel’s disobedience to God, Hazor was destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC, and the northern 10 tribes of Israel were deported. 2 Kings 15:29: In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor , Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and he carried the people captive to Assyria. Faith Lesson from Hazor 1. When the Israelites obeyed God, He blessed them and made them victorious over countless kings and multitudes of soldiers. 2. When they disobeyed God, He caused them to become weak and defeated. 3. The same lesson from the Old Testament applies to us today (Rom. 15:4). When we are obedient and faithful to God, we live victoriously and receive His blessings. However, when we disobey Him, we become weak and defeated. 4. What kind of lives are we living today? Are we victorious or defeated?

Resources to learn all about the History of Israel. Videos, books, talks, maps, and more. Learn about its walls, gates, people, language, and more. History of Israel

Christ In Prophecy (Lion & Lamb Ministries) Holy Land Videos on HolyLandSite.com Christ In Prophecy Videos

May 1-17, 2026, Registration Form. In-depth 17-day Bible-centered Holy Land tour trip to Israel that allows you to see more holy sites in Israel. Holy Land Trip Registration Form May 1~17, 2 026 Trip How to Register and Secure Your Spot on the Holy Land Experience Trip of a Lifetime! 1. Fill out and submit the online registration form below. 2. Upon receiving and accepting your form, we will notify you of availability and acceptance into the tour trip group. 3. Upon acceptance into the group, please pay your $500 non-refundable deposit to confirm your spot. Registration Deposit Link Final Paym ent Link CONTACT INFO: Pastor Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Website: HolyLandSite.com NEXT STEPS 1. Upon receiving and accepting your form, we will notify you of availability and acceptance into the tour trip group. 2. Upon acceptance into the group, please pay your $500 non-refundable deposit to confirm your spot. Registration Deposit Link Final Payment Link 3. In the meantime, check out our video teachings to the left or see other info about Holy Land Trip orientation, etc. CONTACT INFO: Pastor Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Website: HolyLandSite.com TOUR HOSTS Dr. Todd & Letsy Fink - Tour Hosts More about the Finks

An in-depth look at the Bible events, location, and discoveries of ancient Bethsaida at the El Araj site. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from this fishing town, and then later moved to Capernaum. This new location of Bethsaida has been recently discovered, and we believe it is the true location. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida has been the traditional location, and the El Araj site of Bethsaida is the new location with the best evidence biblically and archaeologically for the location of Bethsaida. Bethsaida Overview Photo Gallery New Location Photo Gallery Traditional Location Places of Interest Bethsaida Overview Introduction Welcome to Bethsaida. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. It was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. 4. It was near Bethsaida, where Christ fed the 5,000. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. 6. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. 7. It is a natural site where you can swim in the Sea of Galilee, fish, or sit by its shore and think about all that happened here. Location 1. Currently, there are two leading candidates for the actual Bethsaida location. The first is the traditional site, which has been excavated since 1987. It sits on a hill and is located approximately 1.5 miles or 2.25 kilometers from the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. Since no other sites were excavated besides this first one, it became the default site. The traditional site is known as Et Tell. A number of years ago, we did a video about the traditional site because at the time, it was the only site considered legitimate. However, we have revised our position and now believe that a new site, called El Araj, is the most suitable candidate for the actual Bethsaida location. It is located at the high-water mark on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee at the inlet of the Jordan River and fits the biblical and historical records much better. 2. We know from the Bible that Bethsaida was in a desolate, remote place with little population. Luke 9:10: The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. 3. The northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee was densely populated in Jesus’ time, but the northeastern side where Bethsaida was located was desolate. 4. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. In fact, its name means “House of Fishing.” 5. In John 1:44, we find that at least 3 disciples were from here: “Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ” We also know that at least Peter and Andrew were fishermen, so they lived in Bethsaida to be close to the sea. Historical Evidence Supporting the El Araj Site 1. Edward Robinson first identified the site of Et-Tell as the possible site of the Biblical Bethsaida in 1841. However, in 1888, Gottlieb Schumacher challenged Robinson’s proposed site because it was too far from the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He proposed that El Araj was the proper location. 2. Like Schumacher, today some archaeologists and historians like Mordechai Aviam, Steven Notley, and Marc Turnage are not convinced the traditional site of Et Tell is the actual location of Bethsaida for two main reasons: The first problem concerns the distance from the Sea of Galilee to Et Tell. It is a considerable distance away and doesn’t align with the biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts that clearly indicate Bethsaida was located right next to the sea. The traditional site is about 100 feet, or 30 meters, above the high-water level of the Sea of Galilee. They propose that the Sea of Galilee was approximately 16 feet or 5 meters higher than the current high-water mark. It would have been impossible for the Sea of Galilee to have been 16 feet or 5 meters higher than the high-water mark. It would have covered other known towns, such as Magdala, Gennesaret, Capernaum, and the newly discovered site of Bethsaida, which existed during the time of Christ and is located right next to the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. A dam was built in 1930 at the outlet of the Sea of Galilee, allowing Israel to regulate the water flow. As a result, today the water level of the sea can rise higher than it could have during the time of Christ. In recent years, due to heavy rainfall, the sea has risen higher than in previous years. However, as mentioned, during the time of Christ, the outlet prevented the sea from rising higher than the high-level watermark found around the shoreline. Therefore, the traditional site of Et Tell has real problems as it is so far from the sea. The second problem concerns the scarcity of Roman archaeology at the traditional site of Bethsaida. Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes about how Bethsaida was converted into a Roman City in the first century AD and underwent urbanization. He says: "And to the village of Bethsaida [located] next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee] Herod Philip granted the dignity of the city by [introducing] a multitude of inhabitants and other fortifications, and he called it Julias after the name of the daughter of the Emperor" (Antiquities of the Jews: 18:28). No substantial remains of a Roman settlement have been found at Et Tell. Its ruins are mainly from the time of King David and Solomon. It features an impressive six-chamber gate, a design common during the time of Solomon. Jody Magnus, from UNC, speaks about the lack of Roman ruins at Et Tell. She says: "While the iron age remains at Bethsaida, or Et Tell, are monumental and impressive, the Roman period remains are very poor, and therefore, the site does not look like an urban center." For these two main reasons, the traditional site of Bethsaida has been questioned as the true site by some. We agree, and now believe this new site of El Araj is the true location of Bethsaida. 3. This “El Araj” site is also known by the locals as a different name. They call it "Bet Habek," which means the "Habek House" and was named after a Kurdish aristocrat who lived here in the 19th to 20th century. Some of the villa's ruins can still be seen today. 4. This site of El Araj is being excavated under the leadership of Professor Mordechai Aviam from the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archeology at Kinneret College, Israel. Dr. Steven Notley is the academic and historical director at the site. He is a professor from the New York City campus of Nyack College. Marc Turnage assists as well. The excavation process at el Araj began in 2014, when Marc Turnage organized what is known as a “shovel survey” under the leadership of Aviam Mordechai and Steven Notley. This involved digging and sifting the soil from several five-meter by five-meter squares to a depth of about a foot, or 30 centimeters. Archaeologists then collected and dated the pottery, glass, and coins they found to create a profile of the site and its settlement. It was determined that there was a settlement at el Araj over a thousand years, spanning the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader periods —precisely the time frame of Bethsaida, according to historical sources. More serious excavations began in 2016 and continue to the present. 5. Now let’s look at some of the evidence that supports this site of El Araj as the best candidate for biblical Bethsaida. We will first examine the biblical accounts, then the eyewitness accounts, and finally the archaeological evidence, which aligns remarkably with the Bible and historical descriptions. Biblical account: According to the Bible, Bethsaida was located right beside the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus repeatedly traveled to and from it by boat. Historical and eyewitness accounts: As mentioned, Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote about how Bethsaida was converted into a Polish or Roman City in the first century AD and urbanized. He wrote about how Bethsaida was located next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee], and how Herod Philip converted Bethsaida into a Roman Polis city and called it Julias after the name of the daughter of the Emperor. Pliny the Elder, a first-century Roman writer, called Bethsaida “One of four lovely cities on the Sea of Galilee.” Later, Eusebius, in 305 AD, wrote about Bethsaida. He said, “The city of Andrew and Peter and Philip. It is located in the Galilee next to the lake of Gennesar" [Sea of Galilee]. Finally, we have a key testimony recorded of Willibald, Bishop of Bavaria in 725 AD, that speaks of a church being built at this site during the Byzantine period. "From Tiberias, they went around the sea by the village of Magdala to the village of Capernaum, where our Lord raised the prince’s daughter. And from Capernaum, they went to Bethsaida, from which came Peter and Andrew. There is now a church where previously there was a house.” Evidence of this church, and a monastery, have been discovered at this site. 6. From these biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts, we learn the following about the location of Bethsaida: During the time of Christ, the community was predominantly Jewish. Peter, Andrew, and Philip originally lived in Bethsaida. It was located right beside the Sea of Galilee. Its name means fishing village. Jesus sailed to and from it regularly. Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis city in the first century and urbanized. Later, a Byzantine church was built over the home of Peter and Andrew in the fourth century, and it was still visible in 725 AD, as noted by Willibald. During the Crusader Period, it was venerated and used as a sugar plantation. 7. Three main excavations are happening at this site. The main area is Area A, which began in 2014. Area B began in 2016 and is located 50 meters east of Area A. In 2019, a third area, Area C, was established, located approximately 100 meters west of Area A. 8. In summary, all the archaeological evidence points to the El Araj location as the actual site of Bethsaida. It fits better with the biblical narrative and the historical and archaeological evidence than the traditional site of Et-Tell. Archaeological Evidence at the Site of El Araj From the Jewish Settlement period, we find: Walls and plastering from the first century. Pottery Oil lamps First-century coins Stone vessels used by Jews in purification rituals. Limestone dishes and knife-pared Herodian lamps, which were only made in Jerusalem before 70 AD, provide clear indications of Jewish settlement at el-Araj. First-century homes are also found in area C. Lead fishing weights Galilean pottery Two capitals that resemble those found in use in other early Roman synagogues were unearthed. A Lioness was found, which is common in Jewish communities. From the Roman Period, we find: A key discovery from this period is a Roman Bathhouse with small tiles and mosaics. This bathhouse had an elaborate heating system and was used as a sauna. It proves Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis, as a bathhouse of this nature was not found in Jewish communities. The Roman Bathhouse dates back to the first century AD and confirms that the water level was precisely where the Bible indicates it would have been during Christ's time. Bethsaida and the other towns around the Sea of Galilee are on the shoreline as the Bible and archaeology describe them to be. This discovery presents even more problems for the site of ET Tell. Area C was opened in 2019 and reveals that Bethsaida was a large Roman city, as Josephus described it as Julia. A Roman coin from the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, dating to 66 AD, was also discovered. In the fourth century AD, a Byzantine Church and monastery were built over the homes of Peter and Andrew. A 30-meter section of the Byzantine wall of the monastery was discovered. A Cross was discovered on a Byzantine vessel. The Church described by Willibald was discovered. It was quite elaborate and had mosaic floors. Individual gold-gilded glass tesserae are only found in wall mosaics of ornate churches. A Byzantine Frieze was found. The base of a chancel screen was discovered. In 2019, the excavation team stood side by side to form the outline of the Byzantine Church. In 2024, the Byzantine Church was fully exposed, and the monastery is planned to be exposed in the coming years. Lastly, a Crusader presence is also found at this site. The following items have been discovered: Sugar bowls A glass vase piece A ring, among other discoveries. At the end of the 2019 excavations, a geophysical study was conducted in the vicinity, using electromagnetic sensors operated on the ground and from a drone. The results indicate that this site is quite large, and many houses and buildings are buried, waiting to be uncovered and tell their stories. Now, regarding this site of El Araj being the actual location of biblical Bethsaida, Dr. Steven Notley says: "Every day, the argument gets stronger and stronger. You know, we are preparing, we are coming to the point where you say there's no question now. The question mark is finished, we're on the site of Bethsaida, truly." Historical Background 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. Later, however, it appears that these disciples moved to Capernaum to be closer to where Jesus lived. Mark 1:21: And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching. Mark 1:28: And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Places of Interest 1. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida – Traditional Location 2. El Araj site of Bethsaida – New Location 3. Feeding of the 5,000 4. Approximate place Jesus walked on the water. 5. Capernaum Bethsaida in the Bible 1. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were from Bethsaida (John 1:44). 2. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. Mark 8:22–25: And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again ; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 3. Bethsaida was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. Matthew 11:21: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 4. It was near Bethsaida, where Christ fed the 5,000. Luke 9:10–17: When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Mark 6:45–51: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night [the last watch before dawn], he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. Faith Lesson from Bethsaida 1. Like the healing of the blind man, Jesus often heals in different and strange ways. Do we have faith and trust in God regardless of how or if He chooses to heal? 2. Christ cursed the town of Bethsaida because its inhabitants were apathetic, showed unbelief in Christ, and chose not to follow and obey Him. Are we often slow to trust and obey Christ as well? 3. Christ fed the 5,000 in the area of Bethsaida to reveal He was the true bread of life from heaven and that His Word is our spiritual food. In the same way there were 12 baskets of food left over, Christ, as our Bread from Heaven, is also abundant and overflowing in feeding us spiritual food through His Word. Are we eating daily and finding our life in the authentic Bread of Life? 4. Not far from Bethsaida, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Am I finding rest and peace in Jesus in the midst of my personal storms of life? Isaiah 26:3–4: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

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. Beneath the Tel are the remains of more than 26 ancient cities, layer upon layer, built and destroyed across thousands of years. Kings, pharaohs, armies, merchants, prophets, and empires all passed through this gateway between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Megiddo was a Canaanite stronghold, an Israelite royal city, an Assyrian administrative center, and, in the book of Revelation, the place connected with Armageddon—the final gathering of the nations before God’s ultimate victory. Today, we are not just walking through ruins; we are walking through the crossroads of history, the Bible, and prophecy. 2. Tel Megiddo was inscribed by UNESCO in 2005 as part of the “Biblical Tels” World Heritage Site, together with Hazor and Beer Sheba, because these tels preserve major remains of Canaanite cities (4000 - 1200 BC) and biblical cities (1200 - 586 BC), including palaces, fortifications, temples, city planning, and advanced water systems. Entrance Pavilion - Model of Tel Megiddo 1. Tel Megiddo is located about 15 miles (26 Km.) east of the Mediterranean Ocean 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) 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. 3. More battles have been fought in this location than any other place in the entire world. 4. The name, Armageddon is derived from “Har-Megiddo” which is translated, “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. It’s located in the most fertile valley in Israel called, The Jezreel Valley.” 6. It is a "Tel," which is made up of layer upon layer of different civilizations that make up an artificial hill. 7. Tel Megiddo is made up of at least 26 layers of civilizations. 8. 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. 9. One of the Pharaohs, Thutmose the III, said conquering Megiddo was like conquering a thousand cities. 10. 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 Background 1. 4000 BC: Early Settlements. 2. 2000 BC: Massive 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: New gate and walls were built by the Israelites under Solomon's command. 7. 945 BC: Pharaoh Shishak conquers 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 the Tel was left in ruins. 13. 1918 AD: Battles between the British and the Turks in WW1. Britain gains control over Israel. 14. 1948 AD: Britain granted independence to Israel. 15. 1949 AD: Kibbutz Megiddo was established on the south side of Tel Megiddo. 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 is still not fully clear. Water was life. 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 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. 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 ivories were discovered in a “treasure room,” showing 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 one building, but a whole 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, Carmel Range, Nazareth area, Mount Tabor, Hill of Moreh, 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, continued 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 strongly believed that even children were offered here to these false gods. 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 with the tenth century BC; others date it later, possibly to the ninth century BC and 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 had fallen under Assyrian power. 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. Gallery / Earlier 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: can the people inside the walls reach water without being killed outside the walls? 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 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 for 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 who 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?