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  • Tel Dan Tour, Israel: Fall of Northern 10 Tribes of Israel, Jeroboam Golden Calf Altar | HolyLandSite.com

    See a tour of all the key sites at Tel Dan and learn the devastating reality of why the northern 10 tribes of Israel fell and were led into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Jeroboam set up an altar to worship a golden calf, and the remaining Kings of Israel followed in his steps. The city of Dan was located in the northernmost part of Israel, north of the Sea of Galilee. The tribe of Dan failed to take the original territory allotted to them, so they captured and moved to this area. The City of Dan Photo Gallery Places of Interest Dan Location 1. The city of Dan was located in the northernmost part of Israel, about 24 miles (38 km.) north of the Sea of Galilee. 2. It is a well-watered lush area superb for agriculture. Historical Background 1. The tribe of Dan failed to take the original territory allotted to them, so they captured and moved to this area (Judges 18). 2. When referring to all Israel, the phrase “From Dan to Beersheba” was commonly used. 1 Kings 4:25: Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. 3. Just after Solomon’s reign, the kingdom of Israel was divided because Solomon turned from the Lord and introduced the worship of false gods into the nation. 1 Kings 11:1–2: Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods .” Solomon held fast to these in love. 1 Kings 11:6–11: Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. 8 Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord , the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice , 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods ; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded. 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you , and will give it to your servant. 4. Rehoboam was given the southern 2 tribes of Israel (called Judah from this time forward), and Jeroboam received the northern 10 tribes of Israel (called Israel from this time forward). Places of Interest 1. Entrance 2. Dan Spring 3. Dan River 4. Flour Mills 5. Pooh Bear Tree 6. Pistachio Tree 7. Wading Pool 8. Jeroboam’s Golden Calf High Place 9. Command Post Lookout 10. Israelite Outer Gate 11. Israelite Inner Gate 12. Canaanite Gate The City of Dan in the Bible 1. God appeared to Jeroboam and promised to bless him if he would serve Him. 1 Kings 11:38: Then it will be, that if you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. 2. Jeroboam turned away from the Lord and built golden calves in Bethel and Dan. 1 Kings 12:25-31: Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 So the king consulted, and made two golden calves , and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 29 He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan . 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi. 3. After a severe warning from God, Jeroboam continued in sin. The worship of false gods would eventually seal the doom of the northern 10 tribes of Israel. 1 Kings 13:33–34: Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. 34 This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth. 4. The sin of Jeroboam became a pattern that the rest of the kings of Israel would follow. 1 Kings 15:33–34: In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit. 1 Kings 16:26: He [Omri] walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit, so that they provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their worthless idols. 5. In 722 BC, as judgment from God for their continual disobedience, the 10 northern tribes of Israel were deported by the Assyrian Empire. 6. Eighty years later, Josiah became King of Judah and chose to follow God with all his heart. As a result of finding and reading the Scriptures, he led one of the most significant revivals Israel ever experienced. 2 Kings 22:1–2: Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 2 Kings 23:25: Before him, there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. 7. As a result of Josiah’s obedience, he renewed the covenant of the Lord with Israel and destroyed the golden calves Jeroboam had erected. 2 Kings 23:15: Furthermore, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. Then he demolished its stones, ground them to dust, and burned the Asherah. 2 Kings 23:19: Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria , which the kings of Israel had made provoking the Lord; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. Faith Lesson from the city of Dan 1. Despite God supernaturally revealing Himself two times to Solomon, he turned away from the Lord in his latter years. There is a tendency to grow apathetic the longer we are Christians. Are you apathetic and lukewarm in your relationship with God? 2. Despite God supernaturally revealing himself two times to Jeroboam, he turned his back on God and built altars to false gods all throughout the land. God gives grace to each person to receive and obey Him, but those who reject Him and His grace will be judged accordingly. 3. The sin of Jeroboam became a pattern that the rest of the kings of the northern tribes of Israel followed. What kind of example are we? Are we following the sinful patterns of our parents and those around us? 4. In 722 BC, the 10 northern tribes of Israel were deported because of their refusal to return to God. 5. The worship of false gods at Bethel and Dan became the downfall of the northern tribes of Israel. False gods and idols can be anything we make more important in our lives than God. Do you have any idols in your life? 6. Josiah chose to follow God with all his heart and tore down the two golden calf altars Jeroboam had set up. Do we follow God with all our heart like Josiah, and work with God to tear down the lies and false philosophies of Satan and the world with God’s Word (2 Cor. 10:4–5)?

  • Ashkelon: One of the 5 Philistine Stronghold Cities | HolyLandSite.com

    Learn about Ashkelon 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: Ashdod, Ekron, Gaza, & Gath. Biblical Ashkelon Photo Gallery Places of Interest Ashkelon Location 1. Ashkelon is located just south of Ashdod. It also is on the Mediterranean Ocean and was one of the five cities of the Philistines. Historical Background 1. South of the modern city of Ashkelon is a large National park with ruins of the ancient city. It has a history of 4,000 years and was a port city located on the main trade route from Egypt to the North. It started as a huge fortified Canaanite city and continued as a Philistine city, turning into a thriving commercial center and independent city during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. 2. The origin of the name Ashkelon appears to come from the word “shekel,” denoting a measure of weight – a fitting name for a commercial port city. 3. The specific name Ashkelon is mentioned in the Egyptian execration texts of the 19th century BC, and it appears again in other, later Egyptian inscriptions. 4. Ashkelon has the world's oldest Canaanite Gate in the world which dates back to almost 4000 years ago. 5. Ashkelon also played a part in the battle against the Assyrians. Zedaka, the ruler of Ashkelon, joined the rebellion of Hezekiah, king of Judah (701 BCE). In response, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, took over the city and replaced the treacherous ruler with one of his subjects. 6. The city changed hands many times after that, as Greeks and Maccabees and Romans and Muslims and Crusaders all had their turn. Some think that Herod the Great was born in Ashkelon; the fact is that he did build a palace and aqueduct there. 7. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who came to the city later, was less merciful. In 604 BC, he deported Aga, the last Philistine king of Ashkelon, and razed the city to the ground. 8. During the Persian period, Ashkelon was a prosperous commercial city under the auspices of the port cities of Tyre and Sidon. 9. It was used as a border fortress by the Crusaders from around 1100-1191 AD. However, Saladin destroyed the Ashkelon fortress in AD 1191 (during the end of the Crusader Period). As a result, the city lay in ruins for a century. This basically ended its history. 10. After this time, a town was built by Arabs near the original site of Ashkelon and called Al-Majdal. 11. Today, a large national park beautifully preserves the history of ancient Ashkelon. It's well worth a visit if you have a chance to see it. Places of Interest 1. The Canaanite Gate 2. The Rampart 3. Medieval Walls 4. The Roman Basilica 5. St. Mary Viridis Church 6. Wells: Within the national park, there are 67 wells, the majority of them from the Byzantine period. 7. Natural sand dunes and landscapes. Ashkelon in the Bible 1. Joshua and the Israelites conquered Ashkelon in the conquest of the Promised Land (Josh. 13:3), and it was allotted to Judah, who then occupied it (Judg. 1:18). 2. One of the golden tumors (emerods) that was returned with the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines was from Ashkelon. 1 Samuel 6:17: Now these are the gold tumors which the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod , one for Gaza , one for Ashkelon , one for Gath , and one for Ekron . 3. Askelon is mentioned by David when, after Saul and Jonathan die, he lamented and mourned over them. 2 Samuel 1:19-20: Your beauty, Israel, is slaughtered on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon , or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate. 4. Ashkelon was also denounced by Jeremiah (Jer. 25:20, 47:5–7), Zephaniah (2:4–7), and Zechariah (9:5). Faith Lesson from Ashkelon 1. God used the Philistines to punish the Israelites because they turned away from Him and followed false gods. In the same way, God often uses people in our lives to get us back on track with the Lord when we stray. 2. God judged the city of Ashkelon and held them accountable for their sins. In the same way, God will hold those who reject Him accountable today as well. We will all stand before God and give an account for our lives. 3. 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?

  • Jerusalem Holy Sites Overview from the Mount of Olives | HolyLandSite.com

    See an overview of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. This will help you see everything in perspective. Old City Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Triumphal Entry, Western Wall, City of David, Kidron Valley, Southern Stairs, Temple Mount, Bethesda, Pool of Siloam, Pater Noster Church, Chapel of Ascension, Dominus Flevit Church, Cardo, House of Caiaphas, Upper Room, Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley, Via Dolorosa, Pilate's Palace and Judgment of Jesus. Jerusalem Holy Sites Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest See number references below See number references below Jerusalem Sites Overview Summary of all the Biblical Sites and Their Locations 1. Mount of Olives 2. Bethphage Beginning of the Triumphal Entry. 3. Chapel of Ascension Place from which Christ ascended to heaven and will return to in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation. 4. Pater Noster Church Place Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer. 5. Tombs of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. 6. Triumphal Entry Pathway The road Christ descended on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion on Friday. 7. Church of Dominus Flevit Place Christ wept over Jerusalem on the Triumphal Entry and prophesied her future destruction. 8. Church of Mary Magdalene Christ cast out seven demons from Mary, and she became a passionate follower of Christ. 9. Garden of Gethsemane – Church of All Nations 10. Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus) 11. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) Place Christ will gather the nations in judgment at the end of the Tribulation Period, and their blood will flow to the depth of a horse’s bridle down toward the Dead Sea and beyond. 12. Temple Mount It was enlarged by Herod the Great. It’s the size of 35 football fields (35 acres, 14 hectares). The original temple was located exactly where the Dome of the Rock is today. Place the prophets ministered. The glory of the Lord filled the temple here. Place Christ ministered. Place the apostles ministered. Place the early church met. The Antonia Fortress was located just north of the Temple Mount. 13. Dome of the Rock (not a mosque but a shrine) 14. Western Wall It was part of the original wall of the Temple Mount Herod built. It existed during the time of Christ. It is the closest place (for a large gathering) to the original temple where the Jews pray. 15. Pool of Bethesda - St. Anne Church A lame man was healed here after waiting 38 years. 16. Via Dolorosa (painful path) It’s the believed path Christ took on the way to the Cross. It has 14 stations. 17. Gordon’s Garden Tomb - Golgotha 18. Church of the Holy Sepulcher 19. Absalom’s Tomb 20. Southern Stairs Place Christ taught His disciples. Likely location of Pentecost. 21. City of David 22. David’s Palace 23. Gihon Spring 24. Wall repaired by Nehemiah 25. Pool of Siloam 26. Hinnom Valley Gehenna – Idea of hell and eternal burning. 27. House of Caiaphas Place Peter denied Christ. Place Christ was condemned before Ananias and Caiaphas the high priest. 28. Tomb of David 29. The Upper Room 30. Herod’s Palace ~ Later, it would become Pilate's Palace 31. Citadel of David Gates of Jerusalem 1. Eastern Gate (Golden Gate, Shushan Gate) Gate Christ regularly entered on His way to the temple from the Mount of Olives. Peter and James healed a lame man after entering this gate. Closed by Ottoman Turkish Muslims in the 1541 AD. 2. Lions Gate (Stephen’s Gate) 3. Herod’s Gate 4. Damascus Gate 5. New Gate 6. Jaffa Gate 7. Zion Gate 8. Dung Gate

  • Nazareth, Israel: Mt. Precipice, Jesus Hometown, Christ Rejected, Attempt to Throw Jesus off Cliff | HolyLandSite.com

    Nazareth is where Jesus grew up. Later, Jesus returned to His hometown and was rejected by His own people. They were so angry that He claimed to be the Messiah that they attempted to throw Him off a cliff. This cliff is known today as Mt. Precipice. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ. It’s a famous town because this is where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary. Nazareth: Mount Precipice Nazareth: Mount Precipice Location 1. Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel in the lower Galilee area. 2. It’s about 15 miles (24 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km.) southwest of Cana, and about 23 miles (37 km.) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Historical Background 1. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ. 2. It’s a famous town because this is where the Angel Gabriel announced the miraculous virgin birth to Mary. 3. Nazareth is also the place where Jesus grew up. 4. It was a small farming town where everyone knew each other. 5. For some reason, Nazareth had a bad reputation (John 1:43-46). Places of Interest 1. Nazareth 2. Hometown of Jesus 3. Mt. Precipice 4. Church of the Annunciation (Basilica of the Annunciation) 5. Mary’s Well 6. Greek Catholic Church 7. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation 8. St. Joseph’s Church 9. Mensa Christi Church 10. Greek Catholic Church 11. Synagogue Church Now, this synagogue where Jesus preached here in Nazareth still exists to this day. According to Christian tradition, the church is built on the ruins of the ancient Nazareth synagogue where Jesus studied, prayed, and then preached at in His visit here when they attempted to throw Him off the cliff. This synagogue is simply named today, “the Synagogue Church.” Ancient tradition maintains that this Synagogue Church stands atop the synagogue where Jesus worshipped as a young man. In fact, in A.D. 570, the anonymous northern Italian “Pilgrim of Piacenza” — the last western Christian writer to visit Palestine before the Muslim conquest that occurred less than a century later — claimed to have seen not only the ancient synagogue itself but the original Scriptures from which Jesus had read, as well as the bench on which Jesus used to sit as a young man. During Byzantine times, Christian believers started attending this place, and in Medieval times the synagogue was turned into a church. The church was later destroyed, but a stone structure marking the location of the first-century synagogue is still intact. Its floor is 6 feet lower than street level, and its roof is arched, a typical element in medieval architecture. A marble pillar next to its entrance is dated to the Roman period. This column is the only possible genuine remnant of the ancient synagogue. A raised platform in its northern end holds an altar. By local tradition, this is where Jesus read from Isaiah to the local congregation. The current “Synagogue Church” is a 12th-century Crusader structure located in the area of Nazareth’s medieval market, just a few minutes’ walk from the Church of the Annunciation and directly adjacent to the Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation. The Synagogue Church is visited by just a fraction of those coming to see the Church of the Annunciation, perhaps because of its hidden location. The site is maintained by the Melkite Greek Catholics, who added an adjacent modern church which was completed in 1887. Nazareth In the Bible 1. Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah. There has been a church built here to commemorate this announcement called, “The Church of the Annunciation.” Luke 1:26-38 says, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.” 2. After living in Egypt for some time after Christ’s birth, His parents returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew up. Matt. 2:19-23: “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene." 3. Jesus lived Nazareth until He started His earthly ministry at the age of 30. From Nazareth, Christ relocated and set up His ministry home base in Capernaum. Matthew 4:13-17: “And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 4. Jesus was rejected by His own townspeople at Nazareth and was unable to perform many miracles there due to their lack of faith in Him. Luke 4:14-27 - And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." 5. Those who knew Christ the best rejected Him and attempted to throw Him off a cliff close-by to their town. Today, this place is called, Mt. Precipice, named after this event. Luke 4:28-30: “When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away. Faith Lesson 1. Am I oftentimes misunderstood by my family and friends like Christ was? 2. I should love my family and friends, but if they don’t understand my commitment to Christ, I shouldn’t allow them to negatively affect my relationship with Christ and be discouraged. Jesus said we must love Him more than our closest relationships. 3. Do I love Christ more than my family and friends? In Matt. 10:37 Christ said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

  • Is It Safe for Israel Tour Trips During Tension & Unrest? | HolyLandSite.com

    We have led many tour trips to Israel during tension and unrest. Hear our perspective as experienced tour guides who have made many trips to Israel. Must see perspective for anyone concerned with what's happening in Israel, and if they should take a tour trip at this time. Is It Safe to Travel to Israel During Unrest? Safety In Israel We know the current war might be causing you to reconsider going to Israel at this time. However, here is some information and context to help you. 1. We have tour guide colleagues in Israel leading teams there right now. Things are safe with no issues. They are having a great time and enjoying all the sites. 2. Right now, we can see all of the sites on our itinerary except about three (Caesarea Philippi, Shechem, and Hebron), and we are very optimistic these sites will also be open before our trip. If they are not, we'll see other sites of great importance. 3. Security in Israel is better than ever right now. There have been virtually no terrorist attacks inside Israel since the war began. 4. Israel is open for business: all restaurants, hotels, parks, services, etc., are functioning normally. 5. Ben Gurion Airport is functioning normally, with all major airlines operating without issues. 6. Israel is winning the war with Hamas and should have Gaza under full control soon. 7. The war is happening in Gaza, not within the country of Israel. We will not be touring any sites in or close to Gaza. 8. Our tour bus driver assures us things are safe for tourism in Israel right now. 9. There are far fewer tourists in Israel, so some of the sites that are difficult to see due to long lines are very accessible. So, now is a great time to see Israel. 10. We know the current situation could seem scary to you, but we have traveled throughout Israel many times during tensions and have not felt unsafe. Virtually all of the country functions normally with no issues. Therefore, we want to assure you that we are moving forward with our tour trips and have no plans to cancel them. Other Safety Concerns Good News Before I share the inside perspective of tension and unrest in Israel, let me share good news from our bus driver, whom we are in contact with regularly about safety for tour trips we lead to Israel. Here’s his quote: “Do not worry, my brother, the conditions here are not as the media presents. I now have an American group in these conditions during this month of Ramadan [Muslim Holy Month], and everything is going on safely, and there are no problems.” This quote comes during a time of high tension in Israel during Ramadan. Okay, now let’s talk about the inside story of what’s happening in Israel and if we should be concerned. Spiritual Warfare All that’s happening can be traced to spiritual warfare. The Israeli government has been passing new laws allowing Jews to go up on the Temple Mount. The Muslims don’t like this, so they gather rocks and things inside the Al Aqsa Mosque to throw at the Jews when they’re up there. We saw this firsthand recently. The Israeli police have therefore gone into the Al Aqsa Mosque to clear this out and arrest the Muslim protesters. The Temple Mount authority has been given to the Muslims, but the Israeli police control the security there. The surrounding places like Gaza and Lebanon support the Muslims and therefore are aiding them in this spiritual warfare. Ramadan Ramadan is a Muslim holy month. During this time, there is always more tension because the Muslims engage more in Gihad. So this explains why there is more tension during this time. After Ramadan, things will settle down considerably. This is why we don’t plan our trips to Israel during Ramadan. Also, it’s hard to go onto the Temple Mount during Ramadan because it’s so busy with Muslims. Most Arabs Are Very Friendly Every experience we have had with Arabs has been highly positive. They tend to love tourists and see them as positive. Our Experiences In Israel During Unrest We have been in Israel during some terrorist attacks and didn’t even know it until we heard it on the news or someone told us. I’ll briefly share two incidents. A few years ago, my wife and I were filming a Bible teaching on the Mount of Olives and heard some helicopter noise. It was somewhat annoying, but we thought nothing of it, as airplanes and helicopters are quite common in Israel. They patrol their skies quite well. Later, we learned that an Arab had run into some Jews by the Damascus bus station. We were just a quarter mile away from this incident. It was dealt with, and life went back to normal very quickly. Later, we took the light rail train that departs beside the Damascus bus station, where this event happened, to our hotel. We didn’t even know what had happened until later. On a recent tour trip to Israel with a group, we were at Pilate’s Palace talking about the trial location of Jesus. During the teaching, we heard some sirens and so forth. Later, we learned there had been a terrorist attack inside Old City Jerusalem. After our teaching, we entered the Old City and would never have known anything had happened if we hadn’t been told. We have to understand that things happen in a moment in time and then go right back to normal. This is normal for Israel. We’ll Avoid Any Hotspots If, by chance, there is an incident happening, we will just avoid it. Our bus driver is an Arab Christian and has been driving tour buses for many years. He will not lead us into any danger. While in Jerusalem, the Israeli police are incredible and provide fantastic security. Also, tourists are not targeted. In fact, they are welcomed. The tension is between Muslims and Jews. Israel’s Iron Dome Defense System Israel has developed a sophisticated Iron Dome that shoots most rockets fired into Isreal. These rockets can’t reach very far anyway and are not that precise. The chances of us being hit by a rocket are a million to one. It’s not like there are rockets raining down from heaven everywhere in Israel. God’s Sovereignty The hairs on our heads and our days are numbered. We won’t die one minute sooner or later than what God has determined for us, so we can rest in His sovereignty and enjoy His peace and will for us. I tell those who think I am taking a risk in going to Israel that if God determines it’s my time to die, I couldn’t think of a better place to go to be in the presence of the Lord (which is much better than this life) than the Holy Land. We are not worried about safety issues in Israel. We fully trust the Lord’s perfect will for us, so we are at peace with our trips. We have gone to Israel many times in the midst of some unrest and haven’t had any issues. There are incidents that happen on occasion, and most of the time, those in Israel don’t even know what’s happened until they hear it on the news. We won’t be canceling any upcoming tour trips to Israel as we have been there many times during unrest, and virtually all of the country functions fine regardless of what’s taking place in a certain area. However, if you feel uncomfortable, we understand. We Don’t Cancel Our Trip s Unless There Is Extreme Danger Based on the above info, we have no plans to cancel any upcoming tour trip to Israel. We know it’s hard for some to understand this without having been to Israel. However, life goes on as normal for 99.9 percent of the population, and for those whose lives are interrupted, it’s only for a short time. Then it quickly passes, and life goes back to normal.

  • Bible Prophecy: Proof the Bible is True, End Times | HolyLandSite.com

    How do we know that the Bible is true and God's Word? Through the fulfillment of prophecy. No other writing known to mankind dares to walk into the arena of prophecy. See a video that proves the Bible can be trusted. Filmed in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives overlooking Old City Jerusalem and the Kidron Valley, the place where Christ will return and judge the nations. Prophecy: Proof the Bible Is True Prophecy: Proof the Bible is True Welcome to the Holy Land and the biblical site of the city of Jerusalem. See the Bible come to life as we take a look at some key prophecies in the Bible regarding Christ’s first coming. We see clearly that the Bible is the inspired Word of God as only God can foretell the future and prophecy what is to come. Heb. 10:19-23: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Prophecies of Christ foretold in the Old Testament that Christ fulfilled in the New Testament. In the list below, the first verse(s) are the Old Testament prophecy and the second verse(s) are the New Testament fulfillment. Christ's pre-existence Mic. 5:2 - John 1:1,14 All nations blessed by Abraham's seed Genesis 12:3 - Matthew 8:5,10 From the tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10 - Luke 3:33 Heir to the throne of David Isaiah 9:7 - Luke 1:32-33 Called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father" Isaiah 9:6 - Matthew 1:23 Born in Bethlehem Mic. 5:2 - Matthew 2:1 Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 - Matthew 1:18 His name called Immanuel, "God with us" Isaiah 7:14 - Matthew 1:23 Declared to be the Son of God Psalm 2:7 - Matthew 3:17 His messenger before Him in spirit of Elijah Mal 4:5-6 - Luke 1:17 Preceded by a messenger Mal 3:1 - Matthew 11:7-11 Messenger crying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" Isaiah 40:3 - Matthew 3:3 Called out of Egypt Hosea 11:1 - Matthew 2:15 Slaughter of the children Jer. 31:15 - Matthew 2:18 Would be a Nazarene Jdg. 13:5; Amo. 2:11 - Matthew 2:23 Presented with gifts Psalm 72:10 - Matthew 2:1,11 Rejected by His own Isaiah 53:3 - Mat 21:42; Mark 8:31, 12:10; Luke 9:22, 17:25 He is the stone which the builders rejected which became the headstone. Psalm 118:22-23; Isaiah 28:16 - Matthew 21:42; I Peter 2:7 A stone of stumbling to Israel Isaiah 8:14-15 - I Peter 2:8 Entered Jerusalem as a king riding on an ass Zec. 9:9 - Matthew 21:5 Betrayed by a friend Psalms 41:9 - John 13:21 Sold for 30 pieces of silver Zec. 11:12 - Matthew 26:15; Luke 22:5 Forsaken by His disciples Zec. 13:7 - Matthew 26:56 Accused by false witnesses Psalm 35:11- Matthew 26:60 Silent to accusations Isaiah 53:7 - Matthew 27:14 Heal blind/deaf/lame/dumb Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6 - Matthew 11:5 Preached to the poor/brokenhearted/captives Isaiah 61:1 - Matthew 11:5 Came to bring a sword, not peace Mic. 7:6 - Matthew 10:34-35 He bore our sickness Isaiah 53:4 - Matthew 8:16-17 Spat upon, smitten and scourged Isaiah 50:6, 53:5 - Matthew 27:26,30 Smitten on the cheek Mic. 5:1 - Matthew 27:30 Hated without a cause Psalm 35:19 - Matthew 27:23 The sacrificial lamb Isaiah 53:5 - John 1:29 Given for a covenant Isaiah 42:6; Jer. 31:31-34 - Rom. 11:27; Gal 3:17, 4:24; Heb. 8:6-10, 10:16,29, 12:24, 13:20 Would not strive or cry Isaiah 42:2-3 - Mark 7:36 People would hear not and see not Isaiah 6:9-10 - Matthew 13:14-15 People trust in traditions of men Isaiah 29:13 - Matthew 15:9 People give God lip service Isaiah 29:13 - Matthew 15:8 God delights in Him Isaiah 42:1 - Matthew 3:17, 17:5 Wounded for our sins Isaiah 53:5 - John 6:51 Messiah not killed for Himself Daniel 9:26 - Matthew 20:28 Crucified with criminals Isaiah 53:12 - Matthew 27:35 His body was pierced Zec. 12:10; Psalm 22:16 - John 20:25-27 Thirsty during execution Psalm 22:16 - John 19:28 Given vinegar and gall for thirst Psalm 69:21 - Matthew 27:34 Soldiers gambled for his garment Psalm 22:18 - Matthew 27:35 People mocked Him on the cross Psalm 22:7-8 - Matthew 27:43 People sat there looking at Him Psalm 22:17 - Matthew 27:36 My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 - Matthew 27:46 Darkness over the land Amos 8:9 - Matthew 27:45 No bones broken, Psa. 34:20; Num. 9:12 - John 19:33-36 Side pierced Zec. 12:10 - John 19:34 Buried with the rich Isaiah 53:9 - Matthew 27:57,60 Resurrected from the dead Psalm 16:10-11,49:15 - Mark 16:6 Priest after the order of Melchizedek Psalm 110:4 - Hebrews 5:5-6, 6:20, 7:15-17 Ascended to right hand of God Psalm 68:18 - Luke 24:51 Make enemies His footstool Psalm 110:1 - Mat 22:44; Mark 12:3; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:34-35; Heb. 1:13 His coming glory Mal 3:2-3 - Luke 3:17 Key Points In order for just 20 of these prophecies to come to pass by chance would be like filling the state of Texas 3 feet deep in coins, marking one with an “X,” blindfolding a person, and then having that person pick one coin and it being the one with an “X” on it. Only God can predict the future. Prophecy assures us God wrote the Bible and Christ is the Son of God. No other writings of mankind that attempts to prophecy attain to the perfection of the Bible. Some writings have mentioned a few vague prophecies, but they have not come to pass, or were so general that it’s hard to prove that they did. Christ and the Apostles all referred to most books of the Old Testament as the inspired word of God. Christ said heaven and earth would pass away but the Word of God would abide forever. Application: Do we trust the Bible as God’s word? 2 Tim 3:16-17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Pet. 1:19-21: And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Heb. 4:12-13: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

  • Western Wall & Western Wall Tunnel, Kotel, Jerusalem | HolyLandSite.com

    See and learn all about the holiest site in Israel for the Jews. Take a tour of the tunnel of the Western Wall (Kotel), and see evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Western Wall & Western Wall Tunnel Photo Gallery Places of Interest Western Wall & Western Wall Tunnel Location 1. The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall (because the Jews weep here during their prayers), is located on the western side of the Temple Mount. 2. The Western Wall Tunnel is accessed on the northern side of the Western Wall Plaza and runs north to the end of the Temple Mount Platform. Historical Background 1. When the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 AD, part of the western side of the Temple Mount Platform survived. For hundreds of years prior to 1967, people prayed in the small area of the wall that could be seen at that time. However, in 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israelis excavated below the ground level of the wall and found two more stone rows. They then cleared the area around the wall to create the Western Wall Plaza that visitors see today. 2. The Western Wall is part of the retaining wall, or support wall, that Herod the Great built in 19 BC when he enlarged the Temple Mount complex in order to accommodate a larger temple and Temple Mount area. It was a massive undertaking that required exceptional and sophisticated engineering. 3. Unlike many think, the Western Wall was not part of the wall of the temple King Herod Built. Places of Interest 1. In the Western Wall Plaza area, a walkway bridge can be seen that tourists use to access the Temple Mount. 2. The Western Wall Plaza is divided into two sections: a men’s and a women’s section. 3. The area close to the wall is considered a synagogue, so men must wear a head covering when entering the men’s section. 4. Most Jews do not enter on the Temple Mount for fear of unknowingly walking in the place where the Holy of Holies might have been. Plus, Muslims do not want them entering there as well. 5. The Western Wall Plaza is the closest large public area to the temple and Holy of Holies for the Jews. Therefore, it is their most holy site. 6. On the northern side of the Western Wall is Wilson’s Arch, which is the modern name for a stone arch whose top is still visible today. It once supported a bridge that provided access to a gate that was level with the surface of the Temple Mount during the time of Jesus. Under this arch is a synagogue where Jews pray and read the Scriptures. 7. The Western Wall Plaza is only 10% of the entire western wall of the Temple Mount Platform. The majority of the wall is accessed by entering what is called “The Western Wall Tunnels.” We will see that part shortly. 8. The entire length of the Western Wall is 1,575 ft. long (480 m.), almost a third of a mile (.53 km.). 9. South of the Western Wall are stones that the Romans cast down when they destroyed the city in 70 AD. under the leadership of the Roman General, Titus. 10. The broken pavement of the street that the massive stones crushed when they fell is sobering to see. 11. Burn marks remain on some of the stones as a result of fire from the Roman conquest of the city in 70 AD. 12. There are remains of shops that were part of a large shopping plaza at the southern part of the Western Wall. 13. This is the same wall that Jesus and His disciples would have seen. 14. On the Southern Stair entrance to the temple is where Jesus would have taught His disciples and entered the Temple Mount area. 15. At the southernmost end of the Western Wall is a significant stone that stood upon the uttermost southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. It has words written in Hebrew that mean “The Trumpeter’s House.” A priest would stand at this corner announcing the beginning of the Sabbath and other festival days the Jews celebrated with a loud trumpet blast. Western Wall Tunnel 1. In order to build the temple on the mountain top of Mount Moriah, there had to be erected supporting walls that could be filled in, so there was a large flat place (platform) upon which to build. King Solomon first did this when he constructed the first temple in around 950 BC. When the temple was rebuilt under Zerubbabel (537-515 BC), this same platform was used. Later, in 19 BC, King Herod began rebuilding a new massive temple. In order to do this, he had to enlarge the Temple Mount Platform immensely. When he was done, it measured 985 x 1,575 feet (300 x 480 m.), or the equivalent of 35 football fields in size (35 acres, 14 hectares). 2. King Herod put 10,000 men to work and trained 1,000 priests as masons so they could work on the most sacred parts of the temple. The building was begun in 19 B.C. and finished in 10 years, but the work of decoration was not completed until 64 AD. 3. The temple King Herod built on this massive Temple Mount Platform was enormous in size. Nothing in the known world at that time compared to it in size and beauty. For comparison’s sake, the temple Herod built was three times the size of the Dome of the Rock (which measures 65 feet wide x 115 feet high or 20 x 35 m.), which can be seen today. 4. In 70 AD, six years after the temple was fully completed, the Romans burned down and destroyed the temple at Jerusalem, and it has never been rebuilt since. 5. Located beside the Western Wall Tour Entrance on the left side, or northern side of the Western Wall is a synagogue. Here Jews gather to study, read, and pray. This is one of the Jew’s most holy synagogues because of its proximity to the original temple wherein the Holy of Holies resided. 6. At the beginning of the Western Wall Tunnel Tour Entrance is a room where the tour begins. Here, tour guides give an overview of the temple Solomon built, the temple Zerubbabel oversaw, and then the temple King Herod built. The history of the Western Wall is meshed in with the history of the temples that once resided next to the Western Wall. 7. Walking along the Western Wall Tunnel, what is known as the master course of stones can be seen. These are some of the first rows of cut stones that support the Temple Mount Western Wall. The largest stone found in the Western Wall measures 44 ft. (13.4 m.) in length (longer than a Greyhound bus). It’s almost 12 ft. (3.66 m.) high (taller than a semi-truck trailer). Its width is 14 ft. (4.26 m.) (almost as wide as some highways). It weighs over 600 tons (equivalent to 200 elephants, or ten tanks, or two 747 jumbo jets, including the people and their luggage). There is no machine big enough today to lift it. It was carved outside the city and then placed here. The stones were carved and placed with such precision that not even a credit card will fit between the joints. By comparison, the largest stones in the Egyptian Pyramids are 15 tons. 8. We next come to what is called Warren's Gate. This is the closest place along the Western Wall to where the temple used to be. It is, therefore, according to the Jews, the holiest place in the Western Wall. Just 200 ft. (61 m.) towards the east is where the temple was originally located. 9. The bedrock of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount can be seen as well. The masons who laid the great stones to build the Western Wall chiseled the bedrock of the mountain to make them look like they were stones, but in reality, they are the bedrock of the mountain upon which the Western Wall rests. 10. Next, the tiles of the original floor where Jesus likely walked are visible in the tunnel. 11. Continuing along the Western Wall Tunnel is a Hasmonean aqueduct built over 2,200 years ago, which was 200 years before Christ. 12. At the northern end of the Western Wall Tunnel is the Struthion Pool, where water was stored for use in the city of Jerusalem. Faith Lesson from the Western Wall 1. It's sad that the closest large meeting area the Jews can get to the place where the original temple used to be located is the Western Wall, which in reality, is just part of the supporting wall of the Temple Mount. 2. It’s sad that because of the Jew’s repeated refusal to heed God’s warnings to obey and follow Him that He sent judgments upon Israel and Jerusalem. 3. It's sad that because the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, Jesus prophesied Jerusalem would be destroyed. This was fulfilled in 70 AD. The reality of this destruction is the overarching fact that can be seen all along the Western Wall. 4. Because of the Jew’s continual disobedience to God, He prophesied that the Jews would be scattered to the four corners of the earth. This was fulfilled in 70 AD. 5. God also prophesied that He would bring the Jews back to their homeland in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948. 6. According to many passages in the Bible, God still has a plan for the Jews. He said He would bring them back to their homeland after being scattered for thousands of years. He also says that during the Great Tribulation Period that many Jews, if not most of them, will recognize that Jesus is indeed their Messiah and turn to Him in repentance. 7. Amazingly, we see the first prophecy fulfilled in that the Jews returned to their homeland and have their own country back. Many civilizations have occupied the Holy Land, but God has fulfilled prophecy in bringing the Jews back to their homeland today. 8. The stones here cry out that God’s Word is true and is verifiable through the fulfillment of these prophecies. 9. At the Southern Stair entrance area of the Temple Mount is a sad but very true saying, “The Jerusalem Stone, so resilient and supple, bows to the transient follies of humankind, bearing a testimony like a hundred witnesses, and yet, remains silent.” 10. We find in all that has happened to the Jews a powerful and sobering message for us today. Obedience brings God’s blessings, but disobedience brings His discipline. 1 Corinthians 10:11–12: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

  • Holy Land Israel Tour Trip: April-May, 2023, 17-Day Trip | HolyLandSite.com

    Holy Land Tour Trips to Israel. In-depth Bible-centered tour trips to Israel. April-May 2023, 17-Day Package Trip. Affordable tours of all the biblical sites in Israel: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Jordan Valley, Baptismal Site of Jesus, Jericho, Masada, and much more. Holy Land Tour Trip to Is rael The Holy Land Experience Trip of a Lifetime April 28~May 14, 2023 17-Day Trip Would you like to have a life-changing and never-to-be-forgotten experience? 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 to the depths of our souls. You will never be the same or read your Bible the same 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 from the Scriptures of the events and places of the Bible. We are delighted to share that Israel has removed every Covid vaccination mandate plus every other restriction, so visiting Israel is normal with no burdens whatsoever. As a result, we are rejoicing and really excited about our upcoming trips to Israel. Our Holy Land Trips are open to anyone around the world that is able to travel to Israel with a valid Passport. ___________________ "An absolutely amazing trip with a guy who knows his Bible and can relate it to you in-country. I've gone with this dear friend of mine to Israel twice. It's an 11 out of 10 trip!" Dan Reeves Quick Links Holy Land Trip Registration Form (Required for each person) Deposit Payment ~ $500 USD Final Payment ~ $1,250 USD Hotel Reserva tion Booking Section Promotional Brochures About Your Tour Hosts Trip Registration Info Itinerary Holy Land Trip Travel Orientation Helpful Holy Land Learning Resources The Holy Land Experience! 17-Day Trip Holy Land Site Fee: $1,750 USD Items covered by Holy Land Site Ministries: Transportation in Israel Via a Deluxe A/C Motorcoach All Park & Entrance Passes Holy Land Site Tour Guide and Bible Teacher, Dr. Fink Wireless Headsets for a Better Listening Experience Individual Costs : $2,550 USD This cost can change depending on individual preferences and location. To keep our trips as affordable as possible, we allow individuals to book their own lodging and airfare. Also, to see as many sites as possible and keep costs down, we have folks pack a sack lunch. The hotels will provide breakfast and dinners if desired. We recommend eating breakfast at the hotels for time and convenience sake. For those desiring to experience the culture, you can enjoy eating dinners out at the local restaurants of your choice. Items to be covered by each individual: The costs below are close estimates. Your price may vary depending on airfare from your location, room selections, and how expensive you want to eat. Sack Lunch & Dinner Meals in Israel ........ $400 per person (Breakfast included in Hotel cost) Lodging in Israel (found on itinerary) .... $1,100 per person (Based on private, double occupancy rooms.) Airfare ........................................................ $1,000 per person Personal transportation In Israel .................. $50 per person Note: Personal transportation means travel from Ben Gurion Airport to Kfar Maccabiah Hotel & Suites in Tel Aviv, and from Prima Park Hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport. Taxis are the best method for this transportation. Due to multiple arrivals and departures from passengers, it is not possible for us to attend everyone’s various time schedules. However, we are happy to help in any way possible with these arrangements. Total Estimated Cost of Trip Holy Land Site Fee $1,750 Individual Costs $2,550 Total $4,300 USD THIS IS A CUSTOM-DESIGNED TRIP If you want to spend more time in Israel and see more holy sites, then this trip is designed for you. Most trips to the Holy Land allow only around 7-8 full days in Israel. This severely limits what can be seen. Therefore, most who go to the Holy Land miss out on many significant holy sites as a result. This trip will have you in Israel for 13 full touring days. You will, therefore, see almost everything significant there is to see in Israel. A 17-day trip like this normally is quite expensive (if you can find one). Why can we do it so inexpensively? Because we are eliminating tour companies, travel agencies, tour guides, etc., and are providing these services instead. We are also allowing you to book your own airfare, lodging, and some of your meals. And lastly, we are staying in nice, clean hotels/hostels instead of expensive hotels. It is our pleasure to serve you and our Lord Jesus Christ in offering you this special and affordable trip of a lifetime. Because this is a custom trip, each participant will be required to book their own airfare, lodging, and purchase some of their own meals. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This trip is not for the weak and faint of heart! There will be a fair amount of walking, some hiking, times when it could be warm (Dead Sea area), etc. Those considering this trip need to be in pretty good shape and able to withstand some discomfort at times due to heat, walking, hiking, etc. Our estimated walking distance will be about 2 -4 miles (3-6 km.) a day. GROUP SIZE LIMIT In order to have a more intimate and better experience, we limit our group size to around 35 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 (to and from Ben Gurion Airport). Please make plans to arrive with plenty of time to attend our orientation and get-acquainted meeting at 7:00 pm at the Kfar Maccabiah Hotel & Suites in Tel Aviv. For those having the time and resources, arriving a day early will give you a chance to rest up and get better prepared for your experience in Israel. Due to customs and obtaining visas, please allow 3 hours from airport arrival to hotel arrival. The hotel is about 15 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Note: For those having the time and resources, arriving a day early will give you a chance to rest up and get better prepared for your experience in Israel. TRANSPORTATION IN ISRAEL We will be transported via a large, air-conditioned motorcoach. We will also use Jerusalem's light rail train service for a couple of days in Jerusalem. LODGING IN ISRAEL We will be staying at hotels with private rooms and bathrooms during our time in Israel. Our itinerary shows the hotels where we will stay (a total of three: Tel Aviv, Tiberias, and Jerusalem). Click here for hotel reservation links . LUGGAGE You will be allowed one carry-on piece of luggage and one suitcase. Because each person will be responsible for transporting their luggage from the motorcoach to the hotels, it is highly recommended to keep your suitcase under 40 pounds. This will also prevent you from an extra charge by airlines for heavy luggage. MEALS IN ISRAEL Each person will be responsible for paying for their own lunches and dinners. Breakfast - The hotels will provide breakfast if desired. Some will provide dinners as well. These can be paid for when you book your lodging or at the hotels. It's ideal to eat breakfast at the hotels as it's handy. However, you can eat your breakfast if desired at a local restaurant or made by hand. Lunch - Because eating out is expensive in Israel, time-consuming with a large group, and we will not always be close to a restaurant, each trip participant will prepare themself a daily sack lunch. Each day around noon, we will take a break to eat, or you can eat and snack as you wish. Lunch items can be purchased at local grocery stores, and the hotels will have refrigerators in the rooms. Dinner – On your own. Enjoy the local culture as you eat at local restaurants or the hotel if you prefer. PARK & ENTRANCE PASSES Holy Land Site Ministries will pay for all park and entrance fees to all sites. You will be 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 normally last around two hours. We will begin with some orientation of the site. Then we'll do a walking tour to see the site and its points of interest. Afterward, we'll find a quiet spot to reflect on the main events from the Bible that happened at the site and close with a faith lesson to learn the key truths God would desire to teach us. Some of the Bible teachings might be filmed for publishing on our website. We'll then end our visit with some free time. DOCUMENTS A valid U.S. Passport is required. Passports must have at least six months left before they expire for travel to Israel. TRIP PREPARATION Please utilize the videos and info on our website that provide help and orientation to better understand many of the biblical sites we will be visiting, the history of Israel, and other helpful info. In addition, we will provide helpful info leading up to our trip that will help prepare you to get the most out of your holy land experience. We also ask that you acquaint yourself with our Travel Orientation Material found on our website. You will find it extremely helpful. TIME OF YEAR FOR THIS TRIP We’ve chosen these dates to visit Israel because the weather is stable, the days are longer, and there are no Jewish Holidays that will interfere with our travels. DAILY ITINERARY Please take into consideration that there might be slight adjustments to the schedule depending on things out of our control. Additionally, if the team would like some flexibility in seeing sights, we are happy to do this if possible. MONEY IN ISRAEL Credit cards and Dollars are readily accepted, and Shekels can be drawn from ATMs. INTERNET IN ISRAEL Phone SIM cards can be purchased for around $39.99 if you want Internet service at all times while in Israel. You can also activate your phone for international service. If you don't have Internet via your phone service, at each hotel where we will be staying, free Internet service is provided. Also, the tour bus has free Internet service as well. DIGITAL MAPS OF DAILY TRIP ITINERARY For each tour trip itinerary, you will see at the bottom of each day's itiner ary a link to see a Google Map of the route and sites we'll be seeing each day. Here's an example: Tour Day 1: Google Map Itinerary DAILY SCHEDULE We will leave our place of lodging each day at 7 :45 am and return around 4:00 - 5:00 pm. From this time on, you will have free time to eat, relax, see the local sites and culture, etc. PERSONAL TRAVEL IN ISRAEL You can take a taxi, walk, or use the bus or light rail train system. The best option is to make sure you have Internet in Israel (you can activate your phone or get an Israeli SIM card) and use Google Maps. It will tell you exactly which bus, light rail train, or walking route to use. It also works in real-time, so you can see exactly when buses and light rail trains are arriving and departing. AGE LIMIT The minimum age for trip participants is 12 years old unless other arrangements have been made with tour hosts. ITINERARY Please see our detailed itinerary below. Anchor 1 TOUR HOSTS Todd & Letsy Fink More about the Finks TRIP REGISTRATION INFO HOLY LAND TRIP NEWS Israel is open for tourism and has no vaccination mandates or restrictions at this time. REGISTRATION DEPOSIT A registration deposit of $500 USD is required to register and secure your spot on the Holy Land Experience Team. Before paying your deposit, please fill out the online registration form. We will then notify you of your acceptance into the trip team, and payment of your deposit can then be made. After being notified of your acceptance on the team, you can pay your deposit at your earliest convenience. This will ensure your spot in the group. REGISTRATION, DEPOSIT, AND FINAL PAYMENT LINKS Holy Land Trip Registration Form (Required for each person) Deposit Payment ~ $500 USD Final Payment ~ $1,250 USD REGISTRATION DEADLINE DATE Your trip registration, deposit, and final payment deadline is March 1 , 2023 . Tourism is growing quite rapidly in Israel, and things need to be done earlier than in previous years. Therefore, booking lodging, bus transportation in Israel, etc., needs to be done no later than 3 months before trip departure to ensure availability (booking lodging is even recommended 6 months in advance for best availability). For these reasons, we have set March 1 , 2023 , as the deadline for trip registration for everyone. For those who desire to attend this trip after March 1 , 2023 , we will handle each person on a space availability case basis. Thanks for your understanding. CANCELATIONS & REFUNDS Deposit Refund Paid to Holy Land Site Ministries In the unfortunate case you may need to cancel your trip due to personal reasons on or before the March 1 , 2023, deadline, Holy Land Site Ministries will only be able to refund one-half ($250) of your $500 deposit. Deposit Transfer If you would like to transfer your deposit to another person, you can do so. Just kindly have this person pay you and let us know. Refunds of All Funds Paid to Holy Land Site Ministries In the unfortunate case you may need to cancel your trip due to personal reasons before March 1 , 2023 , Holy Land Site Ministries will only be able to refund one-half of your final payment. If you must cancel your trip due to personal reasons after March 1 , 2023 , Holy Land Site Ministries will be unable to refund any of your final payment due to expenses we will have already incurred and cannot recuperate. Full Payments Transfer If you would like to transfer your $500 deposit or final payment to another person you can do so. Just kindly have this person pay you and let us know. Refunds from Personal Purchases of Airline Tickets, Lodging, etc. Because these purchases will be the responsibility of each person, Holy Land Site Ministries will be unable to refund any of these funds because they were not paid to Holy Land Site Ministries. Refunds if Trip is Canceled Due to Events Out of Our Control, i.e., Covid-19, Other Viruses, etc. Refunds from flights and lodging will be the responsibility of each person as these were booked personally. Funds paid to Holy Land Site Ministries will be cheerfully refunded if Holy Land Site Ministries can recuperate expenses we have incurred. We suggest that you get trip insurance so you are protected for all your expenses, i.e., flights, lodging, Holy Land Site Ministries fees, etc. TRIP PROTECTION INSURANCE If you would like trip protection insurance to protect you, or if the trip is canceled for any reason, many third-party insurance agencies provide travel protection insurance in the case of cancelations due to unforeseen reasons. Travel Protection Agencies (Rated the Highest by Forbes.com) Forbes.com Adviser (compares many companies): https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance Allianz Travel Insurance: allianztravelinsurance.com Travel Guard (AIG): travelguard.com/travel-insurance/plans Seven Corners: sevencorners.com WHEN TO BOOK AIRFARE & LODGING Please do not book any flights or lodging until you receive tour trip confirmation from Holy Land Site Ministries. HOTEL RESERVATION BOOKING LINKS Kfar Maccabiah Hotel & Suites, 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv Check-in: April 29, Check-out: April 30, One night Hotel Reservation Link: Bookings.com Prima Galil Tiberias Hotel, El Hadif Street 1, Tiberias Check-in: April 30, Check-out: May 4, Four nights Hotel Reservation Link: Bookings.com Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem: 2 Vilnay Street, Jerusalem Check-in: May 4, Check-out: May 13, Nine nights Hotel Reservation Link: Bookings.com Note: For those having the time and resources, arriving a day early will give you a chance to rest up and get better prepared for your experience in Israel. If, for some reason, the hotels are full, just book a hotel of your choice nearby and meet us at the check-in lobby of the main hotel by 7:45 am. Bus departure is scheduled daily at 8:00 am from each hotel. CONTACT INFO: Todd Fink Phone: (541) 603-0881 Email: holylandsite.com@gmailcom Website: HolyLandSite.com Anchor 2 Anchor 4 DAILY ITINERARY FRI, APRIL 28 DEPART FOR THE HOLY LAND Please make plans to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, on April 29, 2023. Please arrive by 3:00 pm. This will give you plenty of time to attend our orientation and get-acquainted meeting at 7:00 pm. We'll meet at the main check-in lobby of the Kfar Maccabiah & Suites Hotel and then find a meeting place. Note: For those having the time and resources, arriving a day early will give you a chance to rest up and get better prepared for your experience in Israel. SAT, APRIL 29 TEL AVIV After arriving at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, you will proceed and go through customs. Please don’t lose your small tourist visa provided to you. Afterward, you can take a taxi to Kfar Maccabiah Hotel & Suites, 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv. Due to customs and obtaining visas, please allow approximately 3 hours from airport arrival to hotel arrival. The hotel is about 15 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Orientation and get acquainted meeting 7:00 pm. Please meet in the main hotel lobby. Free time afterward. Lodging at Kfar Maccabiah Hotel & Suites, 7 Peretz Berenstein Street, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv. One night total. Google Map from Ben Gurion to Kfar Maccabiah Hotel SUN, APRIL 30 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 en 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 and the Sea of Galilee , which will be our base for the next 4 nights. Free time afterward. Lodging at Prima Galil Tiberias Hotel, El Hadif Street 1, Tiberias. Four nights total. Tour Day 1: G oogle Map Itinerary MON, MAY 1 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 at Ginasor , where we'll see an ancient boat ( Beit Yigal Allon Museum) from the time of Jesus. We'll take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of an ancient wooden boat used in Jesus’ day. 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. From the Mount of Beatitudes, we'll walk in the footsteps of Jesus down the hill to Tabgha by the Sea of Galilee. Then on to Capernaum , where Jesus set up His home ministry base and often preached in the ancient synagogue. We will continue our drive around the Sea of Galilee to Kursi , the place where Christ cast out a legion of demons out of a demon-possessed man. We'll end the day at a breathtaking spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee , where we'll be able to see many sites around its shore, one of which is where the Feeding of the 5,000 took place. Free time afterward. Tour Day 2: Google Map Itinerary TUES, MAY 2 SEA OF GALILEE AREA We’ll journey north to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16). We’ll visit Chorazin , one of the cursed towns, which has one of the most preserved synagogues in the Galilee area. We’ll visit Magdala , the hometown of Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ cast out seven demons. We will then wrap up the day at the most likely place Jesus called many of His disciples and the area where Peter was reconciled with Christ after denying Him three times. This will be a natural place where you can dip your feet in the Sea of Galilee and enjoy the water and small waves. Free time afterward. Tour Day 3: Google Map Itinerary WED, MAY 3 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 do battle against the Midianites. We’ll return to the Sea of Galilee and finish the day on top of Mt. Arbel , the believed place where Christ gave the Great Commission, and which provides a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee. Free time afterward. Tour Day 4: Google Map Itinerary THURS, MAY 4 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 Jesus was baptized by John. 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 did 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 5 DEAD SEA AREA We’ll begin the day with a drive 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, and where in 73 AD, the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome. 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 6 BETHLEHEM – JUDAH AREA We will visit the magnificent Herodian Fortress to view the Shepherds' Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth. We'll see Bethlehem, see Manger Square, and the Church of the Nativity, the place Jesus was born. We’ll then travel to the Valley of Elah , the place where David slew Goliath. Then on to Beth Shemesh , the place where key events in the life of Samson took place and where the Ark of the Covenant miraculously was returned to the Israelites by the Philistines. Free time afterward. Tour Day 7: Google Map Itinerary SUN, MAY 7 SAMARIA AREA Today we’ll travel north to the ancient Samaria region of the Bible. We visit Shechem , the place Abraham first entered the Promised Land and erected an altar. We’ll see and drink out of Jacob’s Well , the place 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 , the place the Tabernacle resided for 369 years and where 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 8 JERUSALEM We’ll start the day with a magnificent view of the Old City from the top of the Mt. of Olives and orient ourselves to the layout and places of Jerusalem . We’ll then visit the Chapel of Ascension , the place where Christ ascended back to heaven and where His feet will touch down at His glorious second coming. We'll visit Pater Noster Church , a place Christ taught His disciples how to pray. We’ll take the Palm Sunday Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations . Along the way, we’ll visit Dominus Flevit , the place where Christ wept over Jerusalem. We’ll see Mary’s Tomb and underground caves that were part of Gethsemane . Free time afterward. Tour Day 9: Google Map Itinerary TUES, MAY 9 JERUSALEM Today we will visit the Upper Room , the location of the Last Supper, and place an early church/synagogue was built by early Christians 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 135 AD . Then we'll have the privilege of visiting 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. Free time afterward. Tour Day 10: Google Map Itinerary WED, MAY 10 JERUSALEM Today, we’ll visit and walk on the Temple Mount , the location where Solomon’s Temple was and the holiest and most battled-over piece of land in the world. We'll then see the Western Wall , the Jew’s most holy site in Israel. We’ll visit the Southern Stairs Area , which was the main entrance to the Temple Mount, a place Christ and His disciples would have often been, and the likely place where those who received Christ at Pentecost were baptized. Next, we'll experience the amazing Western Wall Tunnels Tour , where we'll go underground to see the northern section of the Western Walls. We’ll then walk through part of the Cardo , an original Roman street, and then see the amazing remains of the massive Broad Wall built by King Hezekiah. Free time afterward. Tour Day 11: Google Map Itinerary THURS, MAY 11 JERUSALEM Today, we’ll travel to Hebron , the place where Abraham had many encounters with God and from where King David reigned over Judah for 7 1/2 years. We'll begin by visiting the Oaks of Mamre , a preserved site over the place where Abraham lived for a period of time and had several amazing encounters with God. Just a short distance from the Oaks of Mamre is the place where the patriarchs are buried in the Cave of Machpelah . Close to Machpelah are the ruins of ancient Tel Hebron . We’ll then travel to Beersheba , where Abraham lived and made a covenant with Abimelech. Farewell Dinner at 6:30 pm for those who are able. Free time afterward. Tour Day 12: Google Map Itinerary FRI, MAY 12 NEGEV AREA We’ll begin the day by seeing Pilate’s Palace and Gabbatha (stone pavement and judgment place where Christ was condemned to crucifixion). From there, we'll walk the biblical Via Dolorosa (painful path to the Cross) to Golgotha , which is where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is today. We'll then visit and explore the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and see why it's the best candidate for Golgotha. Then we'll walk to the Lions' Gate and see the famous Eastern Gate and Eastern Wall , where we'll see ancient stones dating back to the time of Christ and see the evidence of the original Temple Mount and its expansions over the years. Then we'll see the Church of St. Anne, where the Pool of Bethesda is located, the place Jesus healed a sick man after he had waited 38 long years. We’ll then walk the traditional path of the Via Dolorosa and see the Stations of the Cross . We'll end our day with a look at the rock formation at the Garden Tomb, which some believe is Golgotha. Free time afterward. Tour Day 13: Google Map Itinerary SAT, MAY 13 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! Take into account that checkout from the hotel is 11:00 am. If you fly early on the 4th, you might need to book another night at the hotel. The hotel in Jerusalem provides several options for transportation to the airport: (1) You can take a 12-passenger shuttle service directly to the airport for around $25.00 USD (2) you can take a taxi which costs around $100 for up to 4 people. Please arrange this with the hotel lobby a couple of days in advance. Both the shuttle and taxis take about an hour to reach the airport and run every day of the week, even on Shabbat (Saturday), the Sabbath. Google Map from Prima Park Hotel to Ben Gurion Airport SUN, MAY 14 ARRIVE 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

  • End Times Explained: Great Tribulation, Anti-Christ, Mt. of Olives, Rapture | HolyLandSite.com

    See a biblical presentation of the end times. Learn about the Great Tribulation, Anti-Christ, Second Coming of Christ, Millennial Reign, and more. All filmed on location in Israel on the Mount of Olives, where Christ spoke to His disciples about the end times. Final days, return of Jesus, when will the world end, armageddon, Jerusalem. Mount of Olives: End Times Explained Mt. of Olives: End Times Explained Welcome to the Holy Land and the biblical site of the Mt. of Olives. See the Bible come to life as we take a look at an event from Scripture that is one of the greatest that will ever take place. On the Mt. of Olives, Christ, along with the angels and armies of heaven (who are believers) will return in power and great glory at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. The return of Christ to earth will be one of the greatest culminating events prophesied in Scripture. Let’s look at some fascinating aspects about this great event. Every being that has ever been created will see it. Rev. 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.” It conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Christ. Rev. 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.” Christ coming will be in extreme power and great glory. Matt. 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. 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. 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, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 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, 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, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" Christ will physically arrive and touch down right here on the Mt. of Olives. Zech. 14:1-4: “Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 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.” Believers and angels will return with Christ in power and great glory as well. Revelation 19:11-21: “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. 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. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 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. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” Christ will then judge the nations and separate the sheep, who are believers, from the goats who are unbelievers. 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. 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.” So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 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.” 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. 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 (this would be 200 miles and would end at the Red Sea). The judgment on unbelievers will be severe. Here’s just a partial glimpse of what it will be like. 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.” What can we observe and learn from these events that will happen at this significant place? Every being that has ever been created will see Christ’s return in power and great glory. Christ’s return conquers and flips all evil powers into submission to Him. Christ coming will be in extreme power and great glory. Christ will physically arrive and touch down right here on the Mt. of Olives Believers and angels will return with Christ in power and great glory as well. Christ will then judge the nations and separate the sheep, who are believers from the goats, who are unbelievers. What about us? Are we living a devoted life to Christ and serving Him? Are we living a life that is watchful and ready? Will we be the ones who come with Christ at His return or those whom Christ judges?

  • Contact HolyLandSite.com: Everything About Israel, Tours, Videos

    Contact Form for HolyLandSite.com Contact Us - Questions It's a pleasure having you on our site! Holy Land Site 196 Hambrick Ave., Sutherlin, OR 97479 541 603 0881 (U.S.A.) Email: holylandsite.com@gmail.com Contact Form Name Email Message Success! Message received. Send Newsletter Sign-up Subscribe Now

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Bringing the Bible to Life by Seeing Where It Took Place!

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Israel Biblical Sites Bible Companion (L
Biblical Sites

 

Israel Overview Tour of All Biblical Sites

 
Jerusalem Sites

 

Jerusalem Overview

Jerusalem Holy Sites Overview

Jerusalem Old City Tour

 

Antonia Fortress

Bethany: Tomb of Lazarus

Bethphage

Cardo

Chapel of the Ascension: Ascension & Return of Christ

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Church of Mary Magdalene

City of David Overview

Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ

 

Dominus Flevit Church

Eastern Gate

 

Garden of Gethsemane: Church of All Nations

 

Gordon's Garden Tomb

 

Gethsemane to Golgotha:

Christ's Path to the Cross

Herod/Pilate's Palace: Trial of Jesus

Hezekiah's Broad Wall

Hezekiah's Water Tunnel

 

Hinnom Valley Overview

History Of Jerusalem's Walls

History of Jerusalem's Gates

 

House of Caiaphas: Peter's Denial of Christ

 

Kidron Valley: Judgment of God

 

Mount of Olives Overview

 

Pater Noster Church: Lord's Prayer, Olivet Discourse

Pools of Bethesda & St. Anne 

Church

 

Pool of Siloam

Prophecy, Proof the Bible Is True: Mount of Olives

 

Solomon's Temple

Southern Stairs/Davidson Archaeological Site

Temple Mount Overview

Temple Location

Temple Mount: Pentecost

 

Temple Cleansing by Jesus

 

Temple & the Early Church

Tomb of King David

Tomb of Mary & Gethsemane Cave

Tombs of the Prophets

The Old Testament Feasts & Jesus

 

The Upper Room

Tower of David/Herod's Palace

Triumphal Entry

Via Dolorosa

 

Western Wall & Tunnels Tour

Zedekiah's Cave & Solomon's Quarry

Other Sites In Jerusalem

 
Sea of Galilee Sites

 

Sea of Galilee Overview

 

Bethsaida

 

Calling of the Disciples

 

Capernaum: Jesus' Ministry Base

 

Chorazin

 

Feeding the 5,000

Gennesaret, Ginosar: Jesus Boat

 

Boat Ride: Jesus Walks on Water, Calms the Sea

 

Kursi: Demonic Man Healed

 

Magdala: Mary Magdalene

 

Mount Arbel: The Great Commission

Mount of Beatitudes

 

Sower's Cove: Parables of the Kingdom

 

Tabgha: Restoration of Peter

Yardenit Baptismal Site

Other Sites Around the Sea of Galilee

Northern Israel Sites

 

Beth Shean

Beth Shean Amphitheater

 

Caesarea Maritima Overview

Caesarea Maritima: Holy Spirit Given to the Gentiles

 

Caesarea Philippi

 

Cana: First Miracle of Jesus

Church of the Annunciation & St. Joseph Church

Dan (City of Dan)

Gideon's Spring

Hazor

Jezreel Overview

Jordan River Overview

Megiddo: Armageddon

 

Mount Carmel & Elijah

Mount Tabor: Transfiguration of Christ

 

Nazareth Overview

 

Nazareth: Mt. Precipice

Sepphoris (Tsipori, Zippori)

 

Other Sites In Northern Israel

 

Central Israel Sites

 

Ai

 

Bethel

Beth-Shemesh

Ein Karem (Kerem)

 

Emmaus Road 

 

Gezer: On Crossroads of the World

Gibeon - Nabi Samwil

 

Gilgal

Inn of the Good Samaritan

 

Jericho ~ Tell Es-Sultan

 

Joppa (Jaffa, Yafo) Overview

Jordan River: Crossing into the Promised Land

Jordan River Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qsar al-Yahud)

Judean Wilderness

Judean Wilderness: Testing of Jesus

Mount Nebo & Moses

Philistine Cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gaza, Ekron, Gath

Qumran: Dead Sea Scrolls

 

Samaria (Sabastia)

 

Shechem

Shechem: Jacob's Well

 

Shiloh: Center of Worship

St. George's Monastery (Wadi Qelt)

Timnah: Life of Samson

Valley of Elah: David & Goliath

Other Sites In Central Israel

Southern Israel Sites

Arad

Ashdod

Ashkelon

Beer Sheba: The Patriarchs

 

Bethlehem Overview

Bethlehem: Church of Nativity

 

Bethlehem: David & the Psalms

Bethlehem: Naomi, Ruth, Boaz

 

Bethlehem: Shepherds' Field

Dead Sea Area

Ekron

En-Gedi: Living Waters

 

Exodus, Red Sea Crossing, Mt. Sinai

Gath

Gaza

 

Tel Hebron Overview

Hebron Caves of Machpelah

Herodian (Herodium) Fortress

Oaks of Mamre, Hebron

 

Kadesh Barnea

Lachish

 

Masada

 

Mount Sinai

 

Sodom & Gomorrah

The Philistines & Their City Strongholds

 

Timna Park: Tabernacle, Moses

 

Other Sites In Southern Israel

Other Biblical Sites

Exodus, Red Sea Crossing, Mt. Sinai

Garden of Eden Location

Madaba ( Map), Jordan

Mount Nebo & Moses

 

Noah's Ark & the Great Flood

 

Noah's Ark Location

 

Petra, Jordan

Other Biblical Videos

 

Life & Ministry of Jesus Series

Jewish Holy Days & How Jesus Fulfills Them

Future of Israel: Its Wars, Conflicts, Prophecies

What Are the Differences Between Islam and Christianity?

Who Has the Rights to the Holy Land? Jews or Arabs?

What Is the Reason for the War and Conflicts in Israel and the Middle East?

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