This video series is unprecedented and unique in that as the Gospels of Jesus are being read, you will see the exact locations where the events in the Bible took place. This means that as the Bible is being read you will be able to see the exact places where it is taking place. Also, at the end of each chapter of the Gospels, a faith lesson will explain the big ideas of the chapter and apply them to your life. Great for Home Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Personal Bible Study, and more. Life & Ministry of Jesus Series This video series is unprecedented and unique. As the Gospels of Jesus are being read, you will see the exact locations where the events in the Bible took place. This means that as the Bible is being read you will be able to see the exact places where it is taking place. Also, at the end of each chapter of the Gospels, a faith lesson will explain the big ideas of the chapter and apply them to your life. Great for Home Bible Studies, Sunday School Classes, Personal Bible Study, and more. Life & Ministry of Jesus Series Intro Video Life & Ministry of Jesus Series ~ Gospel of Mark Videos are being added regularly to this project. Please check back soon for the latest uploads. Also, please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel to receive notifications regarding the most recent uploads. Check Out Our Holy Land Site YouTube Channel

See all the sites of the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdelene located in Jerusalem. Learn about the life of Mary and how she is an example and inspiration for us today. Church of Mary Magdalene, Jerusalem Photo Gallery Places of Interest Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene Location 1. It's located on the side of the Mount of Olives, facing Old City Jerusalem. 2. It's just north of the Triumphal Entry path towards the lower part. 3. It's easily spotted as it has one large gilded onion dome and six smaller ones. 4. It makes an especially striking spectacle at night when its floodlit domes seem to be floating above the dark trees surrounding it. Historical Background 1. The Church of Mary Magdalene was built in 1888 by Czar Alexander III of Russia to memorialize his mother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Maria had always dreamed of visiting the Holy Land but was unable to because of poor health. Mary Magdalene is venerated with particular devotion in the East Orthodox Church, so it was natural for the Russians to honor her by building this church. 2. Its onion-shaped domes and the general style reflect the architecture of Moscow during the 16th and 17th centuries. Although the intricately decorated façade appears to be made of marble, it's actually sculpted white sandstone. 3. Above the entrance, a circular blue mosaic medallion depicts Mary Magdalene robed in white. 4 . The church commemorates Mary, whose hometown was Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. 5. Mary is revered as a saint by the Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. 6. Mary was one of the few people named in the Gospels who was present at Christ’s crucifixion and the first recorded witness of his resurrection. 7. At the site is also a convent that houses about 30 Russian Orthodox nuns from several different countries. While particularly known for the quality of their liturgical singing, they also paint icons, embroider vestments and items for liturgical use, and decorate Russian eggs. 8. The church is part of the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene, a sisterhood established in 1936 by an English convert, and since the 1920s, has been under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), an independent ecclesiastical entity until 2007 and part of the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church since then. 9. The magical church is magnificent from a distance, but it is also worth getting a closer look. A tranquil garden surrounds the church. Inside, there are many Orthodox icons and liturgical paintings. The Grand Duchess commissioned Russian artist Sergei Ivanov to create a series of paintings depicting the life of Saint Mary Magdalene. 10. The relics of two martyred saints, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia and her fellow nun Varvara Yakovleva, are displayed in the church. 11. The interior of the church is a blend of bronze and white marble iconostasis, a wall or screen bearing religious icons that separate the sanctuary from the nave, the central part of a church where the congregation usually sits. 12. Its main wall bears a painting of Alexander Ivanov, a prominent 19th-century Russian artist. Commissioned by Elizabeth Fyodorovna, the artwork depicts Mary Magdalene holding a red egg before the Roman emperor Tiberius. According to Eastern Christian tradition, Tiberius mocked her for claiming Jesus rose from the Dead, comparing it to a white egg turning red. In return, an egg Mary held by Mary turned red. Places of Interest 1. Mount of Olives 2. Dominus Flevit Church 3. Triumphal Entry Path 4. Garden of Gethsemane 5. Kidron Valley 6. Tomb of Mary - Gethsemane Cave 7. Temple Mount 8. Old City Jerusalem Mary Magdalene in the Bible 1. Mary was from the town of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.. Matthew 4:23: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 15:38–39: Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan [Magdala]. 2. Jesus cast out 7 demons from Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:1–3: Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. 3. Mary was likely a wealthy widow as she followed Christ everywhere and supported the ministry of Jesus financially. 4. A strong case could be made that Mary was one of Christ’s most devoted and loyal followers. She followed Jesus everywhere and supported Him financially, she was present at the mock trial of Jesus, she heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence upon Jesus, she saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd, she was one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him, and she was the first woman Christ appeared to after rising from the dead. 5. Mary looked from a distance at Christ’s crucifixion and then moved in closer during His last suffering hours on the cross. Mark 15:40: There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. John 19:25: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 6. Mary Magdalene helped buy expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus after His crucifixion. Mark 16:1: When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 7. Mary was the earliest witness to the resurrection of Jesus and was sent by Jesus to tell the others. Mark 16:9: When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. John 20:11-18: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. 8. Even at the very end, Mary never lost her first love for Jesus. Revelation 2:4: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 9. There is also no doubt that Mary served Christ alongside the apostles for the rest of her life. Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary Magdalene 1. Christ cast out 7 demons from Mary. This changed her life forever and filled her with deep gratitude to Jesus. Are we grateful for what God has done for us as well? 2. Mary loved Christ profoundly and was one of His most devoted followers. She is the model of what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are we devoted to Christ as Mary was? 3. Mary supported Jesus’ ministry financially. Do we support Jesus’ ministries as well? 4. Mary never lost her first love for Christ. Have we lost our first love?

See all the places of Bethlehem, Rachel's Tomb, Naomi, Ruth, King David, Christ's Birth, the angels appearing to the shepherds announcing Christ's Birth, the Herodian Fortress, the Church of the Nativity, Shepherd's Fields, where King Herod killed the Children two years old and younger, and where David grew up as a shepherd boy. Bethlehem Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Bethlehem Overview Location 1. Bethlehem is located 6 miles (9 km.) south of Jerusalem. 2. In Bible times, Bethlehem was a farming area with grain fields, and sheep and goats grazed the hillsides. Amazingly, little has changed over the past 3,000 years. 3. It’s on the edge of the Judean Desert that lies to the southeast. 4. Bethlehem is in the West Bank but is very safe. Thousands visit its Christian sites each month with no issues. Historical Background 1. Bethlehem was a Canaanite village before the conquest of the Israelites in around 1406 BC. 2. It means ‘House of Bread.” Maybe this is so because many wheat and barley fields were in this area. Places of Interest 1. Rachel’s Tomb 2. Church of the Nativity 3. Shepherd’s Fields 4. Herodian Fortress 5. Grain fields 6. Hillsides for livestock to graze on 7. Deep ravine – Maybe the valley David had in mind when he wrote Psalm 23. Bethlehem in the Bible 1. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, died and was buried in Bethlehem. Genesis 35:16–20: Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath [Bethlehem] , Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, "Do not fear, for you have another son." 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem ), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. 2. Naomi was from Bethlehem, but because of a famine in Israel, her husband and two sons moved to Moab. Ruth 1:1–2: In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. 3. Naomi and Ruth returned from Moab to Bethlehem. Ruth 1:22: So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. 4. Ruth gleaned in the grain fields of Boaz in Bethlehem and then married Boaz (Boaz was the Great Grandfather of King David). Ruth 2:1–2: Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Ruth 4:13–17: So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David . 5. King David was from Bethlehem, so it is also called the “City of David.” 1 Samuel 17:12: Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul, the man was already old and advanced in years. 6. David grew up in Bethlehem as a shepherd. Being a shepherd was a lonely boring job that no one wanted. However, David put his time to good use and learned to play the harp, throw a sling, and grew to love the Lord. Many of the Psalms David wrote have their roots in the area around Bethlehem. 7. David was anointed king in Bethlehem. 1 Samuel 16:1: The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons. 1 Samuel 16:4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem . 1 Samuel 16:6–7: When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart .” 1 Samuel 16:11–13: Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he .” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. 8. King Herod the Great built a huge fortress called the “Herodian” that was located just outside of Bethlehem. It was built for his protection and glory. 9. Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace of Christ. Micah 5:2: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Luke 2:7: And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 10. Angels appeared to shepherds watching their flocks by night in Bethlehem. L uke 2:8–16: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 11. Wise men (Magi) from the east visited and worshiped Christ in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 12. King Herod had all the male children 2 years and younger murdered in his attempt to kill Christ. Matthew 2:16–18: Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." Faith Lesson from Bethlehem 1. Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Jesus also refers to Himself as the Bread of life. 2. In the same way our bodies need bread to live, so our spirit needs Christ for nourishment and life. Are we feeding daily on God’s Word and walking moment by moment in dependence on Him? 3. We have many godly examples of people from Bethlehem who walked with God, i.e., Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, and David. 4. Today, they are in heaven rejoicing in God’s presence. Are we following their example and living for our eternal home as well? 5. David used his spare time shepherding wisely and learned many skills that He would eventually use to serve God. Are we developing our abilities to be better servants of Christ? 6. The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). What kind of heart does God see in us?

The Mount of Olives played a unique role in the Bible. See all the places and learn about them here. Kidron Valley (Jehoshaphat), Garden of Gethsemane, Mary’s Tomb, Church of Mary Magdalene, Church of Dominus Flevit, Triumphal Entry Path, Bethphage, Triumphal Entry, Tomb of Lazarus, Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster Church, Absalom’s Monument, Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). Mount of Olives Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mount of Olives Location The Mount of Olives is located just opposite the Temple Mount on the east side of Old City Jerusalem. Historical Background 1. The Mount of Olives has played a significant role in the Bible. 2. It is from where Christ ascended back to heaven. 3. It is where Christ, along with all believers, will return to at Christ’s second coming. Places of Interest 1. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) 2. Garden of Gethsemane 3. Mary’s Tomb (mother of Jesus) 4. Church of Mary Magdalene 5. Church of Dominus Flevit (where Christ wept over Jerusalem) 6. Triumphal Entry Path 7. Bethphage (beginning place of the Triumphal Entry on the backside of the Mount of Olives) 8. Tomb of Lazarus (backside of the Mount of Olives) 9. 3,000-year-old cemetery with 150,000 Gravesites 10. Chapel of the Ascension (where Christ ascended to heaven and will return to at His second coming) 11. Pater Noster Church (where Christ taught the Lord’s Prayer) 12. Absalom’s Monument 13. Tomb of the Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) 14. Mount of Olives Overlook 15. House of Caiaphas (place Jesus was condemned to crucifixion and where Peter denied Jesus three times. 16. Upper Room 17. City of David 18. Temple Mount 19. Dome of the Rock 20. Garden Tomb 21. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Mount of Olives in the Bible 1. When King David’s son, Absalom, tried to take over the kingship, David ascended the Mount of Olives as he fled Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15:30: But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 2. It’s where Jesus regularly stayed when He ministered in Jerusalem. Luke 21:37: And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 3. It’s the believed place where Christ taught His disciples to pray after visiting Mary and Martha’s home in Bethany (Pater Noster Church). Luke 11:1: One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 4. On the backside of the Mount of Olives (at Bethany), Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. John 11:32–36: Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 5. Jesus descended the Mount of Olives during His Triumphal Entry (Triumphal Entry Path). Luke 19:35–38: And they brought it [colt of a donkey] to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 6. Christ wept over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (Church of Dominus Flevit). Luke 19:41–44: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation. 7. The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the base of the Mount of Olives, is where the suffering of Christ began. Christ’s sweat became like drops of blood. Luke 22:39–44: And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Peter cut off the ear of the High Priest’s guard. Christ was arrested, and the disciples fled. 8. Christ’s return and the destruction of Jerusalem were foretold from the Mount of Olives. Matthew 24:3: As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" 9. On the top of the Mount of Olives is where Christ ascended back to heaven (Chapel of the Ascension). Acts 1:9–11: And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." 10. On top of the Mount of Olives is where Christ will return at the end of the Tribulation Period. Matthew 24:29–31: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Zechariah 14:4: On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 11. At the base of the Mount of Olives lies the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) where Christ will judge unbelievers at the end of the Tribulation Period. Joel 3:2: I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land. Revelation 14:19–20: So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia [200 miles, or 300 kilometers]. Faith Lesson from the Mount of Olives 1. Christ’s return on the Mount of Olives is where everything culminates and flips. Righteousness becomes dominant and evil bows its knees. 2. We will return with Christ in power and great glory. What hope believers have in Christ. 3. We will reign with Christ for 1,000 years from Jerusalem during Christ’s Millennial Reign. 4. Because of our hope as believers, are we motivated to serve Christ and live for Him?

Learn all about the traditional route of the Via Dolorosa and the 14 Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem. Lions’ Gate, Temple Mount, Antonia Fortress, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Ecce Homo Arch, Original stone pavement section, Old City wall in the time of Christ, Golgotha. The Via Dolorosa Photo Gallery Places of Interest The Via Dolorosa Introduction 1. Via Dolorosa means “The Painful Path.” 2. The traditional Via Dolorosa route is the path some say Jesus walked as he went from His trial before Pilate at Antonia’s Fortress to His crucifixion at Golgotha. 3. The Via Dolorosa has 14 stations honoring the events that took place as Christ made His way to Golgotha to be crucified. 4. In the 4th century, Byzantine pilgrims believed the Via Dolorosa began at Herod's Palace, south of Jaffa Gate, and ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 5. In the 8th century, the route changed. It began at the Garden of Gethsemane, headed south to Mount Zion, and then returned around the Temple Mount to the Holy Sepulchre. 6. During the Crusader Period (1095-1291 AD), the Crusaders believed the Via Dolorosa began at the Antonia Fortress and ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 7. Up until the 16th century, there were only eight recognized stations of the cross. The stations were either historical or legendary places where pilgrims stopped along the way for spiritual contemplation and reflection. However, in the 16th century, the churches in Europe persuaded the church in Jerusalem to expand the number of stations to fourteen and to name this road the Via Dolorosa. 8. The present route was marked out by the Franciscans in 1342 after the Ottoman Sultan granted them authority over the Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. 9. Some believe the Via Dolorosa started at the Palace where Pilate was staying, located just south of Jaffa Gate. We'll discuss this further when we visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Herod's Palace. 10. Nine of the stations are biblical, and five are taken from traditional beliefs handed down over the centuries. Biblical Stations: We will read the Bible verses clarifying the events (the biblical stations are: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). Traditional Stations: The stations that have been handed down through tradition are listed below, along with the event believed to have occurred at each location (the traditional stations are: 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9). Stations 1–9 each have a large, rounded metal plaque with Roman numerals marking their locations. Stations 10—14 are located at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 11. While we're not totally sure this is the actual route of the Via Dolorosa, we can still contemplate and experience this monumental event. 12. The suffering of Christ shows His love for us and His desire to have a relationship with us. 13. Along this route, we'll also see other significant sites. Location 1. The Via Dolorosa starts (Station 1) at the original place of the Antonia Fortress, which is currently by a Muslim Elementary School and the Chapel of the Flagellation. 2. Station 1 is located on Lion’s Gate St., several hundred yards (m.) inside the Old City west of the Lion’s Gate. 3. The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Places of Interest 1. Lions’ Gate 2. Temple Mount 3. Antonia Fortress 4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 5. Ecce Homo Arch 6. Original stone pavement section 7. Old City wall in the time of Christ The 14 Stations of the Via Dolorosa 1. Station 1: Jesus is condemned to death (biblical event). Location: Umariya Muslim Elementary School, where the Antonia Fortress was located. Permission is needed to enter the school courtyard. However, without permission, this event can be commemorated outside the school. Matthew 27:27: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, gathering the whole battalion before him. Luke 23: 13–25: Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will, therefore, punish and release him." 18 But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" 22 A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will, therefore, punish and release him." 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. 2. Station 2: Jesus is given His cross (biblical event). Location: Church of Condemnation/Flagellation across from Station 1. John 19:16–17: So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. In the western part of this plaza area, a map shows the route of the Via Dolorosa as marked out by the Crusaders. Between Stations 2 and 3 is the Ecce Homo Arch (behold the man). This was actually an archway built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian around 135 AD, marking one of the main entrances into Jerusalem. Just after Station 2 is what is believed to be the Prison of the Apostles. Acts 5:17-21: But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public prison . 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and [p]speak to the people in the temple area [q]the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area about daybreak and began to teach. 3. Station 3: Jesus falls the first time (traditional event). Location: Take a left (south) at the corner of Via Dolorosa St. and Al Wad St., and Station 3 is immediately on the left. In front of Station 3, there are old stones on the street from the time of Christ that were discovered underneath this area and placed here for all to see. 4. Station 4: Jesus meets His mother (traditional event). Location: A short distance southward from Station 3 on El-Wad St. 5. Station 5: Simon of Cyrene carries Christ’s cross (biblical event). Located at the corner of Via Dolorosa St. and El-Wad St. From this corner, the street takes a sharp turn to the right and then starts ascending uphill with a series of stairs along the way. Luke 23:26: And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyren e, as he was coming in from the country , and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. A short distance up from Station 5 is a stone embedded in the wall. It is believed that Jesus stumbled against this wall, and in losing His balance, he touched it, leaving behind bloodstains. Initially, it was thought that this ancient rock was approximately 15 feet lower, below street level, at the depth of the original Via Dolorosa. It was raised to its current level as the city level changed. 6. Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus (traditional event). Location: On Via Dolorosa St., up from Station 5. According to tradition, Veronica felt compassion when she saw Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha and gave him her veil so that he could wipe the sweat from his forehead. Jesus supposedly wiped His face and then handed it back to her with the image of His face miraculously impressed upon her veil. Veronica means true image in Latin. A short distance before Station 7, part of the original city wall can be seen. Golgotha was located outside the city during the time of Christ, and this wall marked the city's exit. 7. Station 7: Jesus falls the second time (traditional event). Location: At the corner of Via Dolorosa St. and Khan es-Zeit St. Inside the Chapel of Station 7, a recent discovery was made. In 2017, the wall that had separated the two rooms of the Seventh Station was torn down, revealing a remarkable surprise behind it. Here, the public got its first look at what is believed to be the first-century Western Wall of the city of Jerusalem. 8. Station 8: Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem (biblical event). Location: From Station 7, take a step to the right and walk up Ma'alot E-Khanka St. a short distance. Beneath the metal disk on the wall is a carved stone set at eye level. It is marked by a cross with Greek letters that form an abbreviation for the words “Jesus Christ conquers.” Luke 23:27–31: And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 9. Station 9: Jesus falls the third time (traditional event). Location: Walk back down to Station 7, take a right (south) on Beit HaBad St. Continue on Beit HaBad St. for about 75 yards (70 meters), and you will notice on the right a stairway leading to Station 9. Station 9 is the most difficult to locate. It’s located by the Coptic Patriarchate Building, through a narrow alley. Stations 10–14 are at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Location: From Station 9, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre can be accessed in two ways: (1) by a green door that leads to the courtyard of the Holy Sepulcher, or (2) by returning to Beit HaBad St. and continuing south, then taking a right on Shuk ha-Tsaba'im St. and following it to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 10. Station 10: Jesus is stripped of His garments (biblical event). Location: In a room outside the church called "The Chapel of the Franks," on the right side of the church entrance. It can be seen behind glass panels by going up the stairs. It can also be seen before Station 11 by looking down through a glass window. John 19:23–24: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things. 11. Station 11: Jesus arrives at Golgotha and is nailed to the cross (biblical event). Location: Just after entering the church, take a right and go up the stairs to the second level. A Franciscan altar marks Station 11. John 19:17–18: And he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 12. Station 12: Jesus dies on the cross (biblical event). Location: Beside Station 11, a Greek Orthodox crucifixion altar marks Station 12. Matthew 27:45–54: Now from the sixth hour [12:00 pm] there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour [3:00 pm]. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Beside Station 12 is a large cracked rock, which is believed to have been caused by the earthquake at Christ’s death. On the lower level of the church, this rock can also be seen. 13. Station 13: Jesus' body is removed from the cross (biblical event). Location: Between stations 11 and 12 of the Via Dolorosa is a shrine of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a spear piercing her heart. This marks the spot of Station 13 of the Via Dolorosa, where the body of Jesus was removed from the Cross. John 19:38–40: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 14. Station 14: Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense (biblical event). Location: In the large rotunda of the church, a large enclosed tomb marks Station 14. John 19:41–42: Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. For a more detailed look at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, please see Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Faith Lesson from the Via Dolorosa 1. Roman Crucifixion always took place in the most public areas possible. 2. Jesus was led through the busy streets for maximum humiliation. 3. Christ’s crucifixion happened on the day of Passover, so Jerusalem was at its busiest time of year, and there could have easily been around 150,000 people present in the city at this time. 4. The blood lost during the floggings, the crown of thorns, and beatings were unbearable and life-threatening. 5. Christ was so weak that Simon of Cyrene had to carry His cross most of the way to Golgotha. 6. The total time elapsed from Christ’s suffering that began in the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the cross was about 18 hours of sleepless, intense torment and pain. 7. The physical suffering was only a drop in the bucket compared to the spiritual suffering Christ endured to pay for our sins. 8. Do we really understand the price that was paid for the forgiveness of our sins, the privilege we have of being right with God, and the gift of eternal life in heaven? 9. Do we warn others of the reality of the judgments of God and the price of rejecting Christ’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life? 10. If we refuse to believe in the existence of a literal hell, then all Christ suffered has little meaning or purpose. This would be a horrendous slap in the face of Christ for all He did on the cross.

Tour and learn all about Bethany. It was the hometown of Jesus’ good friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It's the place where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the home of Simon, the leper. It was the place where Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and where Jesus stayed overnight during His final week of earthly ministry, between His triumphal entry and His crucifixion. Bethany ~ Tomb of Lazarus Photo Gallery Places of Interest Bethany ~ Tomb of Lazarus Introduction Welcome to Bethany. Many events from the Bible took place here. Here are some of the highlights. 1. It's where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. 2. Jesus taught Martha, Mary's sister, a major lesson about choosing priorities at Bethany . 3. Bethany is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. 4. Bethany was also where Simon the Leper lived, and an unnamed woman anointed the head of Jesus with expensive perfume. 5. Mary anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume in Bethany. This most likely happened in the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 6. Jesus cursed a fig tree on His way to Bethany from the temple where He had been ministering. 7. The Triumphal Entry began close to Bethany. 8. When in Jerusalem, Jesus regularly stayed in Bethany. Most likely at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 9. The Gospel of Luke states that Jesus ascended back to heaven not far from here, as this area is part of the Mount of Olives. Location 1. Today, Bethany is located in the modern town of Al-Eizariya or Al-Azariya (Arabic for the place of Lazarus). 2. In 2002, the Israeli government built a separation wall between Jerusalem and Al-Azariya to control terrorism from East Jerusalem. Before this date, biblical Bethany was just a short drive or walk from the Mount of Olives. Today, you must go around this wall, which takes about one-half hour by car. 3. It was a village in Judea about two miles (3.2 km.) southeast of Jerusalem, which the Bible confirms: "Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away " (John 11:18). 4. It was situated on the well-traveled road to Jericho. 5. Some believe Bethany was more like a modern subdivision of Jerusalem rather than an entire town. 6. In biblical times, the edges of Bethany reached the Mount of Olives and bordered Bethphage, a suburb of Jerusalem. 7. Some translate the name Bethany to mean “house of figs,” as there are many fig trees and palms in the area. On the other hand, others translate it as “house of misery,” believing that Bethany was a designated place for those with contagious diseases. Historical Background 1. Archaeological excavations between 1949 and 1953, directed by Sylvester J. Saller of the Franciscans, have unearthed evidence of Christian places of worship erected near the tomb. 2. Six layers of archaeology confirm this is the authentic site of the tomb of Lazarus and Bethany. Rock-cut tombs and the remains of houses, wine presses, cisterns, and silos were also discovered. 3. Pottery finds dating to the Persian and Hellenistic periods also provide evidence of this site's authenticity. 4. O ngoing excavations continue around the area of the House of Martha and Mary. Layers of Archaeology 1. Early Christians Venerated This Site Before any formal churches were built here, early Christians venerated this site as it was here Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, which caused many Jews and religious leaders to believe in Jesus. Virtually no churches were built in the Roman Empire from the time of Christ until 314 AD, when Constantine made Christianity legal. Nonetheless, Christians still venerated and protected the holy sites, including this one. Archeologists have established that the area was used as a cemetery in the 1st century AD, and tombs from this period were found a short distance north of the church. 2. First Church - 350 AD The Byzantines built the first church by Lazarus's tomb. Several eyewitnesses attest to its existence and saw it personally. Among them were the historians Eusebius of Caesarea, the Pilgrim of Bordeaux, and Jerome, who lived in Bethlehem. The first church measured 35 meters long and 19 meters wide. It consisted of a hall with three naves divided by columns and an atrium connecting it to the tomb of Lazarus. The first church had beautiful mosaics, many of which remain today. It was likely damaged by earthquakes in 447 and 551 AD. 3. Second Church - 650 AD A second church was built between 600 and 700 AD and survived intact until the Crusader era. The second church followed the same general plan as the first, but the apse was situated about 13 meters (43 ft) to the east to create a larger atrium. A chapel was built on the south side of the atrium. The pilgrim Arculf, who wrote in 680 AD about a large basilica and monastery, is an eyewitness to this building. 4. Third Church & Monastery - 1138 AD In 1138, King Fulk and Queen Melisende obtained the village of Bethany from the Latin patriarch in exchange for land near Hebron. The queen built a large Benedictine monster (convent) south of the tomb and church. Melisende had extensive repairs made to the 6th-century Byzantine church, which remained the focal point of pilgrimages. These buildings were destroyed in 1187 by the Muslims. 5. Fourth Church - 1200 AD Shortly after renovating the third church, Queen Melisende built a new church with three apses directly over the tomb of Lazarus. This new church was dedicated to Lazarus, and the older church was reconsecrated to Mary and Martha. Melisende also fortified the complex with a tower. 6. Mosque of Al-Uzair - 1384 By 1384, a simple mosque had been built on the site of the existing structures. In the 16th century, the Ottomans built the larger al-Uzair Mosque to serve the town's (now Muslim) inhabitants. They named it to honor the town's patron saint, Lazarus of Bethany. The construction utilized the surviving barrel vaulting of the former west church. Its courtyard is in the Byzantine church atrium. For 100 years after the mosque was constructed, Christians were invited to worship in it, but European church authorities frowned upon the practice, preferring Christians to remain separate. As access to the tomb became more difficult, the Franciscans were eventually permitted (between 1566 and 1575) to cut a new entrance into the tomb on the north side. At some point, the original entrance from the mosque was blocked. This entrance can still be seen in the east wall of the church's antechamber. Modern Church - 1955 In 1863, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land gained title to a plot of ground close to the tomb of Lazarus. Other areas were acquired later. Between 1952 and 1955, a modern church dedicated to Lazarus was built on this property over the remnants of the former Byzantine and Crusader churches. This church's courtyard stands over the older churches' west end. Parts of the original mosaic floor are still visible here. The west wall of the courtyard contains the west facade of the 6th-century basilica and its three doorways. About twenty-five meters up a hill northwest of the church is the modern entrance to the Tomb of Lazarus. Greek Orthodox Church - 1965 At this time, a modern Greek Orthodox church was built just west of the Tomb. Its construction incorporates the north wall of the former medieval Benedictine chapel. Nearby the church are ruins belonging to the Orthodox Patriarchate, which are traditionally identified either as the House of Simon the Leper or Lazarus. Places of Interest 1. Tomb of Lazarus The Crusaders made major changes to the tomb. Originally, it was a three-bench tomb, with space for three bodies to be laid along the walls. Then, when the Crusaders built their church above it, they feared the weight of the building might cause the tomb to collapse. To strengthen it, they covered the inside walls with stonework for support. Because of that, the original burial benches are still there, but they are now hidden behind the added stone. The Crusaders also left a few small niches in the walls, likely for candles to light the tomb. The bench where Lazarus was probably laid was most likely the one just to the right of the crawl space as you enter. 2. House of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus 3. House of Simon the Leper 4. Ancient churches built over the Tomb of Lazarus 5. Bethany 6. Bethphage 7. Mt. of Olives 8. Old City Jerusalem 9. Old Jericho to Jerusalem Road Bethany I n the Bible 1. Bethany was the place where Jesus taught a major lesson to Martha, the sister of Mary. Luke 10:38-42: Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village [Bethany]; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary , who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” 2. Bethany is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. John 11:1-5: Now a certain man was sick: Lazarus of Bethany , the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 (Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.) John 11:17-27: So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away [2 miles, 3.2 km.]; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother. 20 So then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise from the dead.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” John 11:38-44: So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out !” 44 Out came the man who had died, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 3. Bethany is where Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. This event most likely happened in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. John 12:1-3: Therefore, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was , whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a dinner there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4. Bethany is also where Simon the Leper lived, whom it appears Jesus had healed. In Simon's home, a woman anointed Jesus' head with expensive perfume. Mark 14:3-9: While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper , He was reclining at the table, and a woman came with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the vial and poured the perfume over His head. 4 But there were some indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume could have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a good deed for Me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the entire world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.” 5. Jesus cursed a fig tree on His way to Bethany from the temple where He had been ministering. Matthew 21:17-22: And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany , and spent the night there. 18 Now in the early morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 And seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves alone; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. 20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.” 6. The Triumphal Entry began close to Bethany. Luke 19:29: When He approached Bethphage and Bethany , near the mountain that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road. 37 And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, 38 shouting: “Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 7. When in Jerusalem, Jesus regularly stayed in Bethany. Most likely at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mark 11:11: And Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple area; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 8. While Acts 1:9-12 says Jesus ascended back to heaven from the Mount of Olives, Luke states it happened around Bethany. There is no contradiction, as Bethany was considered part of the Mount of Olives. Luke 24:50-53: And He led them out as far as Bethany , and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising God. Faith Lesson from Bethany 1. Martha was a busy person who worked hard but neglected spiritual devotion and eyes to see what was most important in life. What about us? Are we so busy that we neglect our devotion to Christ? 2. In Bethany, Christ raised Lazarus from the dead and claimed to be the resurrection and the life for those who believe in Him. What about us? Are we right with the Lord and have the hope that we will be resurrected to live with a new, glorified body with Christ for eternity in heaven? 3. Mary showed her love and devotion to Jesus by anointing Him with very expensive ointment and wiping His feet with her hair. What about us? How do we show our love and devotion to Jesus? 4. Jesus cursed a fig tree, and it died. He told us that if we have faith and don't doubt, we can move mountains. What about us? Do we have faith and believe God can do great things when we serve and trust Him? In what areas of my life do I lack faith and have fear?

Other than the main holy sites we have on our website about northern Israel, this page lists many other sites of interest in the area: Acre (Akko, Acco, Ptolemais), Belvoir Fortress, Jezreel (Yizreel), Nimrod Fortress National Park Other Sites of Interest ~ Northern Galilee Photo Gallery Places of Interest Other Sites of Interest In Northern Israel Acre (Akko, Acco, Ptolemais) Located about 9 miles (14 km.) north of Haifa, Acre was one of the best seaports in Israel. Acre was allotted to the tribe of Asher, but they were never able to conquer it (Josh. 19:24–31; Judg. 1:31). It was similar to Tyre and Sidon, cities the Israelites failed to conquer. As a result, Acre became a fortress city of unusual strength that stood up against its many attackers. However, when Assyria arose to power, Acre was conquered and came under its control. When Assyria fell from world power, Acre, along with other Phoenician towns, came under the rule of Babylon, and then later, to Persia. In the Seleucid period (BC 312–65), Acre rose to prominence in the battles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies. The Ptolemies had control of it during the struggles after the death of Alexander the Great and made it their stronghold on the coast. At this time, the city of Acre was changed to the name Ptolemais. This would be the name it would be known as during the Greek and Roman occupations of Israel. Therefore, the New Testament authors refer to Acre as Ptolemais (Acts 21:7). In the period of the Crusaders, Acre was the most famous stronghold on the coast. It declined after the Crusader period and fell into the hands of the Ottomans under Selim I in 1516. Belvoir Fortress This Crusader castle is located on a hill of the Naphtali Plateau, 12 miles (20 km.) south of the Sea of Galilee. This impressive structure sits about 1,641 ft. (500 m.) above the Jordan Valley, which was a strategic location during the time of the Crusades. Designed to withstand the Muslim invaders, the fortress provided strong combat positioning as well as an amazing view of the surrounding area. Built in 1168 by the Hospitallers order, it withstood a year and a half siege by Saladin’s forces. The structure itself consists of an outer and an inner square fortress. It is still well-preserved, and visitors can explore the grounds while taking in a stunning view of the Jordan Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the Golan Heights. It is the most complete and preserved Crusader fortress in Israel. Jezreel (Yizreel) Jezreel, located in the fertile Jezreel Valley, is about 24 miles (38 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea and about 17 miles (28 km.) southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Jezreel was a major biblical city, and during the 9th century BC, it was the northern capital of the Israelite Kingdom. When Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa, news of this event came from Jezreel. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, became crippled when his nurse fell while carrying him as she ran in haste after hearing the terrible news of Jonathan’s death (2 Sam. 4:4). After the Kingdom of Israel was divided in around 930 BC, King Ahab made Jezreel one of his royal residences, erecting a palace here (1 Kings 21:1). At Jezreel lived King Ahab’s wife, who instituted the worship to the false gods of Baal and Asherah. This provoked God to send a drought that lasted 3 years. It ended with the great showdown between Elijah and the 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah. God sent fire from heaven that consumed Elijah’s altar to show the nation of Israel He was God. Afterward, Elijah killed all the false prophets (1 Kings 18). The vineyard of Naboth was by King Ahab’s palace in Jezreel. Ahab wanted the vineyard for a vegetable garden, but Naboth refused to sell it. So Ahab’s wicked wife, Jezebel, arranged for Naboth to be wrongly accused and executed so Ahab could rob his land (1 Kings 21). Apparently, it was on the city's eastern wall from which Jehu entered when he ordered Jezebel (King Ahab’s wife) to be thrown down according to prophecy. Some of her blood spattered on the wall when she landed, and the dogs ate her body (2 Kings 9:30–37). Nimrod Fortress National Park Nimrod Fortress is situated in the northernmost part of Israel, just a few miles north of Caesarea Philippi. It’s on a ridge rising some 2,600 ft. (800 m.) above sea level and is the biggest Crusader castle in Israel. The mountain-top stronghold overlooks the deep narrow valley separating Mount Hermon from the Golan Heights and the road linking the Galilee with Damascus (present-day Syria). The Crusaders built it in the Middle Ages to guard this major access route against armies coming from the west. On the eastern edge of the fortress was a large keep (a keep is a fortress within a fortress), protected by large rectangular towers. In the west, it was separated from the main fortress by a moat, accessed by a bridge. The keep served as living quarters for the commander of the fortress. In times of siege, it became an additional defense position. The fortress is named after a biblical hero, the hunter, Nimrod, the great warrior (Gen. 10:8-9) who, according to local tradition, dwelt on this summit.

The Greek Orthodox “Prison of Christ” is a small underground grotto/chamber inside the Greek Orthodox Holy Monastery of the Praetorium along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City, near the area associated with the early “trial/condemnation” stations. A long-standing devotion connects it to Jesus being held briefly in custody in connection with the “praetorium” scenes of the Passion (especially John 18:28). It is also the believed place where some of the apostles were jailed. Greek Orthodox Prison of Christ/Apostles Photo Gallery Places of Interest Greek Orthodox Prison of Christ/Apostles Introduction 1. The Greek Orthodox “Prison of Christ” is a small underground grotto/chamber inside the Greek Orthodox Holy Monastery of the Praetorium. 2. A long-standing devotion connects it to Jesus being held briefly in custody in connection with the “praetorium” scenes of the trial of Jesus before Pilate. 3. According to the Greek Orthodox Church, this complex sits on the site of the Roman Praetorium where Pontius Pilate judged Jesus, and its underground chambers served as the temporary holding cells for prisoners awaiting execution. Among these prisoners would be some of the Apostles. Location 1. Located along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City just west of the Sisters of Zion and Ecce Homo Arch. 2. It's also west of the area associated with the early “trial/condemnation” stations marked out as stations one and two of the traditional Via Dolorosa path. Historical Background 1. The Underground Prison While the monastery building above ground dates primarily to the 18th century, the subterranean levels consist of ancient, rock-hewn caves. These chambers feature authentic Roman-era stonework and were likely used as cisterns or local detention facilities in antiquity. The Cell of Christ: The smallest cave in the complex is venerated as the specific cell where Jesus was held while the Roman soldiers prepared the cross. The main focal point is a stone bench and a distinctive flagstone carved with two holes, traditionally believed to be the stocks where Jesus' feet were shackled. The Cell of Barabbas: Another cave within the underground complex is traditionally identified as the holding cell for Barabbas, the insurrectionist released by Pilate in place of Jesus in honor of the Passover custom. General Jail Area: Located in the lower area of the caves is a larger area with hooks in the walls. This could be the area where some of the Apostles were held by the Jewish religious leaders for preaching about Christ. 2. Historical and Archaeological Context The site is steeped in religious devotion, but its historical authenticity as the actual site of Jesus' imprisonment and trial is a subject of ongoing debate among historians and archaeologists. The Antonia Fortress Tradition: The monastery is situated near the remains of the Antonia Fortress, a massive military garrison built by Herod the Great to monitor the adjacent Temple Mount. Beginning heavily in the Crusader period (12th century), Western and Eastern traditions began to associate this fortress with the Praetorium. It was a logical assumption that the Roman governor would station himself near the Temple Mount during volatile Jewish festivals to quickly suppress any riots. The Herod's Palace Consensus: Today, the majority of modern archaeologists and historians believe the actual Roman Praetorium was located on the opposite side of the Old City at Herod's Palace (near the modern Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David). Roman governors generally preferred the luxury of Herod's Palace to the austere military barracks of the Antonia Fortress. Extensive excavations in the 1970s and early 2000s uncovered massive Roman-era pavements and retaining walls there, which better fit historical descriptions of the trial's location. 3. A Landscape of Traditions Because the Gospels do not provide exact geographical coordinates, and because Jerusalem was entirely destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, the exact locations of many biblical events were obscured. As a result, the Greek Orthodox Praetorium is actually one of five distinct locations in Jerusalem that lay claim to a "Prison of Christ." The others include: A dedicated chapel inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also maintained by the Greek Orthodox Church. A dry cistern beneath the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Catholic tradition for the house of the High Priest Caiaphas. A medieval chapel within the Armenian Monastery on Mount Zion, the Armenian tradition for the estate of Caiaphas. The Church of the Archangels in the Armenian Quarter, traditionally held as the house of Annas, where Jesus faced his preliminary interrogation. 4. How the Tradition Developed The familiar route of the Via Dolorosa developed in the medieval period and located the “praetorium” area in the city’s northeast (near where pilgrims were shown features tied to Lithostrotos/Gabbatha). Greek Orthodox custodianship and a specific “prison” grotto: In this same northeastern complex, the Greek Orthodox preserve a grotto and point it out specifically as the Prison of Christ, alongside pieces of ancient fortification/paving remains in the area. Modern chapel/labeling: Some guides report that, from the early 20th century (often dated to 1911), the site was more formally promoted/marked as “the real Prison of Christ,” with a chapel above and signage that makes it easy for pilgrims to find. 5. What Archaeology Reveals This part of the Old City is archaeologically like a “layer-cake.” This means there are many layers sitting one on top of another in this area. The Via Dolorosa area preserves ancient features (including stretches of paving and nearby subterranean installations), but key surfaces long shown as Lithostrotos are often dated to Hadrian’s Aelia Capitolina (2nd century CE) rather than Jesus’ time. Because of that, most historians treat the “Prison of Christ” identification as devotional tradition, not something that can be proven from archaeology alone. 6. The Big “Praetorium” Question A major reason this site is discussed cautiously is that many scholars today associate Pilate’s praetorium in Jerusalem with Herod the Great’s palace on the western hill, not the Antonia Fortress complex that anchors the traditional Via Dolorosa. So, the Greek Orthodox monastery’s “prison” is best understood as part of the pilgrimage memory-map of Jerusalem—deeply meaningful for prayer, but not a settled archaeological identification. 7. Conclusion We believe the best location for the Praetorium (trial location of Jesus) is at Herod the Great’s palace on the western hill beside the Jaffa Gate. This would have been used by Pilate as well. The evidence there is overwhelming. Both the biblical and archaeology evidence all align well. While we don't believe Jesus was imprisoned here, we do believe the Apostles were. We believe the best option for the Prison of Christ is in the dungeon at the House of Caiaphas (Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu). This prison is the most likely place the Apostles were held because of its proximity to the Temple where they were arrested by the Jewish leaders. Sites of Interest Inside the Prison 1. Street Level Souvenir Purchase Counter Reflection Room Prison of Christ Cell/Feet Stocks 2. Second Level Prison Area Anchor holes in the ceiling, around which prisoners’ chains were fastened. Behind an iron railing, there is a primitive altar, which is one of the oldest in the Holy Land. It reveals that this prison ultimately became a church. On the right side of this area is an ancient plaster-lined baptistry. It reveals that the early church believed this was a holy place. General Prison Area Original Hole to Third Level 3. Third Level Prison Area General Prison Area Hooks in the Walls for Binding Prisoners Prison Cell of Barabbas Walled off Door Places of Interest Outside the Prison 1. Lions’ Gate 2. Temple Mount 3. Antonia Fortress 4. Convent of the Sisters of Sion - Lithostrotos 5. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 6. Ecce Homo Arch 7. Via Dolorosa 8. Herod/Pilate Praetorium Prison of the Apostles in the Bible 1. Peter and John Are Arrested on the Temple Mount and Put in Prison Acts 4:1-10: The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day . 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 2. Peter and John Released from Prison 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 3. The Apostles Do Many Signs and Wonders on the Temple Mount Acts 5:12-16: Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico . 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 4. The Apostles are Arrested and Thrown in a Public Prison Acts 5:17-21: But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison . 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. 5. The Jewish Leaders are Astounded at the Supernatural Release of the Apostles from Prison Acts 5:21-26: When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles . 22 But on arriving at the jail , the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked , with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss , wondering what this might lead to. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people .” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. Faith Lesson from the Prison of the Apostles 1. The Apostles were bold in their faith and preached and ministered to many. What about us? Are we bold in our faith and do we share it unashamedly to others? 2. The Apostles suffered and were persecuted for their faith. What about us? Are we willing to suffer and be persecuted for our faith? 3. Standing in a “prison” space like this makes Hebrews 13:3 come alive and real: “Remember those in prison …” What about us? Do we have compassion for the countless people right now in other countries who are suffering for their faith? 4. God can turn confinement into mission. Even when the doors don’t open immediately, God’s purposes aren’t stopped. The early Church learned that chains can become a platform for witness. What about us? Do we use what appears to be setbacks to grow and witness for Christ?

Who has the right to the Holy Land? The Palestineans of the Jews? What does history say about this debate and hotly contested land? Learn all about it here! Who Has the Rights to the Holy Land? Holy Land Site Video Coming Soon Who Has the Right s to the Holy Land? The Jews or Arabs? Introduction Who has the right s to the Holy Land? The Jews or the Arabs? Who was there first? What does history show us about this issue? What does the future look like in this troubled part of the world? Currently, there is a war going on between Hamas and Israel, and many other countries are getting involved. Things look chaotic and uncertain. Everything that is happening is because of the dispute over who has the rights to the Holy Land. I f you want to know about who has the rights to this land and understand the root cause of the conflict, read on to find out. Let's explore this issue and see what the truth is. Let’s Define Some Names and Terms 1. Secular Arabs – These are the descendants of Ishmael, one of Abraham’s sons. 2. Muslim Arabs – These are the believers in the Islamic faith, who are generally Arabs, which was founded by Muhammad in around 610 AD. 3. Secular Jews – These are Jews who are not religious and do not follow the Jewish faith. 4. Religio us Jews – These believe and practice Judaism. 5. Pales tine & Palestinian – Roman Emperor Hadrian first used these terms in around 132 AD. He used them after a major conquest and destruction of Israel to eradicate the Jews due to their uprisings. He changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina and the country of Israel to Palestine. He used the word Palestine to refer to the Philistines, one of Israel’s enemies from around 1400 to 1000 BC. His intent was to erase the names of Israel and the Jews and disassociate them from the Holy Land. However, during the time of Hadrian, there were no Philistines that lived. Nonetheless, he did this to eliminate the name Israel and replace it. The term fell out of use during the Byzantine era in around 324 AD and wasn’t used again until 1948. It is used in these latter times by some to promote the idea that the Jews today have no right to their God-given homeland. However, many use it as it has become the common name for the Holy Land. I don’t like to use the word much because there are no original Philistines from the time of the Canaanites living in the Holy Land today, and the original intent of the word was antisemitic. However, I will use it on occasion for understanding and clarity purposes. The Conflict Is Mainly Between Muslim Arabs and Jews Now, this discussion is not about all Arabs and is not intended to be anti-Arab. I have a number of Arab friends and have met many Arab people while in the Holy Land who are wonderful folks. God loves all people and wants them to come to the saving knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ, who proved to be divine and fulfilled countless prophecies proving this. Both the Jews and Arabs need Jesus Christ, along with all of us. He is the only hope for peace and salvation. Every person is equal and created in the image of God. I also want to say that I feel deep compassion for the innocent people caught up in war. Wars are ugly, destructive, and sad. What Is the Conflict About? The basic conflict is over who has the right to exist in the Holy Land. The Muslim Arabs claim they are the rightful owners of all the Holy Land and want no state of Israel at all, and Israel says they have a right to exist in their homeland. What Is the Root Cause of the Conflict? To really understand this conflict, we must go back in time to around 4,000 years ago to the time of Abraham and his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. From the descendants of these two brothers comes the conflict that has gone on for the last 4,000 years. Who Has the Right to the Holy Land? God should have the last word on this issue, as He is the Creator and owner of everything. Let’s see what God says. To do this, let’s look at the Abrahamic Covenant God made with Abraham regarding the land of Israel as found in the Bible. The Abrahamic Covenant consists of three promises God established with Abraham. 1. A Land 2. A Nation or People 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. The Abrahamic Covenant The Abrahamic Covenant is given numerous times in Genesis chapters 12-17 and continually reaffirmed throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. You will notice that the Bible uses the name Abram before it is later changed to Abraham, which means father of many nations. God promises a land and a people: Genesis 13:14-17 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever . 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk throug h the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” God promises Abraham a son: Genesis 15:18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. After waiting a long time without Abraham and Sarah having a child, Sarah tries to fulfill this promise through her handmaid, Hagar. The birth of Ishmael: Genesis16:11-12 After Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, there arose bitterness between Sarah and Hagar. Then God describes the kind of person Ishmael would be. “Behold, you [Hagar] are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.” What do we see here? 1. The bitterness between Sarah and Hagar begins the conflict we see today. Later, this bitterness would include Ishmael and Isaac. 2. Ishmael will be a wild donkey of a man and will be against everyone and everyone against him. We certainly see this throughout history. The fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant would come through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, not through Ishmael. Genesis 17:15-22: And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. What do we see here? 1. The Abrahamic Covenant, an everlasting covenant, would be through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. God’s covenant would not be through Ishmael. 2. Ishmael would be the father of a great multitude, which are the Arab people. 3. Through the Abrahamic Covenant, fulfilled in Isaac, would come Jesus Christ, the prophesied Savior. Galatians 3:13-14, 16: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles , so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed . He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. What do we see here? 1. The genealogies of the Bible, which oftentimes we think are boring, are so important. They prove that Jesus Christ fulfills the lineage aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant that dates back to around 4,000 years. 2. P rophecy is what sets the Bible apart from any other writing. It contains very specific, detailed prophecies. So, in summary, the Abrahamic Covenant, which is the major storyline of the Bible, includes three major aspects: 1. A Land through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today is known as the Holy Land. 2. A Nation or people through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his offspring, which today are called the Jews or Israelis. 3. A Lineage – Through the lineage of Isaac would come Christ, the Savior of the world. The Role of Islam in the Conflict The religion of Islam, which came into being in around 610 AD, completely denies the Bible’s storyline and radically changes it. Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohamad and gave him a number of revelations from around 610-632 AD. The Quran and Muslim theology believe the following: 1. The Abrahamic Covenant was intended for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 2. The Holy Land is for Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 3. The promise of a nation or people is through Ishmael and his offspring, not Isaac and his offspring. 4. Jesus Christ is not the Savior but just a prophet, and Mohamad is greater than Jesus and is the last prophet. 5. I t denies the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 6. It believes the Bible is corrupted and that the Quran is the true revelation from God. Note: This Muslim belief cannot be true because the Dead Sea Scrolls, written around 100 BC, 700 years before Mohamad, verify that the Old Testament we have today is the same as what was written in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Also, Islam does more than just claim the Bible has been corrupted. It denies about 95% of the Bible is even true. For example, the New Testament's main theme is that salvation is through Jesus Christ and how to live and serve Him as a result. Islam denies all this. So, saying the Bible has been corrupted is not an accurate statement. The truth is that Islam rejects virtually all of the Bible and what it teaches. 6. Mohamad is the main example of how we should live. This even includes marrying children, as Mohamad married a 6-year-old girl when he was 51 and then consummated the marriage (had sex with her) when she was 10 years old. Marrying children is extremely common among Muslims. The Bible’s Claim About Islam According to the Bible, Islam is completely opposite to what the Bible teaches and is an antichrist religion. This explains why they hate Christians and Jews so much. The Jews believe in the Old Testament, and Christians believe in both the Old and New Testaments. Will the coming Antichrist be a Muslim? Many believe that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. This makes sense as Islam theology believes in a coming world leader called Mahdi. He will make a peace treaty for seven years, rule from the temple in Jerusalem, intend to kill all Jews and Christians and force all people to worship Allah. This Mahdi is exactly what the Bible describes as the Antichrist. Also, there is no other religion that is so against Christians and Jews like Islam. Additionally, Muslims believe Jesus will return to earth from heaven. But in their version of Jesus, he returns as a Muslim and will tell all the Christians that what the Bible says about him is wrong. He will destroy Christianity and demand that everyone convert to Islam and set up Islam as the one world faith. As you can see, Islam is anti-Bible and totally changes what the Bible teaches about the Abrahamic Covenant, which includes a land, a people, and a lineage. And most importantly, it teaches that Jesus was not who the Bible claims He is. Jesus warned about this when He was on earth. In Matthew 24:3-5, when Jesus was talking about the end times it says: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. What Islam teaches is the very thing Jesus warned believers to be on the lookout for and not to be deceived by it. So, at the root of the conflict we see playing out on the world stage right now is a spiritual conflict that began thousands of years ago and continues to this day. This conflict was experienced and prophesied in Psalm 83: Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah Islamic World Conquest Through Jihad Explains the Conflicts in Israel The theology of Musli ms is to conquer the world for Allah and institute Muslim rule over the entire world. This rule is also known as Sharia Law. After this is done, they say, then peace will finally come to the world. This is why, since the inception of Islam, Muslims have been engaged in conquering land for Allah. This can be clearly seen in its nearly 1500-year-old history. Therefore, Islam is a violent faith that conquers lands and peoples for Allah by whatever means necessary, as taught in the Quran. We can see this in the following quotes and teachings of Islam. 1. World conquest and Jihad is taught in the Quran and Islamic theology. Quran 8:60: And prepare against them all the power you can muster, and all the cavalry you can mobilize , to thereby Allah’s enemies and your enemies. By using terrorism, governments and people yield to Muslims because of fear. They see the horrifying acts of terrorism and don’t want to make the devoted Muslims angry so they won’t be terrorized. Quran 8:39: Fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes exclusively for Allah. But if they desist—Allah is Seeing of what they do. Quran 47:4: When you encounter those who disbelieve, strike at their necks. Then, when you have routed them, bind them firmly. Then, either release them by grace, or by ransom, until war lays down its burdens. Had Allah willed, He could have defeated them Himself, but He thus tests some of you by means of others. As for those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will not let their deeds go to waste. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. Quran 9:29: Fight those who do not believe in Allah. The theology of Islam promotes the raping and sexual slavery of women if it’s done in connection with Jihad. That’s why the men are generally killed, and the women taken into slavery. 2. Jihad groups, like Hamas, use as part of their warfare, placing their rockets and military operations behind women, children, schools, hospitals, mosques, and so forth. This way, when these places are targeted and destroyed, they can cry out that horrific abuses have been done to their innocent places and people. 3. According to the current leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Mahmoud Abbas, no Jews would be allowed to live in the land of Israel unless they converted to Muslim if a State of Palestine was created. This is completely opposite to what the state of Israel allows. Israel has many Arab citizens, has Arabs in their government leadership, and allows for complete freedom of religion. 4. According to a Muslim statement, Muslims should not submit to any form of government that is not Muslim, and no non-Muslim government has the right to rule Muslims. And if they do, Muslims have the duty to dislodge non-Muslim governments from power by any means possible. 5. Under Muslim-run countries, there is no separation of church and state. The government rules as a theocracy for Allah. This is also known as Sharia Law. 6. When Muslims conquer countries, they persecute and pressure non-Muslims to convert, or life will become unbearable for them, even to the point of execution. 7. They also destroy all religious sites like churches, synagogues, and so forth. They do this to show dominance and conquest. This is why they built the Dome of the Rock exactly over where the temple once stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 8. In Islamic Jihad, it is okay to lie to defeat non-Muslims. This is partly what happened with the recent Hamas invasion of Israel at the time of this filming in 2023, where they killed around 1,400 people and kidnapped around 220 people. They told Israel they wanted peace. Therefore, Israel let their guard down and were deceived. 9. It is also commonly promoted that Islam is a peaceful religion. This is done to deceive the ignorant. History and Muslim theology clearly state that Islam’s purpose is to conquer the world for Allah through Jihad, which is war by all means necessary. 10. There are also terrorism and death sentences in Islam for those who leave Islam or convert to another religion. This includes honor killings, imprisonment, and persecution within Muslim-run countries. I have personal Arabic friends living in Israel who have left Islam and are under threat from family members and other Muslims who want to kill them. 11. Many Arabs and Arab Muslims just want to live in peace and live their lives. However, the devoted Islamic Jihadists are the ones causing most of the trouble. That’s why when peace agreements are made between Israel and Arabs, the Jihadists increase their terrorism. This was clearly evidenced by the OSLO agreement that President Bill Clinton oversaw. The peaceful Muslims don’t do or say anything contrary to the Jihadists out of fear for their lives. So, it’s the devoted Jihadists who control most of the Arab countries. Again, the goal of the devoted Jihadists is to conquer the world for Allah. 12. The devoted Jihadists reject peace because, in their view, peace is losing ground and yielding power. According to them, it stops the progress of conquering the world for Allah. 13. The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas, is a Palestinian Islamist militant group founded in 1987. The group’s primary objective is to establish an independent Islamic state in all the Holy Land. To accomplish their purpose, they want to eliminate Israel from the Holy Land. Hamas is known for its armed resistance against Israel and has been designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. 14. The group’s charter calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in what they call “historic Palestine.” Hamas has been governing more than two million Arabs in the Gaza Strip since 2007. 15. In summary, the Quran, Muslim theology, Mohamad’s life, and Muslim history all call for Jihad to punish and fight for Allah in the conquest of the world. Quran 9:14: Fight them. Allah will punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you against them , and heal the hearts of a believing people. This is what the Bible says about Islamic Jihad. John 16:2-3: They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God . 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me. Is Israel Occupying the Holy Land Unjustly? Let’s look at a brief history of the Holy Land. 1. The Holy Land was promised to Abraham and his descendants by God and first inhabited by Abraham in around 2000 BC. This promise would come through Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. 2. Later, God commanded the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites from the Holy Land because of their extreme wickedness. This happened in around 1406 BC when the Israelites entered the Promised Land. 3. The nation of Israel became the world’s dominant power under the kingships of King David and King Solomon in around 1000 BC. It was a vast empire. 4. Because Israel disobeyed God in many ways, He allowed foreign countries to conquer and subdue them. Many Jews were exiled. The first conquest happened in 722 BC by the Assyrians and 586 BC by the Babylonians. However, there always remained a Jewish presence in the Holy Land, and Jews returned from exile back to Israel. 5. Over the next 2,500 years, until 1948, the land of Israel would be ruled and occupied by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mameluke Muslims, Crusaders, Ottoman Muslims, and the British. However, there always remained a Jewish presence in the Holy Land during all this time. 6. After Israel’s rejection of Christ, their Messiah, God would judge them severely, as prophesied by Jesus. This resulted in the destruction of Israel and Jerusalem in 70 and 132 AD. 7. However, God had a plan and purpose for Israel and prophesied He would regather them into a nation again in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948. 8. In 1917, the Ottoman Empire fell because of World War I and the League of Nations entrusted the British with overseeing the Holy Land. This included all of the country of Jordan today, as well as all of Israel. 9. At this time, the Ottomans, by formal cession, gave the Holy Land to the League of Nations, who, by international law, gave it to Great Britain, known as the British Mandate, to facilitate a homeland and nation for Israel. 10. After much fighting and tension between Britain, the Jews, and the Arabs, Britain handed the Holy Land over to the UN (United Nations) to facilitate the conflict. 11. In November of 1947, the UN voted to recognize Israel as a state, and the British Mandate would end on May 15, 1948. 12. On May 15, 1948, after Israel was recognized as a state by the UN and the British Mandate ended, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria invaded Israel. Israel was victorious and won the war. 13. Egypt ruled the Gaza Strip, and Jordan ruled the West Bank from 1948-1967. 14. After the Six-Day War in 1967, when Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan were planning an attack on Israel in their attempt to take full possession of Israel, Israel launched a preemptive strike and won the battle. They took possession of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 15. In 2005, Israel gave the Gaza Strip away to Arab leadership in exchange for peace. They also gave the Sinai Peninsula away to the Egyptians in exchange for peace as well. Therefore, Israel has not occupied the Gaza Strip for many years now. It has been under Arab control since 2005 and under Islamic Hamas leadership since 2007. Hamas receives billions of dollars in aid each year to better the country. Unfortunately, they spend most of it on terrorism and their own personal wealth instead of on building a better country for the people living there. 16. In addition to Israel giving full control to Arab leadership in the Gaza Strip, there are many areas of the Holy Land where Arabs have full control. 17. Most Arabs living in Israeli-controlled areas are very happy as the standard of living is much higher. The Arab-controlled areas, and especially the Gaza Strip, are where the standard of living is very low. 18. Today, there are around 9 million Jews and 2.1 million Arabs living in Israel. Many of the Arabs vote, serve in the military, hold office, are parliament and supreme court members, university professors, and doctors. They are very happy, peaceful, and supportive of the state of Israel. 19. Israel has accepted every two-state solution in the Holy Land, but Arab leadership has rejected every proposal. The Arab leadership wants Israel removed entirely from the Holy Land. This is their stated goal. Therefore, Arab leadership does not want peace but the elimination of the state of Israel. 20. It would be good to mention that there have been wars since the beginning of time. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. If Israel is wrongly occupying the land, then should the Muslims give back all the land they conquered over 1500 years and possess today? For that matter, should every country over the entire history of the world return conquered land? And if so, how far back do we go? War is just a reality of this fallen world, and it’s unrealistic to return all land to its original occupiers. And if we use history as the measure of the right to occupy land, then Israel has more rights to the land because they conquered it in 1406 BC. The Muslim Arabs didn’t conquer it until around 631 AD, then lost it later. 21. In all of the history of the Holy Land, there has never been a Palestinian State. In fact, as mentioned earlier, the term Palestinian fell out of use after the Byzantine conquest of Israel in around 324 AD and wasn’t used again until around 1948. 22. The main reason Israel is now against a two-state solution is that if they give the West Bank to Arab leadership, they will have the same issue they face today with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. From the West Bank, rockets could then reach every part of Israel, and their existence would be threatened. And with the stated intent of Muslim Arab leadership to totally eliminate the Jews, this would be a dangerous reality. Israel Becoming a Nation Fulfills Bibl e Prophecy In Ezekiel chapter 37 is a vision Ezekiel received about a valley of dry bones. These bones represent the nation of Israel and how God would regather them into their homeland in the last days. This was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel was recognized by the UN and the International Community as being its own country. Ezekiel 37:11-14: Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I am going to open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14 And I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land . Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’” This amazing prophecy has been fulfilled and lets us know that the Bible is God’s word and true, as only God knows the future. We must realize that the creation of Israel as a state is God’s doing. It fulfills His master plan for the nation of Israel. God is the Lord and owner of everything, so we must realize it is His will for the nation of Israel to exist. Nothing will change His plans. Therefore, the fact that Israel is a state is ultimately by God’s sovereign work and plan, not people’s. Faith Lesson 1. God is the Creator and owner of everything. This includes all the earth and the nations on it. He raises up nations, and He removes nations according to His good purposes. God gave the Holy Land to Israel through the Abrahamic Covenant, so they have a right to exist in their homeland. 2. Other people lived in the Holy Land besides the Jews as well. Some of these were people from other nations whom the Assyrians and Babylonians brought in, some joined in the Jewish faith like Ruth, and some lived there because the Jews failed to conquer them in the conquest of the Promised Land in 1406 BC. According to the Jews, other nationalities are welcome to live in the Holy Land as long as they are peaceful. However, terrorists are a huge problem. 3. The Jews have agreed to virtually every peace treaty presented to them. They even gave up the Gaza Strip to the Arabs for peace and the Sinai Penisula to Egypt for peace. However, in the case of Gaza, they have only received terrorism and war. That's why Israel is not in favor of a two-date solution. All they would likely get is another Gaza in the middle of their country, where rockets could easily reach every part of Israel. 4. According to the devoted Muslims who follow the Quran, they are not interested in peace because that would be failure to conquer the world for Allah. Therefore, peace is not an option, and they will continue to fight against the Jews and all non-Muslim countries moving forward. 5. God has a plan for Israel, and He will be the one who defends them supernaturally. God will fulfill this major prophecy as He has fulfilled every other one. You can count on that. 6. God loves both the Jews and Muslims, and for that matter, all people and desires that everyone comes to salvation through Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish , but that all should reach repentance.

The Jordan River is mentioned over 180 times in the Bible. It is the main River in Israel, supplying much of the country with water. Its total winding length is about 125 miles (200 km.). The meaning of “Jordan” in Hebrew is “descend.” Mount Hermon, Sea of Galilee, Yardenit Baptismal Site, Adam, Gilgal, Camp Gilgal, Jericho, Baptismal Site of Jesus, Israelite Crossing the Jordan River Site, Dead Sea Jordan River Overview Photo Gallery Places of Interest Jordan River Overview Location 1. The Jordan River begins at Mount Hermon in the northernmost part of Israel, flows into the Sea of Galilee, and then out and down to the Dead Sea. 2. The lower part of the river has the lowest elevation of any river in the world. 3. It’s the border between Israel and Jordan for much if its length. 4. Today, because of the high demands of water by both Israel and Jordan, little water makes it to the Dead Sea area. Historical Background 1. The Jordan River is mentioned over 180 times in the Bible. 2. It is the main River in Israel, supplying much of the country with water. 3. Its total winding length is about 125 miles (200 km.). 4. The meaning of “Jordan” in Hebrew is “descend.” This is true of the Jordan River as it literally descends thousands of feet from its inception to its ending, and all but the beginning part is below sea level. 5. However, there’s a deeper spiritual meaning to the word. In the same way we must descend to access the Jordan River’s waters physically, we must descend and humble ourselves before we can ascend spiritually. This concept is seen in many of the miracles that happened in and around its shores. Places of Interest 1. Mount Hermon: Rises to around 9,232 ft. (2,813 m.) above sea level and supplies the Jordan River with most of its water. 2. Hermon Stream Nature Reserve: Beginning area of the Jordan River. 3. Jordan River View: Nice viewing place where the river is wide and calm. 4. Sea of Galilee: The Jordan River flows into and out of the Sea of Galilee. 5. Yardenit Baptismal Site: Located just south of the Sea of Galilee. It’s a popular place where many pilgrims get baptized in the Jordan River. 6. Adam – Place the waters of the Jordan backed up to when the Israelites crossed the river (20 miles, 32 km. above crossing). 7. Baptismal Site of Jesus: Located across from Jericho, this is the believed place where Jesus was baptized. It’s also a popular place where many people get baptized today as well. 8. Crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites: Located close-by to the Baptismal Site of Jesus. 9. Camp Gilgal 10. Jericho 11. Dead Sea Jordan River in the Bible 1. Abraham entered the Promised Land through the gateway of the Jordan River Valley when he first journeyed from Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen. 12:1–9). 2. When Abraham and Lot divided their possessions, Lot chose to settle in the lower part of the Jordan River Valley. Genesis 13:10: And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 3. Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites camped on the east side of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. Joshua 3:1: Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan , he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 4. The Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground as God miraculously parted the waters. Joshua 3:14–17: So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan , and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam [20 miles, 32 km. north], the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan , and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan . 5. Naaman, the Leper, was healed in the Jordan River by the Prophet Elisha. 2 Kings 5:10–14: And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." 11 But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, "Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan , according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 6. Elijah parted the waters of the Jordan with his cloak. 2 Kings 2:6–8: Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan . 8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. 7. Elisha made the head of an ax float at the Jordan River. 2 Kings 6:1–7: Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” 4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan , they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. 7 And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it. 8. John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:5–6: Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 9. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Matthew 3:13–17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 10. The disciples of Jesus baptized many in the Jordan River. John 4:1–3: Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. Faith Lesson from the Jordan River 1. The Jordan River represented life and vitality to the Israelites. They were desert people, and water was their life. Therefore, Christ used this concept to teach them that in the same way water was vital for their physical lives, He was vital for their spiritual lives as well. Do we realize the importance of a close relationship with Christ in order to have spiritual life and vitality? 2. The meaning of Jordan means “descend.” In a spiritual sense, are we humble before God and submissive to Him in order to grow spiritually? 3. The Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. In so doing, God reminded them of the miracle of crossing the Red Sea after their exodus from Egypt. Often, God will repeat miracles to show His faithfulness. What things has God done repeatedly to show His faithfulness to us? 4. Naaman, the leper, had his own idea of how God should operate. Do we often have our own ideas as well as to how we think God should do things? 5. Baptism played a large role in the ministries of John the Baptist, Jesus, and his disciples. It was a baptism of repentance. What is our view of baptism today, and how important is it to us and our ministries?