Called at Caesarea built by Herod. Caesarea was home to Cornelious.
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
There we viewed the giant aqueduct built by King Herod over eight miles long with a three-degree drop. We looked at a Crusaders moat and viewed an Amphitheatre.
We visited Nazareth and called at the service in Nazareth Baptist Church.
Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
From here we moved to Cana of Galilee site of first miracle of Jesus Christ,
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
through the valley where disciples picked the corn
Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
and on to the baptismal site of John the Baptist, although this is approx. seventy miles from actual site.
John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
We journeyed on to Tiberius and our hotel Astoria, [basic accommodation.]
We travelled short distance to Sea of Galilee and took a boat trip across the lake, Irene sang the stranger of Galilee, excellent setting and very memorable.
John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
From the other side of the lake we took a coach journey to the Mount of Beatitudes, Much of this beautiful scenery has been spoiled by popery and other cults, but to look over the Sea Of Galilee and realise that from here Christ preached the famous “sermon on the mount” makes it a must for any tour.
Matthew 5:1-3 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In this so called Christian triangle we then visit the “Church of the Multiplication” supposed site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes again a lot of tradition associated with this site.
John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
We then moved the short distance to Capernaum, centre of much of Jesus’ ministry here Kenny, preached the word.
Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
We then took our coach into the Golan Heights and up to the Syrian border where we viewed mount Hermon and some military installations after lunch in a Druze restaurant, we travelled to Caesarea Phillipi [Banias] Where Peter confessed Jesus Christ as son of God.
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
We travelled through Hula Valley on to our Kibbutz hotel, excellent accommodation and facilities, we enjoyed some kayaking in the after noon.
We had a pleasant tour of the kibbutz first thing and then we travelled in the direction of Haifa and to mount Carmel where Elijah had the famous confrontation, Here Norman read and I closed in prayer, some of the views from this mount are breathtaking. [Muhraka]
1 Kings 18:19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
As we entered Haifa, we stopped at the “shrine of Bab” founder and hero of Baha’i cult, beautiful gardens costing 22 million dollars again some wonderful views of this city.
Travelling along the plain of Manasseh we reached Megiddo or Armageddon, the vastness of this area is amazing, certainly a wonderful site for a battle.
Rev. 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
After this we travelled through the valley of Jezreel where Gideon battled the Midianites, much of this area is steeped in OT history, Mount Tabor etc, etc.
Judges 6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
Hosea 1:5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
Judges 4:12 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
We entered the West Bank and travelled to Jericho. Here we stayed in a beautiful hotel.
After shopping we headed out to the Mount of temptation passing on the way the excavation site of the old walls of the city, some of us enjoyed camel rides at this point.
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Going back into Jericho we looked at a sycamore tree, reminding us again of the story of little Zaccheous.
Luke 19:1-2 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
Heading further south, we arrived at the Dead Sea, lowest point in earth, here we enjoyed the famous float and covered ourselves in mud. Well worth a visit from a tourist perspective it is excellent. Nearby by is Qumram site of discovery of Dead Sea scrolls.
Leaving the Dead Sea, we viewed some Bedouin homes, as we travelled through Judean desert. On to Bethany home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, we visited site of Lazarus’s tomb. Not much to see.
John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
We arrived at Mount of Olives and looked down upon Kidron valley an area steeped in importance for every child of God.
Zech. 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
We stopped where tradition says Jesus wept over Jerusalem here a church called the church of the Teardrop is situated again much popery spoiling beautiful scenery.
Luke 19:41-42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, [42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
The graves of many Jews can be found on the Mount of Olives. We then descended a little further to the Garden of Gethsemane and looked upon Jerusalem, we could see the Eastern Gate, and here Nel sang the them tune of our tour. A wonderful view of the Golden dome.John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
We travelled to our hotel outside Jerusalem, the Nevelan, fairly good accommodation.
Today we visited the old city, entering through the dung gate on the west. The wailing wall is well worth seeing as is the temple mosque and dome of the rock, no wonder there are so many sceptics in the world, what confusion, if only they had the real rock, Jesus Christ. We looked at Bethesda and the excavation of the pool [John 5] our time was then taken up with the Via Dolorosa which is mostly, very disappointing.
John 5:1-2 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [2] Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
We called to see St Marks church, Armenian, supposed site of upper room and home of John Mark
Mark 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Finally we saw King David’s tomb and went back to the Nevelan via the Zion Gate.
1 Kings 2:10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
After leaving our Hotel we made our way to Yad Vashem, Holocaust memorial, This is worth seeing and very challenging as we looked upon the depravity and sinfulness of man, the children’s memorial is most moving. 1.5 million children killed by Nazis.
Our next port of call was Gordon’s Calvary, this is a beautiful setting but is spoiled by an Arab bus station beside it, however the tomb and place of the skull are worth seeing, here we broke bread and remembered the Lord. I had the opportunity to preach and the boys sang when I survey.
John 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
We then visited Ein Karem birth place of John the Baptist, here we called into the Biblical resources pilgrim centre also called the Garden of the Book, this is excellent, and the lady who guided us was a believer, this should be a must for every tour.
We travelled the short distance from our new hotel Isrotel, four star accommodations zero star food! , To Bethlehem, this is a very poor call to make, popery and superstition rule the day, best avoided, the shepherds fields are probably the best site around Bethlehem.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
After this we went to see the model of Jerusalem this is worth seeing and very informative. The rest of the day was spent shopping in the Arab quarter of the old city and watching England beat Germany!
We held a brief communion service overlooking the city travelling further, we then stopped for lunch in Tel Aviv, from here we journeyed to Joppa. It was here that Peter raised Dorcas and Jonah headed for Tarshish.
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Our next stop was our hotel in Netanya, poor but adequate accommodation, the setting is beautiful.
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Pastor Ian Wilson
(July 2002)