Day 1: Departure from US (November 2)
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare
yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the
flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
Day 2: Arrive Israel (November 3)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our
Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in
Israel. We travel northward to our hotel for one night in
the coastal area near Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free
to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. The
time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the
“Great Sea.” Enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and
the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this
land, and a good night’s rest.
Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & Mt. Carmel, Nazareth (November
4)
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the
coast of the Mediterranean Sea to
Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from
Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre,
harbor/palace area and aqueduct, and then journey on to
Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the
prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to
Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists
have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the
area of
Cana and
Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the
Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with
costumed guides. We will have free time, dinner and overnight
lodging for the next three nights in the
Tiberias area on the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 4: Mt. Arbel. Bethsaida, Chorazin, Capernaum, Mount of
Beatitudes, Baptism (November 5)
This morning we begin with an over view of the Galilee by
ascending Mt. Arbel for a spectacular view of the northern Sea
of Galilee allowing for an excellent time of teaching on the
region of Jesus' ministry. We descend for a visit to Bethsaida,
Chorazin and
Capernaum which form what has been called the "evangelical
triangle" because most of Jesus’ miracles in Galilee were
performed in these cities. Of special interest are the ruins of
a 1st century synagogue in Chorazin, the House of the Fisherman
in Bethsaida and Peter’s home in Capernaum. This afternoon we
travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes
and the
Mount of
the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee,
followed by a relaxing boat cruise. A brief scripture reading
and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus
and the fishermen disciples. We dock at a working Kibbutz and
visit the famous Fisherman Boat from the days of Jesus. We
conclude our wonderful day with a memorable baptism service on
the Galilee.
Day 5: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Bental, Military Base
(November 6)
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable
northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel.
Dan, where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan
worship, and
Caesarea
Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s
Confession. We travel to nearby Mt. Bental for a view and
history lesson of the Golan Heights and this strategic plot of
land in Israel’s history. Ending our day, we spend time at a
Military Base learning of the IDF current training and threats
to the nation’s security.
Day 6: Gideon’s Spring, Beth Shean &
Dead Sea (November 7)
We begin our day by visiting En Harod and Gideon’s Spring, where
Gideon thinned his army based on on how they drank from
the water. Next we visit nearby
Beth Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent
archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture
of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been
almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating
Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hung their
bodies on the walls of Beth Shean. During the intertestamental
period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis." Archaeologists
have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of
the chief cities of the Decapolis -a league of ten cities
sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile
Jordan Valley southward, your guide will point out the
agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey,” the
Kibbutz system and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We
pass ancient Jericho, view from a distance this city famed as
the oldest in the world, before coming to our lodging for the
evening at the
Dead Sea
– the lowest place on earth. Spend time in the special spa and
enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.
Day 7: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
Scrolls, Abraham's Tent (November 8)
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top
fortress of
Masada.
Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot
stand. Afterwards we proceed to
Ein Gedi,
"Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead
Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water,
the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date
palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where
God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship
led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit
Qumran
Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
This afternoon we will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in
Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving
of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume,
dramatic presentation, and authentic food. Our lodging for the
next four nights will be in
Jerusalem.
Day 8: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times,
Holocaust Museum (November 9)
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper
Room" just outside the
Zion Gate
where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast
and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord & my God." An
interesting and educational time awaits us at the
Israeli
Museum. Walk through collections of centuries old
Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a then a
guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical
Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what you will experience
in the following days. We conclude the day with a visit to
Yad
Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder
of what the Jews have suffered as a people.
Day 9: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days -
Aliyah Talk (November 10)
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a
panoramic view of the city,
Mount
Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the
Mount of
Olives and then the
Garden of
Gethsemane. We descend the mount and stop at Dominus
Flevit Chapel for a time of singing. How many have wished to be
whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His
voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive
trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for
personal reflection is important here. Next we visit the
House of
Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a
pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient
hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. On
our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and then
the fascinating Western (Wailing) Wall Tunnels leading us through the
Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear
understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount,
giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was
led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense
cornerstone rejected by the builders. We move on to the
Judgment
Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against
Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation.
From here we will also be able to see the
Pool of
Bethesda,
Stephen's
Gate and St. Anne’s Church. This evening we hear a
talk by a local Ebenezer team about how Christians help Jewish
people return to Israel from the land of the north, south, the
east and the west (including the USA).
Day 10: City of David, Jeremiah's
Cistern, Hezekiah's Tunnel (November 11)
We begin our sightseeing just outside the Dung Gate on the
southeastern hill below the Temple Mount in the City of David.
It was during the time of Solomon that the city limits extended
past this part of Jerusalem. We visit Gihon Spring, the
original water source for Jerusalem, view new excavations
including a typical Israelite four-room house, the lower city
wall and the cistern where Jeremiah was imprisoned. A highlight
today will be a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's
Tunnel to the pool of Siloam, the place of Jesus' miracle in
John 9. Before returning to our hotel, our guide will take us
to an overview of the city from the hillside overlooking
Jerusalem and the Gehenna Valley. This meaningful teaching time
will bring together the many things that you have seen to date.
Day 11: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb,
Pentecost, Bethlehem (November 12)
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way
of suffering along with a visit to the
Church of
the Holy Sepulcher. Our guide will explain the
differing opinions on the route that Christ was led and the
actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting
study. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of
the skull) and the
Garden
Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with
communion and a time of praise. This afternoon we visit the
Southern
Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple
was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests
and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side.
Parts of the giant stairs which led to the Temple Mount from
the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification
pools. From here Jesus entered the
Temple
Mount and drove out the vendors and money changers
who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is
the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were
saved and baptized on the
Day of
Pentecost. We will enjoy a challenge from God’s word
and a song before an optional time this afternoon. Those who
wish may stay in the city marketplace for shopping, while others
may choose to spend the remainder of the day surrounding the
birth of Christ, with a visit to
Bethlehem.
This evening following dinner we transfer to the airport for our
late night departure home, arriving November 13.
Day 12: Early morning arrival in U.S. (November 13)