Day 1: Departure
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
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 & Nazareth
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
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 dinner and overnight
lodging for the next two nights in the
Tiberias area on the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 4:
Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Mount of Beatitudes
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two
valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's
blessing on Israel.
Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths
of pagan worship.
Caesarea Philippi is the site of Peter’s Confession of Jesus as Messiah. In order to save valuable time, a box lunch
will be provided. In
Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient
synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the site of
the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the
Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. After
viewing the ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating Kibbutz,
we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief
scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the
experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples concluding
a wonderful day.
Day 5:
Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean & Dead Sea
We begin our day with a visit to the
Jordan River Baptismal site. Next we travel southward to
Beit-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 hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-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 6:
Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham's Tent
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 7:
Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Temple Institute
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 the Temple Institute, known in Hebrew as
Machon HaMikdash. The aim of the institute is to build the
third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.
Day 8:
Jesus' Steps, the Last Days - Messianic Lecture
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. 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
Rabbinical 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. Ann’s Church. This evening we
enjoy a special lecture by a local believer prior to dinner,
giving us a perspective of Messianic life in Israel.
Day 9: Way
of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost, Bethlehem
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. The
actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting
study. Our 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 we will visit
the
Temple Mount where Jesus drove out the vendors and money
exchangers 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 spending the remainder of the day
surrounding the birth of Christ, with a visit to
Bethlehem.
Day 10:
Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for
our flight homeward.