Jan 4: 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!
Jan 5: 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.
Jan 6: 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.
Jan 7: 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 and
Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of
Peter’s Confession. 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.
Jan 8: 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.
Jan 9: 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.
Jan 10: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust
Museum
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.
Jan 11: 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.
Jan 12: 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 Jesus entered the
Temple Mount and 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 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.
Jan 13: City of David, Jeremiah’s Cistern,
Hezekiah’s Tunnel
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 expended
past this part of Jerusalem. We visit Gihon
Springs, 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.
Jan 14: Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv
Airport for our flight homeward will allow for
arrival home by early afternoon.
