2009

BIBLE STUDY TOUR OF THE HOLY LAND

Specially prepared for

Pastor Jim Dykes

DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT / NEWARK / EN ROUTE TO ISRAEL

Today we are warmly welcomed by Pastor Dykes at HARTSFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in ATLANTA. After check-in and security clearance, our Continental jet departs at 10:15AM and makes a short “hop” to NEWARK before we transfer to our international flight. As we leave the US coastline behind, our pilgrimage “officially begins!” Our spirits will soar with prayerful expectations of all that awaits us in the 'Land of the Bible.' Complementary meals are served on board.

DAY 2 THURSDAY, FEBURARY 26

BEN GURION AIRPORT / JOPPA / CAESAREA MARITIMA – CRUSADER FORTRESS – ROMAN THEATER – AQUEDUCT / TIBERIAS

Arrival at BEN GURION AIRPORT is anticipatedat 9:15A, local time. After passport control, our guide will greet and escort us to our awaiting driver and motorcoach. We catch our first glimpse of Israel as we journey to ancient JOPPA ( Jaffa) situated on the Mediterranean Sea – the oldest known port city. It was from here that Jonah sailed away from God’s will and into the belly of the waiting fish (Jonah 1:3) and Peter had his housetop vision at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:8). From the summit of Joppa, the city of Tel-Aviv lies before us – hugging the coastline! Next we travel north to CASEAREA MARITIMA (Acts 25:4), where we’ll walk through the ruins of a CRUSADER FORTRESS and dine at a local restaurant while overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. After our delicious lunch we view the archeological remains of where Paul was imprisoned, walk along the newly excavated harbor – from where he sailed to Rome – and see the ROMAN THEATERwhere Paul stood before King Agrippa. We conclude our sightseeing with a brief stop at one of Herod's engineering masterpieces – an AQUEDUCT. From here we journey over the Galilean hills to TIBERIAS and arrive at our deluxe hotel. Before dinner, there’s time to walk along the Galilee, explore the many nearby shops or simply relax! Dinner and overnight at the RIMONIM GALEI KINNERETHHOTEL nestled along the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 3 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

CANA / NAZARETH VILLAGE / MARY’S WELL / SYNAGOGUE CHURCH / PRECIPICE / MUHRAKA ON MT. CARMEL / MEGIDDO / TIBERIAS

After a hearty breakfast, we drive west through the town of Cana where Jesus performed the first of his earthly miracles, turning water into wine. Our first stop is NAZARETH(Matt. 2:19-23), the boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will spend a few hours in the NAZARETH VILLAGE, a biblically authentic recreated village designed to transport us back 2000 years to time of Jesus childhood. We will walk through fields with locals in costume, visit a threshing floor and a vineyard. We will read scripture in the synagogue and see a home like the one Jesus grew up in. Leaving the Nazareth Village, we’ll stop at MARY'S WELL and wind our way through the narrow streets of this busy marketplace to the SYNAGOGUE CHURCHbelieved to be built on the ruins of the former synagogue where Jesus attended. As we depart Nazareth we make a brief stop at the traditional PRECIPICE (Luke 4:28-30), believed to be where the mob took Jesus with the intention of throwing Him from the cliff. Our journey continues to MUHRAKA (I Kings 18:18) , on the Mt. Carmel range, where we remember Elijah's contest with the false prophets of Baal. Our final stop is at MEGIDDO(I Kings 9:15) where we enjoy the breath-taking panorama of the Jezreel Valley, the site of the coming battle of Armageddon. As we look across this ancient and future battlefield, we’ll read of Christ's Second Coming – in all of His power and glory! Following Shabbat dinner tonight, we’ll gather in a conference room for introductions and testimonies! Overnight in TIBERIAS.

DAY 4 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

GOLAN HTS. / CAESAREA PHILIPPI / CAPERNAUM / CHURCH OF THE PRIMACY / TABGHA / MT. OF BEATITUDES / BAPTISM AT YARDENIT

This morning starts with breakfast while overlooking the Sea of Galilee! Our sightseeing begins with a drive north along the strategic GOLAN HEIGHTS. We pass the deserted landmark of Kuneitra – once the chief Syrian city of the Golan – as we make our way to CAESAREA PHILIPPI (Matt. 16:13-18)– nowcalled Banias. Situated at the foot of Mt. Hermon, it is a source of the Jordan River and also the site where Peter made his ringing confession concerning Jesus Christ, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God!" After our brief visit, we turn south through the Hula Valley to CAPERNAUM(John 6:24) to see the remains of an ancient synagogue, the home of Peter, and much more!Nearby, we’ll stop at the CHURCH of the PRIMACY (John 21:15-17) and TABGHA (John 6:1)situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This afternoon will be especially meaningful as we gather on the very hillside – the MOUNT of BEATITUDES (Matt. 5) – where Jesus delivered His renowned sermon. This wonderful day concludes with a memorable BAPTISMAL SERVICE in the Jordan River at YARDENIT. Dinner and overnight in TIBERIAS.

DAY 5 SUNDAY, MARCH 1

SEA OF GALILEE / MT. ARBEL / BEIT SHE'AN / EIN HAROD / DEAD SEA

Today begins with a boat ride on the SEA of GALILEE (Matt. 14:25). Once we're out on the lake we’ll turn off the engines for a wonderful worship service, remembering the many miracles that Jesus performed on these same waters. From here, we ascend MT. ARBEL for our final panoramic view of the entire Galilee region … be sure to bring your camera! Our next stop is BEIT SHE'AN (I Sam. 31:10), an amazing archaeological site where painstaking excavations and reconstruction are currently underway. This city, one of the Decapolis league, is remembered as the place where the Philistines hung the bodies of Saul and his son, Jonathan, upon the city walls. Then it's on to EIN HAROD ( Gideon Springs – Judg. 7), where God reduced Gideon's army to a few valiant men who later defeated the Midianites. This afternoon we continue our drive south along the Jordan Valley to a luxury hotel on the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight along the shore of the DEAD SEAat the LE MERIDIEN HOTEL.

DAY 6 MONDAY, MARCH 2

DEAD SEA / MASADA / EN GEDI OVERVIEW / QUMRAN / JUDEAN WILDERNESS / JERUSALEM

This morning is at your leisure to enjoy one of the most beautiful hotels in all of Israel! Sleep in late, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, stroll on the private beach, sample the unique buoyancy of the highly therapeutic Dead Sea waters or simply relax and “drink in” the view from your balcony. After a late check-out, we drive to MASADA, King Herod the Great's fortress/palace built in the midst of the desert. First we’ll learn the story of the Jewish zealots who chose death atop Masada in 73 AD rather than becoming slaves to their Roman conquerors. Then it’s off to the summit by cable car to view the exquisitely restored archeological remains of the palace complex. Next, we continue to the EIN GEDI FIELD SCHOOL (I Sam. 23:29) for an overview of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and David’s Waterfall below. It's here that David hid in caves from the murderous King Saul. Ein Gedi is also significant in Bible prophecy as the place where fishermen will dry their nets next to the Dead Sea in the coming kingdom of Jesus. Further north, we stop at QUMRAN, the place where Essene scribes hid ancient scrolls nearly 2,000 years ago. These parchments were discovered in 1947 in the greatest archaeological find of the twentieth century and became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. On our way to the Jerusalem, we ascend through the JUDEAN WILDERNESS where we'll stopfor a service overlooking the 'Valley of the Shadow of Death' which David sang about in Psalm 23. This special day concludes with our first glimpse of JERUSALEM – The Golden City. Dinner and overnight at the deluxe DAN PANORAMA HOTEL in the heart of JERUSALEM.

 

DAY 7 TUESDAY, MARCH 3

SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS / WESTERN WALL / TEMPLE MOUNT / RABBINIC TUNNEL / POOL OF BETHESDA / BETHLEHEM – CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY – SHEPHERDS’ FIELDS

After a sumptuous breakfast, we enter the Old City through the Dung Gate. Just inside the gate we’ll visit the SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS of the Second Temple and stand on the ancient stairs that Jesus would have used to ascend to the Temple. Nearby, we visit the visible remnant of the Temple's WESTERN WALL, also known as the Wailing Wall. For it is here that the Jews lament the destruction of their Temple and pray for the coming of their Messiah. Subject to availability, we’ll ascend to the TEMPLE MOUNT. Though entering the mosques is prohibited, we can view the Mt. of Olives and the Eastern Gate. As we exit, we’ll walk through the narrow streets and circle back to the entrance of the RABBINIC TUNNEL system by which means the priests traveled from their homes to the Temple. Subject to availability, we’ll enter the tunnel to view ancient passages, arches, and cisterns as we walk on roman pavement stones over 2,000 years old! Upon exiting, we stop for a visit at the Church of St. Anne and the POOL of BETHESDA (John 5:1) where Jesus healed the lame man. A short stroll brings us to St. Stephen's Gate through which we will exit to meet our bus. This afternoon we'll journey south to BETHLEHEM(Micah 5:2 / Luke 2:1)to visit the CHURCH of the NATIVITY, the holiest site of Christendom, built over the traditional site of Christ's birth. Nearby, while in SHEPHERDS' FIELDS, we’ll read and reflect on Luke 2 … which relates the joyful announcement of Jesus’ birth. Dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

TOMB OF KING DAVID / UPPER ROOM / CARDO / BURNT HOUSE / THIRD TEMPLE INSTITUTE / YAD VASHEM / SHRINE OF THE BOOK – MODEL CITY / BEN YEHUDA ST. & ILLUMINATED WALLS

Our tour begins today on Mount Zion as we visit the TOMB of KING DAVID and the traditional UPPER ROOM (Mark 14:12). Next we enter through the Zion Gate into the Jewish Quarterwhere our first stop will be the CARDO, the ancient marketplace. Nearby, we pass by a remnant of Nehemiah's Wall on our way to the BURNT HOUSE. Once belonging to a temple priest, it's a vivid illustration of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. From here it's a short walk through the narrow streets to the THIRD TEMPLE INSTITUTE where rabbis, goldsmiths, weavers and artisans are creating authentic Temple utensils based on Biblical, Talmudic and archeological research to be used in the future Third Temple. Our descent to the Dung Gate will provide plenty of photo ops of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall! This afternoon, we travel to YAD VASHEM, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust. Spend time touring this brand new complex with its Children’s Pavilion and walk along theAvenue of the Righteous, where trees have been planted to commemorate the many Christians who helped save the lives of Jews during World War II. Our day concludes at the SHRINE of the BOOK, located on the grounds of the Israel Museum, which houses many original manuscripts and copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. While on the grounds, we’ll visit the newly re-opened MODEL CITY which explains “the look” of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. After dinner, this evening is a special night out as we explore more of the city, browse the many shops and enjoy a drink or ice cream at one of the many sidewalk cafes on BEN YEHUDA ST., a pedestrian mall in the heart of New Jerusalem. We’ll complete our perfect evening with a drive around the ILLUMINATED WALLS of the OLD CITY. Overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 9 THURSDAY, MARCH 5

MOUNT OF OLIVES / DOMINUS FLEVIT / GETHSEMANE / HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS / LITHOSTROTOS / VIA DOLOROSA / CALVARY / GARDEN TOMB

Today will be a day like no other as we trace the final footsteps of our Lord. We begin on the summit of the MT. of OLIVES(Acts 1:8) for a panoramic view of the Old Citywhile our guide answers our many questions.Nearby westart our walk down the slope to the tear-shaped church of DOMINUS FLEVIT(Luke 19:41-44), where tradition holds that Jesus wept over His beloved city of Jerusalem. We continue our leisurely stroll to the GARDEN of GETHSEMANE(Mat. 26:36) with its ancient olive trees where the Bible states Jesus prayed until His sweat turned to blood. The gardener will unlock the gate allowing our group to enter a private part of the olive grove where we can partake in a quiet worship service, giving praise to Jesus for His agony in this very garden. Each of us may then find our own secluded spot to pray in this special place. Leaving Gethsemane we drive across the Kidron Valley to the HOUSE of CAIAPHAS (John 18:12), the home of the high priest of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus was tried and beaten late into the night. You and I will descend into the pit where Christ was kept until morning when He was led away to Pilate. From here, we visit the LITHOSTROTOS of ANTONIO FORTRESS, also known as 'The Pavement’ (John 19:1-19). In this courtyard, as lots were cast for His garments, Jesus was stripped, beaten, and later led away to be crucified. We, then, follow in His steps along the traditional VIA DOLOROSA and out the Damascus Gate to climax our tour with a visit to CALVARY (Luke 23) and the GARDEN TOMB (John 19:38). In this serene garden setting, we see the places of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Lord, culminating our time together with a celebration of communion. For our final stop in the tour we will head back over to the mount of Olives for scripture reading regarding the ascension of Jesus and his return to this very mountain. We will enjoy a time of thrilling worship here overlooking the city of God! Our hearts will be forever changed after this incredible experience! Farewell dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 10 FRIDAY, MARCH 6

BEN GURION AIRPORT / NEWARK AIRPORT / ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT

This morning our journey in His Land comes to an end. Our guide will escort us to BEN GURION AIRPORT for our return flight @ 11:15A. After a brief transfer at NEWARKAIRPORT arrival at ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT is anticipated for 8:56PM, of the same day. In flight we can fellowship with our new friends as we reflect on all that we have seen and learned as we walked in the footsteps of Jesus! Our memories that will last a lifetime!