Today was a very event filled day!

I had mentioned yesterday about Queen Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine. Queen Helena was given the task of finding the Biblical sites. She simply decided where they wanted to be and then destroyed or buried any evidence that would indicate otherwise. Over the years, with the use of the Bible and with extended archaeology, many of the actual sites had been found but since many had already come to accept Queen Helena's findings, there is much debate around the nation of Israel over where things are actually located.

Such was the case with our first visit of the day. Our first stop was the Tower of David museum which is located where Queen Helena said King David's family lived and carried out their daily lives. Since then, that has been proven not to be the case but Moshe wanted to take us through the museum anyway because of the learning experience.

In the distance was a tower that had been erected by German Kaiser Wilhelm. Moshe pointed out how every country had wanted a piece of Jerusalem. In the case of Kaiser Wilhelm, the monument he put up actually had the windows and outside features arranged in such a way that it resembled his face. In fact, at one point we actually strode up to the top of the Jerusalem wall where, in the distance we could see three different towers set up by three different foreign governments trying to claim a piece of Israel.

We also got an excellent view of the Temple Mount!

In the Tower of David Museum, we got an extensive view of the history of Israel. Clearly, God has had his hand on this nation as Moshe guided us through each time they were attacked or fell only to bounce back and keep moving forward!

From there, we went to two museums that housed portions of the house of the Jewishhigh priest during the time of Jesus. This house was eventually burned in AD 70. We saw the living area and even some of the pottery. In honor of Cherish Fuller (remembering her toilet obsession from our trip to Africa), I took a picture of the sewer system.

From there we went to lunch where we dined on falafels or schwama's(sic) which are pretty similar in nature and composition. Both are pita breads filled with veggies and/or meat.

After that, we went to Zedekiah's cave. Years ago, someone had found this cave when their dog ran inside the opening. They discovered a cherub engraving on the inside of the cave and discovered also that it extended all the way to Jericho. This cave was where Solomon got the rock he used to build the temple. The last king of Israel, Zedekiah, fled here when being pursued by enemies of Israel. It also extends underneath the Temple Mount. According to Ezekiel, the Gihon Spring will eventually break forth from the temple threshold, grow deeper and wider, flow through Jericho all the way to the Dead Sea causing that body of water to teem once again with sea life. We actually saw where the spring was and a small canal that it was flowing into! At this point, Joe Echols led us in "Awesome God" and "How Great Is Our God". When we were through, many eyes were filled with tears. My mother whispered to me "I feel I need to take off my shoes. I'm standing on holy ground!"

After that, we visited the Garden Tomb. This spot is where many say the empty tomb of Christ is located. It is also near the hill where many say Jesus was crucified. Phillip, our tour guide at the Tomb, pointed out that there are arguments for and against both spots being the actual site. Moshe had told us earlier that there is much evidence that shows that this tomb was part of a family of tombs and had been used before. However, he also pointed out that it really didn't matter. The point was that Christ was dead, buried, and rose again! Amen.

After walking inside and viewing the tomb, we were ushered to a small chapel on the same grounds where Pastor Shawn Paschal led us in communion. We closed the event with singing "Amazing Grace" and "He Is Lord" and then Pastor ChaCha Mwita lead us in prayer in his native tongue (Swahili). Once again, we found ourselves in the midst of a time of awesome worship.

I thought we were headed back to the hotel after the Garden Tomb. I was amazed and glad (though very tired) that this was not the case. We went instead to the Kidron Valley. The Valley runs just below Mount Moriah and extends all the way to the Dead Sea. It is here that Moshe believes Christ was crucified (at the exact spot where Stephen was also stoned) and also where the Empty Tomb is actually located (though never found). It is also where the Garden of Gethsemane and Tomb of Mary are found.

I found the Tomb of Mary very interesting as a Catholic church is now housed there. Just below the spot where Mary lay were folded up papers containing prayer requests and even money. How sad that some would put their faith in someone that was not God but merely one of His precious servants!

We end our night exhausted and emotionally spent. Many are wondering if any day could be as rewarding as this! I know from experience it will!

God bless you and love you!

Pastor Rick Hope/phil.1:3

Day 4

 

Sorry about the delay in getting the blog out on time.  Rick had something come up and had to return home, so I, Scott Arant, will attempt to keep you up to date on our journeys.

 

Day three was filled with much information, but today added so much more and gave it greater dimension.  We started at the Herodian, a man-made mountain fortress and palace for King Herod.  Being built up to a high point south of Jerusalem, he was able to watch as the soldiers went out to kill the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem, because the fortress overlooks the small town.  

In this fortress is a 2000 year old synagogue built by the Maccabeans.  Herod surrounded the synagogue by the palace/fortress to cover the truth of God and lift his own name.  We sat upon the stone stepped seats of the synagogue to learn more of the history of Israel.

 

While at the Herodian, our guide brought to life the story of Boaz and Ruth while standing near the same area that they once lived.  From this vantage point we could also see the hometowns of Amos and Jeremiah.  How amazing to know that these men walked on the land before us, but greater still, to know that God worked through these men, as well.

 

It has only been recently that Herod’s tomb was discovered on Herodian, but it is not ready for public viewing.

 

We traveled next to the City of David built on Mount Moriah.  We observed how the mountain was built up by steps of stone to make the foundation for the palace of the king and other structures.  In the excavation that has been done, it has been discovered that King Hezekiah moved the palace higher before the Assyrians attacked.  Also unearthed was a 4000 year old toilet.  This may sound funny but it is still part of history.

 

While Hezekiah was moving the palace, he also had a tunnel chiseled to redirect the Gihon spring to protect the city’s water supply.    When we reached a wide point in the tunnel, we walked out into a present excavation site that has revealed the possible gate by which Solomon was anointed king.   While walking through this tunnel, we learned how Joab, David’s army commander, captured the city from the Jebusites by coming up through the original water channel.

 

We then proceeded to the House of David’s burial place and the possible tomb of David himself.  It was on this location that the upper room might have been located.  While here we sat above the tomb on the bench-style, stone steps singing praises to our God and reflecting on the setting of Jesus with his disciples.

One more stop was the Pool of Siloam.  This was the cleansing pool used by the Israelites to prepare themselves to go up to the temple and offer their sacrifices and worship.  They would then return by a different route and retreive their belongings.  Imagine 1.5 million people coming through the waters of this pool at the time of Passover to worship God?  What a major undertaking, but God had a plan and used the Levites to organize a year in advance the process of this cleansing and worship cycle.
 

The Antonia Fortress was our next stop.  Passing through the Lion’s Gate on the west side of Jerusalem and through the Muslim Quarter, we came to the fortress where Jesus was held by the Romans before being led off to be crucified.  The markings are on the floor showing where a game was played by the Roman soldiers for the life of Jesus.  They were not the ones to determine the destiny of Jesus, but they toyed with their prisoners just the same.  We also know that no man on earth pronounced the destiny of Jesus.  It was pronounced by God the Father who sent His Son to die in our place and Jesus gave his life willingly for us.  This was the profound thought as I stood in the same area that held our beaten and bleeding Savior.  It was my sin that did this to him.  It was your sin that did this to him.  It was God’s plan and the only way to restore us to Him.  Praise God for His mercy and greatness!  We closed our tour there by singing “Were You There?” and pondered the greatest love known to man.

As we enter a New Year, let us not forget Who is giving us this year.  May we all look to God for all things, in all ways and at all times.  God bless you.

 

Scott Arant

Pastor of Second Baptist Vernon, TX

Sorry we do not have pictures.  The internet connection is not as good as it needs to be.

Day 5

Happy New Year!!  What an amazing start on 2010, by being in the birthplace of our Savior and Lord to continue studying.   Each day that goes by is another piece of structure in building a great house.  We have been shoring up the foundation, building walls, adding the support beams, and putting inner supports.

 Today we visited the Shepherds' Field, which we could see clearly from Herodian.  This place was the property of Boaz and, of course, Ruth came in later.  These are the ancestors of Jesus.  The field is also known as Bethlehem Ephrata which is the place of Jesus' birth.  What an amazing way to begin our day by viewing the field that shepherds were watching their flocks in and the angels proclaimed the message of worldwide change of the birth of our Savior.

 Traveling west, we stopped by the Jordan River for a time of celebrating the crossing of Joshua and Israel to come into the Promised Land.  This river was divided, like the Sea of Reeds, for the people to cross.  Something to keep in mind, though, is that the river was at flood stage and, as we discovered today, the silt on the river bottom is very thin and slippery.  God, again, showed Himself amazing to Israel and to us.  We actually stood in the edge of the river to read the account from God's word and sing praises to God.

 Then our time of worship moved further North, toward the Sea of Galilee, but stopping at Gilgal.  This was the point, and excavation has shown the evidence, that Joshua gathered before going to capture Jericho.  While there we recreated the scene of the people and priests as they worshiped at the tabernacle.

 Our final stop was at the Western Wall.  This is the well-known part of the wall of Jerusalem that is adjacent to the current Dome of the Rock Temple.  This wall is the closest point to where the Holy of Holies would have been on the traditional site.  There were several men and some boys and women praying at the wall.  However, as we men walked into the study and prayer rooms beside the wall, glass covered holes revealing more excavation that needs to be done to get at the original city.  The depth is about 70 feet.  Needless to say, there is so much that has not been discovered about the history of Jerusalem, Israel and into the rest of the world.

 Something we did before going to view the Western Wall, was to light a menorah.  Tonight marks the beginning of Shabbat, or Sabbath, and we lit the menorah to worship God in bringing the Light of the World to us in Jesus Christ.  Christians and Jews are bound together by the same God and the same Savior.  We do not need to follow the law or the traditions of the Jews in order to have a healthy relationship with God.  However, we do need to acknowledge our need for a Savior no matter who we are or where we come from.  One of the most amazing things I have observed in being here, looking at different sites and hearing the history is how God has so guided the minute details of the coming of Jesus and Israel's role.  Only an amazing God could have done such a thing, and He really is the most amazing!  May you look to Him this year and grow in your knowledge and love of Him.  If you have not come to know Him as your Father, this is your year, no, your moment to make a new life through Christ!

Scott Arant

Pastor of Second Baptist Vernon, TX

Further from Rick Hope:

There was a tragedy in my family which caused the abrupt ending of my writing these blogs.  I cannot think the trip participants, Moshe Bronstein, and especially Byron Stinson for their amazing support after I found out the bad news. These guys are awesome! I  will be leaving tomorrow night to come back to Texas and be with my family and especially my daughter.  Special thanks to Scott Arant for taking over for me J.

Day 6

We left Jerusalem this morning on our journey to the Sea of Galilee.  We spent quite a bit of time on the road traveling to our new center of discovery, so we did not visit as many sites in a day as we usually do.  Before reaching the Sea we stopped off at a place outside of Tel Aviv called Ebenezer.  This place marked the border between Ephraim and Manasseh's tribe, as well as, gave the people a place to keep an eye on the Philistines who lived on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  It was at this place that the oldest written Hebrew alphabet was found.  This proves, without doubt, that the land belongs to the Jews in Israel.  The structures found there as well show that these were Israelite dwellings.  These same type of structures have been found in several places throughout Israel, Egypt and Jordan, all pointing to God's people living there.  What an amazing find and further proof of God's infallible word!

Mt. Carmel was our next stop.  This is the mountain that Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on to establish who is the real God.  From this mountain we could look over the Valley of Megiddo, "the valley of the battle."  Several battles took place in this valley in the history of Israel.  Two that were brought up were Deborah leading Israel against the Canaanites led by Sisera and Elijah facing the prophets.  Each of these instances shows how God can do great things through those who are willing to follow Him with all their hearts.    This valley may also bring to mind another battle yet to take place:  Armageddon.  It is a large valley and to imagine the forces of evil and the earth coming against Christ is beyond imagination.  And to know that Jesus will defeat them all with just the word of his mouth!  What a God we serve!

After leaving the mountain we traveled to Nazareth.  On the way there we stopped at a wood shop that works in olive wood.  There were trees waiting to be processed that were over 1000 years old.  A tremendous fact about the olive tree is that if you move it from one location, even if it is 1000 years old, and plant it in another, it will continue growing.  It is a tremendous symbol for the nation of Israel:  it is an old nation, but God will make sure it grows wherever it is planted.  In Nazareth we walked through an area that is made into a recreation of what it might have looked like in Jesus' day.  There were vineyards and the remains of an ancient wine press, wheat fields, olive trees and a reconstructed olive press, a shepherd with sheep and goats, a man working in a carpenter shop, a lady weaving and spinning wool, and a synagogue.  This was the highlight of the visit to Nazareth.  As we sat on the stepped, stone benches, we heard of the importance of the synagogue and how Jesus came into the synagogue to proclaim to the people the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning his coming.  Afterwards, Moshe, our guide, had us stand in a circle and hold an unrolled Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) that belonged to his family for 500 years.  We worshipped God in song and left with a greater connection to God's plan for all humanity with the sending of Jesus.  Jesus lived in the town of Nazareth and here we were, over 2000 years later, worshipping our Savior and Lord.  It does not get any better!  Well, we will see what tomorrow holds.

Good night from Galilee.  I pray that you will trust God with your day.  He knows what He is doing.

Scott Arant

Day 7

This day was different, at least for me.  As we moved from site to site looking at ancient cities and reviewing history, there was a tremendous sense of how God's hand was working in our lives just as He has in the past.  We viewed Tel (meaning "old") Hazor.  A tel is a built up hill that usually has some form of structure on top, a city or stronghold for example.  The excavation at this tel has revealed that there were about 30 cities in this one location.  What makes it even more significant was the evidence of construction matching that of Solomon's time.  This shows the existence of the Israelites in this area, north of the Sea of Galilee.  Even the bricks made of clay and straw are evident, along with other architectural clues to the truth of who occupied the hill.

We moved on to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve that contained one of the main springs of the river Jordan and the remains of the temple area that the Israelites used when they were worshiping a gold calf.  As we walked through the wooded area alongside a bubbling stream, we came up to the spring that feeds into the Jordan River.  Water is life in Israel.  This really strikes home when you realize that Jesus is the living water.  The spring was delivering clear, clean water (it had passed over and through sandstone, filtering it well) that flowed into the Jordan River, which is muddy.  What a picture of the pure, life-giving water that continually flows in Jesus.  He is the Living Water that never runs out and we are to be the streams that send it out to others, so that they too can drink and no longer thirst.  A place was made on the trail at the spring to sit and as we sat there we sang thanks and praise to God as the sound of flowing water was heard.  As we were singing, thunder rolled in the distance, continuing to remind us of the wonderful handiwork of God.  We moved on to the ancient temple site and into the remains of the city of Dan.  The temple worship of the gold calf was when Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was king of Judah and Jeroboam, king of Israel, set up two calves, one in Dan and the other in Bethel (1 Kings 12:26-30).  Even though this temple was a sin in God's eyes, we can see from it how the temple of Solomon might have been laid out.  As we viewed this, we could picture the worship of God in the temple in its rightful place in Jerusalem.  Standing on the raised area above the altar, we looked out over the valley before us.  The mountain range with Lebanon on the other side was to our left and the range with Jordan on the other side to our right.  These two had been attacking Israel in the past, trying to take her land and proclaiming that she would not last.  However, there we were with our Israeli guide discovering the wonders of God.  We also took this time to sing of the glory of God and how glorious He is!  Moving down the trail brought us to the remains of Dan the city.  We were amazed at the design and construction of the fortifications.  In the days of Dan, it was customary to have seats for the elders beside the gate to discuss matters and make decisions.  There were two gates with these areas preserved for us to look at.  We reviewed and partially reenacted the redemption of Ruth by Boaz.  This is a picture for us of how God redeemed us and how the family of David was coming into the history of man, a history that is still affecting people today, because this is the family that God used to bring Jesus to this world.

With that thought in mind we moved on to Hermon Stream Nature Reserve.  Here we saw where Herod had set up a place to worship Pan-the half-man, half-goat that caused panic.  As we walked over the sight, which is in the region of Caesarea Philippi, we saw how the area was swallowed up by an earthquake because of the false god being worshiped here.  This is also the same area that Jesus asked the question of his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Mat. 16:13-18).  As the disciples were seeing what was taking place at this place of "worship, " they had to make a decision, just as we do today.  We must decide who Jesus is going to be for us-just another man, teacher, prophet-or Savior and Lord.  I hope you choose wisely and make him the latter.

Our final stop for the day was on the Sea of Galilee.  We motored out about halfway into the sea.  By the way, it is not a sea but more like a lake.  However, the bodies of water that God used were called seas, i.e. the seas at the temple used for purification.  These were just large containers made by man, but in God's hands and use, they were seas.  As we sat on the waters, imagining how the disciples must have felt when Jesus came walking by, not one time, but two times, we reflected on the hundreds, maybe, thousands of people who listened to teachings of Jesus as he ministered there.  How many came to the realization of Peter and made their confession is not known, but there many.  Thank the Lord, that a storm did not arise while we were out!  We made it back safely to shore and to a wonderful meal and time of fellowship.

This is the last night here in Israel.  We will head out tomorrow to do more learning and at the end of the day head to the airport for a late flight back to the States.  There is mixed emotion:  much more to know, but the love of family and friends back home.  Home is where the heart is, as the saying goes, just keep in mind that unless your heart is in Heaven through Jesus, you will never truly be home.  God bless you and keep you in His mighty love.

Scott Arant

Day 8 & 9

This is the last post from the Hope-Paschal trip to Israel.  What an adventure!  We started our final day on the Sea of Galilee looking at a 2000 year old boat discovered in the sand when the Sea was low during a drought.  This would put it about the time of Jesus' day.  Here we have an example of what the Disciples might have been traveling in when the storm arose and Jesus said, "Shush, storm" (in the words of Moshe), and the storm stopped.  Jesus still speaks peace to us today, if we will just listen to his voice.

The next location was a spot that has been marked at the traditional confession of Peter of Jesus as the Christ.  As we looked out over the Sea, I could imagine Jesus calling the men out to be fishers of men.  He still calls us today to be the best fishers we can be.

From there we moved on to the spot believed to have been where Jesus gave the "Sermon on the Mount."  In this powerful message, he was trying to move the people to see that serving God was not a matter of the letter of the law, but of a heart relationship with God the Father.  The thousands who were touched by Jesus' words and hands and were healed came to mind as we read sections of this message in turn.  This was followed by songs of thanks and honor to God.

Next stop, Zippora.  This city was the "Beverly Hills" of Israel.  It was connected to Alexandria, Egypt because of the evidence in the wonderful mosaic artwork found in the rooms of homes, the palace, and the temple.  The amazing beauty of these works shows the richness of the city financially, socially, and politically.  It was a neutral city right before Jerusalem was taken by the Romans in 70 AD, so it was not sacked by them.  The city remained until about 1400 when the Turks came.  The streets of cobble have the ruts of chariots and carts.  On the sides of the cobble are the foot-traffic walkways covered in small tiles.  The city also had an elaborate water system consisting of a very large cistern and pipe.  The cistern was located toward the bottom of the mount and the 6 ft diameter pipe, acting as a siphon, would lift the water to the citizens up top.  While we were standing in the cistern we sang a hymn of praise.  The acoustics were amazing as the song reverberated all around us.

This was our last historical site we visited before moving on to Tel Aviv to have a final meal together.  The fellowship of the group was celebrated as we enjoyed each other's company.  We expressed our heart-felt gratitude to Moshe as our patient and well-informed guide.  This trip would not have been possible if it were not for God and Biron.  Biron has allowed God to use him in a wonderful way of blessing to others.  Finishing the meal we traveled to the airport to fly out at 12:15 AM, January 5, Jerusalem time.  We arrived at DFW at 12:05 PM, our time.  Exhausted would be a great description of how we feel.  It has been a quick, hard, fast-paced trip, but we would not exchange it for anything.  We have much to remember.  Pray that we can.

In closing this last entry, let me say a big, "THANK YOU" to those who have helped us in so many ways.  There have been those who gave money and other things to make the trip possible and these folks are greatly appreciated.  Your prayers are more precious than all and we coveted every one of them.  I would also like to pass along thanks to our families who allowed us to be away from them for this time.  I know that God has changed us on various levels and in different ways, but none of us are the same.  I pray that we can be effective for God's kingdom with all that He has shown us.  May God bless you and keep you in His love that knows no bounds.

In Chris's Service,

Scott Arant