We Have Made It To Jerusalem

It’s like the Queen of Sheba said, “the half has not been told.” We watched the sun come up this morning over the Dead Sea and watched it set over Jerusalem. Between those two awesome events, we journeyed from our hotel on the Dead Sea to Masada. This mountaintop fortress built by Herod the Great towers 1300 feet above the Dead Sea. Over 1000 Zealots were killed here by the Romans after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.. The cable car ride to the top of the mountain was certainly an experience for those of us with problems with heights and ledges. But let it be known that I did it, and so did Kenneth. Since we are limited on internet access time, the whole story of Masada will have to wait till a later date. After the cable car ride down we left Masada and headed north toward Ein Gedi. This is a region where many biblical events took place. Some of the more notable events were David cutting off a part of Saul’s garment. Also from the point where Yoni was teaching us about the corners and wings of the Israeli garments, you could see across the Dead Sea to the place where John the Baptist was beheaded. We left Ein Gedi and continued north where we stopped for lunch. It was a good lunch, just a little pricey. We got some ice cream and were on the road again.





As we turned toward Jerusalem we could see in the distance the plateau were Abraham and Lot chose the portion of the land they would possess. We passed the Mountain where it is possible that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Then we stopped and climbed a hill where we were overlooking the Valley of Achor from the story of Achan at Jericho. From this point we could see Jericho to the east and Jerusalem to the west. Also in the distance was the mountain top where Abraham and Lot’s servants struggled over their sheep. It was in this valley that many other stories, some from the life of Elijah. This valley is also called by many “the valley of the shadow of death.” Here is where we were confronted by a band of Bedouin men and boys trying to sell us stuff and give us a camel or donkey ride down the hill. After leaving this most meaningful sight we continued into the city of Jerusalem. After passing thru the checkpoint we went down into a tunnel and when we came out on the other side there it was, the city of Jerusalem. We went straight to the top of The Mount of Olives for the overwhelming first view of the city. After letting it all sink in for a moment we took a group picture, bought some stuff from the venders and headed to our hotel. The hotel is very nice.




We had dinner in the dining room and then some of us went out for a walk and walked all the way to the old city. We looked in some shops and took a taxi back to the hotel. Bro. Jerry & Cody are getting ready to accompany Sis. Doris to the airport in Tel Aviv which is only about 20 minutes by taxi. She will fly out at 5:30 a.m. Israel time. Please be praying for her and her family. Everyone else is well and doing great. We are having the time of our life. Wish you all were here. Tomorrow will be another busy day here in the city and other points around as we consider the many approaches to the city. Are we safe? I have never felt more safe in all my life. This is a land like no other. “It is not so far away”. I will explain that statement later.
Please comment if you read this so we can share it with the group. God Bless for now.
Love you much family.
Pastor Tom & Rese with the Holy Land 25
Shalom