mission trip and study of israel

8/7/2019 Mission Trip and Study of Israel

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Blessed Hope International Mission - Chaplains for Christ Internationalwww.blessedhopemission.org

Pilgrimage Journey in the Land of the Bible - Israel & PalestineMissionary Trip & StudyFebruary 4th February 14th, 2011

With great joy the six of us were welcomed to the Land that has been called by various names such as CanaPalestine and now; Israel. It was a great privilege for us to walk in footsteps of our roots and inheritance in our Lesus Christ. Our team included the following persons: Sorin Iacoban and Cornel Buliga from Betel Church in Det

Toader Stirbu from Gethsemane Church in Chicago, Edgar Garza Pavel Sav Constantin Lupancu from GolgChurch; active members of Blessed Hope International Mission. Visiting Israel has been on my mind for a long tbut I did not want to go for the sole purpose of visiting the sites. I wanted to have a ministry at the same time. year I met Pastor Steven Khoury from Bethlehem at the VOM Convention. He invited our ministry to come to Israminister to his churches where he and his father are pastors. During that same year, I met Pastor Ionel Skoblo fromAviv (meaning: something new) when I visited Romania whom also invited us to come to visit his church in Tel AWhen I made the arrangements to plan the trip and called Pastor Ionel and Pastor Steven, I felt greatly moved byHoly Spirit to go. Our mission had three objectives which were to minister to churches, visit persecuted Christiansee the historical sites of the Bible. Israel was the center of the world during Biblical times. It is a geographocation that is worthy of reflection because it has been the scene of manifestation of divine power. Visiting this

helped all of us better understand the history of the bible and the bible itself. We familiarized with the lay of the l

ts customs and religious practices. As we explored biblical sites we prayed in seeking God, our hearts were warand opened to fresh insights and the scripture came alive and we developed a deeper appreciation of our Lord Savior and strength of our faith.

On Saturday when we arrived to Tel Aviv, Pastor Ionel brought us to his home and his wife prepared a great mAfter resting a few hours, we joined Pastor Ionel on a city tour on that sabbatical Saturday. We met some Romabrothers in Tel Aviv who settled with their families. Their na mes: Daniel and Narcis Ciuruc and their Jewish woriginally from Bucovina; Nicu Cirdei from Dornesti; Nathanael from Suceava and many others. Then I came toaptives at Tel Abib (Aviv), who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven dazekiel 3:15

The first site that we visited was Joppa which is among the oldest city ports in the world a port where a lot of J

ame from all over the world. This city has a lot of biblical references and is named after Japheth, the son of N

The following references refer to the location of Joppa.

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarhish; so he

he fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:3

And we will cut wood from Lebanon, as much as you need; we will bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it upJerusalem. 2 Chronicles 2:16

They also gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs fLebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the permission which they had from Cyrus king of Persia. Ezra 3:7

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. Acts 9:36

Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, Please comnce! Acts 9:38

This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:42

Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. Acts 9:43

Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. Acts 10:5

He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. Acts 10:8

Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied hcts 10:23

All biblical references were taken from the New King James Version Holy Bible
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Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. Wheomes, he will speak to you. Acts 10:32

I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by forners; and it came to me. Acts 11:5

And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surnam

Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved. Acts 11:13-14

On Sunday morning, Nicu and Robert drove us to Jerusalem where we ministered in Calvary Church which is pasto

by Steve Khoury, where Messianic Jew and Arab come to worship Jesus. Each of us greeted the church and prayedhe sick towards the end of the service. It was a great blessing for them because a lot of them are going through a lo

persecutions and we encouraged them to take stronghold in the Lord who called them to be a witness during this t

n Jerusalem. The body of Christ still suffers today and we are to remember and pray for those that are persecuRemember the prisoners as if chained with themthose who are mistreatedsince you yourselves are in the body also.Hebrews 13:3

After the service, we were invited to lunch by a family from the church. In the afternoon, we visited Jerusalems

Hall and met with the Assistant Mayor. We had a privilege to present our mission to him and he was very impresse

our worldwide mission. We prayed for him and promised we would keep praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Pra

he peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces. For the sake o

rethren and companions, I will now say, Peace be within you. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.22:6-9

n the evening, we crossed the wall to Palestine territory (just one mile from Jerusalem near the edge of the Jud

desert) where we ministered to Bethlehem which means the house of bread in Hebrew. In this town, the story of R

with Boaz, their son Obed became the grandfather of King David who was born and first anointed in Bethlehem 3

years ago. Since Joseph was of the house and lineage of David, he brought Mary his espoused wife, who was w

hild, to Bethlehem to register for the census. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers;he Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13

Pastor Steve Khourys father is the main pastor at the church there. It was evening of communion with the element

Christ. People were encouraged by our visit and message. This church went through a lot of trials. It has b

attacked 14 times by Muslims and the pastor had been shot during one of those attacks. Even though this church whrough a lot of persecutions, the pastor remained firm in the gospel of Jesus and did not cease preaching it.

nstalled large speakers on the roof that the entire city of Bethlehem hears the good news of Salvation through Je

Christ. Our message was translated in the Arabic language by the pastor and heard by the church and the entire

At the end, lots of people came for prayer and words of revelation were spoken by God through Cornel Bul

Testimony of healing has been given by those that were touched by the power of God.

Monday morning, we visited Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born and the Church of the Nativity is built over

raditional site of the manger where Jesus Christ was born. It is the oldest Christian church in the world. During

Persian invasion in 614 AD, this church was spared while other Constantinian churches were razed to the ground.

hurch was originally built by the Emperor Constantin in 326 AD. The church used to have 3 entrances but only oneft and is called the door of humility. Matthews gospel says that the birth took place here in order to fulfill the

Testament prophecy; But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come f

o Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

We also visited nearby shepherd fields and walked through their caves where they would spend their nights. At

hepherd field, we reflected on the glory of God that manifested when the angels brought the good news and as

prayed and mediated on what happened at that time, the glory of God was manifested over us and we began to pray

ejoice. One brother received a new song in heavenly language. What a place of His glory where the shepherds w

he first people on earth to receive the good news of the birth of the Messiah! Now there were in the same country sheph

iving out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the

hone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of g


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oy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the

o you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of

eavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Luke 2:8-14 Wi

Bethlehem lies the town of Rachel who was the wife of Jacob and which gave birth to Benjamin. This is the genealog

saac, Abrahams son. Abraham begot Isaac. Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the SyriaPadan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. Genesis 25:19-20

Because of the persecutions of the Christians in Bethlehem and Gaza and other parts in Israel a book store manager

been killed by Muslims leaving behind a wife and three children which later moved from Gaza to Bethlehem. visited the family, encouraged and prayed with them and helped them pay t

ent. In the afternoon, we visited the Jerusalem temple with its roots reflected

udaism and Christianity in the early centuries. This temple was built by Solo

and later rebuilt by Herod the Great which is important for the Jew in us. The

where the temple is has nine gates one of which is closed. The closed gate

alled The Golden Gate. It was through the Golden Gate that Jesus made

riumphant entrance into Jerusalem known today as Palm Sunday. It is wi

hese walls that Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was crucified on Cal

and then rose from his tomb. In the early 1500s the Ottoman Empire permanently closed the gate. A violent gr

called Hamas took over Gaza in 2007. Has said they would protect Christians persecutions against Christians increased instead and most Christians left Gaza, Bethleh

Jerusalem and other places in the West Bank. The Golden Gate is believed to be the W

Gate. Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the W

Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower. Nehemiah 3:26 The Golden gate is located on

eastern wall of the old city of Jerusalem, leading to the temple mount. It is regarded

Holy site for all faiths - Jewish (arrival of the Messiah) and Christian (entrance of Jesu

Palm Sunday) and Muslim (site of future resurrection). The gate was built in the 6th/7

AD over the ruins of the second temple gate, and sealed since the 16th Century AD. "And the LORD said to me, This hall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the LORD God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it sha

hut. Ezekiel 44:2

The gates are: The New gate (on the western site), the Damascus gate (on the north-western side), Herod's gate (on

north side), the Lions gate (near St. Anna also called the Stephens gate), the Golden gate (a closed double gate,

alled the gate of mercy), the Dung gate (on south side, near the western wall), the Zion gate (on the south-west s

and the Jaffa gate (tower of David).

Another very interesting site we visited is The Western or Wailing Wall which is Judaisms holiest site. When

Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, the remembrance of its destruction brought sorrow for the Jews. The present day

s called The Synagogue of the Wall. The wailing wall is the exterior wall of the yard of the Temple. The Tem

was built on the place where Abraham brought Isaac as a sacrifice to God on the Mount of Moriah. But Isaac spo

Abraham his father and said, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. Then he said, Look, the fire and the wood, but where i

amb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will "provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering. Genesis 22:7-8

And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, In the Mount of the LORD it sha

rovided. Genesis 22:14

This land was later purchased by King David from Aravna as a place for Sacrifice. It was also here that his son K

Solomon built the Temple. It was also here that God provided Jesus Christ as a human sacrifice for all of mank

Today it is called the Dome of the Rock which is an Islamic site.

And Gad came that day to David and said to him, Go up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 1

David, according to the word of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. 20 Now Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants com

oward him. So Araunah went out and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. Then Araunah said, Why has my lord the


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come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing floor fromyou, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be withdrawn

from the people. Now Araunah said to David, Let my lord the kingtake and offer up whatever seems good to him. Look, here are oxen for

burnt sacrifice, and threshing implements and the yokes of the oxen for

wood. All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king. And Araunah

said to the king, May the LORD your God accept you. Then the kingaid to Araunah, No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which

me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built

here an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded therayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel. 2 Samuel 24:18-25

We also visited the Mount of Olives which was located on Jesus daily route in and out of

he city. It stands about 300 feet above Jerusalem. It is a mountain where the more

mportant events of Christ took place. And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at

ight He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Luke 21:37 It was here that Ezekiel 11:23

ays, And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city.

Zechariah 14:3 prophesied, Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. It

while crossing these slopes, the day after He cleared the Temple of merchants and moneychangers, that Jesus cu

he fig tree in Matthew 21:18, Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. and Mark 11:13, And seeing ffar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, f

was not the season for figs.

On this mountain, Steve Khourys uncle was martyred by the Muslims a few years ago. In the memory of J

weeping over the faith of Jerusalem, a church has been built called the Church of

Dominus Flevit The Lord Wept. Close to the church is a spot where Jesus delivered

what has become known as the Olivet Discourse. Prophetic questions regarding the end

of the days, stretches over two chapters of Matthews Gospel. Now as He sat on the Mount ofOlives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be

he sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that

o one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many.And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come

o pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,

arthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you

e hated by all nations for My names sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then m

alse prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endur

he end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the endome. Matthew 24:3-14

Mount Zion is hallowed for the Last Supper, the Apparition of the Risen Christ and the Descent of the Holy Spirit, a

of which are said to have occurred here. It was also on Mount Zion that the birthday of the Christian Church began

Pentecost. This hill was incorporated into the city during Hezekiahs expansion in the 8th century BC, and like the r

of the ancient metropolis, Mount Zion was enclosed within the city walls during the New Testament period. When

Romans destroyed the city, the church stood on Mount Zion and the Christians heard the words of the Prophet Isaia

peaking directly to them, Many people shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of t

God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LOR

rom Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevahe joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:1-2

At the Mount of Olives, we visited the church of Agony which is also called the Church of All Nations because it

built by worldwide contributions. We then headed to the place called Via Dolorosa or Way of sorrow which is

path Jesus took on the faithful journey to the crucifixion at Calvary (or the place of a skull). Nearby this is the ch


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of Condemnation and Flagellation. It was the place that brings alive the scene of Pilot washing his hands of the g

for Jesus death. So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Ho be crucified. Mark 15:15

t was here that Jesus mounted a donkey on Palm Sunday (Bethpage). It was here that Jesus wept over Jerusa

Dominus Flevit). It also was here that Jesus agonized in the garden (Gethsemane) and it was here that Jesus ascen

nto heaven (Ascension). Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restor

ingdom to Israel? And He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. Buhall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Sama

nd to the end of the earth. Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him ou

heir sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also

Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come inmanner as you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1:6-11

From the tower in Jerusalem city, we walked over the brook of Cedron to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garde

Gethsemane with some of the original ancient Olive trees is still there along the lower slopes of the mountain and

emembered Jesus prayer before He was crucified. Some of the olive trees are believed to have heard Jesus f

words of prayer, nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Luke 22:42. It is a fact that when an olive tree is cut dow

always grows back. The present trees in the Garden are actually the saplings of

original olive trees from the time of Jesus. Then Jesus came with them to a place cGethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit here while I go and pray over there. And He took with

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He sa

them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me. He went a farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from

nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Matthew 26:36-39

In the same courtyard, at the Chapel of Flagellation, which remembers that Jesus

bound and scourged and the crown of thorns was placed on his head as the event was

in the gospel. And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His h

and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! Mark 15:17-18. The place where it is believed

the house of the priest was located with the shrine house, the dungeons and the pits u

by the High Priest to keep Jesus a prisoner after his condemnation by the Sanhedrin

was also here that Peter, a disciple of Jesus, denied Him three times in the courtyard of

high priest. Outside the Chapel is a pavement where Jesus took up the cross and carri

o be crucified as a common criminal. In the memory of the words written in John 19:5 Then Jesus came out, wearin

rown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Behold the Man! which in Latin is Ecce Homo (A Chapel has b

built with this name), it is believed that this is the place where Pilot tried Jesus. When Pilate therefore heard that sayinrought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. John 19:13

On this place of Via Dolorosa, the Lithostrotos pavement can also be seen where the

Roman soldiers used to gamble the clothes of those condemned to die. And when theyrucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

Mark 15:24. Here is also where Jesus first fell while carrying the cross doing so, meeting

his mother. A lot of pilgrims come and read from the book of Lamentations, For thesethings I weep; My eye, my eye overflows with water; because the

comforter, who should restore my life, is far from me. My children are

desolate because the enemy prevailed. Lamentations 1:16. Simon of

Syrene, a man from northern Africa, was compelled to help

Jesus carry the cross. Now as they came out, they found a man ofCyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. Matthew

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On the way out of the city through Via Dolorosa, it is sad that a gate of judgment stood there where the authority pla

he notice with the convicted criminals also where Jesus fell for the second time while carrying the cross. Je

knowing the future devastation that awaits those following him, he comforted the women of Jerusalem. And a g

multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, Daughte

Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:27-28. As Jesus passed through the door

xiting Via Dolorosa towards Calvary, he fell for the third time. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Pf a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in

enter. John 19:17-18. Afterward, they stripped Him of his garments and nailed him to the cross. Matthew 27:35 Visiting this place

emembered the sufferance of Jesus and the fulfillment of the prophecy of Simeon when Mary brought the infant Jeo the temple. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of mansrael, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts

e revealed. Luke 2:34-35 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mothers sister,Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

All four gospels narrate how Jesus Christ was crucified by the Romans next to two

ommon criminals. On top of Jesus cross was written in Latin, Greek and Hebrew the

words, Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THEJEWS. Matthew 27:37

Matthew 27:45-56 describes the Death of Jesus.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afterJesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (meaning My God, my God, why have

forsaken me?) When some of those standing there heard this, they said, Hes calling Elij

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and off

it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Now leave him alone. Lets see if Elijah comes to save him.

when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of

temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.

bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Je

resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those

him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified,

exclaimed, Surely he was the Son of God! Many women were there, watching from a distance. They

followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mothJames and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedees sons. Matthew 27:45-56

Carrying our bibles as we walked through these historical places, the bible became a

and we remembered that after Jesus died on the cross, the disciples and close family c

and took the body of Jesus to be buried. But when they came to Jesus and found that he

lready dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of bloodwater. John 19:33-34

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesussecretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilates permission, he came and took the body a

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus broug

mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus body, the two of them wrapped it,

the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. John 19:38-40

Before the Passover Sabbath, Jesus was taken down from the cross and was laid in

newly cut tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. A great round stone was rolled over the entr

to seal the tomb (now called the Garden Tomb) which was outside the walls of Jerusa

near the Damascus Gate. During the century, the structure around the tomb has changed but the inside is the

hamber (where the resurrection took place) remained the same since then. We held a prayer in that place and than


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God for the power of resurrection that resurrected us from

the death of sin and trespasses. Now on the first day of the week,very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,

came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they

found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did

not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they weregreatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in

hining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living among

dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivnto the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words. Luke 24:1-8

From Jerusalem we went to a village called Emmaus which is 7 miles from Jerusal

The village had existed since the Greek period. It grew to become Nicopolis city du

the Byzantine time. We visited the road which is known as the road to Emmaus w

Jesus met two of his disciples. Some of the ruins are still there. Now behold, two of

were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And

talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned,Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. Luke 24:13

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes pened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-31

The next day, Narcis Ciuruc and Nicolae drove us to the northern part of Israel where we were able to see the ruin

Caesarea, which was the capital of Judea as well as the seat of Roman procurators including Pontius Pilate. Apo

Paul in his missionary journey came to this seacoast to travel to Antioch, Ephesus and others. Apostle Peter bapt

he household of a Roman nobleman, Cornelius. Eusebius; a student of Origin, the disciple of apostles, became

bishop of Caesarea in the 3rd century and was the first Christian historian. There was a certain man in Caesarea caCornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave

generously to the people, and prayed to God always. Acts 10:1-2

From there we went to Mount Carmel where Elijah the prophet prayed for rain. We also visited Elijahs grottos andomb. Then Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and drink.

Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, Go

ow, look toward the sea. So he went up and looked, and said, There is nothing. And seven times he said, Go again. Then it camass the seventh time, that he said, There is a cloud, as small as a mans hand, rising out of the sea! So he said, Go up, say to Ah

Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds

wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girdehis loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41-46

From there, we visited the city of Haifa which is also the

world center of the Bahai religion (a monotheistic faith

which emerged in the middle of the last century in Iran).

This religion began in Persia and emphasizing the spiritual

unity of all humankind and is a religion of idolatry. This

coastal town has been the home

of the Israel navy and is the

third largest city in Israel. We then visited Cana

Galilee (presently called Kefar- Kanna), the place w

Jesus performed his first public miracle chan

water into wine for the wedding and partying at CThree days later a wedding took place in the city of Cana

Galilee. Jesus mother was there. Jesus and his disciples


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Magdala: Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the

kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spiritsinfirmitiesMary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuz

Herods steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.Luke 8:2

Tiberias: And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already fill

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You no

care that we are perishing? Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be stillAnd the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:37-39

Nazareth: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a m

whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgins name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, highly

avored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered

what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, ywill conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. Luke 1:26-31

n the city of Nazareth, we stopped and visited a few churches and also met a Christian family from Russia. In

afternoon, we went to Mount Tabor the place where the miracle Transfiguration of Christ occurred.Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfig

efore them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to t

talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish

us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he wasspeaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, say

This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! Matthew 17:1-5

Known also as the Holy Mountain, the Biblical Psalmist called on it and Mount Hermo

witness the glory of the Lord, The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Her

rejoice in Your name Psalm 89:12. When you are on this mountain and think about biblical f

and times, your faith increases. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes bec

shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeto them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:2-4

On our way back to Tel Aviv, we stopped at the River Jordan where John the Ba

baptized Jesus Christ. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.John tried to prevent H

saying, I need to

aptized by You, and are You coming to me? But Jnswered and said to him, Permit it to be so now, for thus

itting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then

llowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus camemmediately from the water; and behold, the heavens

pened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descen

ike a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice c

rom heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:13-17

The next day, Brother Nathanael (a Romanian pastor who

relocated to Israel 30 years ago), offered himself to tour us to

other sites of Israel. We first went to Kibbutz, Yad Mordecai

which it is on the main road leading northward to Tel Aviv,

and are the first settlement to receive the full weight of the

invading Egyptian army for six days in the War of

Liberation. Its military and political significance are


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profound because this small group of people stood up in a difficult time while Israel w

reestablished in 1948. The meaning of Kibbutz is everybody is a form of organization

that everybody works as much as they can and receive as much as he needs. This form

organization has been born in Israel when the Lord put in the hearts of the Jewish peop

that were scattered all over the world to come back to their land. When they came to w

now is Israel famine, malaria and Arabic thieves were throughout the desert. It was v

difficult for these newcomers to survive by themselves especially for most of them bein

young. An elderly Jewish woman that was already living there, advised the young newcomers I will be like your

mother and I will guide you and direct you on what you need to do. They all worked and brought the money to her he organized all their needs and they obeyed her respectfully as if she was their mother. This form of collaboration

alled Kibbutz still exists throughout Israel to this day. Jews bring money to the Kibbutz center and give everybod

lse to their needs. John the Baptist also preached this form of living. So the people asked

him, saying, What shall we do then? He answered and said to them,He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who

has food, let him do likewise. Luke 3:10-11 We also visited Prophet

Samuels tomb. So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and

let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan toBeersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the

LORD. Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORDrevealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:19-21 From there we wen

Timna Park, one of the most breathtaking places in Israel, a site which combines amazing landscapes with a fascina

historical story. Here we saw the pillars of Solomon, which are a natural part of

liff wall in the Judean desert. We also visited the worlds oldest copper mine

pecial site in Israel. Here is an authentic reconstruction of the Holy Tabernacle

which was constructed precisely according to the dimensions and colors command

o the Israelites upon their Exodus from Egypt. This journey took us on a journey

he depth of the history of the Hebrew people. It was an unforgettable biblica

xperience. Inside the tabernacle is where we also saw the altar, the copper wa

tand, the show bread table, the menorah and other items. A messianic guidedescribed to us the importance of the Tabernacle and Gods plan for Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Messiah as fulfillment:The Only way in/back to God (The Way, The Truth, The Life)

The Once and for all time sacrifice to remove sin

The Word that washes and cleanses

The Living Bread that feeds us

The Light of the world to show us the Truth and light our path

The Great Eternal High Priest that represents us by name before the Father

The One who ever lives to intercede for us before the Father

The One whose shed blood has caused the guarding Cherubim to be removed and opened the way permanently back to the Father

The Bread from HeavenThe (Resurrected) Messiah chosen/sent by God

The King who came from Heaven and shed His Blood to Purify us; Who is Pure and has Shed his Blood; returned to Heaven and sits on th

Throne as King of ALL.


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On our way to Timna Park we visited Abrahams well in Bathsheba. About 3,700 years ago, the Patriarch Abra

and his family wandered from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan, and in the land of Canaan, wandered from the north

Canaans southern border in the Negev desert. Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family

rom your fathers house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and

hall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth sha

lessed. So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old whe

departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brothers son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, andeople whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. Abram pa

hrough the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the LO

ppeared to Abram and said, To your descendants I will give this land. And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared toAnd he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he buil

ltar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. Genesis 12:1-9

We also visited the Ramon Crater which contains geological formations unparalleled elsewhere in the world. We d

by the Moab Mountains to the Eilat desert, located in the southernmost tip of Israel and occupies only 30 miles of

oast. King Solomons fleet sailed out ofEzion-geber which is by Eloth, on the shore of the Red Seato bring b

420 talents of gold from Ofir, thought to be either Ethiopia or India (1 Kings 9). In Eilat we visited the underwater

Sea observatory. This brought us to the aquatic world with all kinds of fish and corals.

The next day, we visited Jericho where we visited the oldest walled city in the world. Jericho was ancient when Jos

marched the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. According to book of

Deutoronomy, the Israel people refused to enter the Promised Land at first. Then they cameo the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two

f them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. The place was called the Valley

of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there.

And they returned from spying out the land after forty days. Now they

departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of

the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they

brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Thentold him, and said: We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and th

its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very la

moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hit

the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along

anks of the Jordan. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well

o overcome it. But the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up agains

eople, for they are stronger than we. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report ofand which they had spied out, saying, The land through which we have gone as spies is a land

devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we

he giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in

wn sight, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:23-33

So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And alhildren of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to t

If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the L

brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Wou

not be better for us to return to Egypt? So they said to one another, Let us select a leader and retu

Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of

children of Israel. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Is

saying: The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights i

then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only d

rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protectiondeparted from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them. And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glo


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he LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel. Then the LORD said to

Moses: How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs

which I have performed among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will

make of you a nation greater and mightier than they. And Moses said to the LORD: Then the Egyptians

will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them, and they will tell it to the

nhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, LORD, are among these people; that You, LORD, are

een face to face and Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and

n a pillar of fire by night. Now if You kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of

Your fame will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefor

illed them in the wilderness. And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, The LORD is longsuffe

nd abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on

hildren to the third and fourth generation. Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as

ave forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. Then the LORD said: I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I

ll the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt

n the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of w

swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and

ollowed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites d

n the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea. Numbers 14:1-25

Due to the fact that they disobeyed God even after witnessing miracles and signs from God and that they people crie

on that night (Numbers 14:1), God caused a motive for the people of Israel to cry from generation to generation

onward. That day was the 9th

on the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. It is the monthe "low point" of the Jewish calendar (the 9th of Av, the day of the sin of

the spies and the destruction of both the first and second Temples in

Jerusalem) as well as the month of the "high point" of the Jewish

calender (the 15th of Av--"there are no happier days for Israel than the

15th of Av and Yom HaKippurim" (Mishnah Ta'anit 26:)--the day of

finding one's predestined soul-mate). www.Inner.org

For the people of Israel, this day was the beginning of pains.

The Holocaust also began on that day and month. The

wailing wall is a place of weeping even to this day. It is for us to learn that

hould NEVER complain and disobey Gods will in unbelief or fear. It was also

hat Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus. Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jerwith His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the

egging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus

f David, have mercy on me! Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more,

f David, have mercy on me! So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then

alled the blind man, saying to him, Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you. And thro

side his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, What do you want Me to do for you? The blind man

to Him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight. Then Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith

made you well. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52

It is said that Jesus was tempted on Jerichos mountain the Mount of Temptation whthe Greek Monastery is now built. Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned fromJordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. An

those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was

hungry. Luke 4:1-2 It was here that the tax collector, Zacchaeus

touched by Jesus spirit, gave half of his belongings to the poor.

From there we went to Qumran, 25 miles southeast of Jerusalem and 10 kilometers south

of Jericho, by the Dead Sea. According to the words in the gospel of Luke, it is said that

ohn the Baptist grew up in this desert. Copies of almost eight hundred manuscripts were

found in the caves from tiny fragments to twelve almost complete scrolls. One spring

morning of 1947, a Bedouin boy went into a cave looking for forgotten treasure and


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efreshed our knowledge of the Bible. May God receive all the Glory! We will never forget this trip and pray

peace in Jerusalem.


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mission trip and study of israel

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