Let Zion Arise Israel Tour

Let Zion Arise

10 March 2024 – 17 March 2024

Genesis 12:1-3

Now Adonai said to Abram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Day 1: Departure:  Sunday 10 March 2024  – Tel Aviv

Our journey begins as we depart on our flight.

Meals: Onboard

Day 2:  Monday 11 March 2024

Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Netanya, Haifa, Akko,  Mt Carmel,  Jezreel – Megiddo Valley, Mount Precipice

Early Morning upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we take a drive to Joppa the oldest port of Israel with a charismatic beautiful port city that dates back thousands of years, where Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner, Tabitha was raised from the dead and Jonah set sail to Tarshish from Jaffa. King Solomon built his port on the Mediterranean. We drive to Natanya which is situated in the valley Ha Sharon) and refers to the Song of Solomon 2:1. We  visit the beautiful outlook over the port of Haifa before we make our way to Akko where we will be taken back into history. The city was the Crusaders’ stronghold and know at that time as Acre. In Judges 1:31, it is referred to as one of the places the Israelites failed to hold. In the New Testament, Acco was known as Ptolemais and was one of the stops on Paul’s final return to Jerusalem (Acts 21:7).  Herod the Great received Augustus Caesar at this site since Caesarea had not yet been completed. We drive to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 19) we see the Jezreel Valley, the Armageddon Battlefield, (Hill of Megiddo”), mentioned in the Bible only once, as Revelation to John (16:16).  We make our way to Haifa where you will experience a view over the harbour in the Mediteranean sea, come to a better understanding about the different ages of the different believes and cultures that lived here.  Yeshua returned to Nazareth after his baptism and visit the local synagogue declaring in public, that he is the Messiah. Rejecting his claim, the Nazarenes’ declare him as a false Messiah, and drag him to the “edge of the city“. They attempt to throw over the cliff, but “he passed through the midst of them and walked away” (Luke 4:29-30). We spend time in  prayer on Mount Precipice that is 397 above Sea level. Our evening ends in Nazareth where Yeshua spent his boyhood years before beginning his ministry at the age of 30.

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.

Day 3: Tuesday 12 March 2024

Nazareth, Cana, Mt Tabor, Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum, Katzrin

This morning we visit Nazareth where Yeshua spent his boyhood years before beginning his ministry at the age of 30. We travel to Cana of Galilee where Yeshua performed His first miracle at the wedding. We are ascending Mt. Tabor for a spectacular view, the place of transfiguration and ascension of Yeshua. We enjoy special time at the Mount of the Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount and for a beautiful view of the entire Galilee. Next is Tabgha the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We descend for a visit to Capernaum which form what has been called the “evangelical triangle” because most of Yeshua’s miracles in Galilee were performed in these cities. Capernaum (The Town of Yeshua) we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue, where we’ll view the ruins of a 1st century synagogue and likely a location that Yeshua taught and a view of Peter’s home. The pathways will be taking us into the scenic landscape of the high, mountainous plateau of the Golan Heights. The surrounding area offer some incredible wonders of nature and connect us with historic examples of holiness and bravery. Golan Heights Museum – featuring elaborately carved lintels and columns recovered from ancient synagogues and a room dedicated to the story of the ancient town of Gamla. As we visit Har Bental at 1,200 meters above sea level, this breathtaking lookout is one of Israel’s key strategic points. We cover the inspirational battle site of the Six Day War and explore the Syrian bunkers. From here you can see deep into Syrian territory and also panoramic view of the Golan. One of the most epic tank battles in world history took place here during the Yom Kippur War. 160 Israeli tanks defeated 1,500 Syrian tanks! To make our day even more exciting is when we experience the fascinating re-creation of a complete ancient Katzrin,  a third century Jewish village that feature and  modeled of Talmudic times. We admire the Katzrin’s Synagogue, with the remains of the 6th-century building that still features some original decorative details.  We explore the ancient sages of the complete, authentic, ancient experience with special bread-baking, pottery and olive-press. .   

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.

Day 4:   Wednesday 13 March 2024

Ancient Boat, Sail on Galilee Boat, Bethabara – Baptism, Jericho, Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea  

Early our journey continue with a spectacular finding of the ancient Boat located at the Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz. We enjoy relaxing Cruise on the Sea of Galilee with devotional on board. We share in readings that brings to life the experiences of Yeshua and the fishermen disciples. Very early morning, we take a journey through the Judean desert to the Baptism Site, the Biblical place Bethabara that played an important role in the life of Yeshua. After Yeshua’s rejection in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, “Yeshua went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.” (John 10.40). We continue to Jericho, where God had an awesome plan for the battle of Jericho. The scriptures describes the Israelites being led by Joshua crossing the Jordan where they laid siege to the city of Jericho. We visit the Mount of Temptation where Yeshua was tempted by Satan after fasting 40 days & 40 Nights.  We will enter the Wadi Qilt where we will spend some time in prayer. David’s flight from Absalom (2 Sam 15-16), Zedekiah’s flight from the Babylonians (2 Kgs 25:4), the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and Yeshua travelled from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).  We start heading towards Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Afterwards we proceed to Masada and finaly end at the Dead Sea where you will enjoy a relaxing float in the Dead Sea.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 5: Thursday 14 March 2024

Abrahams Tent, Beth Shemesh, Elah Valley, Wilderness of Zin, Jerusalem at Night

Our morning refreshment starts with a visit to Abraham’s tent is located at Genesis Land in the Judean desert. We reach the tent riding on camels while enjoying the breathtaking view of the Judean desert.  We travel further to learn stories from the Old Testament. Places where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as we familiarized in the Bible. The stories unfold as we learn more about Abraham and Lot. Sitting in a nomad’s tent made of goat’s wool, overlooking the same desert view that Abraham passed through, we will read verses from the bible as the story unfold. We travel west through beautiful mountains and the Sorek Valley to Beth Shemesh where the Ark of the Covenant was carried from the Philistines by two cows pulling a cart. The next stop is Tel Azekah and the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. Next is the Elah Valley where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines continued and David fought the Giant Golaith 1 Samuel 17:4-51 and 1 Samuel 21:9. We then drive to where battles were fought at Mareshah and Lachish, then thru the land of the Philistines, passing the city of Gath and stopping at the river bed in search of smooth stones for our sling. As we turn back toward Jerusalem, the drive thru the Negev that is a contrasted with Bedouin tents and herds of camels, donkeys, sheep, and stories of the Exodus and Israel wandering in the Wilderness of Zin. After dinner we experience Jerusalem at night  

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 6:  Friday 15 March 2024

Mt Zion, Last Supper Room, Tomb of King David, Walls of Jerusalem, Cardo, Jewish Quarters, Temple Institute, Western Wall, Southern Wall, Golden Gate, Mount of Olives, Palm Sunday road , Church of All Nations, Garden of Gethsemane Caiaphas House, Panoramic view, Pools of Bethsaida, Stations of the Cross

We start at Zion Gate and visit the Upper Room (Luke 22) the traditional site where Yeshua instituted the “Last Supper” – Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1—17:26.  Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter, down the Cardo. On our way down the stairs we see the Golden Lamp Stand and enjoy prayer time at the Western Wall. You will have time to spend time in the market places and walk through the vibrant colorful streets. Enjoy a Coffee and freshly baked pastries.  We exit the Dung Gate to view the Southern Wall Excavations and the Temple Stairs We walk pass the Mercy Gate to the Golden Gate. We head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where Yeshua had a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44) also the place where He ascended into heaven (Acts 1). We walk pass by Pater Noster Church and Dominus Flevit where “the Yeshua wept” as he beheld the Holy City and walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Yeshua. We visit the Church of All Nations.  We spend time praying in the Garden. We will end our Shabbat at the Hotel taking good rest. When the city comes alive we will visit the Jaffa Gate and the Yehuda Market We visit the house of Caiaphas where Yeshua was kept during the night. Our day continue with the way of the cross starting at the Lions gate as we continue to the Pools of Bethsaida John 5:2-9  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades, also known to have supplied water to the First and Second Temples until Herod the Great’s time. These very baths are where the healing miracle of Yeshua took place. We visit the place where the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe (“behold [the] man” John 19. We continue to the Stations of the Cross starting where Yeshua was condemned to death(Mark 15: 1-15, Matthew 27:23-31), Yeshua takes up the Cross (John 19:13-17, John 19: 5),  Yeshua falls for the first time (Isaiah 53: 4-7, Matthew 11:28-30). Yeshua meets his Mother (John 19: 25-27), Simon of Cyrene helps Yeshua carry his Cross, (Mark 15: 21), Yeshua consoles the women of Jerusalem, (Luke 22: 28-32), Yeshua stripped of his garments (John 19: 23-24), Yeshua nailed to the Cross , (Luke 23: 33-43), Yeshua dies on the Cross (John 19: 28-37, Matthew 27: 50), Yeshua taken down from the Cross, (John 19: 38-40), Yeshua is laid in the Tomb (Mark 15: 46-47)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7:  Saturday 16 March 2024

Bethlehem, Shepherd Field Golgotha, Garden Tomb. Yad Vashem, Ein Kerem, Emmaus, Abu Gosh 

We journey to the Shepherds field and Bethlehem. Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7) and also the place of death and burial for Rachel. The name Bethlehem actually means “house of bread.” Bethlehem was also the birthplace of David (2 Sam 23:24; 1 Chr 11:26). The roads descending to the east of Bethlehem lead through the Christian village of Beit Sahour (or Bait Sahur), which includes the Shepherds’ Fields identified since ancient times where the shepherds seen the Star. (Luke 2:8-10). We visit Golgotha (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17) and the Garden Tomb.  Today we learn more about the Holocaust and the lesson of Hope (Hatikvah) as we spend time at Yad Vashem. Our journey continues to Ein Kerem a pilgrimage site where John the Baptist was born. Next we will have a visit to the village of Abu Gosh, it was known in Biblical Times as Kiryat Ye’arim, and was a ceremonial center where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. The biblical Kiryat Ye’arim, from where King David brought the Holy Shrine back to Jerusalem.   

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8:  Sunday 17 March 2024

Home

We on our way home with mind and hearts filled with a new and revived passion of Faith. We say goodbye to our new friends and Jerusalem remains on our lips.