Welcome back fellow sojourners! I hope you are blessed as you travel with us throughout the land of Israel. Today was filled only with sites, but what a day of siteseeing it was. Nothing in Israel is ho-hum!
Though our hotel is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, it was dark when we arrived last night, so we got our first glimpse of the Sea this morning. Also known as Lake Tiberias or the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee is always gleaming in the morning as the sun rises over the eastern side of the lake.
We boarded our bus this morning, headed for Tel Dan. This beautiful site is a nature preserve with tree-lined walkways and views of the Dan Stream that feeds into the Jordan River.
The Israelite city of Dan is there, complete with partial walls intact from the days of the Israelites. The gate of the city had a pagan altar in the marketplace leading up to the city gate, and the place where kings and judges sat “at the city gate” to do business, resolve conflict, or discuss politics of the day.
(These are original, but would have been much higher.)
What followed was an amazing site. The mud bricks of a Canaanite gate dating to the time of Abraham is located at Tel Dan. We can’t know for certain, but Abraham may have entered this ancient city. We know he traveled in the area and Genesis 14:14 references Abraham pursuing his enemies as far as Dan. Perhaps we’re walking in the footsteps of Abraham!
But, there is more to see at Tel Dan. After King Solomon died, the kingdom was split. Israel to the north, under the kingship of Jereboam, and Judah to the south, under the kingship of Rehoboam. Concerned that he would lose worshippers to Jerusalem (in the south), Jereboam built altars in Bethel (on the southern border with Judah) and at Tel Dan (on the northern border of Israel). This was common, as many kings in the region “marked their teritory” with temples that suited their worship style. Unfortunately, under Jereboam’s reign, Israel built altars to false deities, such as the golden calf. Today, the remains of the foundation of the altar and the temple are seen at Tel Dan. (Unfortunately, a film crew was there, so we were not able to approach the site.)
After Tel Dan, we traveled a bit further to Caesarea Philippi. This was also an idol-worshipping, pagan-infested area during Jesus’ day, yet He brought His disciples here to reveal who He was. In fact, on the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked them, “Who do men say that I am?” Some mentioned John the Baptist, Elijah or the prophets, but Jesus asked a more direct question: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. According to Matthew 16, Jesus then identifies Peter as “Petros” (little rock) and declares that He will build His church on the “petra” (very large rock). Then He told His disciples that the gates of Hades (hell) shall not prevail against it. We have already seen many city gates. They are always defensive, not offensive. No one was ever attacked by a gate! Yet, Jesus seems to be saying those defensive gates will not prevail against the church. If there is to be confrontation, who will it be, if not the church! The church is to be on the offensive, with the promise of Jesus Himself that no gates of hell will prevail! As believers, and as the church, we can go on the offensive, sharing the Gospel and obeying all that God has commanded us because hell will not prevail!
At Caesarea Philippi there are niches everywhere in which manmade, carved images were deified and put on display to be worshipped. Moreover, there is an ominous looking cave that appears to be the gates of Hades Jesus referred to! Pagan belief was that people actually descended into (and ascended from) hell at this place. It is eery until we stop to realize that Jesus Christ Himself is the rock upon which the church is built and nothing shall prevail against it! Aren’t you glad we have an Almighty, All-powerful God who cannot be defeated by pagan idols and beliefs!
Also of note, one of the gods worshipped by this pagan society was the mischevious and often sexually deviant god, Pan. In the Arab language, there is no “P,” so it takes on a “B” sound. Thus, this area is also known as Banias.
Leaving pagan idol-worship behind, we traveled upon the Golan Heights. You hear about it on the news at times, and it has seen it’s fair share of wartime activity. Thankfully, the IDF has pushed Hezbollah away from the border and it was incredibly calm and peaceful today. We stopped at Bental, an overlook situated just below Avital, Israel’s eyes and ears to the north. From there, we could see a considerable distance into Syria, and we were reminded that Damascus is a mere 40 miles from where we were standing. The video below was taken at Bental and looking over this area.
Notice, it is empty today!
(Comms tower on left, radars on right.)
So, how close were we to Syria? Less than 2 miles. In fact, we could see the border fence situated on the border between Israel and Syria. All is calm and peaceful today, particularly with the IDF in full control of Mt Hermon, which is split between Syria and Israel. Hermon is the tallest peak in Israel and is a snow skiing venue in the winter months.
Beginning with Israel’s War of Independence in 1947-1948, Yoyakim told us of the miraculous victories of Israel, despite always being significantly out numbered and out equipped. Israel was just emerging from the Holocaust and was not even a nation when they began defending the homeland in 1947-1948. How could a ragtag group of decimated bodies possibly defeat 5 Arab nations (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq) who attacked them on their Independence Day? Only God! How could the infant nation with little equipment defeat Egypt in the Suez War in 1956 after Egypt closed the Suez Canal and blockaded Israel? Only God! In the 6-Day War of 1967, how did a 19-year-old nation not only hold off military powers from Egypt, Syria and Jordan, but handily defeat them, all with only a small fraction of the manpower and equipment? Oh….and did I mention Israel tripled in size as a result of their victory, AND regained control of Temple Mount? Only God! Israel then returned much of the conquered land to the defeated countries in exchange for peace. Yet, what did they get? Another attack on Yom Kippur (Israel’s holiest day) in 1973. Miracle after miracle yielded yet another Israeli victory. How? Only God!
So, upon the Golan Heights, where some of those previous battles took place, we opened God’s Word to discuss another war in which the prophet Ezekiel has already warned will require God’s intervention on Israel’s behalf.
Though peaceful today, Ezekiel 38-39 tells of a time this area will be anything but peaceful. At that time, Russia, Iran, Turkey and a few other junior partners will form a coalition that will band together to invade Israel from the north. The prophet tells us that no one will stand with Israel at that time, but the Lord God will arise on Israel’s behalf to crush their enemies. Scripture does not tell us when it will happen, but scholars believe it could happen just before or just after the beginning of the Tribulation.
Today, we see the stage being set for that battle. But first, let’s back up two chapters (to Ezekiel 36-37), where we find the prophecy of the re-birth of Israel and the regathering of the Jewish people to the land. During the Holocaust, Israel was all but destroyed. Yet, God brought dry bones back to life, Jews returned to the land in droves, and the State of Israel was reborn! Jesus Himself prophesied of this in Mathew 24:32-35:
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
The fig tree represents Israel, and its branches put forth leaves when the Jewish people began returning to the land! The prophecies of Ezekiel 36-37 are not yet fully fulfilled because not all Jews have returned, and God has not yet breathed the Spirit of life into them spiritually. But they are definitely being fulfilled. Prophecy moves on.
Ezekiel 38-39 are the next chapters in the narrative, and it will play out in this very area, perhaps in the not too distant future! Why do I say that? Because Russia, Iran, and Turkey are being drawn into coalition even now. It’s not that they like one another so much, but that each has vested interest in taking Israel off the playing field! They will band together to defeat a hated foe. Ezekiel 38 tells us they come for spoil and plunder, and it is no secret the downfall of mankind is very often money and power. Russia wants what Israel has…perhaps oil and gas. Iran wants to rid the world of infidels in order to welcome in the Shia Muslim version of the messiah. Turkey’s President Erdogan has spoken of reviving the Ottoman Empire, in which he would be the sultan! Money and power!
Only God knows when, but the powers are aligning themselves in interesting ways! In fact, I don’t believe it is coincidental that we find ourselved overlooking this future battlefield a day after conservative America was whitewashed in an election less than 24 hours earlier. Ezekiel 38 is clear: NO ONE will stand with Israel in that battle. Though I pray I am dead wrong, I sense America falling entirely off its Christian foundation, and there will be no rationale for our nation to stand with Israel. Once evil takes control, only by God’s sovereign mercy will we have any chance of righting the ship that ultimately leads to our downfall. God’s Word commands us to pray for, support, comfort and love Israel. Our nation will fail us, but we as believers would be wise to stand boldly and strongly with Israel. All nations might fall away from them, but we as individuals must make up our own minds!
Ezekiel 36-39 have never been more clear than on this day and in this place.
We finished our day at the olive factory where we heard the story of how olives are used to make olive oil, skin care products and cleaning supplies. It is never on the itinerary, but our group is prompt, leaving us enough time to make the stop. We browsed the store after the presentation and many purchased quality products. Lots of olive oil will be in cabinets at home, and many guests will have silky smooth skin for a while!!!
We are so blessed you have chosen to follow our journey and I hope you feel a part of it. Stay tuned tomorrow as we baptize in the Jordan River, see the Jesus boat (which may have been used in Jesus’ day), enjoy a very lively boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and see sites such as Magdala and Capernaum. See you back here tomorrow!
