March 4th - TCS Israel Trip Day #3

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In just a short amount of time, we have all been captivated by what we have seen, heard, and experienced together!  This morning, we were greeted by a beautiful sunrise overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  After a great breakfast, we journeyed to the ancient city of Caesarea by the Sea. Caesarea is a significant city to the New Testament apostles, particularly Peter and Paul… as well as in the Old Testament with Jonah departing from Joppa in Jonah 1:3.  In Acts 10 we learn that Peter was called up from Joppa (near modern day Tel Aviv) to Caesarea, to meet with the household of Cornelius. This meeting marked the first time in Scripture where Gentiles are receiving the Holy Spirit through the power of the Gospel. It is from this point where the Gospel started to spread up through the areas of Asia Minor, down into northern Africa, even making its way to Rome itself.   It was here that Paul appeared before King Agrippa and Festus, and gave his defense of the Gospel and shared his personal testimony of salvation before all of the royal court of the Roman government.  We also got to climb up the Roman aqueducts and see how water was transported during that time to other cities. 

Upon leaving Caesarea, we went to Mount Carmel. We soon entered into the setting for 1 Kings 18, where hundreds of people from all over Israel gathered to see the prophet of God face off with the 450 prophets of Baal and at least 400 foreign prophets.  Pastor Ferrell pointed out to us that Baal was primarily a “weather-god” and was thought to be responsible for the harvest, or lack thereof. The stage was big and the stakes couldn’t have been higher!  We read the passage together of how the one and true God of the Bible proves Himself to be the Lord of the sky and weather by sending fire from heaven from a sky without clouds. 

After we left Mount Carmel, we came to Megiddo, which is the setting for the future battle of Armageddon.  Pastor Ferrell took us through Revelation 19 and what will be taking place, as Christ Himself, who is called Faithful and True, will descend from heaven to save His people!  What a breathtaking scene.

We finished out our time today touring a city that overlooks Nazareth, called Zippori. This was a wealth of information regarding the Roman architecture, mosaics, and massive water tunnels that were dug by hand so many years before.

We have eaten dinner and are now staying in a hotel that overlooks the Sea of Galilee.  Tomorrow, we will start the day with a boat ride across this beautiful sea like our Lord.  We will also get to walk up to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  It should be an incredible day!  See you all tomorrow and thank you for your prayers.

Pastor Stephen