Up to Jerusalem - Israel Tour

March 4-14, 2016

Subscription options are no longer available for this tour.

Help support our friends in Israel in their time of need.

In awe of the God that keeps His promises

Boker tov! (Good morning or Good day!) We woke up to a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. After a full night of rest, there was a buzz and renewed energy as we enjoyed each other’s company around the breakfast table. The buffet at the Dan Panorama hotel in Tel Aviv was beyond compare with a seemingly endless amount of choices both familiar and exotic. After a fascinating driving tour of Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya, and the northern coast we stopped at Caesarea Maritime.

We began the tour of Caesarea with a short film about Herod the Great’s revolutionary harbor city. Tito gave us an insightful history lesson of the political shifts over time and their influence on the history of the entire nation. We were privileged to sit in the theatre there on the coast and Jim Showers, the executive director of The Friends of Israel, gave a devotional from Acts 10. He spoke of Cornelius’ vision and and Peter’s vision in Joppa to come to Caesarea. These visions were the paradigm shift in bringing the Gospels to the gentiles. We, as gentiles are connected to the Jewish people in our understanding of God and His inspired Word. We are a living stone, not a dead stone like the ones that were all around us.

Caesarea Maritima

The city and harbor were built under Herod the Great during c. 22–10 BC near the site of a former Phoenician naval station known as Stratonos pyrgos (Στράτωνος πύργος).[2] It later became the provincial capital of Roman Judea, Roman Syria Palaestina and Byzantine Palaestina Prima provinces. The city was populated throughout the 1st to 6th centuries CE and became an important early center of Christianity during the Byzantine period, but was mostly abandoned following the Muslim conquest of 640. It was re-fortified by the Crusaders, and finally slighted by the Mamluks in 1265.

Learn More

We toured the ruins of the home of Caesar Augustus for a while. We hopped on the bus and took a short ride to the Roman aqueduct. There we took pictures at the shoreline. We toured modern Caesarea, home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on our way through Haifa. After stopping in a Druze village for lunch we started the drive up to Mount Carmel overlooking the Valley of Jezreel.

Steve Herzig shared about Elijah, who he calls the prophet of chutzpah (Yiddish for brazen nerve or incredible guts!). Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal right where we stood! This is where Elijah asked for the sacrifice to be overflowing with water. If the Hebrew God responded, then the Lord is God. If Baal responded, he would follow him. Steve brought to our attention the humor that even though Elijah has victory over 800 men, when it came to Jezebel, one woman a few verses later, he runs away. Elijah felt like he was the only faithful follower of God left but in reality God had a remnant of 7000. God still has His remnant of the Jewish people today! Elijah feared and had to learn what it meant to trust in the Lord. We must learn this daily. Sometimes we forget God’s blessing too. What a great reminder from God’s Word.

Mt. Carmel

Biblically, Mt. Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Solomon praised his beloved: “your head crowns you like Mount Carmel” (Song 7:5). But for Carmel to wither was a sign of devastating judgment (Nahum 1:4).

Learn More

As we traveled up to Megiddo, Tito pointed out a few ancient tombs discovered along the way. The tombs featured rolling stones like that of Jesus’ tomb. Once on top of Tel Megiddo, Tito explained that all the trade of the world passed through Megiddo making it an incredibly strategic place. If you controlled Megiddo, you controlled trade. This was the place Solomon fortified and also the place King Josiah was killed. They have found 25 layers of civilization on Megiddo. When you look around, you are able to see miles of Israel all around. Many battles had been fought here.

Jim Showers explained why the valley is so important. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the future battle. In Revelation 16, Armageddon is where God will restoring His people. Satan will battle Israel here. There will be a cursing of the nations when Messiah comes to deal with them. The righteous Judge will strike the nations – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Zechariah 12 says that the nations will come against Israel. Armageddon is not a battle but a military campaign. It will be in that day that God will destroy all the nations that come against Israel. Israel will be restored to a place of prominence, Messiah will set up His throne and the nations will want to go to Israel because God is with them. When you weigh what will happen in the very place we stand, you can’t help but be in awe of the God that keeps His promises with Jewish people!

Megiddo

From the earliest times (EB) to the earliest historical records of the area (Thutmose III) to the future (Revelation 16), Megiddo assumes a prominent role. This is largely owing to its strategic location astride the Megiddo Pass (Wadi Ara) and inside the busy Jezreel Valley.

Learn More

While at Megiddo, we were able to walk down in and back up and out of a long tunnel that is 120 ft deep and 215 ft long. This connected a spring outside the city for their water source.

After a scenic drive, we arrived at the Ramot Holiday Resort Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee. The Sea feels locked in time. There are no signs of modern development around or on the water. It is easy to picture the many significant events that happened here as you look out across the water. We checked into our unique and beautiful rooms before heading to dinner as a group to end our evening. What an absolutely thrilling and inspiring day in the Holy Land!

Upcoming Signature Tours

With 30 years of experience creating trips for other ministries, we've prepared our own signature study tours featuring some of our favorite itineraries and compelling teachers! If you've never been on a GTI Study Tour, take a moment to learn more about what you can expect.

GTI Signature Germany Study Tour
Sep 11-19, 2024
Learn More

Turkey / Greece Signature Study Tour
Sep 15-25, 2024
Learn More

Egypt / Jordan Signature Study Tour
Mar 5-17, 2025
Learn More