Miniature Jerusalem; Dead Sea Scrolls

With a quick glance at the photo below, you might think that it is an aerial view of the newly built 3rd Temple in Jerusalem. It's not. It is an artist's model of the 2nd Temple located at "miniature" Jerusalem. Miniature Jerusalem used to be behind the Holyland Hotel, but was moved a few years ago to the Israel Musuem.

This view puts it in perspective. The courts of the Temple are obvious. Jeremiah was asked to speak the Word of the Lord from there. "Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. Jeremiah 26:2

This view shows the 2nd Temple, built by Ezra/Nehemiah and refurbished by Herod, plus a building known as the Fortress of Antonio. Of course the Lord Jesus loved to teach from the Temple in Jerusalem. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. John 8:2.

Miniature Jerusalem from the west side. You can zoom in and see the back of the Temple.

Each little stone is hand carved.

This southern view of the Temple Mount area shows Solomon's Porch plus the steps to the Temple. Those southern steps are still there today and a good place to visit. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Acts 5:12.

A close-up view of the model of Solomon's Porch and the southern steps. Here the Lord Jesus made one of the most comforting statements for all of us to know and remember. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." ... My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:23-28.

It was at the Temple that Simeon saw the "Saviour of the World" in the infant Lord Jesus. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:25-32.

Also at the Israel Museum is a building called The Shrine of The Book. This is where you can see some of the Dead Sea Scrolls that were found in a cave in 1948 down by the Dead Sea at Qumran. The building is designed after a pottery lid where the scrolls were found. In the center of The Shrine of the Book is a complete replica of the Book of Isaiah as it was discovered. The real Book of Isaiah is too valuable to let tourists near it. For the documents that can be seen, a certain temperature and humidity must be maintained. You can see fountains of water that continuously recycle on The Shrine of the Book. It is also very dark inside with limited lighting but well worth the visit.

This is an actual mosaic floor found in a 5th century church just outside of Bethlehem.

Another view of the mosaic floor from the ancient Bethlehem Church. "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." Micah 5:2.

Close to the Israel Musuem is the Knesset. The Knesset is Israel's "Congress" consisting of 120 Members of Knesset (MK's). Israel does not have two houses of Congress like the US does in our Senate and House of Representatives. When a Prime Minister is elected, he or she must be able to form a majority coalition of the 120 members in order to constitute a government. Recently, in Israel, they were unable to form a coalition. As a result, Israel will go to national elections on February 10th, 2009, to elect a new Prime Minister. That will be just 21 days after the US Presidential Inauguration. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:16-17.

I do like these little blue flowers whatever they are called.

Another portion of the Israel Musuem is the Billy Rose Garden. Here was a very healthy black olive tree. Among other things, Billy Rose was very successful Broadway producer in the 1930's. Apparently he dedicated a major portion of the funding for the Garden.

These huge rocks in the Billy Rose Garden remind me of the stone that was rolled away from the tomb of the Lord Jesus. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. Mark 16:2-4.

While we were walking in the Billy Rose Garden, brillant sunlight began to appear through the clouds. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:26

This sculpture reading Hebrew right-to-left on top first is "Alef He Bet (V) He". It says "Ahava", which is "love". It helped that there was a little plaque explaining the sculpture.

Most of the real Israel Musuem is closed for another year for reconstruction. However, it is possible to still enjoy miniature Jerusalem, the Billy Rose Garden, and just the privilege of walking around on a beautiful fall day in the city that God chose for His Holy Name to dwell. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel. II Chronicles 6:6.

Elijah on Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, is due north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Coast about 100 kilometers (62 miles) in Haifa. Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table." 1st Kings 18:19. After Elijah's successful demonstration that the God of Israel is the only God, he proceeded to execute the false prophets represented by the statue below. And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. 1st Kings 18:40

From the western side of Mount Carmel, you have a beautiful view of Haifa Bay. Akko is located on the northern side of the bay.

On top of Mount Carmel, these Druze ladies were making homemade pita. It was very good.

From the eastern side of Mount Carmel, you can see the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon) in the distance. After Elijah's prayer for rain was answered, this would be the direction that he ran past King Ahab's chariot. ... "There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’" Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and 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 girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1st Kings 18:44-46

Another view of Armageddon from Mount Carmel. If you zoom in, the white rocked city on the mountain in the center is Nazareth. The rounded mountain to the right of Nazareth would be Mount Tabor. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23.

Carmel Beach on the Mediterranean Sea.

Sunset on the Med.

Again a few minutes later.

Another quick trip to the Galilee. These flowers are in Capernaum.

The ruins of Capernaum's temple on my second visit there. These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6:59.

It is easy to understand why there is nothing but ruins here. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." Luke 10:15-16.

From the back of the synagogue. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea ... Matthew 4:13

The garden at the entrance to Capernaum.

"Danger: Cliff Edge" in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

When you are in the Galilee, always go on top of Mount Arbel, even if it's hazy. In this photo, you can see two hikers on the right hand side to get a perspective of how big is the Arbel cliff.

The Jordan River just before it flows into the Sea of Galilee. In the distance, you can see people "floating the Jordan". "Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan. Jeremiah 49:19; 50:44.

Dates on a palm tree in Capernaum.

Close up of flowers in the entrance garden at Capernaum.

Akko

On the north side of Haifa Bay on the Mediterranean Sea is the city of Akko. Akko is also spelled Acco or even Acre. Historically, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Francis of Assisi, and Marco Polo are a few of the names that have visited Akko. The Crusaders fought here and used Akko as their capital in Israel for awhile. Napolean tried to conqueor Akko and failed. Below is the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Along the entrance road to Akko, this looked like a Crusader art object on top of the hill.

A monument by the sea at Akko.

Akko is unique because it is a "walled city" from the days of the Crusaders but built right on the sea. There are not a lot of Biblical references to Akko (Acco). One exception is that the tribe of Asher did not conqueor the city when the Israelites came into the land. Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, aphik, or Rehob. So the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. Judges 1:31-32.

The Mediterranean, Biblically known as the Great Sea. Moses declared it as one of the boundaries for the Israelites. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance—the land of Canaan to its boundaries.... As for the western border, you shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be your western border. Numbers 34:1-6.

The "walled city" of Akko sitting on the Great Sea.

Daniel's vision in Chapter 7 begins with "Heaven" stirring up the Great Sea. Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. Daniel 7:2.

After Paul's missionary journeys, Luke records in Acts that they came through Akko. Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem via Caesarea. The Greek name for Akko at that time was Ptolemais. And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Acts 21:7-8. Caesarea is 20-25 miles south of Akko on the Mediterranean.

The lighthouse at Akko.

The contrast of the modern city of Akko just on the other side of the walls.

A better view of Akko behind the wall.

Fisherman on the Great Sea. One day the fish of the Great Sea will also be in the Dead Sea when the living water of the Lord Jesus flows from His Temple in Jerusalem to the east. Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east... There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. It shall be that fishermen will stand by it ... they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. Ezekiel 47:1-10.

Just before sunset on the Mediterranean Sea.

Another fisherman just below the walls around the lighthouse.

The north side of Haifa Bay. The white building on the left with a small, red steeple is an 18th century structure known as the Church of St. John.

The southern wall of Akko.

Breaking waves of the Mediterranean where God Almighty has pre-set their boundaries. Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. Jeremiah 5:22.

Whether it is Akko, Acco, Acre, or Ptolemais, this ancient city is part of the beauty and history of the land of Israel.