Category: BibleHolyLand
-
The Valleys of Jerusalem: Part 1, the Kidron (Cedron) Valley
There are three valleys in and around ancient Jerusalem, namely the Kidron, Hinnom, and Tyropoean. I will discus each in a separate post. Kidron Valley The Kidron Valley is also spelt Cedron Valley, and also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12). The other two valleys run into the Kidron and then the Kidron Read more
-
What Do Israelis Call their Native Born Children?
Native born and raised Israelis are commonly identified as a “sabra.” This refers to the Hebrew name for the prickly pear cactus and it’s fruit. The reference meaning is the prickly pear, sabra, has thick skin and is thorny on the outside, but it is sweet and tender on the inside. If you visit Israel Read more
-
The Jordan River
The Jordan is famous for being the site of events in the Old and New Testaments. I will review the major events below. Today it demarcates a large segment of the border between the countries of Israel and Jordan. (Incidentally, the modern political chant “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” refers Read more
-
The Book of Revelation from Patmos Island
The Apostle John had been ministering the gospel to the people in what the Romans termed Asia (modern day Turkey) before he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos (in modern day Greece). This probably happened during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD). Banishment was a common form of Roman punishment at Read more
-
The Decapolis Cities of the New Testament Era
Deca-polis means ten-cities. These cities were autonomous in their local affairs, but under Rome for all other matters. They were all known to be strongholds of Hellenistic/Greek culture in the Middle East. All but one of the cities, Scythopolis, were located east of the Jordan River. The 10 cities were: Scythopolis (Old Testament Beth-Shean/Beth-Shan), Hippos, Read more
-
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church, Jerusalem
Located in the Russian Compound neighborhood of West Jerusalem, in front of Og’s Finger, the Russian Orthodox church’s Holy Trinity Cathedral was dedicated in 1872 by Prince Nikolai of Russia. The cathedral was built in the Neo-classical style. It serves as a center for Russian pilgrims in the holy land. < Previous post on A Read more
-
A Mysterious Giant Column in Jerusalem
As a West Jerusalem complex was being built in 1871, the excavation team discovered a giant pillar/column. The column is about 39 feet long (12 meters) and 6 feet (1.75 meters) in diameter, it weighs about 60 tons (132,277 pounds). The quarrying of the column was never completed because the column cracked as it was Read more
-
Early Christian Sites in Turkey: Ephesus, Cappadocia, Heirapolis, Pergamon.
A review of four early Christian cities in modern day Turkey. Ephesus Ephesus was the Roman Provincial Capitol of Asia (modern day Turkey) and as such was a natural missionary center for the early church. Paul visited Ephesus on both his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys. On his 3rd missionary journey, Paul stayed in Ephesus Read more
-
The Virgin Mary’s House at Ephesus
The House of the Virgin Mary (also called Mother Mary’s House), located on Mount Koressos above Ephesus, is a major Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox site. It is also a special place for Muslims. Mary has her own chapter in the Muslim Quran. There is no Biblical record or contemporary account of what happened to Read more
-
The Second Coming of the Lord will be Brighter than the Coming of the Sun
When the Lord Jesus Christ comes again for the second time his glory shall be like the sun: “the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound” Isaiah 30:26. “But Read more