Next week, nearly 400 people will travel to Israel for a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the Holy Land as apart of a trip organized by WND.
Joseph Farah, co-founder of WND and producer of "The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment," is one of the organizers of the trip. He is very enthusiastic about it as it presents a rare opportunity for Americans to connect with biblical history and events.
"We're so blessed to be able to take 400 Americans with us on this excursion that doubles as a fact-finding mission and a spiritual journey. They are coming not only to see the Promised Land, to experience its rich history, to see its great beauty, to hear the teachings of the gifted Jonathan Cahn, but to get closer to the Creator of the Universe and the people who were chosen. ... It will truly be the realization for many of a once-in-a-lifetime dream-come-true," Farah said.
Farah noted that promotions for the trip were pulled back in June over concerns too many people would sign up for the trip. The unusual experience the trip offers is responsible for the remarkable amount of interest in it, he said.
"That is not something very many Holy Land tours experience," WND's co-founder noted.
Farah also noted that the trip will have a special reverence for Israel and its people due to the unique focus and connection that the organizers have with the ancient land.
"We go in the spirit of love and solidarity with the people of Israel – a country I have visited frequently and covered as a foreign correspondent in the early years of my career."
Jonathan Cahn, author of the No. 1 bestseller "The Harbinger," is also one of the organizers of the trip. He found it amazing that so many people would sign up for it with the current turmoil in the region right now.
"With all the crises this year surrounding the Middle East, it's amazing that so many people are going to be coming with us to Israel. It looks like we're going to see 10 buses of pilgrims. It speaks volumes not only of people's love for God and Israel. We look forward to a tremendous time."
The pilgrimage was set up in conjunction with Coral Travel, which is a veteran of many trips to the Holy Land. It offers the opportunity to worship in a way few ever experience in Israel.
Participants can expect a life-changing spiritual experience, not just a tour. They'll visit dozens of spots where Jesus walked, talked and ministered.
The hundreds that are participating in the trip will be able to visit the city where Peter raised Tabitha, the mount where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, the Damascus Road where Paul encountered the Lord, the city of Cana where the Messiah performed his first miracle at a wedding, ascend to the mountain fortress of Masada, see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were protected for generations and much, much more.
It will be a super-tour with special guests and surprises. Travelers will get to see Israel through Jewish eyes, stand on the Mountain of Elijah, see the Valley of Armageddon, sail on the Sea of Galilee, be baptized in the Jordan River, renew vows under the olive trees of Cana, walk the streets of Nazareth where Jesus (Yeshua) spent His childhood, experience a candlelit worship in the same synagogue where the Messiah worshiped, swim in the springs of Gideon, experience a Bedouin tent dinner in the wilderness, swim in the waters of the Dead Sea, ascend the mountain fortress of Masada, walk in the springs of En Gedi, ascend the Holy Mountain to the Holy City of Jerusalem, enter Caiaphas' house where the Lord was kept captive, ascend to the top of the Mount of Olives, spend time with the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane, worship at the Western Wall, go on an underground adventure under the Temple, walk the streets of Jerusalem, be part of prophecy by planting a tree in the Holy Land, experience worship at the Garden Tomb, worship in the Upper Room and more.
The trip:
Day 1 – Thursday, Nov. 7: Overnight flight from New York to Tel Aviv.
Day 2 – Friday, Nov. 8: Tel Aviv – Jaffa – Netanya: Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. You will be met and assisted by a Coral Travel & Tours representative inside the terminal. Meet your guide and driver and see the ancient city of Jaffa where the prophet Jonah set sail for Tarshish, where the apostle Peter raised Tabitha and where Peter’s vision opened up the Gospel to people from all nations. Check into your hotel in Tel Aviv and feel free to worship the God of Israel on the shores of the Promised Land. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Tel Aviv.
Day 3 – Saturday, Nov. 9: Caesarea – Megiddo – Mt. Arbel, Sea of Galilee. See the ancient city of Caesarea built by Herod the Great 2,000 years ago. View the ruins of Roman, Byzantine and Crusader times. Explore the Roman theater and the aqueducts. From there you will go to the top of Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged and defeated the prophets of Baal. Journey on to Armageddon, the place where the Book of Revelation says the final battle will take place before the second coming. Continue on to the land of Galilee. View the beautiful Sea of Galilee and worship on top of Mount Arbel. Drive to your hotel, which is situated on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Tiberias.
Day 4 – Sunday, Nov. 10: Caesarea Philippi, Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights. Worship the Lord overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Travel on the Damascus Road, where Paul encountered the Lord. Journey to Tel Dan, an important biblical city and a breathtaking nature reserve. Continue to Banias, site of the ancient Caesarea Philippi, where the Messiah asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13). Enjoy a panoramic view of the Golan Heights from Mount Bental. On the way view Mount Hermon. Lunch time we’ll spend around the city of Katzrin.
After lunch drive to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. See Gedara where the Messiah delivered the demoniac, and then travel to the northern shore and walk the ancient city of Capernaum, the town where the Messiah ministered and drew His disciples. (Matthew 4:13). Visit the excavation of the House of the Apostle Peter and the ancient synagogue of Capernaum. In the evening, experience a special candlelight service on the very ground of the ancient synagogue of Korazim where the Messiah actually stood and ministered! Dinner and Overnight: Hotel in Tiberias.
Day 5 – Monday, Nov. 11: Cana, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee: Drive to the city of Cana of Galilee, where the Messiah performed his first miracle (John 2: 1-11) at the wedding and renew your consecration to your beloved, and couples, your vows to each other, in a special ceremony under the olive trees. Continue on to Nazareth, where the Messiah spent his childhood. Pass Mary’s well and visit the Church of the Annunciation. (Luke 1: 26-38). Stand on the Mount of Precipice where the Messiah would have stood and see the Valley of Jezreel. Stand on the Mount of Beatitudes where the Messiah gave the Sermon on the Mount. Actually ride a boat recreated from the boats of biblical times and sail on the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Tabgha, the site where the miracle of the loaves and fishes took place (Matthew 14:13-21) and spend time in the Lord’s presence on the shores of Galilee where the Messiah gathered His disciples. Enjoy a St. Peter’s fish dinner. Overnight: Hotel in Tiberias.
Day 6 – Tuesday, Nov. 12: Jordan Valley, the Springs of Gideon, the actual site of the Messiah’s immersion in the Jordan, into the Wilderness, Bedouin tent dinner. Start the day at Yardenit experiencing a special baptism in the waters of the Jordan River. Journey to En Harod and see the actual Springs of Gideon (Judges 7: 1-25). Swim in Gan Hashlosha “Sachne,” in the waters of Gideon! The tour continues along the Jordan Valley and stops at Kaser El Yehud, the most accurate location to the Messiah’s baptism. Continue on along the shores of the Dead Sea for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Experience a Bedouin dinner, an evening under the stars and an unforgettable evening in a Bedouin tent in the wilderness of the Bible. Overnight: Bedouin tent.
Day 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 13: Dead Sea, Masada, En Gedi, Jerusalem: Experience a ride on a camel or donkey in the biblical wilderness. Continue by Jeep to the mountain fortress of Masada. Ascend by cable car. Explore the ancient excavation of Herod’s Palaces, the bathhouse, the storerooms, the ramp and the oldest synagogue in the world. Continue to En Gedi, the desert oasis where King David dwelt with God. Continue on to the shore of the lowest place on planet Earth and experience what it is to float on the Dead Sea. See the caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Ascend the mountains to take in a view of Jerusalem. Behold the Holy City from the ridge of Mount Scopus. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 8 – Thursday, Nov. 14: The Holy City: Jerusalem. The day starts with a drive to Mount Moriah. Walk up to the Temple site and see the area of the Dome of the Rock and El Aqsa Mosque. Visit the Western Wall, last remnant of the Second Jewish Temple during the time of Jesus. Continue with a visit to the rabbinical tunnel (the tunnel under the wall) and the Davidson Center, the Southern Wall excavations. In the afternoon, drive to Bet Shemesh & Zorah in the Soreck Valley. Continue on to the Ella Valley where David fought Goliath. Drive via Emmaus Road and return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 9 – Friday, Nov. 15: Jerusalem – the Sabbath Eve. The day begins with a drive to the hills of Judea, near the biblical city of Modin, where you will be able to take part in prophecy by planting a tree in the Holy Land at Neot Kedumim. Return to Jerusalem and visit the Old City. See the Southern Wall and the steps to the Temple that the Messiah actually walked. See the Lion’s Gate, through which end-time prophecy was fulfilled and Israel regained Jerusalem. Stand by the actual Pool of Bethesda, where the Messiah healed the crippled man. Enter St. Ann’s Church. Stand on the traditional ancient Pavement where the Messiah was taken before Pilate. Walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk the streets of the Old City, through the ancient colorful bazaar (the Shuk) and the ancient Cardo, and witness the ushering in of the Sabbath as the observant of Israel gather around to worship at the Western Wall. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 10 – Saturday, Nov. 16: Jerusalem – Departure. Stand on the Mount of Olives where the Messiah ascended and will return. See a breathtaking panoramic view of the Temple Mount and the Old City of Jerusalem. Walk along the Palm Sunday Way and enter the Garden of Gethsemane where the Messiah spent the last night before he was arrested. Visit the famous Church of All Nations. Walk along the “last way” to Mount Zion. Enter the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where the Messiah was arrested, kept and put on trial. Worship in the Upper Room and pray in the traditional dwelling where the disciples received the Holy Spirit. End the day with a special service at the Garden Tomb. Farewell Dinner. Late check out from hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Day 11 – Sunday, Nov. 17: Tel Aviv – USA. Overnight flight back to USA. Arrive the same day.