Our time in Israel has come down to two final days. Today, we head south along the Jordan to spend a day in the Dead Sea area. The center of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea is the border between Israel and the nation of Jordan. At about 1000 feet below sea level, the surface of the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the planet. We were told its depth extends at least another 1000 feet.
The salt content of the sea is far greater than any of our oceans. Only the Great Salt Lake in Utah comes close to rivaling the Dead Sea, yet falls far short. When walking in the water, shoes had to be worn to keep feet from being slashed open by salt crystals lining the bottom. The worst feeling I had in the sea was walking on these crystals only to find my next step sinking up to my knee into a thick, black mud. That step almost cost me one of my shoes...almost like stepping into a pit of quicksand.
Our time in this area included En Gedi. Even though the land in and around this town is barren, there was evidence of an ample supply of drinking water available to the ancients. The remains of several man made reservoirs were seen in and around the town. Canals linked to them had been dug and channeled directly out of the mountains to the west. Heavy rains in Jerusalem would take a little over an hour to flood through these canals and into holding areas. Dug by a small group of religious separatists, they were specially made to catch and retain this seasonal rain water.
Other than my moment of levity on the Dead Sea, as described by SueJean on our Tsiyon Bound blog, our time atop Masada stands out in my mind as the highest point of the day--in more ways than one. I remember several years ago viewing the "Masada TV Mini Series" starring Peter O'Toole. In that film, Masada didn't seem all that high to me. Yet, in real life, it is easily observed why it took the Romans more than nine months to scale that mountain rising nearly 1000 feet above the valley floor.
In a matter of a few minutes we ascended the Dead Sea side of the mountain by cable car. Looking back over near shear cliffs, the remains of several Roman encampments could be seen. Although there was a small foot trail up the eastern side of the mountain, it was very obvious an army could never successfully capture the mountaintop from that direction. Even though it was still several hundred feet below the top of the mountain, the Romans chose to assault the western slope. Remains of the stone ramp they built can still be seen today extending to about 200 feet below the top. Several encampments can also be seen around the western slope.
The mountaintop was completely fortified and equipped for its residents. All of the necessities of life were in stock and readily available, including a synagogue for worship. While food and water was readily available to the Jews, the Romans had to return to En Gedi nearly fifteen miles away for their only source of supply--not a very pleasant task to fulfill when temperatures in the region can far exceed 100 degrees. It was only about 90 degrees on this November day.
While atop Masada, I thought about very good observation I once heard regarding the last generation. Fast forwarding from Masada of the past to our time, this observation says people will be divided into three different groups--those that pick up the gun and fight the government or even the anti-messiah, those taken into captivity, and those hidden by the Father.
There is a saying I've heard, "live by the gun and die by the gun". Those of ancient Masada chose this option. They were the final holdouts of a rebellion that began by assassinating James and usurping his authority. As those of ancient Masada carried out an attempt at futility against the Romans, there will be those in coming days that will manifest the same foolishness and suffer a similar end. Certainly, protect yourself and family against Amalek, but don't be a part of this number. As with Moses, Father will take care of the "Egyptians" of our day.
Among the members of the second group will be a those of Christianity that hold to the false presumption of a soon coming rapture. When the bad times of the great tribulation begin to occur, they just won't be prepared. They will be taken into captivity and subsequently killed. Many of the survivors will actually think they have been left behind and become part of the great apostasy--likely becoming candidates to acceptance of the mark of the beast. According to Biblical prophecy, they will suffer a far greater demise.
Unlike the last group, the third distinction will be believers that hold both Messiah AND His commandments (Torah) as precious in their site. Rather than hold to the idea that the Torah of Moses has been abolished, they will love Messiah Yeshua enough to do their very best to learn His Torah and keep its precepts. In that undertaking, they will also learn of the prophetic road signs clearly shown within its pages. As children of obedience, they will be hidden by the Father. They will be the subjects of Revelation 12: 17--"(having) the testimony of Yeshua and (keeping) His commandments".
Aside from the blessing of about two hours of shopping on famed "Ben Yehuda Street", our final day in Jerusalem afforded us a tour of the Holocaust Museum. There are "super deluded" individuals that would have us believe the travesty Hitler committed against the human race actually never happened. The fact is, this crime against humanity actually occurred. The fact is, this travesty will again come into play in the days to come, and will make Hitler look like play school in comparison.
Time has now come to say goodbye to Israel. We're at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv facing extremely long lines to pass through baggage and customs. At just after midnight, our 747 El Al flight will return us to New Jersey. The question now racing through my mind is, am I really going home? Certainly, my country of birth is the USA. Yet, in my heart and mind, Israel is my home. Walking these last eleven days where Yeshua and His disciples walked has confirmed this fact upon my spirit.
By natural birth, I am a proud American. The USA will always occupy a special place in my heart. Yet, by my second birth, I am a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel. So, I'm really not going home. I'm just going back to the USA to get my affairs in order for my final return to my true home. I'm not saying goodbye to Israel. I'm saying "until we meet again". Shalom Y'Israel. May you prosper in His Peace.
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