Israel 2023

Golan Heights Tour - the Bible, Golan is mentioned as a city of refuge located in Bashan: Deuteronomy 4:43, Joshua 20:8, 1 Chronicles 6:71. 19th-century authors interpreted the word Golan (Hebrew: גולן) as meaning "something surrounded, hence a district".

• Caesarea Philippi - One of the villages around Caesarea Philippi was the setting for Jesus’ famous statement to Peter, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). This passage contains the very first use of the word church in the New Testament

fig and almond trees

source of jordan river (1 of 3 sources); this makes up 25% of Jordan that feeds Sea of Gaililee and then Dead Sea (but it's dammed up so it doesn't really feed Dead Sea - keeps farmers crops fertile near Gaililee region)

Caves here were for goat and child sacrifice

borders Lebanon

When people wanted to honor Caesar, they named something Caeserea (sesserea) - this was after Herod's son Phillip

Panyas - named after the greek god Pan; god of sexuality

Arabs called it Banyes (not Pan)

Bottomless pit here is where water came from, so it was referred to as the gates ofhell

this is farthest north that Jesus brought disciples

Matt 16 - who do you say I am (to Peter); on this rock I will build my Church; first mention fo the word church in the Bible

Reference that they would not be overcome by the gates of hell - which was here

This is horrible place - Jesus brought disciples here to see the shock and horror of the world

This was 1st substantial of Jesus saying He was the Messiah; Jesus then predicted His death and Peteer rejected it

Deny yourself and take up their cross; gain whole world and lose soulLæs mere