The 2013 Feast in Israel was truly a unique and memorable experience for the 164 brethren from around the world who attended! In spite of Satan’s attempts to keep the group from traveling to Israel, God intervened so that we could keep His Feast in peace and safety in the place He had chosen.
Brethren flew into Tel Aviv, a modern city on the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and touring began early Tuesday morning. Even though we split into four groups for the tours, we were all together for services and meals each day. Each group was assigned to a comfortable air-conditioned motor coach (with free Wi-Fi) and a knowledgeable guide. On our first day we visited Caesarea Maritima, Carmel and Nazareth, before arriving in Tiberias. The Caesar Hotel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, became our temporary dwelling for five nights.
The following day we drove north near the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Our first stop was Hazor. From there we went to Tel Dan, Banias—also known as Caesarea Philippi—and Banias Waterfall, before returning to our hotel for dinner and the Opening Night service.
We were blessed with inspiring messages throughout the Feast from Dr. Jeff Fall, Mr. Paul Shumway, Festival Coordinator Mr. Jim Meredith and other ministers. We also had an abundance of talented musicians that performed special music throughout the Feast. After nourishing spiritual food on the First Day we took a short sunset boat ride on the Sea of Galilee before sharing a delicious family-style meal.
After morning services on Friday, we traveled around the northern perimeter of the Sea of Galilee to the ruins of Capernaum, Korazim and Katzrin, where we saw the reconstruction of a Jewish village from Mishnaic times.
After a nice Sabbath rest, we enjoyed a meal of grilled beef, lamb, chicken and fish at Deck’s, a well-known Tiberias establishment. The restaurant owners gave a special welcome to the Living Church of God and treated us to a brief fireworks display over the water.
Early Sunday morning we rode buses to Bet Shean, an Egyptian and Canaanite stronghold where historically Saul and Jonathan’s bodies were nailed after they were killed on Mt. Gilboa. From here we went up to Jerusalem to keep the Feast, just as Christ had done over 2,000 years ago. The first glimpse of this renowned city brought a wave of emotion to us all. Our first stop in Jerusalem was the Israel Museum. We were able to see a newly opened exhibit devoted to the archaeological legacy of King Herod the Great, displays of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a scale model of Jerusalem during the time of Herod.
After Jerusalem, we spent the remainder of the Feast at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, situated on a hilltop overlooking the magnificent panorama of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Judean Hills.
Since the Arabs control the Temple Mount, they only allow non-Muslims access to it in the mornings each day. Therefore, early Monday morning we boarded our coaches and drove to the Old City for a tour of the Temple Mount. We then visited the Pool of Bethseda and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After lunch, we returned to Ramat Rachel and had another inspiring service. That evening we went to dinner in the Armenian quarter of the Old City and then to a light show, depicting the history of Jerusalem from the times of the Israelite kings to almost present day, at the Tower of David Museum.
On Tuesday we headed to the Old City. We toured the City of David archaeological site and then waded through the cool water in Hezekiah’s Tunnel. We exited the tunnel at the pool of Siloam and walked to the Davidson Archaeological Center by the South Temple Wall. We then walked to the Temple Institute where we saw temple vessels and priestly garments constructed after Biblical instruction for use in future temple sacrifices. That evening we went out to a delicious dinner at the Colony Restaurant and then to the Old City to see the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) and tour the Western Wall/Kotel Tunnels.
On Wednesday morning, we drove to the Old City and then went to the top of the Mount of Olives. From there we went to the Garden of Gethsemane and one of the possible locations of Golgotha. We then returned to Ramat Rachel and enjoyed another delicious meal together in a private dining room.
On the Last Great Day we were blessed with more inspiring messages and special music. We shared a group lunch together, and afterwards many strolled the grounds of the kibbutz and watched the sunset over Jerusalem before dinner.
After spending an amazing Feast together, we felt like one big family. There were a lot of tears and hugs as we said goodbye in the hotel lobby that night to those boarding buses for the airport in Tel Aviv.
The remaining 120 of us got up early the next morning and boarded three tour coaches to begin our post-Feast extension trip. After a brief stop at Qumran and view of the cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, we traveled on to the Ein Gedi Spa at the Dead Sea. We had the opportunity to float in the Sea’s salty, oily water, cover ourselves with mineral rich mud and soak in the spa’s mineral baths. After much-needed showers, we drove south to the stronghold of Masada. The most adventurous of the group climbed to the top of the fortress in 97-degree heat, while others took the tram. After touring the excavation and having lunch, we drove to Eilat, a southern Israeli coastal town on the Red Sea, at the tip of the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba) and near the borders of Egypt and Jordan.
Once again, the travel-weary brethren enjoyed a relaxing Sabbath, and on Saturday night a number of individuals enjoyed walking around the city of Eilat.
On Sunday morning, we left the hotel early to cross into Jordan. After switching buses, we drove to the city of Petra, and toured the ancient city carved into sheer rock by the Nabateans. Entrance is through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked on either side by soaring cliffs. We saw the famous treasury, royal tombs, burial chambers and numerous caves. Some chose to ride horses, donkeys, and/or camels while others walked. Late that afternoon we left for a three-hour ride to Amman, where we checked into our hotel and had dinner.
On Monday morning we began our last day of touring. We went to what is believed to be Mt. Nebo, where Moses was given a view of the Promised Land. That afternoon we toured the Roman Theater, Citadel and Archaeological Museum in the old city of Amman before returning to the hotel. Most of the group departed for the airport in Amman late that night or very early the next morning.
The following morning, seventeen of us boarded a coach and crossed the Jordanian/Israeli border into Israel via the Allenby Bridge. We passed Jericho, drove through Jerusalem, and on to Tel Aviv. We more fully appreciated the beauty and cleanliness of Israel as we drove back to the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv Hotel where our tour began. After an enjoyable afternoon in this beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea, about half of our small group departed for the airport. Those remaining spent a final day in Tel Aviv before leaving for home.
We were blessed with inspiring messages and special music, wonderful fellowship, beautiful weather, and delicious food throughout the Feast. We learned so much and the Bible truly came alive for each of us.
The Feast in Israel was truly a taste of the Millennium and beyond! For those of us who had the privilege of being there, we truly yearn for the day when Jesus Christ returns and stands on the Mount of Olives, when all people will “go up” to worship Christ and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles!