Why did God choose Israel? Why does Lamb & Lion Ministries lead pilgrimages to the Promised Land? The answers to both of these questions are intertwined.
God chose the Land of Israel for the same reason He chose Abraham and promised to bless the Jewish people: for His own purposes. We can see in hindsight His providence and provision poured out on both the people and the land—although both have endured periods of great deprivation and discipline.
We travel to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) simply because God chose it and promised to bring His chosen people back to it in the End Times. The re-blossoming of the people and the Land bears testimony to God’s faithfulness to His promises and to the imminence of His return.
Here are just a few of the places we visit during our pilgrimage trips.
Tel Aviv
A city founded on the sand dunes next to the Mediterranean Sea, this “new old” city has flourished over the past century. Old pictures depict Zionist settlers gathered to cast lots…for lots. Founders, including Meir Dizengoff, were assigned parcels of sand to build their homes. They did more than that; they built a modern, thriving city that has become the largest in Israel.
When Theodor Herzl’s Zionist novel Altneuland (“The Old New Land”) was translated into Hebrew, Nahum Sokolow changed the title to Tel Aviv. This name literally means “Spring Hill,” and points back to the city where Ezekiel sat among the exiles in Babylon (Ezekiel 3:15). His commission to speak to the rebellious exiles—calling them to return to the Lord God—echoes still today.
Jews have returned to their ancient homeland in continual waves. The old nation of Israel became a new nation on May 14, 1948—fulfilling ancient prophetic promises (Isaiah 66:7-9, and many others).
For those who have eyes to see, the prophecies of God are springing forth with new life—just like the dry bones of Ezekiel 37.
Most pilgrimage groups do not stay in Tel Aviv. Lamb & Lion Ministries spends two nights there because we understand the significance of this “Spring Hill” by the sea. It was here in 1948 that the modern state of Israel was born—springing forth from the dry bones of the Diaspora.
This fulfillment of Bible prophecy sped up the prophetic clock’s motion, winding down to the End Times.
Mount Carmel
By rights, Carmel does not consist of a single mountain. Instead, it is a range of hills running southeast from the Mediterranean Sea. This important site also offers both old and new significance.
Here, Elijah battled the prophets of Baal—after challenging the Jews to decide who they would serve, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or pagan deities like Baal. Sadly, although descendants of Joshua’s brethren who had declared their commitment to the Lord God, the men gathered to watch the great contest remained silent. Only when fire fell from heaven did they exclaim repeatedly, “Yahweh, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).
The power of God—and the intimacy of His relationship with prophets like Elijah—was also demonstrated when Elijah prayed for the drought to be lifted. Following his seventh petition to the Lord, Elijah’s servant reported that a cloud “as small as a man’s hand” was forming over the Great Sea. Elijah recognized that a downpour would soon ensue and ran ahead of Ahab in his chariot.
The mountain where God demonstrated His power also offers a vantage point that pilgrims find breath-taking. It overlooks the Jezreel Valley—also known as the Valley of Armageddon. This is where a firestorm will engulf the gathered armies of man as God pours out His wrath at Jesus’ coming. Prophetic signs of its approach also begin small and appear unthreatening. But those with spiritual discernment realize that the End Times storm clouds are gathering fast.
Galilee
Most pilgrims are surprised when they realize: A) how much of Jesus’ ministry was accomplished in the region of Galilee, and B) how small the area actually is. Everything about Galilee is small in scale, from the “sea” to the villages scattered around its shoreline. How like our God to choose this belittled and insignificant place to launch His ministry!
Two thousand years ago, Jewish leaders in the cosmopolitan Jerusalem had little respect for the unwashed masses from Galilee. They were the hicks from the sticks—as the disciples demonstrated when they stood in awe of the mighty temple buildings in Matthew 24:1-3.
In the years following Jesus’ time on earth, most of the towns and villages He ministered in declined and were swallowed up by time. Today, Magdala, Korazin, and Capernaum are archeological sites, not living cities. But the ancient stones do testify to the communities that once thrived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and the Christian presence that continued long after Jesus of Nazareth walked on and around the life-giving body of water.
Whenever possible, we also travel north of Galilee to one of the springs providing the fresh water for Galilee and the Jordan River: Banias. The water still flows from an underground river and offers a beautiful setting. We know Jesus and His disciples also visited this place, but not for the view.
At that time, Banias was a site of pagan worship because it was believed that a particular cave offered access to the underworld. Pan, the false god of wine and pleasure was the false god celebrated at Banias. When Jesus led His apostles there on a field trip, He asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered truthfully: “Some say you are Elijah, and some say John.” Brash Peter was the first to speak the truth: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
How poignant that the Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter in a place where living water sprang from a rock—giving life to the entire region where Jesus ministered the most. Pagan men had misidentified the source of the blessing, given worship to the wrong god, and overlooked the presence of the One Who gives life everlasting. But the same Jesus who healed the lame, the blind, the paralyzed, the sick, the demon-possessed, and the dead, changed the world from that backwater place.
Standing on a boat floating on the Sea of Galilee, pilgrims can look out at the very same hills and contours Jesus saw. That view has not changed in 2000 years—and neither has the One who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the undisputed focal point for most pilgrims. That is because so it is so integral to the Passion Week and the events that followed Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
We spend most of our time in and around Jerusalem, focusing on sites from the Old Testament, others from the New Testament, others from the modern era, and still others with yet-to-be-fulfilled prophetic significance.
Words cannot capture the beauty of the city—or the sense many pilgrims feel that they have arrived at a place that feels like home. The first time I looked down at the Eastern Gate and the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives, I was overwhelmed by the knowledge that I was standing where Jesus will return at the Second Coming. I still thrill to stand in that spot.
Many guides spout unrealistic assurances about the significance and validity of various sites (“Jesus stood here or leaned against this wall”). But there are places in Jerusalem where we can say with absolute certainty that we are walking where Jesus walked because the stones have not changed in 2000 years.
At every site, we endeavor to do something that many groups do not do. We share a devotional and we engage in worship—singing songs, praying, and glorifying God. Far be it from any Christ-honoring Christian to let stones cry out while we have voice.
Scripture also says that we are living stones, “rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 2:4). Peter and Paul describe how God is building us up into a spiritual house—a holy temple to the Lord (1 Peter 2:5 and Ephesians 2:19-22).
In Jerusalem, stones bear testimony. They witnessed the presence and power of the glory of God when He walked on them and brushed past them. All of us who follow the risen Savior know the presence and power of the Almighty, because it has settled on each of us. Whether you go to Israel or not, let’s resolve to bear testimony to the Master Builder who has made each of us new.
Join Us This Year!
Some of you will read about Israel or look at the photos and have a burning desire to go and see for yourself. Others will wish they could but realize that is impossible due to physical or other limitations. Whether you go in person or send someone on your behalf, we plan to take two groups in 2025.
We have sufficient funds in our Millennial Kingdom Scholarship (MKS) to take a few young people, but we need new nominations for scholarship pilgrims. Some of you may have the financial ability to provide a way for a young person to go in your stead. I cannot think of a more impactful blessing to bestow on a young Christian. Doing so will open the eyes of their heart and excite their expectation for Jesus’ return. It will also demonstrate your commitment to ensure that when the Son of Man comes again, He will find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8).
We close this brief overview of Israel answering the question: Why Israel?
Because it pleased the Lord to demonstrate His goodness, grace, and unwavering faithfulness in a small corner of the world. Just as the stone the builders rejected has become our chief Cornerstone, so the Land and People chosen by God have been re-elevated to become a conduit of blessing.
“This too is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:22-23).
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).
Many don’t realize the significance of Jerusalem. Those who know the Bible can see and feel the changes in the world and the signs of Matthew 24 being fulfilled just as we are told. So glad we know the Prophecies of Jesus and the significance of Jerusalem as the Epicenter of the Universe. Jerusalem will shine, and the relationship with the Lord shall be restored. Isaiah 50:1.
Isaiah 62 says the nations will see glory, to reflect a new status.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch,
2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow, 3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
In Isaiah 62:3. The Lord is a “glorious crown” for his people. Zechariah 9:16.
GOD BE WITH YOU. AMEN.
KIND LOVING GOD BE WITH YOU VERY ABUNDANTLY.