Scenes from Israel Part 10 St. Stephen's Gate (Or Lions' Gate, in Jerusalem. This is said to be where Stephen was stoned.) Valley of Decision (This is the Kidron Valley, essentially dividing Israel proper from the West Bank, or "Palestine," as it's called. The may be the Valley of Jehosaphat, where the book of Joel says the nations will be gathered to be judged. To the right is Silwan, an Arab neighborhood. To the left, just out of the frame, is the Old City of Jerusalem. Straight ahead in the distance is the Mount of Olives, where Jesus will return.) The Pit (Many say this is where Peter denied the Lord, and where Jesus was judged by Caiaphas, for it's thought to be the location of the high priest's palace during that time. If so, Jesus must have been imprisoned in this small dungeon. It seems to echo Psalm 88, where it says, "You have put me in the depths of the pit." This photo shows a small opening above this pit, where crosses were carved in early Christian days. This time was a sacred and sober part of our tour.) Zion Gate (This gate in Jerusalem bears the bullet holes from Israel's war of independence in 1948.) Western Wall plaza (The famous Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Mount of Olives can all be seen here. We ascended the Temple Mount via the covered ramp in the middle of the frame.)

Posted by Philip Arndt at 2022-12-04 00:48:46 UTC