A Pilgrimage to Jerusalem: Experiencing the City on a Hill, April 1
Mount of Olives
As we look across the Kidron Valley towards Jerusalem, the majestic Temple Mount emerges, crowned by the iconic Dome of the Rock, a structure that now resides where the Holy of Holies once stood. This sacred site, known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, holds profound significance in Jewish history, marking the location where Abraham was tasked by God to sacrifice Isaac and where King David purchased the threshing floor. The Eastern Gate, also known as the Golden Gate, stands sealed by the Ottoman Empire, its entrance blocked by a Muslim cemetery, a strategic move by Sultan Suleiman to prevent the Messiah from entering as prophesied in Ezekiel 43:1–5. This historical landscape weaves together narratives of faith, command, and divine interruption, reflecting the complexities of spiritual legacy that continue to resonate through the ages.
Pictures from left to right: Standing on the Mount of Olives looking over the graves (Jewish graves closest to the Mount of Olives, Muslim graves across the Kidron Valley, Jerry and Lu, the sealed Golden Gate, Worship time and communion, Closer photos of the Golden Dome.