[Journey to Israel] Masada

While taking a tour in the Holy Land, we visited a stronghold, built by Herod, called Masada. A movie was written about an event which happened here, between Roman Legions, and a zealous jewish religious sect who revolted against the Romans. The series is called MASADA. The thing that makes this place different, is the height, 500 feet above the ground. The ruins of Herod's stronghold (destroyed in the ordeal) still remain. It was found by backpackers in the 20th century. Since then, Israel has possessed the land and it is a fine place for tourists to visit. The stronghold/mountain fortress overlooks the dead sea to the east. This was the first place that we visited on Tuesday. We left early on the Tuesday morning (before 7 oclock) to get there about 9 (so that it is not too hot)

In this place you have everything! swimming pools, water stores, bathrooms, 3 palaces (one overlooking the cliff to the north - it is the biggest of the three fortresses)
While here I could not help but ask if David had been walking about this terrain, while walking in the wilderness, some 1000 years before this stronghold was built, which was 30BC. I have a greater appreciation for David walking around in this heat, He would have had to find a place which was sheltered from the sun, and with large stores of water, they believe that He made En Gedi His stronghold for this reason, En Gedi is also the supposed location of the cave He hid in from Saul.

Anyone of these places would be a place that He could run away to. What happened to this place, that it is just ruins now? firstly. it was destroyed by the Romans. Secondly, earthquakes destroyed most of the buildings. It made me ask the question, "Will there be natural erosion when Jesus reigns on the earth?" I suppose what I mean by that, is large winds, or fires.

The 2000 years that have passed from when these buildings were constructed, also the 6000 years that have passed since the mountain was made by the word of God, have had an effect on the surroundings, and anything that has found itself here (the Dead Sea has also deteriorated) but what is inside us will never be shaken, we are eternal, but these will not remain. In a place like this, which is so large, and the quality construction used to build these buildings, For Herod also built His palaces very extraordinary. Think of how long it took for Him to construct such a place.

On my mind is still the chosen place that God's dwelling place resides in. "This is where my Glory rests" The strength of God builds His temple. You can see how the difference between us is quite large, in the motivations that drive us, for these zealots killed their own families and took their own lives instead of being made prisoner to the Romans, where at the same time the Church was expanding and growing all around the Roman Empire.

One people, one Spirit, one baptism, one father and lord of all. When the rest suffer, we suffer with it, when the rest rejoice, we rejoice with it.