Israel

(Read Part 5) Just over a month ago, our Israel tour group spent several days in the Old City of Jerusalem. Every time we visited the area, we walked through the Western Wall Plaza. As you look just a few yards to the east, there are many Jewish men and woman praying at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Before July 6, 1967, the chance for the Jewish people to pray at the Western Wall was virtually non-existent. The Western [...]

(Read Part 4) Israel’s land is blooming and coming to life in ways thought impossible in the past. Just a few weeks ago, I enjoyed a trip going south from Jerusalem, through the Negev desert heading to the southern Israeli city of Elat, in record-breaking 117-degree weather. The heat is very dry, so for a person like me from the frigid winter temperatures in Wisconsin, this was a rare and welcome treat. The drive was scenic, if you enjoy miles and miles [...]

(Read Part 3) The more than six million Jewish people currently living in Israel speak to an unusual if not supernatural returning of the people to their God-ordained land. Israel’s 68th Independence Day celebration marks the continued and ever-increasing commitment of the Jewish people to return to Israel. I greatly enjoyed walking and traveling through the streets of Israel and seeing the large numbers of Chasidic, Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews. The Jewish people’s current massive return to Israel reminds the student [...]

(Read Part 2) Israel’s 68th Independence Day celebration speaks to the commitment of the Jewish people to protect and enhance their precious hard-earned land. One of the greatest challenges facing the Israelis is a sufficient supply of water for their crops and human consumption. I was amazed at several things I personally observed as our study group moved from the northernmost border of Israel to the southernmost border. We will examine three bodies of water in this article: the Sea of Galilee, [...]

(Read Part 1) This past weekend, Americans took one day to remember their veterans who served in the military and gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Our friends and allies in Israel observed their Memorial Day a few weeks ago, which was covered in the first article in this series. These sobering events, which I had the privilege of observing in Israel and America this month, enforced what took place in the past, what is taking place militarily across the world [...]

Editor's Note: We are interrupting Dr. Richard Schmidt's series (called "Distinctively Dispensational: The Temples Tell the Times") to bring you this timely update from Dr. Schmidt regarding his recent trip to Israel. Last Wednesday I returned after spending 14 wonderful days in the “Land of the Bible,” Israel. What a spectacular opportunity to have once again joined with a group of Christians to tour and study the Scriptures in full living color! I literally saw the past, present and the stage being [...]