Page 10 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition
P. 10

THE GOLAN HEIGHTS

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE IN AN UNFORGETTABLE WAY

A key to understanding Yeshua's ministry

Omer Eshel l Photos: Omer Eshel

Caesarea Philippi                                                                        dedicated to the Greek god Pan, the god of
                                                                                         the wild, shepherds, and fear (which is where
                                                                                         we get the word “panic”). The people of that
                                                                                         time believed this place was literally a portal
                                                                                         to the underworld—Hades itself.

                                                                                         And yet, it was right here that Yeshua turned
                                                                                         to His disciples and asked, “But what about
                                                                                         you? Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-
                                                                                         20). When Peter responded, “You are the
                                                                                         Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Yeshua
                                                                                         declared that upon this confession, He
                                                                                         would build His community of believers, and
                                                                                         even the Gates of Hell—the very forces of
                                                                                         darkness—would not be able to overcome
                                                                                         it. Standing in a place that symbolized fear
                                                                                         and false gods, Yeshua proclaimed the
                                                                                         unstoppable power of His Kingdom.

                                                                                         Nimrod Fortress – The Road to Damascus
                                                                                         and Paul’s Revelation
                                                                                         Perched high above the Golan, Nimrod
                                                                                         Fortress stands as a silent witness to history.
                                                                                         Today, most of the visible ruins date back to
                                                                                         the 13th century AD, but on its upper levels,
                                                                                         archaeologists have found the remains of
                                                                                         a much older Hellenistic fort. This suggests
                                                                                         that even in the time of Paul, a fortress stood
                                                                                         here, overseeing the road to Damascus.

T he Golan Heights is not                  moments in the New Testament happened         That road—the very path Paul was traveling
             just one of Israel’s most     right here. Exploring these sites isn’t just  when he encountered Yeshua—ran
             breathtaking landscapes—      about history—it’s about deepening our        right past this stronghold. "As he neared
             it’s a land that holds deep   connection to the story of faith.             Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light
             spiritual significance. When                                                from heaven flashed around him. He fell to
we walk through its hills, valleys, and    Banias – Where the Gates of Hell Shall Not    the ground and heard a voice say to him,
ancient cities, we’re retracing the        Prevail                                       'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'" (Acts
steps of Yeshua and His disciples. The     Banias, known in Yeshua’s time as Caesarea    9:3-4). The man who once hunted believers
Golan was part of Galilee in His time,     Philippi, was a stronghold of pagan worship.  became the greatestadvocate for spreading
and some of the most important             This was no ordinary location—it was a site   the Gospel. That transformation, happening
                                                                                         along this very road, changed the course
                                                                                         of history. It’s incredible to stand here and
                                                                                         imagine that moment unfolding, a powerful
                                                                                         reminder that no one is beyond the reach of
                                                                                         Yeshua’s grace.

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