Page 12 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition
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Nimrod Castle - The Road to Damascus Gamble, the possible location of The City on a Hill
Mount Hermon – The Mountain of the The ruins tell a story of bravery and perfectly match this description. The
Transfiguration heartbreak. The Jewish rebels fought presence of large herds of pigs also
Mount Hermon, with its majestic peaks, desperately to hold the city, but in the end, highlights the Greco-Roman influence in the
has long been considered one of the likely they fell. Yet their story, like Yeshua’s words, area—this was Gentile territory. Yet Yeshua’s
locations for Yeshua’s Transfiguration. "His remains—a testimony of perseverance and authority was absolute, demonstrating His
face shone like the sun, and his clothes light that cannot be extinguished. power over the forces of darkness no matter
became as white as the light" (Matthew where He went.
17:2). Here, Yeshua revealed His divine Hippos and the Cliffs of Gadara – The
nature to Peter, James, and John, standing Miracle of the Swine Conclusion
alongside Moses and Elijah. Latest studies and archaeological findings The Golan Heights isn’t just another place
suggest that the encounter between on the map—it’s a land that makes the
Why Hermon? The mountain’s grandeur, its Yeshua and the possessed man took Bible come to life. Here, Yeshua made
remoteness, and its historical connection to place in this region rather than at the bold declarations, revealed His nature,
divine encounters all make it a compelling traditionally assumed location of Kursi. This and demonstrated His authority over fear,
possibility. Standing here, with the clouds new assumption is based on several key darkness, and death itself.
rolling in and the cool air surrounding you, it’s discoveries: the presence of multiple tombs
easy to picture that moment of revelation and and mausoleums scattered near Hippos, Standing at Banias, you can almost hear His
the disciples’awe at witnessing Yeshua’s glory. the ancient road that connected the dock words echoing against the rocks: “The gates
with the Jewish town of Afik, and the actual of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18).
Gamla – A City on a Hill topography of the site, which aligns more Walking along the road to Damascus, you
Gamla is a place of fierce resistance, faith, and accurately with the scriptural description. can picture Paul, blinded by the light of
ultimately, tragedy. This city, clinging to the Yeshua, taking his first steps toward his true
side of a steep hill, was one of the last Jewish One of the most striking miracles in the New mission. Looking down from the cliffs of
strongholds against Rome. Some believe that Testament took place on the eastern shore Gadara, you can sense the power of Yeshua’s
when Yeshua spoke of “a city on a hill that of the Sea of Galilee, in the region known as authority as the swine plunged into the sea.
cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14), He may Decapolis. Here, Yeshua encountered a man
have had Gamla in mind. possessed by demons. "For Jesus had said This is a land where history, faith, and
to him, 'Come out of this man, you impure Scripture come together in a way that no
This city also had the largest known spirit!' Then Jesus asked him, 'What is your book or sermon can fully capture. It’s an
synagogue from Yeshua’s time, serving as a name?' 'My name is Legion,' he replied, 'for invitation to step into the story—to see, to
major center of Jewish learning and wisdom we are many.'" (Mark 5:8-9). When He cast walk, and to experience the living Word of
in the first century AD. The presence of such them out, they entered a herd of pigs, which
a significant place of study and teaching then rushed down the cliffs into the sea ✦God in an unforgettable way.
reinforces its potential identification as the (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20).
"city on a hill"—not just as a strategic location,
but as a shining beacon of spiritual light and The cliffs of Gadara, located near today’s
knowledge that could not be hidden. villages of Neot Golan and Givat Yoav,
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