A city gate from the time of King David was discovered after 32 years of excavation in the ancient city of Bethsaida in the Golan Heights’ Jordan Park, opening up a world of new of opinions and theories about the ancient landscape of the Land of Israel.

The ruins of the New Testament city of Bethsaida is turning out to be a goldmine of amazing discoveries for biblical archaeologists because it has remained nearly completely untouched for almost 2,000 years. We told you last year about the discoveries in the lost city of Zer, and today’s article is a follow-up-to that.

“And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.” Luke 9:10,11 (KJV)

Do you realize that with all these new finds, that there has never once been anything that has contradicted or gone against what is laid out in the Bible? In fact, these incredible finds only add more light to the Bible passages that mention them. Compare that to the Book of Mormon, for example, that talks about dozens of people and places Joseph Smith said existed, and yet not one scrap of archaeological evidence has ever surfaced to support those claims. Hmm, I wonder why that is?  I thank God that He gave me a Book that is true and trustworthy.

Bethsaida is an almost untouched archaeological heaven for getting the real story about what happened during the times of the Hebrew Bible and the Second Temple period.

FROM THE JPOST: According to Professor Rami Arav of the University of Nebraska, chief archaeologist overseeing the excavations, told the Jerusalem Post that the gate and further findings found within the ancient city give the notion that it was possible that Solomon and David might not have been the sole kings of the Israelite kingdom at their respective times, but instead chieftains of large tribes of Israelites.

“And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,” Joshua 19:35 (KJV)

The previously uncovered gate found in the area last year was cautiously identified to be a part of the biblical city of Zer, a name used during the First Temple period. However, the newly found gate dates back to the time and rule of King David, which is purportedly from the 11th to 10th centuries BCE.

“There are not many gates from capital cities in this country from this period,” said Arav. “Bethsaida was the name of the city during the Second Temple period, but during the First Temple period it was the city of Zer.” Arav cited Joshua 19:35, which says: “The fortified towns were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinneret.”

The excavation and research, sponsored by the Hebrew Union College of Jerusalem, has brought together archaeologists from all over the world to help.

Findings presented by the researchers point to the possibility that Bethsaida was not an Israelite kingdom but instead an Aramaic one. Within the city limits of Bethsaida, there was a stone stele bearing the image of their bull-shaped moon god, which dates back to the 11th century BCE. This monument is one of seven other similar tombstones found from the ancient world, from southern Turkey to Egypt. Two have been found in Bethsaida alone.

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Some of these monuments have been found in cities dating to later periods, such as the 9th-8th century BCE. The rare stone stele dating back to the kingdom of Geshur was unearthed in the archaeological excavation.

“But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.” 2 Samuel 13:37 (KJV)

The kingdom of Geshur is mentioned in the Bible as having co-existed alongside the Kingdom of David. It was eventually annexed by King Hazael, who ruled what is today modern Syria. The biblical kingdom of Geshur existed in parts of what is now the Golan Heights.

Although the area of the Golan Heights is not thought to be an Israelite kingdom, the archaeologists on the dig presume that Jerusalem and David’s capital in Bethsaida were actually quite similar to one another.

Seven kingdoms are believed to have ruled the ancient Land of Israel. However, according to Arav, the researchers know little about the archaeology of these capitals since they have been destroyed and rebuilt many times over.

Arav said that these types of excavations are difficult in places like Jerusalem, because researchers need to get permission from landowners as well as the government to excavate these sites. In addition, other ancient cities, such as Damascus, have been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times in the past, making it difficult to connect inferences in what actually happened there during these time periods. Bethsaida is an almost untouched archaeological heaven for getting the real story about what happened during the times of the Hebrew Bible and the Second Temple period.

“Bethsaida is a unique example of a capital city from the 11th-8th century BCE that is available for archaeological research, as there has been no disturbance to this site,” said Arav. Excavations will continue on site as archaeologists attempt to discover everything dating from the 11th century BCE to the period of Roman rule following the end of the Common Era. READ MORE

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US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press conference at the White House Monday afternoon. The two leaders met as President Trump prepared to sign an executive order officially recognizing Israel’s sovereignty on the Golan Heights.

For prophecy watchers, the past few days have been heady indeed. Watching President Trump sign the official proclamation declaring the Golan Heights to be under full Israeli control sent chills down my spine. This world is edging ever closer to some big prophetical events coming to pass. If you want to know what God is doing, watch Israel, and from that perspective God has been very active indeed.

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6,7 (KJV)

The combination of Donald Trump in American and Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, doing what they have been doing over the past two and a half years, is something that Tim LaHaye in his excellent ‘Left Behind‘ series could only dream about. The best part is, all this activity brings us another giant step closer to our blessed hope of the Pretribulation Rapture of the Church. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

President Trump signs order recognizing Golan Heights

FROM HAARETZ: As he sat down to sign the order, President Trump said that the act was “a long time in the making. It should have taken place many decades ago.” Trump said that the US-Israel alliance “has never been stronger.”

“At this moment the American embassy stands proudly in Jerusalem, the capital the Jewish have established. They wanted the embassy for many, many years, for many decades, and frankly, through many presidents. And we got it done,” Trump said.

“We will confront the poison of anti-Semitism through our words, and maybe even more importantly, our actions. In the last century, humanity witnessed the horrific consequences of anti-Semitism and a world without a Jewish homeland.

“In the wake of those unthinkable horrors, the Jewish people built a mighty nation in the holy land, something very powerful, something very special and important … There can be no better example of greatness than what Israel has done starting from such a small speck of sand.

“Israel is an inspiration, a trusted ally, and a cherished friend. The United States will always stand by its side,” the president concluded.

Donald Trump and Bible Prophecy

Today’s signing of the proclamation by the president declaring the Golan Heights to be under Israeli control is an end times stunner for sure.  Click the link to listen to our two-hour bible study on how the God of Abraham is using President Donald Trump to advance the timeline of end times prophecy. 

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the president for recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

“You have shown consistently, incredible support for Israel, for our right to self-defense. When we exercise that self-defense you have never flinched. You have always been there, including today, and I thank you,” Netanyahu told President Trump.

“Over the years, Israel has been blessed to have many friends who sat in the oval office. But Israel has never had a better friend than you. You showed this time and again. You showed this when you withdrew from the disastrous nuclear deal with Iran … You said it you did it.

“You showed it again when you restored sanctions against a genocidal regime that seeks to destroy the one and only Jewish State … You said it, and you did it.

“You showed that when you recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the American embassy there … You said it. You did it. And you have shown it once again today, Mr. President, with your official proclamation recognizing Israel’s sovereignty on the Golan Heights,” Netanyahu said.

Proclamation on Recognizing the Golan Heights as Part of the State of Israel

The State of Israel took control of the Golan Heights in 1967 to safeguard its security from external threats.  Today, aggressive acts by Iran and terrorist groups, including Hizballah, in southern Syria continue to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks on Israel.  Any possible future peace agreement in the region must account for Israel’s need to protect itself from Syria and other regional threats.  Based on these unique circumstances, it is therefore appropriate to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that, the United States recognizes that the Golan Heights are part of the State of Israel.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP source

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When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the building of the recording studio, but it also goes to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. Even all the way to South Africa. We even restarted our weekly radio Bible study on Sunday nights again, thanks to your generous donations.

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“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJV)

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President Trump on Thursday said the U.S. will recognize Israeli control of the disputed Golan Heights territory, delivering a diplomatic win for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a tough reelection race.

If you’re a Democratic Socialist like AOC, Beto O’Rourke, Ilhan Omar or any of the others, Trump just ruined your weekend. But if you’re a bible believer, you are practically leaping around the room for joy right now. Why? Because President Donald Trump continues to do what God placed him in office to do, and that is to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people in the end times. And today, President Trump knocked it out of the park with his announcement that the US will recognize Israeli control of the Golan Heights. This is truly a “wow” moment.

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 (KJV)

In one fell swoop, Trump reminded his massive base why we voted for him, he instantly solved Netanyahu’s election situation which was threatening to derail him, and most of all, he stood up for the God’s chosen people the Jews, and for God’s holy land of Eretz Yisrael. During the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, Israel will be fully restored to the Abraham’s original land grant as King Jesus rules the world from Jerusalem. Today’s announcement by President Trump is an excellent appetizer on that coming main course.

Isn’t it exciting to be watching bible prophecy coming true right before our very eyes?

WATCH LIVE: Statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 https://t.co/SFd4VQMMZy

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 21, 2019

Trump: Time for U.S. to Recognize Israel’s Sovereignty Over Golan Heights

FROM HAARETZ ISRAEL: “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!” Trump tweeted.

The announcement came days before Trump was scheduled to meet at the White House with Netanyahu, who has urged top U.S. officials to make the move.

After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2019

This comes after the U.S. State Department scraped the word “occupied” last week when referring to the Golan Heights in its annual human rights report for 2018. The change, which now reads “Israeli-controlled territory” which strays from the language used by previous administrations.

At a time when Iran seeks to use Syria as a platform to destroy Israel, President Trump boldly recognizes Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Thank you President Trump! @realDonaldTrump

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) March 21, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the move on Twitter as well, thank you the American president for his statement. A separate section on the West Bank and Gaza Strip also did not refer to those territories as being “occupied” or under “occupation.” READ MORE

CLICK TO READ ‘THE LAST TRUMP’ ARCHIVE ON HOW GOD IS USING DONALD TRUMP TO ACCOMPLISH BIBLE PROPHECY

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last days before the Rapture of the Church

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the building of the recording studio, but it also goes to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. Even all the way to South Africa. We even restarted our weekly radio Bible study on Sunday nights again, thanks to your generous donations.

CLICK IMAGE TO ORDER YOUR BOX OF NTEB GOSPEL TRACTS

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. If every one of the 12,621 people on our daily mailing list gave $4.50, we would reach our goal immediately. If every one of our 151,781 followers on Facebook gave $1.00 each, we would reach 300% of our goal. The same goes for our 13,600 followers on Twitter. But sadly, many will not give, so we need the ones who can and who will give to be generous. As generous as possible.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJV)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page