Israel Tours

Holy Land “Battle for Israel” Pilgrimage Tour

Dates: June 20–July 1, 2026
Length: 12 days and 10 nights
Leader: Tim Moore
Register: Discovery Cruises and Tours (website or call 817-595-2700)
Questions: Contact BethAnn Rockett

Summary

Walk where Jesus walked! Lamb & Lion’s Pilgrimage tour has been carefully designed to maximize your exposure to God’s providence as manifest in the land and people of Israel. Over the years, we’ve diligently sought out unusual, out of the way places for our groups to visit. We see a lot of the standard places, but we go to many that are off the beaten track.

Many group trips to Israel turn out to be just tours, and nothing more. Our trips are spiritual pilgrimages. We go there for spiritual purposes: to draw nearer to the Lord and to develop a better understanding of His Word. We focus on the visitation of sites that relate either to the life of Jesus or to end time Bible prophecy. We conduct devotionals or short but in-depth Bible studies at each of these spots.

This tour focuses upon sites related to the life of Jesus and to His Second Coming. A sample itinerary for the tour is outlined below:

Day 1

New York
Depart Newark Liberty International Airport in the evening for Tel Aviv.

Day 2

Tel Aviv
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] Arrive in Tel Aviv in the afternoon. Proceed to our hotel in Tel Aviv located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. After dinner, the evening will be free for you to stroll along the Mediterranean beach or explore Tel Aviv.

Day 3

Old Jaffa and Tel Aviv
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] We will begin our tour of Israel by visiting the Etzel Museum—commemorating the brave fighters who pre–dated the IDF and helped secure Israel’s independence. Then we’ll go to the site where the modern state of Israel was actually born—Independence Hall. It was at this location that David Ben Gurion declared Israel to be an independent nation on May 14, 1948, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the end times. We will then visit the ancient port of Jaffa, located just south of modern-day Tel Aviv. It was here that the IDF fought to secure the Tel Aviv’s southern flank. Jaffa was also the port from which the prophet Jonah began his ill–fated voyage. This old city is also where Peter received the vision that called him to preach to the Gentiles. We’ll also visit the Palmach Museum—honoring another paramilitary wing that was later incorporated into the IDF. Finally, we’ll visit Rabin Square, where Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Once we get back to the hotel, you can catch up on sleep from the flight over or enjoy another evening along the Mediterranean Sea. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 4

Tel Aviv to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] We will hit the ground early this morning as we begin traveling along the Via Mares—the “Way of the Sea”) toward Tiberias. We will visit Ebenezer—the site where Israel fought the Philistines, and the Ark of the Covenant was lost. If time allows, we will visit Mount Carmel, where Elijah did battle with the prophets of Baal. We’ll also go to Tel Megiddo, the ancient city overlooking the valley that Napoleon declared the world’s most perfect battlefield. You’ll look across the Valley of Armageddon where the armies of the world will gather to rebel against the Antichrist. Given their animosity toward Jesus Christ, He will defeat them with a word of His mouth as he descends to reign in Jerusalem. While at Megiddo, the ancient fortress city that guarded the approach to the valley, we will tour the tell and its fascinating water tunnel. After eating lunch at the Megiddo kibbutz, we will also go to Gideon Spring, where Gideon asked the Lord to confirm his calling and then called down his army so that there would be no doubt that the Lord delivered the victory. Along the way, we’ll also visit Mount Gilboa, where Saul and Jonathan died fighting the Philistines. Other surprises might be in store for this day, but we will eventually end up at our hotel in Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5

Galilee Area
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] This will be a day focused on the northern flank of Israel—the Golan Heights. We will visit several battlefields on the Golan, including Tel Hazor, Tel Faher, and Mount Bental. From this high country, Hafez Assad used to bombard the Jews throughout the Galilee with artillery and rocket fire. To this day, Syria poses a tremendous threat on Israel’s northern border—now due to chaos and the Islamic State as well as Syrian forces themselves. The battle sites from 1967 and 1973 mark the location of hard–won victories for Israel. We will also visit Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked His disciples who they believed Him to be. In the timeless battle for men’s souls, that question continues to reverberate today. No other answer is as important in the eternal sense. Time permitting, we will also visit Kursi, Gamla, and the Nimrod Fortress. After a full day, we’ll return to our hotel in Tiberias. After dinner that evening, we’ll hear from a couple who serve as missionaries to the Druze people in the Galilee region.

Day 6

Northern Israel and the Golan Heights
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] We will start out early to venture toward the Lebanese border. We’ll visit Mt Adir—overlooking a battle site from the 2006 war. Once a relatively stable northern border, Lebanon became increasingly turbulent as it fell under the sway of Iran. Paramilitary terrorist groups were emboldened to serve as proxy antagonists for the radicalized Iranian state. Over the years, Israel has been subjected to near–constant probes and attacks from Hezbollah, which has periodically erupted into full–scale conflict. If time allows, we will also visit the crusader fortress at Acco—where ostensibly Christian Crusaders maintained a presence in the Holy Land during the Middle Ages. Although they came to free the holy sites from the Muslims who had claimed ownership, these often-violent conquerors were horribly anti–Semitic as well, slaughtering Jews as well as Muslims. They certainly did not provide an accurate representation of a true disciple of Christ. We will visit the site near Haifa where Napoleon was defeated during his attempt to conquer the Holy Land. From there, we’ll return to the Sea of Galilee. We’ll pass by the Horns of Hattin, where Saladin’s Sunni Muslim forces soundly defeated the Crusaders and solidified Muslim control of the land of Israel for hundreds of years. Next, we’ll drive to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to visit one of the oldest kibbutzim in Israel, Kibbutz Deganya, where Moshe Dayan was born and raised (and where a Syrian tank came to a rest after one modern battle). We will conclude the day with a visit to the Christian baptismal site on the Jordan River, just south of the Sea of Galilee. Those who want to profess their faith in Christ can publicly demonstrate the victory He offers as they participate in a baptism at the Jordan River. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 7

Travel through Central Israel to Jerusalem
We will begin making our way south early this morning toward Jerusalem. We’ll visit Mount Tabor—the site where Deborah took charge of the army of Israel when Barak hesitated. Under her leadership, the Canaanite army under Sisera was defeated. Mount Tabor is also the traditional location of the Transfiguration, where Jesus glory was revealed to his disciples. They walked beside Him every day and recognized the significance of His ministry and even His rightful claim as Messiah. Still, they had not grasped prior to that moment the overwhelming glory of His nature as the Son of God. Even then, they mistakenly presumed to equate the revered Old Testament saints who appeared with Him. We will take the opportunity to magnify the One who commands the armies of heaven. We’ll also stop to walk through the incredible excavations at Beit Shean. This is the city where the body of King Saul was nailed to the walls. It is the largest excavation in the land of Israel. We will have a few other surprises this day as we follow the course of the Jordan River south toward Jericho. We will conclude the day by making our ascent to the city of Jerusalem, “the city of the Great King!” (Psalm 48:2). Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8

Jerusalem—Old City and New
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] We will start this day in and around the Holy City itself. Our first site will be the Tomb of Samuel. Also known as the Vista of Gibeon, this is where the sun stood still as Joshua and the children of Israel fought the armies of five pagan kings. In answer to Joshua’s prayer, the Lord caused the sun to stand still “for about a whole day”—giving them time to defeat their enemies. More accurately, as Joshua 10:14 records, “the LORD fought for Israel.” We’ll then proceed to Radar Hill and the Samuel Overlook—a commanding view of Jerusalem where recent battles have been waged. Next, we will go to Ammunition Hill. A desperate battle raged here between soldiers of the IDF and dug–in Jordanian forces in 1967. Deemed a critical tactical position during the Six Day War, it has now been considered a tragic victory. At the end of the day, we’ll go to the Lions Gate and follow the path of the IDF paratroopers who retook the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967, ending up at the Western Wall. If time permits, we will also visit the Pool of Bethesda and the Crusader Church of St. Anne, as well as the Holy Sepulcher (the traditional Catholic site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus). Along the way, we’ll stop in at the Convent of the Sisters of Zion where the pavement floor is located that served as the foundation of the Antonio Fortress. This is the place where Pilate judged Jesus and the soldiers scourged Him. On the way back to the hotel, we’ll visit Mt. Herzl military cemetery. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9

North and West of Jerusalem
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] We will head back out of Jerusalem itself this morning to travel to the Elah Valley—the site of the battle be-tween David and Goliath. We’ll also visit Tel Lachish along the western ascent road to Jerusalem, where King Sennacherib of Assyria began his approach toward Jerusalem. Using bloodthirsty tactics and psychological warfare, Sennacherib attempted to defeat Hezekiah. Once again, the LORD fought for Israel—utterly devastating the army of Assyria. We will continue up the road past Latrun (and the so–called “Burman Road”) where hostile Arab villages repeatedly repulsed and annihilated the armored convoys trekking toward the besieged Jewish quarters of Jerusalem in 1947 and 48. We will spend extra time at the IDF Armor Corps Museum in Latrun. Since we will have left the city for part of this day, we will mark our “second coming” back to the city by stopping at the Mount of Olives. Not only will this offer a beautiful panoramic view of Jerusalem, but it will also allow us to con-duct a devotional focusing on the Second Coming of Jesus. If time permits, we’ll then stroll down to a lovely chapel called Dominus Flevit before returning to our hotel. This chapel marks the traditional site where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10

South of Jerusalem (Judea and the Negev)
We will start out early to go to Gush Etzion, a collection of Jewish outposts that saw intense fighting in the War of Independence. These were some of the original Moshevs (Jewish collective farms) that drew immigrants from Europe before and after World War II. Increasing Arab hostility leading up to 1948 made them dangerous places to live. The day before David Ben Gurion declared independence, Arab forces under the control of the Jordanian Arab Legion captured Kfar Etzion and killed every inhabitant except 3 men and a woman. That outrage became emblematic of the ferocity of the battles that would follow. We will then travel farther into the desolate south of Israel—the Negev. There we will visit Beer Sheba and the IAF Museum. Highlighting the dedication of Israel’s air force, this will offer insight to many of the battles that have waged in the air over the past 70 years—including Operation Moked, the daring opening battle to the Six Day War in 1967. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 11

Jerusalem
[Blog: 2014 | 2009] This will be a very special day as we begin at the Friends of Zion Museum. This is a new and amazingly high–tech presentation on some of the heroes who have stood with Israel. If you don’t go to Israel as a committed advocate already, this site will convince you to join the other followers of God’s Word who have determined to bless Israel. We will then go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus anticipated His great battle with Satan at the Cross. You can almost feel His anguish as we ponder His great sacrifice among olive trees that may spring from the very roots that bore fruit 2,000 years ago. The final site on our pilgrimage will be the Garden Tomb. It was here (or a spot literally within yards of this representative site) where Jesus was buried. On the third day, He manifested His authority and power by defeating Death itself. We will conclude our time together here with a worship and communion service. Time allowing, you will then be free to visit any site in or near Jerusalem during a “free after-noon.” Overnight Jerusalem.

Day 12

Return Home
Very early this morning we depart to catch our flight from Tel Aviv to JFK via Madrid. We will return assured anew that our LORD fights for us and with new friends to last a lifetime and beyond!

Transportation

We use premier American or European air carriers. We will be flying directly into Israel, landing at Tel Aviv. If you prefer, you can arrange your own air travel (or use your own airline points) and then meet us in Israel. The “Ground Only” option allows that option. You should avoid off-brand and economy carriers. Their equipment is shoddy; their crew members are rude; their food is awful; and they cram the seats together to load the maximum number of passengers.

Lodging

Some groups cut costs by using kibbutz motels or Arab hotels. The kibbutz hotels are okay, but they are in remote locations, and they are not first class. The Arab hotels are pretty awful. It would not be unusual to sit in the dining room and watch cats play on the counters in the kitchen! We stay at first class, five-star Jewish hotels.

Food

Be sure to check to see what meals are provided. Some groups provide only breakfast, and it is often continental style. We provide all three meals each day—except for “Free Day” lunch on our “Footsteps of Jesus” tour.

Guides

We use delightful, Messianic Jewish Israeli guides. Some groups cut costs by using Arab guides. This will absolutely ruin your trip because the Arab guide will spend the entire time running down Israel and giving you a very distorted picture of what is going on in the Middle East.

Hidden Costs

Make certain to check to see what is covered by the cost of the trip, and what is not covered. Believe it or not, there are unethical tour operators who offer a rock bottom cost that does not even include the entrance fees to the places on the itinerary! Thus, when the group arrives at a site like Masada, they suddenly discover that they must pay the entrance fee, including the cost of the sky tram. Our tours include the entrance fees to all sites listed on the itinerary. When the cost of a trip is so low that it seems too good to be true—beware!

Leadership

The Lamb & Lion evangelistic team has led Pilgrims to Israel over 70 times. They know the country and its people very well, and they know how the land relates to the Bible. Don’t go with a leader who knows nothing about the land and its people.

Resources

Some pilgrims travel to Israel without any resources to prepare them for the visit or help them understand what they are experiencing. We provide a very carefully prepared booklet that is designed to introduce you to the land and its people. And we provide you with a list of other recommended resources.

Itinerary

The vast majority of tours follow a standard itinerary that is dictated by the tour agency. Lamb & Lion’s pilgrimage tour has been carefully designed to maximize your exposure to God’s providence as manifest in the land and people of Israel. That’s one of the reasons that we spend a day in Tel Aviv. Most tours spend no time at all in this city. That’s a shame because there is a lot to see in Tel Aviv, including things like Independence Hall which relate directly to Bible prophecy. Over the years, we’ve diligently sought out unusual, out of the way places for our groups to visit. We see a lot of the standard places, but we go to many that are off the beaten track.

Atmosphere

Many group trips to Israel turn out to be just tours, and nothing more. Our trips are spiritual pilgrimages. We go there for spiritual purposes: to draw nearer to the Lord and to develop a better understanding of His Word. We focus on the visitation of sites that relate either to the life of Jesus or to end time Bible prophecy. We conduct devotionals or short but in-depth Bible studies at each of these spots.

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for. I’ll never forget one lady who made her second trip with one of our groups. She was amazed at how nice our hotel was in Tel Aviv the first night. When I told her it was nothing all that special, she explained that on her previous trip her husband had insisted on purchasing the cheapest tour he could find. The result was that on their first night in Tel Aviv, they stayed in a hotel that had no electricity (they were issued candles at the check-in desk!) and had one bathroom at the end of each hall. Again, you get what you pay for!

Host

Tim Moore, our ministry’s Senior Evangelist, serves as the tour’s host. Tim has led many tours of 25-50 people at a time and has traveled throughout the breadth of Israel. Those who have toured with Tim share that his expertise in Bible prophecy and military history have greatly blessed their experience.

Details

Lamb & Lion Ministries is excited to announce the establishment of our Millennial Kingdom Scholarship (MKS). This endeavor will offer young “Millennials” (ages 18-29) the opportunity of a lifetime; to join us on a “Footsteps of Jesus” Basic Tour of the Holy Land.

Learn how you can become a sponsor and literally change someone’s life for Eternity!

Make a Donation

Testimonials

As young people travel to Israel on MKS Scholarships, we will post excerpts of their testimonials here. It’s hard to communicate the immensity of the spiritual adventure a trip to Israel represents, but this will give you an idea of what this opportunity has meant to those who have been.

Isaac and Emily Karpenske

“Maranatha! Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” These were the words my mother and I (Emily) would proclaim excitedly each evening when we would pray together throughout my early childhood years. I had learned to pray “Maranatha” from one of my favorite books, Jesus is Coming Again!, written by Dr. David Reagan. I absolutely loved the book and read it often. I wanted all my friends to read it too, and many of them did, thanks to my mom who always had a supply of them ready to gift to anyone at any time. (Read More)