Perhaps nearly every tourist who visits Israel goes to Masada. It is striking to behold. The legendary Herodian pleasure-palace sits on a cliff rising dramatically above an austere desert landscape. Its history is pure drama. The Roman siege in A.D. 73, ended with the 960 Jewish Zealots committing mass suicide rather than submitting to live out their lives as Roman slaves. Is this all there is to know about Masada?

It has been over sixty years since perhaps the most significant archaeological discovery of the twentieth century was made: the unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The discovery was extremely significant for Christians and Jews because the hundreds of scrolls moved the manuscript evidence for nearly the entire Old Testament about a thousand years closer to the original text recorded between 1,500-400 B.C. The congruence between the previously known A.D. eighth century manuscripts and the Dead Sea Scroll manuscripts dating from the second century B.C. was profound, indicating excellent transmission accuracy.

We appreciate your Prayers. Join us in offering Praise to God for His answers and provision.

Here’s a chance to take advantage of some of what is happening at FaithSearch International.

Affirming Evidence from Archaeology

John’s Life and Ministry

John the Baptist, God’s first prophet to Israel after the close of the Old Testament by some 400 years, had a unique ministry. As the Scripture says, “And it is he who will go out a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah…so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Consistent with that calling, John preached a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:2,6) as preparation for salvation through faith in Jesus. This convicting message was welcomed by the humbler commoners but was rejected by the proud Pharisees and lawyers (Luke 7:29-30). Apparently not much has changed in the 2,000 years since!