The faint sound of Middle Eastern music can be detected just beyond the entrance to the city gate. The city’s narrow alleys lead you through a maze of ancient architecture. As you amble along the paths, an imposing six-story white temple comes into view. You have traveled to an ancient land that is 2,000 years old and 7,000 miles away without ever leaving the United States — The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Fla.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, the Holy Land Experience has taken more than a million people back to Jerusalem in A.D. 66.
Visitors can enjoy authentically-detailed buildings, musical productions, historical presentations, featured exhibits and artifacts as part of the attraction. The most striking structure is a one-third-scale replica of Herod’s Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70. It stands at the head of the Plaza of Nations and is encircled by 30 columns topped with Corinthian capitals.
Bill Jones, pastor of Acts Fellowship Baptist Church, Orlando, is the senior Bible teacher for the park and conducts morning walking tours. “What intrigues visitors the most about the Holy Land Experience is the fact that the gospel is presented so clearly at all the venues, and they also appreciate how carefully we adhere to biblical accuracy,” he said.
Outside the city walls stand replicas of the Dead Sea Qumran Caves, Calvary’s Garden Tomb and the Wilderness Tabernacle. At the tabernacle the re-creation of ancient Israel’s center of desert worship brings the priesthood and sacrificial system to life. It is not unusual to see actors representing Bible characters such as Moses standing near a slate of the Ten Commandments, or see a priest blowing a shofar.
Be sure to visit the “Jerusalem Model A.D. 66,” the world’s largest indoor model of the city of Jerusalem. Visitors can hear presentations that explain the city’s landmarks and Christ’s final days.
In the Scriptorium, visitors can discover how the Bible came into existence through the largest privately held collection of biblical antiquities in the world. The rotating exhibit includes examples of cuneiform — the earliest surviving samples of written communication from the regions of Egypt and Mesopotamia. The most valuable of the collection are the ones from the Ur II or Ur III period — about 2000 b.c. — that are reportedly from the City of Ur itself. The Nebuchadnezzar Cylinder records King Nebuchadnezzar’s order to rebuild a city located in his empire.
Also on display is a Bible belonging to a martyr. It is a Matthews Bible that was printed circa 1537. “The martyr’s Bible is valuable because of its bloodstained pages, a graphic testimony of the price someone was willing to pay for this copy of the Bible,” Jones said. Also included in the exhibit is a portion of the Gutenberg Bible.
Children will enjoy the KidVenture area where they can meet biblical characters and scale a rock-climbing wall.
The park also offers a variety of dramatic presentations, including the “Ministry of Jesus” — a drama that portrays the biblical account of Jesus greeting the children. The audience’s reactions to the actors portraying Jesus vary.
“Some of the children run and jump into my arms, but others are very shy,” said Steve Bleiler, a member of First Baptist Church, Orlando, who is one of the cast members who portray Jesus.
Bleiler said portraying Christ is a privilege and honor, even though his time with guests is limited. “Because of the script, I am meditating on the Word and that is a blessing for me as the Word comes to life. It is very humbling.”
For those who do not yet have a relationship with God, Bleiler said the park may encourage them to seek Him out. “If they don’t know about the Lord when they arrive, they certainly will before they leave,” he said. “The seed has been planted and the Holy Spirit will continue to work on them.”
Other presentations include the film “The Seed of Promise” and the musical “Centurion.” The last presentation of the day is the emotional “Via Dolorosa Passion Drama” that portrays the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ.
Two words are frequently heard in the park. One is a friendly “Shalom” from employees and the other is a rousing “Amen” from guests. After all, you have been to church in the Holy Land — well, almost.
For information call 1-866-872-4659 or visit www.holylandexperience.com.
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