Masada – Herod’s Dessert Palace and the Last Jewish Stronghold.

Masada is just south of Qumran – West of the Dead Sea. It is a mountain with a flat plateau like top that stands alone along the Dead Sea. Herod the Great found it to be another perfect place to flex His muscles. Between 20 BC and 4 AD he built an edifice - the remains of which still are found today. Masada is an amazing structure high atop a mountain in the dessert complete with an elaborate palace with mosaic floors for Herod, a bath house, a guest house of the highest caliber, and an elaborate gigantic water system that enabled this place in the dessert to be a veritable Oasis.

After the fall of Jerusalem Jews fled to this dessert stronghold and made their last stand against the Romans in this place. After nearly 2 years of a handful of Jews holding off the Roman legions it was evident they would soon fall. In order not to give the Romans satisfaction in victory those who remained committed suicide. A sad story – A story that reminds us no matter how strong you are – no matter how strong your “fortress” - you can’t stand against the will of the Lord. On the other hand – When God is on your side you can’t lose. Jesus promised he would build a Kingdom as the Messiah King that the gates of hell would not prevail against. All the prophets agreed that his kingdom would endure forever. More than 2000 years ago he physically left the earth to reign over all from his throne in heaven. Kingdoms have risen in splendor and fallen but his words have proven to be true. Presently, more than 2 billion people of the earth hail Him as their King. Soon he will come again and … (Philip. 2:10-11) “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“ The Lord wants you to be part of his gracious reign today and forever. (Romans 10:9-11) If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. [11] As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."