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Holy Land Experience
The Holy Land Experience is a
themed park and Biblical museum that can be found sitting on 15
acres of exotic landscaped vistas in Orlando, Florida, right next to
Interstate 4 and exit 78. This wonderful attraction cost $15 million
to build and showcases many exciting exhibits and marvelous displays
that highlight various parts of the Bible. Baptist minister and born
Jew, Marvin Rosenthal started the Holy Land Experience and Zion's
Hope, that funded the construction. It was protested by the Jewish
Defense League on opening day, claiming that the purpose of the site
was to convert Jews to Christianity, although Rosenthal denied the
claim; and it is an absurd one, since there are many venues world
wide that could do this, but why? Really, in this wild and crazy
world, why would any religion want to change another, since many of
the writings are the same, by the same people and same prophets? You
must go there for yourself to find out why and how this strange
claim was made, and if you do find anything that remotely is fact of
this, please let us know. In 2007, the Holy Land Experience was
bought by Trinity Broadcasting Network, for $37 million, with slow
sales and an estimated $8 million in back debt. Two months after the
purchase, former president and board member Tom Powell, resigned to
seek new challenges, while four members stayed; Paul Crouch Sr., Jan
Crouch, Matthew Crouch and Paul Crouch Jr, who became the park's
president. Between 50 and 100 employees lost their jobs in 2007. TBN
has made plans to add to the park by creating a movie studio that
would produce Christian films and a television studio for the recent
buyout of WHLV-TV in Orlando. Some highlights include the main
entrance or city gate, that was modeled after the stone arch in the
Damascus and Jaffa Gates of Jerusalem; the Jesus boat which is a
replica of a boat that was found in the Sea of Galilee that dates
back to the time of Jesus; the Jerusalem Street Market which is a
copy of the middle eastern markets in the city, the city's well, and
a chance to interact with the street merchants; the Crystal Living
Seas is a dancing show; the old Scroll shop with examples of first
century shopping and items; the Living Word Prayer Garden which is
more than one garden where you can pray, meditate or just rest,
praying for God's healing and intercession in your problems; the
Wilderness tabernacle, with a mock priest taking you on a timeless
trip through the process of Israel's priesthood, that ends with the
glory of God seen above the Ark of the Covenant; the Shofar
Auditorium that contains musicals, presentations and dioramas; the
scriptorium presents one history of the Bible that includes exciting
authentic artifacts from around the world; Church of All Nations
Prayer Garden; Dead Sea Qumran Caves, a marvelous copy of the desert
caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found; the Judean village for
use in theatricals and dramas about the life of Judeans during
Jesus' time; Oasis Palms Cafe which is a middle eastern cafe;
Calvary's Garden tomb, Temple Plaza which is a six story white and
gold temple, and the center of Jerusalem's religious life; the Last
Supper Communion; and Jerusalem Model 66 AD.; which is the world's
biggest copy of an indoor model of this glorious and spectacular
city.
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