Watch Jerusalem

Hosted by Brent Nagtegaal

Watch Jerusalem brings you news and archaeology from a biblical perspective. Host Brent Nagtegaal is on location in Jerusalem to give you the most important developments happening on the ground—and emerging from beneath it. Nagtegaal is a contributor for watchJerusalem.co.il.

#97: Ancient Iran—History’s Greatest Supporter of Zionism

Aired Sunday, February 10, 2019   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   42 minutes

JERUSALEM – There is not a week that passes without another threat from Iran to destroy Israel. However, the Iranian regime claims they is not anti-Semitic. As proof, Iran readily promotes the existence of the 10,000 Jews currently living in Iran.

On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal contrasts the policy of Iran’s current leaders to its Jewish population at home and the Jewish population in Israel. He also explores the stunning Zionist enterprise of ancient Persia that allowed, and even funded, the return of Jews to Israel.

#96: What Happened to God's Promise to David of an Everlasting Throne?

Aired Sunday, February 3, 2019   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   36 minutes

JERUSALEM – In 2 Samuel 7, God promised that King David’s line would continue on the throne over Israel forever. But what exactly does that mean? Many Jews interpret that promise to mean that there would always be a son of David alive to sit on the throne – if there was a throne. Christians believe that it was all fulfilled in Jesus.

However, the prophet Jeremiah believed that it meant that there would always be someone of Davidic lineage sitting on an actual throne over Israel. In fact, the Bible actually gives clues as to how the throne continued, long after the fall of Jerusalem. On today's show, host Brent Nagtegaal, discusses the biblical proofs of God’s literal promise to David.

#95: A Massive Monument for an Invisible Ark of the Covenant?

Aired Sunday, January 27, 2019   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   34 minutes

JERUSALEM - Renewed archaeological excavations at Kiriath-Jearim located just outside of modern Jerusalem have uncovered a massive raised platform from 2700 years ago. The site is famous as the Bible describes it as the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant before it was brought to Jerusalem by King David. According to archaeologists excavating at the site, the raised platform could have been a shrine to the memory of the Ark. However, also according to the archaeologists, the ark never actually existed.

On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal, tries to make sense of the Kiriath-Jearim excavations. He also interviews historian Christopher Eames about archaeological and textual discoveries that parallel the early life of Moses.

#94: Why Did King David Choose Jerusalem

Aired Sunday, January 20, 2019   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   41 minutes

Jerusalem – King David’s first act as king over Israel was to take Jerusalem and establish it as the political capital of the nation. Shortly thereafter, he established Jerusalem as the religious center of the nation. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses why David enacted such a Jerusalem-centered policy and the lessons that can be learned from it.

#93: Babylon in Israel and an Earthquake of Biblical Proportions

Aired Sunday, January 6, 2019   ·   12:00 AM CST   ·   43 minutes

Jerusalem – Researches recently uncovered a 2600-year-old cuneiform tablet north of Tel Aviv and believe it confirms the presence of Babylonian settlement in Samaria just after Israel was taken captive. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at that claim, as well as a recent report in Haaretz detailing the proof of a massive earthquake referenced in the books of Amos and Zechariah.

#92: Middle East Hotspots in Bible Prophecy and 2018’s Top Archaeological Finds

Aired Sunday, December 30, 2018   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   42 minutes

JERUSALEM – Nations are already scrambling to fill the vacuum in Syria, and the United States hasn’t even left yet. Is this a sign of more to come if the United States continues in its policy of withdrawal? On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at two Middle East hotspots where Iran’s forces are pushing the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. He also discusses some of 2018, top finds in biblical archaeology.

#91: Calls Increase for Europe to Replace the United States in Syria

Aired Sunday, December 23, 2018   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   46 minutes

JERUSALEM – Last week, United States President Donald Trump shocked the world by ordering the withdrawal of all American forces from Syria. Most upset by this decision were the European nations of the anti-Islamic State mission, who were partnering with the United States. Now, without the United States, European nations must either increase their deployment or withdraw from Syria as well. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at how Bible Prophecy gives the answer in terms of Europe’s future role in Syria.

#90: Hanukkah: When the Bible was almost totally destroyed

Aired Sunday, December 9, 2018   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   34 minutes

JERUSALEM – The history of Hanukkah is often described in the context of a Jewish victory over the genocidal king Antiochus Epiphanes. While that is true, it is worth pondering the real motivations behind Antiochus onslaught. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal looks at what was at stake in the fight against Antiochus as he sought to not only kill the Jews but to fully eradicate the truth of God from the earth.

#89: A Fifty Year Partnership in Jerusalem Archaeology

Aired Sunday, December 2, 2018   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   34 minutes

JERUSALEM - On December 1, 1968 an important meeting was held at the residence of Israel’s third President, Zalman Shazar in Jerusalem. At that meeting, humanitarian Herbert. W. Armstrong gave Israel’s president the first check of many to fund much of the Temple Mount Excavations, the largest excavations in Israel’s history, led by eminent Hebrew University Prof. Benjamin Mazar. On today’s program, Host Brent Nagtegaal looks back at that meeting, as well as the fruit of the next fifty years of partnership.

#88: Adam Eve: Fact or Fiction?

Aired Sunday, November 25, 2018   ·   10:00 AM CST   ·   29 minutes

It’s often dismissed as either a cute story or at best a meaningful allegory. Useful for illustrating a moral point, but totally imaginary.

Cue the scientific fields of genetics, morphology, and archaeology. It turns out that the sciences have, quite unwittingly, produced a deluge of surprising new evidence attesting to the accuracy of the biblical account of this “primeval couple.” Host Christopher Eames details some of the astounding new facts—things that the ancient biblical writers simply couldn’t have figured out themselves, without divine inspiration. So, just how accurate is the story of Adam and Eve?