Introduction

Our work on the Book of Revelation took a surprising turn in 2019, when we were investigating its generic resemblance to the Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37-71). Noting the proximity of their two authors in time and place, the research rapidly expanded to include an investigation of the Provenance of the Book of Parables and a reconstruction of Essene Origins and History, a subject that has interested scholars over many years. The results are described in an academic article, which can be downloaded here , and in the first chapter of our new book Saint John and the Book of Revelation: From Essenes to End-Times, which can be downloaded here . We conclude by identifying the 'village of the Cave of Arbel' (Arbel Cave village) as the home of the author of the Book of Parables and of his community.

An important part of this work has involved "boots on the ground", with several visits to the site, now conserved in the "Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve", just north of Tiberias in Galilee. This has produced a photographic record, some of which we share here. The photos are divided into 12 geographical sections as indicated by the thumbnail images below. Click on the image of the desired section to show the menu of photos with a brief description of each and arranged in sequence, as if on a tour of the site. When the photo menu appears: 1) Click on the text to open the photo in a new "tab"; 2) Click the left mouse on the screen to enlarge/diminish the image; 3) Click the 'X' on the new "tab" (NOT the 'X' at the top right of the screen) to close and return to the photo menu.