The Mount of Olives is not actually a single peak, but is a range of limestone mountains, which reach a height of 2,600 feet above sea level, and are situated only about half a mile east of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives and Jerusalem are both important landmarks in the purpose of God.
In David’s Day
During the life of David, the Mount of Olives is described as “the ascent where God was worshipped”, indicating that there was a special place on the hills associated with the worship of God. However, this practice only seems to have lasted during David’s time, as the Mount of Olives was corrupted during Solomon’s reign by using it as a site to worship idols and practise heathen sacrifices. The southern peak of the Mount of Olives is called “the mount of offence”, as this was where the idol’s temple built by Solomon was situated. Solomon’s wicked ways can be read of in 1 Kings 11:4, 7,8.
Jesus
The mount of Olives was very familiar to Jesus, for he would often cross these hills to get from Jerusalem to Bethany and Bethphage. It was in Bethany that Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived, and also where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The approach to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives is a beautiful walk, because from the crest you have the City in full view all the way. It was on this path that Jesus once hungred, and came across the barren fig tree. Figs appear before the leaves, and so, on seeing the richness of the foliage in the distance, Jesus would expect figs to be present in abundance. However, this was not so, and Jesus cursed the tree as it was full of empty promises.
Jesus often needed quiet times to meditate and pray, and he would often climb the slopes of Olivet for this purpose, when others went to the comfort of their own homes. It was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus wept over the City of Jerusalem, as he knew the terrible happenings that would take place in that City in the future, the first one being the Roman siege of AD 70 (Luke 19:41-45).
The Mt. Olivet Prophecy
The last time Jesus left the temple in Jerusalem before being crucified, the disciples were filled with awe at the temple’s strength and magnificence. They said, “See, what manner of stones and what buildings are here:” Jesus answered them, “Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down”. Then later in the day, as they all made their way out to the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked questions which had been puzzling them since Jesus’ statement concerning the temple. They asked, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus (Matthew ch.24) answered these two questions, and gave signs showing when his return was near (v.29-32). He also told the disciples that only God knew the exact day of his return (v.36).
Jesus’ Last Days
However, before his triumphant second coming, Jesus had to endure the crucifixion. It was on the Mount of Olives that Jesus sent Peter and John to fetch the colt on which he was to ride into Jerusalem. Most people at this time had great hopes that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to overcome the opposition and establish the Kingdom of God (Luke 19:29-31, 37-39).
After the Last Supper Jesus and his eleven disciples went out to the Mount of Olives.(Mark 14:22-27). It was a sad journey for Jesus, knowing he had been betrayed by Judas and also knowing what the following day would bring. He led his disciples across the waters of Kedron to the garden of Gethsemane which is on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. He left most of his disciples on the fringe of the garden, but took Peter, James and John further into the garden, where he asked them to wait and watch, while he prayed to God.
This same journey had been taken centuries earlier by David when he, too, had been betrayed; this time it was Absalom his son, and his personal friend Ahithophel, who did the betraying. As David fled from Jerusalem he, also, crossed the Kedron valley, to find refuge in the hills of the Mount of Olives.(2 Sam.15: 14,23,30). Verse 32 tells us that as he reached the top, of the Mount of Olives, he worshipped God – not forgetting his Creator in his time of trouble. After this act Ziba, the servant of Jonathan’s son, brought provisions for David which included raisins, fruit and also bread and wine. David escaped from his enemies, but Jesus did not: “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled” (Matt.26: 57).
This is the last time that Jesus left the Mount of Olives a mortal man, but six weeks later he was back again as the resurrected Christ, and with all his disciples around him. He was there to take leave of his disciples for the very last time before he ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-13).
Jesus’ Return
Acts 1:11 clearly states that Jesus will return. Zechariah’s prophecy shows that this return will be to the Mount of Olives: “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east…” (14:4). It also tells us that an earthquake will take place on the Mount. This
event on a mountain so near to Jerusalem, would be expected to involve the destruction of Jerusalem, but this cannot be so because God who gave the prophecy has already promised that Jerusalem will be the City of the Great King and so cannot be destroyed.
The City of Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys on three sides and also by mountains, but the City is to be exalted physically above its surroundings. Geological exploration has revealed the presence of faults in this area. When the Mount of Olives is divided, half of the mountain will move towards the north and half towards the south, and the site of Jerusalem will be protected due to the faults. The faults also explain how Jerusalem will be lifted up.
The words that were said two thousand years ago as Jesus rode on the colt into Jerusalem to face crucifixion will at this time be fulfilled:
“And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-1 ).
Bible Cities: Jerusalem