The uniqueness of the Mount of Olives is the major events that occurred there and the ones still to come. Making the Mount the setting of incredible spiritual significance.

Hidden Code

Throughout the Bible there are hidden codes. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. But the glory of kings is to search out a matter, Proverbs 25:2. When we discover them, they enhance our understanding of spiritual things.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people for God’s own possession, 1 Peter 2:9. A people called into a covenantal relationship as part of His eternal plan. It is your privilege to uncover the secrets the Bible holds.

Uniqueness of Mount of Olives

The uniqueness of the Mount of Olives is that it is the place where heaven and earth meet. The Mount is also unique in that is has three distinct peaks. Three being the number of the Godhead, completeness, Divine Perfection, and Perfect Witness.

 It was named the Mount of Olives because of the olive groves that once covered its slopes. There are eight ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the mountain. All came from the same parent plant and are among the oldest known to science. The trunks of five of the trees are hollow so that the central, older wood is missing. Only three of the trees could be successfully carbon dated. Eight being the number of new beginning, resurrection, and super abundance. 888 is the number of Jesus Christ.

Mount of Sorrow

Mount Olivet, or Mount of Olives is associated with deep grief and violent emotions in the first mention of the mountain in the Bible, 2 Samuel 15:30. David’s favoured and charismatic son, Absalom, usurped the throne, creating a deep family conflict. This was the result of ambition and pride, deception and revenge, sly manipulation and misinformation. The consequences of unchecked passions in a dysfunctional royal family.

Absalom was devastatingly handsome and of royal lineage through his mother. He stole the hearts of the Israelites by cunning and guile. He wanted revenge for his beautiful sister’s rape by the rightful heir to the throne, David’s first-born son.

Retreated in Sorrow

King David chose to retreat. He climbed Mount Olivet weeping, with his head covered and barefoot. He had reigned for 25 years, with another 15 still to come.

Absalom’s revolt was the first act in a power struggle and bloody civil war that would see the death of 20,000 Israelites. This included the death of Absalom, when his treasured head of hair became entangled in a tree branch, 2 Samuel 18:9.

David’s sorrow was prophetic of the Son of David’s grief on the same mountain. Jesus looked over the city and wept as He foretold of Jerusalem’s destruction, Luke 19:41-44. It also became the traditional place for lamenting the Temple’s destruction in AD 70.

Idol Worship

David’s son, King Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, 1 Kings 11:6-9. The wisest man on earth built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem. He also did the same for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. He did it for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

This was the man who built the Temple of God. This was the man who had a Red Sea and a Mediterranean Sea fleet. Imported chariots from Egypt and horses from Kue. The Lord was angry with Solomon.

Satan is a liar and a thief from the beginning, John 10:10, and the great counterfeiter. He tries to defiles anything that gives glory to God.

Glory Departed

The glory of the Lord filled Solomon’s Temple at its dedication so that the priests were unable to enter, 2 Samuel 7:1.  Ezekiel prophesied how the glory of God had gradually departed, until it finally stood over the mountain east of the city, Ezekiel 11:23. That was the result of Israel’s sin.

That same glory will return to Jerusalem from the way of the east and enter through the east gate, at the coming of the Lord, Ezekiel 43:1-5.

Mt Olivet Discourse

Jesus gave the well-known Mt Olivet discourse, Matthew 25-25; Mark 13; Luke 21. He foretold of the great sorrow about to come on this world, and the signs of His return.

He spoke the parable of the ten virgins, which describes the state of the Church today. While Israel is the wife of God, Isaiah 54:5,6, the Bride is made up of true followers of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:22,23. Only the Bride goes into the marriage supper of the Lamb, Revelation 16:6-9.

Triumphal Entry

Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives riding on a donkey as the crowd shouted ‘Hosanna’, Luke 19:29-38.  He entered through the East Gate, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.

The entrance on a donkey depicted peace and humility, even though the people wanted to claim Him as their king. Note, Christ left Jerusalem for Calvary through the Damascus Gate.

The next time Jesus enters the East Gate He will come as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Revelation 19:16. A conquering military and spiritual leader. Is this where He enters on a white horse, Revelation 19:11-16, not a humble donkey?

Garden of Gethsemane

The name Gethsemane means both Oil Press, and Press of the Eighth. Eight being the number of new beginning, super abundance, and resurrection.

The agony of Christ was witnessed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46, as He made the choice to do the Father’s will and pay the penalty of the world’s sin. This would only be surpassed by the agony witnessed on the Cross.

The Ascension

Over 40 days Christ appeared to many of His followers. Forty being the number of probation, trial, chastisement, separation, preparation and cleansing. It is also 5×8, the action of grace leading to revival and renewal.

As the day of Pentecost approached, it was time to resume His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, Romans 8:38, and make way for the Holy Spirit to come. Five hundred people witnessed the glorious ascension of the resurrected Jesus Christ. This is the last mention of the Mount of Olives.

Just as Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount, so He will return the same way, Acts 1:9-12.

Gate Sealed

The Muslim sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent, ordered the East Gate sealed with sixteen feet of cement in AD 1540. That was to stop the prophecy of the Jewish Messiah being fulfilled.

Even this sealing of the gate was prophesied by the prophet. This gate shall be shut. It shall not be opened and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord God of Israel has entered by it. Therefore it shall be shut, Ezekiel 44:2.

A Jewish cemetery was also established in front of the gate. It is central in the tradition of all Jewish cemeteries.

The Return

Christ will place His feet on the Mount of Olives at His return when He sets up the millennial kingdom. The mountain will split in two allowing the remnant of Israel to escape, Zechariah 14:4-11.

In 1964 there were plans to build a large hotel on the top of the Mount of Olives. A geological survey discovered there was a major fault line running east west in the depths of the mountain. It is possible that the earthquake at Christ’s return will also open up the sealed East Gate.

The Mount of Olives Uniqueness

The uniqueness of the Mount of Olives is it is the place where prophecy and fulfillment, sorrow and glory join hand in hand. Nothing compares to the perfection of the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:14, and His eternal plan formed before the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. Everything has a purpose in Him.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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