What the Mount of Olives tells us about Yeshua’s return

What the Mount of Olives tells us about Yeshua’s return

Jo Elizabeth

The Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem, gives one of the most spectacular views of the city, and is one visitors should not miss. Yeshua famously sat there, taking in the panoramic view of the city where God chose to put His name, and wept.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” He lamented, “the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

It’s not a high mountain, just over 800 meters (about 2,625 feet) above sea level, and it’s possible to walk up to the scenic viewpoint in a matter of minutes. However, the path is very steep. Between Jerusalem’s Old City and the Mount of Olives lies the Kidron Valley, and heading up from there one of the first major sites along the way is the Garden of Gethsemane, an ancient olive grove at the foot of the mountain.

Gethsemane, where Yeshua famously wrestled in prayer, has olive trees that date back all the way to His time, some being 2000 years old. Right before Yeshua was arrested there, drops of His blood fell to the ground rather than tears. The name Gethsemane also relates to the olive trees, in that it means “olive press”. It was there that the olives were crushed to produce oil, much as the Messiah’s will was yielded to God’s. But what a precious result of the crushing!

In Jewish tradition the mountain is sometimes known as “the Mount of Anointment”, because of the many olive trees and the olive oil produced there, were used to anoint God’s chosen ones. The word Messiah means “anointed one.” Today there is a beautiful church beside the Garden of Gethsemane, designed to give a sense of the night Yeshua was betrayed. 

Yeshua prayed “Not my will, but Yours be done.” In the Messianic prophecy about that moment in history, Isaiah wrote, “It was the will of the Lord to crush him” (Isaiah 53:10). But of course, the story didn’t end there. As Isaiah continued to prophesy, “When his soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see his offspring; He shall prolong his days,” and adding, “the will of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” God’s future plans for the Messiah were far from finished.

Slightly further up the path are other churches, one called Dominus Flevit, shaped like a tear, to mark the place Yeshua wept over Jerusalem. There is an iconic Russian Orthodox church of Mary Magdalene, with golden onion-shaped cupolas, a little further up, and before you know it, you’re at the lookout point. 

Along the pathway, looking over the wall to the right, there are countless gravestones. Why? It is believed by Jews, Christians, and Muslims that this Eastern approach to Jerusalem will play a key role in the Messiah’s glorious coming. It is thought that being buried closer to the significant spot would mean a speedier resurrection.

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