Mountains.7.Olives

Mount Olivet: The Intersection of History and Hope

Bible Passage: 2 Sam 15:30, Matt 21:1-3, Matt 24:1-3, Acts 1:9-12, Zechariah 14:4, Re 1:7, 14:14, Dan 7:13-14

Summary: As we conclude this survey of seven mountains, the view from these seven mountains from Eden to Glory teach us pivotal locations where encounters with God transformed lives and shaped the course of biblical history.

Summary: The passages highlight Mount Olivet as a pivotal location where God's promises intersect with historical events, symbolizing both the assurance of Christ’s ascension and the future establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.

Application: This theme encourages believers to recognize the significance of historical faith moments and to apply that understanding by living lives anchored in hope. It cultivates a mindset of anticipation for God's unfolding purpose in their lives and the world.

1. David’s Flight and Messianic Contrast

2 Samuel 15:30 “So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.”

The Mount appears in connection with David’s flight from Absalom (2 Sa 15:30) and Solomon’s construction of high places there (2 Kings 23:13 of King Josiah demolishing it), establishing it as a site of both rebellion and spiritual corruption.

Yet even in this crisis, As David fled over Mt Olives David’s faith remained anchored to God’s faithfulness. Though the king was going on the run, he insisted that the priests return the ark of God to the city, firmly convinced that God’s throne should not flee; David said, “If I find favor with the LORD, he will bring me back,” leaving his fate in the hands of his God. This refusal to carry the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, demonstrates that David distinguished between his own political fortunes and God’s eternal rule. David’s leaving by way of Mt Olives in failure is going to be contrasted with Jesus and His use of this special mountain.

This Old Testament history contrasts sharply with the New Testament narrative, where the same location becomes the stage for the Son of David’s redemptive work rather than royal failure.

2. Mount of Olives was a Threshold

Matthew 21:1–3 “1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.””

Along with the other four gospels (Matt 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–39; John 12:12–15) describe Jesus coming into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

It was in Ezekiel’s vision, associated with the departure and return of God’s glory (Ezek. 11:23; 43:2). Perhaps this is a picture of the doorway that it becomes.

The Sermon on the Mount - the Olivet Discourse

Matthew 24:1–3 “ Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?””

This begins the last of the 5 discourses in Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel is organized around these five major discourses that include the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the discourse on mission (Matthew 10), parables of the kingdom (Matthew 13), discourse on community life, humility and forgiveness (Matthew 18), and an eschatological discourse, the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24–25).

“and it came to pass when Jesus finished” Mt 7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1 ended each of these major discourse messages.

The Olivet Discourse is an answer to the two questions in Mt 24:3 having to do with the end times.

The Ascension from Mount Olives

Acts 1:9–12 “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.”

Taken up - ἀναλαμβάνω analambano - to receive

1 Timothy 3:16 “16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

His return in like manner:

visible

slowly

bodily

In a cloud (see Dan 7:13-14 and Mt 24:30, 26:64)

He crossed the threshold and we await His return. The blessed hope Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

aside - The Granville Sharp Rule of Greek Syntax applies when two personal, singular nouns in the same case are connected by “and” (καί)—if the first carries the definite article and the second does not, both nouns refer to the same person. This grammatical principle becomes theologically significant in Titus 2:13, where Paul identifies Jesus as both God and Savior.

The Second Advent a Return to Mt Olives

Zechariah 14:4 “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.”

Revelation 1:7 “7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Revelation 14:14 “14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.”

Daniel 7:13–14 “13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”