“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
Some of the most significant mountains in the Bible were not exceptional for their height, but for the miraculous signs seen on them and for what God said on those mountains, throughout salvation history. Let’s take a spiritual tour of the following four mountains, which are forever sacred to believers because of the divine events that took place on them.
Mount Moriah, which is a little above 2,500 feet high, was the mountain where Abraham took his only son Isaac, to be sacrificed, in obedience to his faith in the one true God. He was stopped by an angel, and directed to a ram, which was caught in a thorn bush nearby. It was only a test of faith, since God would never allow him to hurt his son. Through this story, God hints at the sacrifice to come, from His own son.
Scholars say that Mount Moriah was either the actual site or very close to the actual site where Jesus was crucified. He was the lamb, caught in the thorns, which were placed upon His head, as He became the final sacrifice for everyone on that same mountain.
Mount Moriah is also where Solomon built the first temple. It is now a site in Jerusalem called the “Temple Mount”, which is sacred to Moslems, Jews, and Christians.
Moslems have had control over this site since 1967, when the Israeli Prime minister gave the Temple Mount to them. Israel had authority over the Temple Mount, going as far back to King David, long before that agreement in 1967. While under current Moslem control, Jewish, Christian and Moslem pilgrims are allowed to visit the Temple Mount site in Jerusalem.
(Mount Moriah-the Temple Mount)
Mount Tabor is another mountain, and holy site, only 1,886 feet high in northern Israel, and is the place of Jesus’ transfiguration, where He was transformed and appeared to radiate with heavenly glory, as God’s voice was heard saying “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.”
Elijah and Moses appeared beside Jesus, which was all witnessed by Peter, James and John.
(Mount Tabor)
Then there is Mount Sinai, which is just under 7,500 feet high, and was the mountain where Moses first saw a burning bush, and heard God speak to him. He later saw the Ten Commandments supernaturally engraved on tablets of stone on the same holy mountain. While it was happening, scripture describes loud peals of thunder, smoke, fire and lightning, seen from a distance on the mountain top.
Only Moses was permitted to go to the top of Mount Sinai. Today, it is sacred to all three major religions and was once under Israeli control, but was returned to Egypt in 1979.
(Mount Sinai)
We finally come to the Mount of Olives, known for its olive groves. It is 2,652 feet high, and is where the Garden of Gethsemame is. The Mount of Olives is located in the eastern part of Jerusalem. In past centuries, the southern end of the mountain was the area for the elite royalty of the tribe of Judah. The western part is a cemetery and contains about 150,000 Jewish graves.
It’s also the mountain that King David ran to for refuge, when his son, Absalom, was trying to take over the kingdom. David went up this mountain, weeping over his son, when he wrote,
“I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy mountain.” (Psalm 3:4)
Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived in Bethany, which was on the eastern section of the Mount of Olives. The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem was found in the town of Bethany. Jesus once wept, standing on this mountain as He looked down at the city of Jerusalem with sadness, over those who were rejecting His message.
After His resurrection, Jesus was taken up to heaven in His ascension, from the Mount of Olives. Angels appeared and told His disciples that He will return in the same way, and to the same place.
The prophet Zechariah describes that future day,
“On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.” (Zechariah 14:4)
(Mount of Olives-site of the 2nd coming)
It’s one of several holy mountains in biblical salvation history. After all that happened over the last 3,000 years and all that is prophesied to happen in the future, what more can be said except “Come, Lord Jesus.”
The entire nation of Israel is only 263 miles long from north to south, and 71 miles at its widest point. It’s such a small country, compared to other nations, and yet it’s always been the focus of war and unrest. David once wrote:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they prosper who love you!”
(Psalm 122:6)
Lord, thank you for all that you did on these holy mountains and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but especially for lasting peace in the hearts of its people. With hope, we wait for your second coming, and the day your nail scarred feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives, for all the world to see. Until then, help us to be the instruments of your love and peace. Amen