Tag: Jesus Christ

Christ’s Return: The Prophetic Power of the Mount of Olives

In Zechariah 14:4, we read of an incredible moment in prophetic history: “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.” This image captures a future event that is both awe-inspiring and deeply significant for believers. It points to the Second Coming of Christ, when He will return to earth in power and glory.

The Mount of Olives is not just a location in the biblical narrative; it’s a place of immense prophetic importance. Located east of Jerusalem, it is where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12) and where He will return. What’s remarkable about this prophecy is how Jesus’ arrival splits the mountain, opening up a new path for the final victory of God’s plan. This visual demonstrates Christ’s unstoppable power to overcome every obstacle and establish His reign.

Directly across from the Mount of Olives is the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem. This gate, currently sealed, is believed by many to be the very gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem upon His return. For centuries, it has remained closed, and directly in front of it lies a cemetery, deliberately placed there to prevent the Messiah’s entry. According to Jewish tradition, a priest cannot walk through a graveyard, as that would render him ritually unclean. Those who placed the gravesite there did so with the intent of stopping the Messiah from passing through.

Yet the prophecy of Zechariah makes clear that no human efforts will stand in the way of God’s plan. When Christ returns, the Mount of Olives will split, creating a valley and bypassing the cemetery entirely. The sealed gate and gravesite—symbols of humanity’s attempts to hinder the Messiah—will be rendered irrelevant by the power of God. Jesus’ return will demonstrate that nothing can obstruct His will.

This prophecy also serves as a reminder that God’s plan will come to pass, no matter how impossible it may seem from our perspective. The same God who will split a mountain and walk through a sealed gate is the God who is at work in our lives right now. His purposes cannot be thwarted.

Second, it calls us to live with an eternal perspective. The future return of Christ is not a distant myth but a reality we can look forward to with hope. We live in anticipation of the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. In the meantime, we can trust that the same power that will bring Jesus back to the Mount of Olives is at work in us today.

Finally, this prophecy challenges us to examine where we place our hope. Are we looking to the world for security, or are we trusting in the One who controls the future? As believers, we know the end of the story, and that should give us confidence to face whatever challenges come our way.

The Angry God?

As I read through Isaiah today, I was struck by the profound transformation in the relationship between God and His people. The manifestation of God’s anger is pivotal in this shift. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s anger depicted as wrath and judgement, yet still aiming to guide His people back to righteousness. However, these chapters of Isaiah reveal a promise of change: God’s wrath will no longer be as it once was, thanks to the redemptive work of the Suffering Servant — Jesus Christ.

God’s oft-maligned anger — on display throughout the Old Testament — represents His holy and just reaction to humanity’s sinfulness and rebellion. In Isaiah 54:7-8, His anger is portrayed as a necessary response to Israel’s relentless unfaithfulness… but the thing so often missed (or misunderstood by the Lord many critics) is that this anger was not an end in itself but a means to restore a broken relationship but demonstrating the consequences of rebellion and lack of trust.

Now, back to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 who bears the sins of many and intercedes for transgressors. This Servant takes upon Himself the punishment for sin, satisfying the requirements of God’s justice. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). This sacrificial act — in which Jesus has absorbed the wrath due for sin — dramatically changes our relationship with God. In Isaiah 54:9-10, He promises that His anger will not be directed toward His people anymore, much like the promise He made after the great flood.

God’s wrath is now reserved for the final judgment at the end of the age, rather than being meted out in the sort of ad-hoc fashion of the Old Testament. The discipline and correction of God remain, guiding believers towards righteousness via the indwelling Holy Spirit because we have moved from the rule of law to the rule of grace.

Reflection Questions:

  1. How do you understand God’s discipline in the context of His holiness and justice?
  2. In what ways does the promise of God’s grace change your perspective on sin and forgiveness?
  3. How can you live out the reality of God’s grace in your daily life?