Mount of Olives The 2 mile long Mount of Olives is a flattened ridge series located a few hundred yards east of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Rises over 200 feet above the Kidron Valley. * David ran to the Mount of Olives for sanctuary after learning of his son Absalom’s treachery {2 Samuel 15:30} * The hill on which Solomon built pagan altars for his foreign wives {1 Kings 11:7-8} Many believe that when the Messiah comes he will descend onto the Mount of Olives and enter Jerusalem through the Gates of Mercy. And that, resurrected, we too will enter the Holy City. Jesus frequented the mountain often, traveling over the mountain to visit Lazarus, Mary, Martha and Simon the Leper in Bethany. On at least one occasion It was there that He gave a major address to the disciples {Matthew 24} He spent the night before his arrest in the gardens at Gethsemane, where brought guards to arrest him {John 18} Judas betrayed him the next morning. The mountain’s slopes are filled with churches commemorating events in Jesus’ life. * The tear-shaped chapel on its slope is the spot at which he wept while recalling the dire future in store for the Holy City of Jerusalem {Luke 19} * The highway to and from the east passed over it {2 Sam. 15:30} * Jesus' triumphant entry to Jerusalem {Mt. 21:1; Mk. 11:1; Lk. 19:29, 37} * Jesus repairs to {Mt. 24:3; 26:30; Mk. 13:3; 14:26; Lk. 21:37; 22:39} *  Jesus makes his ascension from {Acts 1:12} Crossing place for the scapegoat. RETURN