MT OF OLIVES JERUSALEM (JESUS WILL RETURN) ISRAEL TOUR

www.repentancerevival.com Mount of Olives The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, sometimes also referred to as Mount Olivet is an important landmark, located next to the Old City of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives refers to the ridge located east of the Old City and gets its name from the olive groves that at one time covered the land. A significant and meaningful landmark, the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem dates back to biblical times and is important to both Jews and Christians. History of the Mount of Olives Today, the Mount of Olives is used as a Jewish cemetery and has been for over 3,000 years, it holds some 150,000 graves. In fact, the Mount of Olives has been used as a burial location for Jews since biblical times, including the burial location for some of the most prominent biblical kings. When the Second Temple was destroyed, the Jews used the Mount of Olives as a celebratory site for the holiday of Sukkot, and many other religious ceremonies and celebrations prior to the destruction of the temple. The mount was also a site for religious Jews making pilgrimages, as it is located above the Temple Mount, and offers one of the best views to do this day. In 1948, after the Arab-Israeli War, an agreement was signed between Jordan and Israel to establish access to the Mount of Olives. There was a 19-year annexation, where Jordan was in control of the area, and most Israelis were not permitted to enter Jordan, and therefore unable to visit the Mount of Olives. During this time, when the Jordanians ruled the area, some 38,000 graves were destroyed, and the area was developed with roads which also destroyed many burial locations. It wasn’t until the Six-Day War in 1967 when the land went back to the Israelis and a series of efforts were made to restore the land, and the cemetery became functional for burials again. Today, the Mount of Olives offers one of the best views of Jerusalem.