Mt. of Olives

Jesus spent quite a bit of time in the Mount of Olives area during his ministry because as he traveled to the city of Jerusalem he would stay with friends at Bethany.  On his way to and from the city he would pass through the Mount of Olives. 

As Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives, he was able to look onto the Temple Mount.  This picture is taken while standing on the Mount of Olives.  Jesus could see the Temple here - now there's a Mosque (gold dome).  Just beyond the dome is calvary.  So much of what was to come, Jesus could ponder while spending time at the Mount of Olives.  He taught his disciples here and prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem.  This is also the location where Zechariah prophecied the End of Days: "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the  Mt. of Olives" (Zec.14:4).

Luke 19: 37-41
 ³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

 ³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[a]
   “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
 ³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
   ⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
 ⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it

Just above the row of trees (middle of picture) there is a black dome.  This is a church built on the site where Jesus stood and wept as he looked on to the city of Jerusalem and in particular the Temple. (Luke 19: 37-41) 

Another view of the city of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. Many are burried here so that in the end times, they can be right where the Savior returns.  Notice the stones on the caskets signifying that "even the stones will cry out".

This is a 2000+ year old olive tree.  Quite possible Jesus walked right under this tree.  Pretty amazing!

This is a view of the Mt. of Olives from the Temple Mount.  The church in the picture is the
Church of "All Nations" built between 1919 and 1924 using funds donated from many different countries. The Garden of Gethsemene is just beside the church. The countries that provided funds for this Roman Catholic church are honored in the domes of the ceiling. The US seal is one of the first you see as you enter the church.  Within the church is a rock surrounded by a crown of thorns made of wrought iron.  It's the rock of agony upon which Jesus prayed before his arrest.