"Olive Trees"

“Olive Trees”

One of our stops in Jerusalem was the Garden of Gethsemane where we had a group devotional as well as a time for personal reflection on Jesus’ anguish and arrest. The name probably comes from an Aramaic word meaning “oil press” because of the presence of a large number of olive trees. They’re found in different parts of the world but the ten leading olive growing countries are in the Mediterranean area because of the demand for its fruit, especially in national cuisine. Some are used in salads or as side dishes but most commonly for oil production. If the pressure to release the liquid is light the result is virgin oil, medium brings a less pure product and heavy yields a commercial grade used in lamps. But it was the trees themselves which were most fascinating to me.

Olive trees belong to the evergreen family. They aren’t particularly large, averaging 25-50 feet in height, but are wide in comparison and extremely durable. In the Garden there’s one estimated to be 2000 years old, meaning it’s likely it was a seedling during the time Christ was on earth. They continuously spawn new growth which keeps them productive for long periods of time. And the wood is very hard and strong, making it valuable for kitchen utensils, furniture and ornamental carvings (we bought one of a nativity scene at a shop owned by a Christian family in Bethlehem).

The Apostle Paul uses the olive tree as a symbol of Israel to describe the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in God’s family (Romans 11:17-24). It can also picture God’s unconditional love (“…I am like an olive tree…I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”—Psalm 52:8); the church’s endurance (“…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”—Matthew 16:18); and the new growth that would continue far beyond Jesus’ earthly ministry as well as that of His apostles (“I pray…for those who will believe in me through {my disciples’} message….”—John 17:20).

I don’t like olives (especially the black ones) but appreciate the truth God conveys through them, above all that He loves me (and you) beyond measure forever (“Unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.”—Psalm 32:10, NLT). Let’s bask in it—it’s meant for us all.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(Thanks to Karen and Garth and Tannie Groves for their input in preparing these articles.)

"True Peace"

“True Peace”

As we approached Jerusalem the most prominent structure visible was the Dome of the Rock, the Islamic shrine on the Temple Mount built at the traditional site of the Jewish Temple which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. It’s the most sacred place in Islam because it houses the rock from which (according to its belief) Mohammed began his journey to Heaven. It’s also Judaism’s holiest spot as the location of the Temple in which God dwelt. The Temple Mount was called Moriah in Genesis 22:2 and is the place Abraham went at God’s command to offer Isaac. (The Qur’an/Koran doesn’t name the son but Muslim teaching holds it was Ishmael, not Isaac.) So the area is venerated by both Islam and Judaism. And herein lies a major conflict between the two religions.

According to biblical prophecy, “…The man of lawlessness (called Antichrist elsewhere)…will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God…so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, emphasis added). So the Temple will be rebuilt in the future. (We saw the large gold menorah which will be placed inside it.) But what about the Dome of the Rock? Schlomo, our knowledgeable Jewish guide, thinks the Temple Mount will be split, the Dome destroyed and the Temple built on that spot.  However, some believe the actual site of the Jewish Temple is north of the Dome’s location so it would be possible for both buildings to stand on the Temple Mount. Given the historical and present animosity between Arabs and Jews how could this be?

As members of our group discussed this question we came up with a possible answer. Daniel 9:27 (NASB) reads, “…He (i.e. Antichrist) will make a firm covenant with the many for one week….” (Most evangelicals believe this to be the seven year period we call the tribulation.) So he’ll emerge as a man of peace. What greater achievement could he make than brokering an end to the centuries-old Middle East struggle? And what greater example could there be than the two holy houses of worship standing side-by-side? But then he’ll show his true colors by demanding worship (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 above) and the horrors will begin.

Is there hope for true peace in the future? Yes—in “…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). He alone is the “…Prince of Peace….” (Isaiah 9:6) and can bring us peace with God (see Romans 5:1). God’s invitation is open (“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”—Romans 10:13) but our response is needed. What will it be?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Indestructible"

“Indestructible”

According to Christianity Today, there were about 384,000 places of worship in the United States in 2012 (the most recent number I found). Of these the vast majority have a facility in which to meet and from which to carry out their purpose and programs. The American landscape is dotted with 300,000+ buildings representing all faiths. They are old and new, large and small, traditional and modern in architecture, serve hundreds of denominations and are found in urban, suburban and rural settings. They were usually constructed where land was available to best serve their communities. And by and large they’ve had a positive impact on American life.

As Karen and I toured Israel last year we saw many church buildings which go back hundreds of years. Unlike our nation, however, these structures weren’t always erected in places convenient to their worshippers. Rather, many of them are built over or near sites significant to the biblical narrative or church history. Some of these include St. Anne’s (the traditional birthplace of Mary’s mother where Karen led our group in singing “Amazing Grace”—WOW!), St. Mary’s (where Jesus’ mother is thought to have been born), St. Peter’s (his home’s site in Capernaum), Church of the Beatitudes near the natural amphitheater where Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount and the Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus had breakfast with His disciples after His resurrection (see John 21).

Two others held great significance for us. One is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem built over Jesus’ traditional birthplace. It was the only church building in the Holy Land which wasn’t destroyed by the Muslims because the Persian Magi are pictured at the entrance. The other is the Church of All Nations next to the Garden of Gethsemane covering the rock where Jesus prayed, “…Not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) just before His arrest, “trials” and crucifixion for the sins of the world.

Except for the Church of the Nativity all these structures were rebuilt after the Muslims razed the original ones during the Middle Ages. God “…never left himself without a witness.” (Acts 14:17, NLT) even in the darkest days so that Jesus’ promise “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) might be fulfilled.

Buildings may come and go but Christ’s church is indestructible and here to stay until He returns for us. In the words of an old song, “What a day, glorious day, that will be.” May it come soon!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Golden Gate"

“The Golden Gate”

When we hear of the Golden Gate we immediately think of the opening from the Pacific Ocean into the San Pablo Bay to the north and the San Francisco Bay to the south which is spanned by the famous bridge. But when Karen and I (along with 29 other Christian friends) visited Jerusalem we learned of the original Golden Gate, also called the Eastern or Mercy Gate, the most well-known of the nine entrances spread around the city. What makes this gate so significant?

The Jewish Temple faced east so the Eastern Gate was the nearest to the House of God. The present gate was built over the remains of previous ones from the times of Solomon, Nehemiah and Herod. The Jewish people (and we Christians as well) believe from prophecy that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate. In order to “prevent” this from happening Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent sealed it for “defensive reasons” in 1541 and it is believed that a Muslim cemetery in front of the closed entrance will keep the Messiah from using it. But will this thwart the purposes of God? “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:4).

From the Mount of Olives we walked the path Jesus took for His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. There are two gates on the eastern side of the city: the Golden (Eastern) Gate and the Lion Gate. The Jews and Muslims are in agreement (how about that?) that Jesus went through the Dung Gate on the south, but His route from the Mount of Olives leads directly to the Eastern Gate. Did He use the gate reserved for the Messiah? As several of us discussed this we came to the conclusion that He did and was thus claiming to be the Messiah!

All four gospels record this incident indicating its importance. In Matthew’s rendering we’re told the people cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9). Some were astounded and asked, “Who is this?” This could be understood as, “Who does He think He is?” which supports our contention that He’d gone through the Eastern Gate. When the religious leaders called on Him to rebuke those who were honoring Him He answered, “…If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40). From here the conflict with the religious leaders grew and ended with His crucifixion and resurrection so our sins could be forgiven. (See 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.)

So the next time you hear “Golden Gate” think Jesus, not a bridge.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"It's Really True"

“It’s Really True”

(In my previous posting “In His Steps” I summarized Karen’s and my tour of Israel in the fall of 2017.  From beginning to end this trip brought us back to the history of God’s people but most importantly to the life, ministry, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This and the following four articles cover some of the highlights we experienced.)

A church in our area has a spot on our local radio station in which a man shares his testimony of how Jesus touched him and changed his life when he read God’s Word. As he told his story he said, “The Bible is really true!” Karen and I have been taught and embraced this from childhood but our time in Israel reaffirmed it in many ways. Let me cite three examples.

One of our first stops was Caesarea, a city on the Mediterranean coast built by Herod the Great between 25 and 13 B.C. It was the home town of Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:8) and the place of Paul’s two year imprisonment before going to Rome as a result of his appeal for a hearing with the Emperor (Acts 24:27; 25:10-12). It was razed by an Egyptian Sultan in the 13^th century. The ruins were excavated under the auspices of Israel’s government and a stone mentioning Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea who condemned Jesus to death, was found. Despite being referred to by the first century Jewish historian Josephus his existence had been disputed by Bible critics. But this inscription shows they were wrong and the Bible correct.

On our journey from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem we took a “detour” to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Dating back to the first century B.C. they are about 1000 years older than any other known Old Testament manuscripts and contain parts or the whole of every Old Testament book except Esther. The Jerusalem museum we visited (shaped like the containers that held the scrolls) has the complete Book of Isaiah (we saw parts of it on display). The documents attest to the antiquity and accuracy of God’s Word as well as to its endurance (“…The word of our God stands forever.”—Isaiah 40:8).

In Jerusalem we viewed the remains of David’s palace. Early in the 21^st century a tablet was unearthed bearing the name of Jehucal who is cited in Jeremiah 37:3. (According to the Hope of Israel Ministries website he’s the seventh individual mentioned in Jeremiah whose existence has been confirmed by archaeology.) Again, “…all (God’s) precepts are trustworthy.” (Psalm 111:7).

David wrote, “The law of the Lord is perfect. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy. The precepts of the Lord are right. The commands of the Lord are radiant. The ordinances of the Lord are sure…They are more precious than gold….” (Psalm 19:7-10). Thus history, archaeology and life’s experiences show the Scriptures to be true—so “…in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:11). We’ll be glad we did!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan