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10 The Mount of Olives in YEHOVAH God’s Plan

the Mount of Olives, at the site of the Red Heifer altar (The Rod of an Almond Tree in
God’s Master Plan, p. 90).

Not only that, but the location “outside the camp” was closely associated with a location re-
ferred to as “a clean place” –

Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the
camp to A CLEAN PLACE (Leviticus 6:11).

Then a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and store them outside the
camp in A CLEAN PLACE; and they shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Is-
rael for the water of purification; it is for purifying from sin (Numbers 19:9).

Both of these passages refer to the area of the altar on the Mount of Olives. Now, in the New
Testament, there are also references to this location on the Mount of Olives:

For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest
for sin, are burned OUTSIDE THE CAMP (Hebrews 13:11).

Therefore, let us go forth to Him [the Messiah], OUTSIDE THE CAMP, bearing His re-
proach (Hebrews 13:13).

These New Testament verses make it clear that the place where sin sacrifices were burned
was exactly the same during the time of the Messiah as it was during Old Testament times. Also,
verse 13 makes a direct reference to the place where the Messiah himself suffered -- the summit of
the Mount of Olives. When we read the entire passage in Hebrews (from verse 11 to 13) this fact is
clearly underscored –

For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest
for sin, are burned outside the camp (Verse 11).

Therefore Jesus ALSO, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered out-
side the [eastern] gate (Verse 12).

Therefore, let us go forth to Him [the Messiah], outside the camp, bearing His reproach
(Verse 13).

In these verses Paul is referring to a particular place -- well known to all Jews at the time --
as “outside the camp.” Additional proof that the Mount of Olives is indicated here can also be found
in the descriptive phrase “outside the gate” in verse 12. It, of course, refers to the EASTERN GATE
of the Temple Mount which was directly EAST of the Temple entrance and opposite the Mount of
Olives. Clearly, then, the crucifixion of the Messiah took place on the summit of the Mount of Ol-
ives -- close to the altar used to burn all sin sacrifices!

The Berean Voice March-April 2003