Noah’s Ark, the Anointing Oil, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Second Coming, and the reconciliation of Israel and the Church…. what do all of these have in common? They are all represented by an OLIVE TREE.
After the Flood, Noah sent forth a dove to search for a place to live. When the dove returned with an olive branch, Noah and his family knew everything would be all right (Genesis 8:11). Since that moment, the image of the dove and olive branch has become the symbol of the hope for peace. There is a hope throughout scriptures of a future messianic kingdom with peace on earth among all the nations (Isaiah 2:4). We hold on to that prophetic vision just as the dove held the olive branch.
There are two kinds of oil in the tabernacle, one for light and one for anointing (Exodus 25:6). This oil represents the presence of the Holy Spirit, for revelation and wisdom (light) and for healing and power (anointing). The type of oil in the Bible used for light and anointing was olive oil: it was used to light the Menorah in the tabernacle, to anoint kings to rule, to heal the sick, and to sanctify the priesthood.
One of the greatest prayers of all time is Yeshua’s intercession in Gethsemane. The word in Hebrew comes from gat – גת meaning press, and shemen – שמן meaning oil. Gethsemane is the place where olives are pressed into oil. And where is Gethsemane located? – on the Mount of Olives. Yeshua prayed in the garden of olive trees, “Not my will be done, but yours…” (Matthew 26:39). This is a prayer of absolute dedication and obedience. True anointing of the Holy Spirit comes from that kind of dedication and obedience.
It is that same Mount of Olives, on the east side of Jerusalem, to which Yeshua will return. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, as he leads an angelic army to fight against the armies of the world who have come to attack Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2-4). That is why Yeshua taught about end times, prophetic events, while sitting on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3). Yeshua will return to set up the kingdom of peace hoped for by Noah and his family.
In Romans chapter 11, Paul describes the fullness of Israel and the Church, the significance of a restored Messianic remnant in the end times, and the unity of Jew and Gentile through faith. We are all described as branches grafted together into the Olive Tree of covenantal faith in God (Romans 11:17-26). You and I have the privilege and opportunity to be part of the fulfillment of this prophetic picture. The Olive Tree and its branches are coming into right position and alignment in our day. The fullness of this Olive Tree fellowship is what will bring about the coming of the Messianic kingdom in power and peace.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.