The Land Jesus Knew, Part 5

The Ensign concludes a five-part series featuring paintings and photographs of sites and events associated with the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. This month we turn to scenes in and near Jerusalem, focusing on the Savior’s resurrection and on events to come—his second coming and Millennial reign.

The paintings in this series have been by Harry Anderson, noted living American illustrator of the life of Christ, and by David Roberts, a British artist who visited the Holy Land in 1839–1842 and produced many drawings and lithographs of scenes there.

Some of Harry Anderson’s paintings are printed courtesy of the Church; others are printed courtesy of the Pacific Press Publishing Association and the Review and Herald Publishing Association, for whom Mr. Anderson has painted many illustrations.

The photography is from Church Educational System (CES) photographers.

1. Jerusalem, the Holy City, lithograph by David Roberts.

2. Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, photograph by CES.

3. He Is Risen, Harry Anderson, original artist; painting by Grant Romney Clawson.

4. Behold, It Is I Myself, painting by Harry Anderson.

5. Go Ye, and Teach All Nations, painting by Harry Anderson.

6. In Like Manner, painting by Harry Anderson.

7. Mount of Olives, photograph by CES.

8. I Stand at the Door, and Knock, painting by Harry Anderson; © Pacific Press Publishing Association, used by permission.

9. In the Clouds of Heaven, painting by Harry Anderson.

“O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Ye who kill the prophets, and will stone them who are sent unto you; how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.

“Behold your house is left unto you desolate!

“For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth, and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say,

“Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him.

“Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God.” (JST, Matt. 23:37–41.)

This striking view of Jerusalem from the north focuses on the hilly area encompassing the Old City and the ancient Temple Mount, whose prominent feature now is a Moslem mosque, the Dome of the Rock. At the left is the Mount of Olives, separated from the city by the Kidron Valley. The scene is of an area in which occurred many of the important events in the life of the Savior. Born in nearby Bethlehem, he was presented at the temple in Jerusalem when six weeks old, and by the power of the Holy Ghost was declared to be the salvation and glory of Israel. (See Luke 2:22–32.) He taught in the temple at twelve years of age and on several other occasions during his ministry. In a nearby garden he commenced his atoning sufferings for the sins of mankind, and in another place outside the city walls he was crucified, to come forth in the Resurrection.

The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.” Yet from a historical point of view, perhaps no name could seem more unsuited to its fortunes; for in recorded history no city has undergone so constant and so terrible a succession of desolations and sufferings at the hands of warriors and empires. Yet despite the Savior’s prophetic lamentation over Jerusalem, the day would come, he said, when it would again see his presence—this time in glory—and it would again be called the “city of righteousness, the faithful city” (Isa. 1:26), and he would be acknowledged Israel’s king.

This aerial view from the north of the modern-day Jerusalem area includes numerous sites connected with the most solemn remembrances of the scriptures—scenes where the Master walked, taught, suffered, and triumphed. The Mount of Olives is seen here at center. Gethsemane lies at the foot of the mount where the Kidron Valley borders the Temple Mount and the Old City of Jerusalem, at right center. On the eastern slope of the mount, at left, are the areas of Bethany and Bethphage. At the top of this photograph, at right center, may be seen the distant village of Bethlehem, the place of the Savior’s birth; and located just outside the wall of the Old City, visible at far right, are the sites identified as Golgotha and the Garden Tomb, where he was crucified and resurrected from the dead.

Finally came the great event of the Resurrection, the Savior’s triumph over death. Public knowledge of the event came not with fanfare, but quietly, in the recesses of the burial garden:

“Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping; and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

“And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

“And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

“Jesus saith unto her, Hold me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” (JST, John 20:11–18.)

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

“But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

“And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (John 20:19; Luke 24:37–39.)

The Gospels are unanimous in declaring that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many, both in Judea and Galilee. Paul later testified that on one occasion “he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present.” (1 Cor. 15:6.) In America he appeared to a multitude of about 2,500 men, women, and children. (See 3 Ne. 17:25.)

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:18–20.)

For a period of forty days the resurrected, glorified Christ visited his disciples, “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3.) The teachings, power, and unmistakable witness they received during this period had a transforming effect on the Apostles, who then took over leadership of the Church and went forth armed with authority to carry the gospel message to all the world. The Savior’s similar mission among the Nephites in the New World so completely affected their society that war, poverty, injustice, and contention were banished for nearly two hundred years. (See 4 Ne. 1:2–22.)

At the close of his Old World forty-day ministry, the Savior went out upon the Mount of Olives with his disciples where a major question had to do with the timing of future events:

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?

“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6–11.)

It was from the Mount of Olives area that Jesus ascended to heaven (see Luke 24:50–51; Acts 1:9–12), and to it again, according to the prophet Zechariah, he will yet return: “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives … and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west … And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints.” (Zech. 14:4–5.)

This view of the Mount of Olives was taken from the lower slope of the Temple Mount facing the Gethsemane area, at right.

Meanwhile, the Savior’s message goes forth to all mankind, bringing faith and hope to the hearts of all who seek the Lord and know of his promises:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20.)

Spanning the nearly twenty centuries since the close of his mortal ministry has been the Savior’s invitation for all to find rest in him. (See Matt. 11:28–30.) For as Peter declared soon after the Savior’s departure: “The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39.)

“For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. …

“After the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory;

“And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. …

“And what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come.” (JS—M 1:26, 36–37, 46.)

In these latter days, the voice of the Lord through his prophets carries the same message as that given through the prophets of old—that the Master will yet come in glory, to usher in a Millennial era: “For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years.” (D&C 29:11.)

The paintings at left and on page 42 represent the artist’s concept of the second coming of Christ and of the peace and joy of the Millennial period.

10. For the Great Millennium Shall Come, painting by Harry Anderson; © Review and Herald Publishing Association, used by permission.

“And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

“And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

“And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

“And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years.” (Moses 7:62–65.)