If you’ve read about My Olive Tree projects, you may have come across phrases referencing to fulfilling environmental prophecy. Environmental prophecy isn’t something greatly discussed in regards to the anticipated return of the Messiah. However, it is to be noted that God spoke of Israel’s restoration to include not only the return of the Jewish people to their land, but also of the revival of the land itself.
In the 1881 book, The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain describes the land as “…. A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds… a silent mournful expanse…. a desolation…. we never saw a human being on the whole route…. hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”
Twain describes the land holding two opposing characteristics—rich and desolate. It’s as if Twain knew the land had great potential, yet was saddened by its neglect.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foresaw this vision in 740 B.C., and told the Hebrew nation about its anticipated revival.
“The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice…”—Isaiah 35:1-2
God’s plan for Israel’s land restoration.
Isaiah warned of Israel’s coming struggle and predicted her restoration. This restoration process is how My Olive Tree is participating in God’s divine plan for the nation’s restoration. We are in the midst of this environmental prophecy being fulfilled, and we have made a choice to take part in the restored order, which has been at the heart of God from the beginning.
God repairs and rebuilds.
In the Old Testament, Amos also spoke of this future fulfillment of environmental prophecy. Through his words we read that Israel’s land has rich roots that will be rebuilt. Amos doesn’t suggest Israel will be wiped clean and replaced, but rather the remnants will be repaired.
“‘On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom,
and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ says the Lord who does this thing.”—Amos 9:11-12
Here are some ways that My Olive Tree is facilitating God’s vision of land restoration and fulfilling environmental prophecy…
- My Olive Tree plants vineyards.
My Olive Tree is planting grapevines in the Negev Desert—ancient Edom. This is the soil Amos referred to in verse 12.
Amos describes in more detail what the land will possess after this restoration process.
“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it…they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.’”—Amos 9:13-14 (emphasis added)
My Olive Tree is literally putting this prophecy into action. We begin by cutting a vine grown in the Negev Desert. We plant it, wait for it to grow, transfer it into a bigger pot, and then repeat this process until it can be moved out of its planter and into the earth.
This process takes about four months. Then it’s strong enough to withstand the desert climate and thrive in the soil of the Negev, taking root in ancient Edom.
Each vine creates an opportunity for planting, growing, harvesting, selling, shipping, labeling, distribution, etc.
Will you join in this project and sponsor a grapevine?
- My Olive Tree restores the seven species.
My Olive Tree is restoring the Seven Species of Israel according to Deuteronomy—
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey…”— Deuteronomy 8:7-8
Did you know that over three million tourists travel to Jerusalem annually? As they journey up and down either side of the Kings Valley they will look out and see these Seven Species of Israel in the midst of it!
My Olive Tree has partnered with the Jerusalem Park’s Authority for this unique peace initiative. Bringing back these five trees and two grains in the Kidron Valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives is an exciting opportunity, that displays God’s renewal to so many as they traverse the land.
Will you help revive the Seven Species and be blessed?
- My Olive Tree is planting in the Kings Valley on the eastern side of Jerusalem.
The Kings Valley, or the ‘Garden of the Kings,’ was a location of a private garden for ancient kings. This is the location the Bible says the Messiah will walk upon His return…
“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.”—Zechariah 14:4
Imagine sponsoring a tree that makes way for Jesus Himself!
- My Olive Tree stands with Israel as her people return to the land.
“We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish state in Palestine, to be called Israel!”
This proclamation made by Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, on May 14, 1948, commemorates Israel’s birth as a nation, just as the prophets of old predicted.
“I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them…”—Amos 9:14
“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children.”—Isaiah 66:8
This is not just about fulfilling Bible prophecy, but it is about an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and promise by saying to Jerusalem, “I will not forget you!”
Find out more about My Olive Tree projects and how we are making a difference in the lives of God’s chosen people and how you can join us.
