Christ will return personally and physically to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
According to Zechariah 14, at His second coming Christ's feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, the same place from which He ascended. At that time, nations will have gathered against Jerusalem, and the Lord will go forth to fight them, then He will reign as King over all the earth.
Zechariah 14:4 — This verse explicitly states that Christ's feet will stand on the Mount of Olives on that day.
Zechariah 14 describes a day when the Lord will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. The city will be taken, houses rifled, women ravished, and half the city will go into captivity, but the residue of the people shall not be cut off. Then the Lord shall go forth and fight against those nations as He fought in the day of battle. His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east. The mount will cleave in the midst, creating a valley, and the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day there shall be one Lord, and His name one. Additionally, Acts 1 records that Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, and angels declared that He would come back in like manner.
Les emphasizes that Christ's return to the Mount of Olives is literal and physical. He points out that Jesus left the Mount of Olives head first and will return feet first, standing on that same mountain. This is not a spiritual event or a heavenly Mount of Olives; it is the literal location east of Jerusalem. He connects this to the battle described in Zechariah 14, where the Lord goes forth to fight the gathered nations. Les also clarifies that this event is the Second Coming, distinct from the Rapture, and that it will be preceded by prophetic signs. The Lord will then establish His Kingdom and reign as King over all the earth.
The Mount of Olives is the location from which Jesus ascended to heaven, and it is where He will return. Les notes that Jesus went up from the Mount of Olives and will come back to stand on that same mount. The angel in Acts 1 said that this same Jesus would come back in the same manner as He was seen going, emphasizing the physical and literal nature of His return.
According to Zechariah 14 and as Les explains, before Christ returns to the Mount of Olives, all nations will be gathered against Jerusalem for battle. The city will be taken, and there will be great suffering. Then the Lord will go forth and fight those nations, just as He fought for Israel in past battles. This is the climax of the campaign of Armageddon.
No. Les distinguishes the Second Coming, when Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to establish His kingdom, from the Rapture. The Rapture is a signless event that happens in a moment, while the Second Coming will be preceded by prophetic signs and will be a public event. The Second Coming involves judgment of the nations and the establishment of Christ's earthly reign.
Nations Gather Against Jerusalem
Les reads Zechariah 14, explaining that God will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, leading to the Lord's return.
Physical Return Like Ascension
Les emphasizes that Jesus ascended bodily from the Mount of Olives and will return in like manner, His feet standing on that mountain.
Jesus' Feet on the Mount of Olives
Les highlights Zechariah 14:4, stating that Christ's feet will literally stand on the Mount of Olives, not a heavenly one.
Daniel 2 Explained: The Stone Kingdom That Fills the Earth
"...I'll gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken," that is Jerusalem. "...the houses rifled, and the women ravished, and half the city shall go forth." Then verse 3, "...then shall the Lord Jehovah go forth," that's the return of Christ, this is the second coming, "...and fight against those nations as when He fought in the day of battle." Then verse 4, "...
Return to Jerusalem, Not Elsewhere
Les stresses that Jesus returns to Jerusalem, specifically the Mount of Olives, not to any other city, and it will cleave to prepare for the Kingdom.
Literal Mount of Olives
Les ties Zechariah 14:4 to Acts 1, showing the literal nature of the mount and the promise of Jesus' return.
No Spiritualization
Les says that Zechariah 14:4 means what it says—Christ's feet will stand on the Mount of Olives—without needing to spiritualize it.
Second Coming vs. Rapture
Les contrasts the signless Rapture with the Second Coming, which is preceded by prophetic events.
Zechariah 14:4: And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
This is the key verse directly stating Christ's return to the Mount of Olives.
Zechariah 14:2: For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Describes the context of the battle at Christ's return.
Zechariah 14:3: Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
The Lord Himself fights against the gathered nations.
Zechariah 14:9: And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
After His return, Christ becomes King over all the earth.
Acts 1:10-11: 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.
This confirms the manner of His return as He ascended.
Yes, according to Zechariah 14:4, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. Les Feldick emphasizes this is literal, not spiritualized.
The mountain will cleave in two, creating a great valley, as described in Zechariah 14:4. This prepares the way for the Kingdom.
God will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, as Zechariah 14:2 states. This sets the stage for Christ's return and His judgment of those nations.
Watch the Teaching: Is Jesus God? The Prophecies of the Coming King Explained