Mk. 11:23 - “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.’”
Hab. 3:19 - “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like a deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”
In Mark 11:23, reference to “mountain” is a metaphor comparing it to an insurmountable problem we are facing. Jesus tells us through faith in God, we can speak to the mountain to be removed, and it will obey. Mountain moving is faith’s purpose, believing and speaking truth into visible facts of human impossibilities, making miracles out of messes. In Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Sam. 22:34, and Psalm 18:33, “high places” mentioned are designed for us to climb with dexterity of deer. The “high places,” or mountains, are meant to be encounters where the Lord imparts revelation and special anointing for life’s journey.
We must learn to distinguish which mountains to move from those to climb, which is seldom obvious because both types of mountains present challenges and require all our effort and attention. We will never be able to distinguish using carnal minds (sense knowledge). The ability to discern comes through Holy Spirit, and we must learn to communicate through the Spirit lest we oppose God’s purpose both for ourselves and for others. By wholly submitting to God, we will know if we are to resist the devil (Jas. 4:7), or begin climbing God’s appointed mountain to receive new revelation and fresh anointing from Him.
The following mountains have significance both scripturally and practically because they remain “high places” we are destined to climb in our spiritual journey in Christ.
MT. ARARAT
Mt. Ararat was the mountain upon which Noah’s ark rested as the flood waters receded (Gen. 8:4). From Mr. Ararat, Noah first sent a raven which kept going “to and fro” until the waters dried up from the earth (Gen. 8:7). The raven is numbered in Leviticus 11:13, 15 as unclean to the Israelites. A symbol of darkness, the raven will never return with any “good news.” It flew “to and fro” over the waters just as Satan told God he goes “to and fro” on the earth (Job 1:7), seeking where he can steal, kill, and destroy (Jn. 10:10). Afterward, Noah released a dove “from himself” to see if the waters had receded (Gen. 8:8). The dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, went forth from Noah and returned to him just as God’s word goes forth and does not return empty but accomplishes and prospers in its purpose (Isa. 55:1). Spiritual Mt. Ararat imparts to “the climber” the importance of spoken words which bring death or life (Prov. 18:21), justification or condemnation (Matt. 12:37) and a snare (Prov. 6:2) or pathway of life (Prov. 4:20-24).
Mt. Ararat is also a mountain of spiritual renewal--a fresh new start we need daily. The renewal anointing is a powerful force which influences our strength (Ps. 103:5), inward man (2 Cor. 4:16) spirit of our mind (Eph. 4:23), and new “spirit” man within (Col. 3:10). At Mt. Ararat, we become witnesses of God’s covenant sign of the rainbow and see as the color spectrum of God’s grace to us. Grace is God’s favor and willingness to provide every heavenly resource to meet and exceed our needs which He has already accomplished the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ.
MT. MORIAH
Mt. Moriah was the mountain upon which God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his son of promise (Gen 22:2). Mt. Moriah was the mountain of testing for Abraham and “climbers” as well. Our spiritual journey is destined to be marked by a series of tests designed by God for promotion and increase. Just as tests were given in school to determine mastery of the subject before promotion, so it is with our life in Christ. The difference is that God already knows our position--the test is to confirm our status to ourselves. Abraham passed his test of faith and experienced God’s miraculous provision and confirmation of His promise of perpetuity. When “climbers” pass their mountain of testing through faith in God, they also receive God’s miraculous provision through the manifestation of His promise.
MT. SINAI
Mt. Sinai was the mountain upon which God would appear and speak face-to-face with Moses and where he received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:20). For spiritual “climbers,” Mt. Sinai is the mountain of impartation where God’s revealed word and subsequent blessings are received. Mt. Sinai imparts an awe and fear of Almighty God to every believer who sees the Lord as He is. John was probably the disciple closest to Jesus; yet when John saw Lord Jesus Christ as He is, he fell at His feet as dead (Rev. 1:17). Mt. Sinai represents the coming to earth of God’s glory represented by fire and smoke, causing the whole mountain to quake (Ex.. 19:18). “Climbers” desiring to see, experience and minister in the glory of God have to climb spiritual Mt. Sinai to experience His cloud of glory for themselves.
MT. CARMEL
Mt. Carmel was the mountain where Elijah met the prophets of Baal in a national confrontation of fire (I Kgs. 18:18-19). The Lord honored Elijah’s sacrifice with fire from heaven which consumed the offering and all around it (I King 18:38). Mt. Carmel is a mountain of confrontation that “climbers” face in spiritual warfare combating demonic forces against them. Complete trust and dependence upon the Lord are required at Mt. Carmel. Spiritual battles are fought with spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-6) which always makes us conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:37), and always leads us to triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14). In Christ, we are victorious over all the enemy’s power (Lk.10:19). Mt. Carmel was also the location where Elijah prayed for drought to end (I Kgs. 18:41-42). After confrontation the spiritual “climber” will be showered with God’s blessings and abundance after years of drought. Mt. Carmel is both a mountain of confrontation as well as abundance and blessing to believers who climb it.
MT. ZION
Mt. Zion is the city of David as well as the holy hill of God (I Kgs. 8:1: Ps. 2:6). Mt. Zion was where David established his stronghold and transported the ark of the Lord, the presence of God, establishing the tabernacle of David. In Acts 15:13-21, James quotes Amos 9:11, saying the Lord will rebuild David’s tabernacle. This unique tent-structure covering the ark of the Lord was attended by praise and worship twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for thirty-nine years. This was God’s favorite house--one which He intended to establish within believers. Mt. Zion is the mountain of intimacy, praise, and worship which brings “climbers” to a new level of love, power and fellowship in Christ.
At spiritual Mt. Zion, ‘climbers” receive a new levels of worship, intimacy and power.
MT. of TRANSFIGURATION
Mt. of Transfiguration is the mountain where Jesus took Peter, James, and John and was transfigured before them with Moses and Elijah appearing with Him (Matt. 17:1-3). This occurrence was a visual expression of Jesus coming in His kingdom (Matt. 16:28). The Mt. of Transfiguration represents change every “climber” experiences in Christ. Upon the Mt. of Transfiguration we truly understand we are new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); we no longer identify with the first Adam but instead derive our identity with the last Adam, Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:22); and we have been made free from the law of sin and death through the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2)
MT. CALVARY
Mt. Calvary is the mountain where Jesus was crucified and sin’s debt was paid in full (Lk. 23:33). Mt. Calvary is where the cross of Christ is found. Mt. Calvary is the mountain of victory over sin, death, and the grave. Sin was swallowed up in salvation and victims became eternally transformed by Christ’s victorious life. Mt. Calvary is the first mountain every believer must climb. Just as Jesus was required to carry His cross up that mount, so every believer must take up his cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). And just as Jesus was crucified, so we also must be crucified with Christ and made alive again in His resurrection (Gal. 2:20).
MT. of OLIVES
Mt. of Olives was the mountain where Jesus would retreat to spend time with the Father. It was where the Garden of Gethsemane was located, where Jesus ascended into heaven, and where He will first touch His foot when He returns in His “parusia” (Zech. 14:4). The Mt. of Olives is the Mountain of God’s presence, communication, and revelation. On this mountain “climbers” discover their “secret place” with the Father and become one with the Lord in His love, purpose and power (Jn. 17:20-23).
Mountain moving faith is essential in believers’ lives. So also is the spiritual dexterity to climb the “high places” of the Lord. Believers are not destined to remain in the valleys of life with limited visibility (prophetic revelation), but to climb the mountains of the Lord to be endowed to see through the eye of faith with His perspective, being seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). On top of these mountains, incredible blessings await for those willing “to climb.” Haggai 1:8 encourages climbing, “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord.” Each time we climb a mountain there is an increased anointing and blessing to bring back to the valleys below where His House (body of Christ) can be built and where brokenness, misery, failure, and despair can be displaced by the reality of the kingdom of God. The world is waiting for “mountain climbers” who will lead the way to “high places” in Christ. Amen.
Hab. 3:19 - “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like a deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”
In Mark 11:23, reference to “mountain” is a metaphor comparing it to an insurmountable problem we are facing. Jesus tells us through faith in God, we can speak to the mountain to be removed, and it will obey. Mountain moving is faith’s purpose, believing and speaking truth into visible facts of human impossibilities, making miracles out of messes. In Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Sam. 22:34, and Psalm 18:33, “high places” mentioned are designed for us to climb with dexterity of deer. The “high places,” or mountains, are meant to be encounters where the Lord imparts revelation and special anointing for life’s journey.
We must learn to distinguish which mountains to move from those to climb, which is seldom obvious because both types of mountains present challenges and require all our effort and attention. We will never be able to distinguish using carnal minds (sense knowledge). The ability to discern comes through Holy Spirit, and we must learn to communicate through the Spirit lest we oppose God’s purpose both for ourselves and for others. By wholly submitting to God, we will know if we are to resist the devil (Jas. 4:7), or begin climbing God’s appointed mountain to receive new revelation and fresh anointing from Him.
The following mountains have significance both scripturally and practically because they remain “high places” we are destined to climb in our spiritual journey in Christ.
MT. ARARAT
Mt. Ararat was the mountain upon which Noah’s ark rested as the flood waters receded (Gen. 8:4). From Mr. Ararat, Noah first sent a raven which kept going “to and fro” until the waters dried up from the earth (Gen. 8:7). The raven is numbered in Leviticus 11:13, 15 as unclean to the Israelites. A symbol of darkness, the raven will never return with any “good news.” It flew “to and fro” over the waters just as Satan told God he goes “to and fro” on the earth (Job 1:7), seeking where he can steal, kill, and destroy (Jn. 10:10). Afterward, Noah released a dove “from himself” to see if the waters had receded (Gen. 8:8). The dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, went forth from Noah and returned to him just as God’s word goes forth and does not return empty but accomplishes and prospers in its purpose (Isa. 55:1). Spiritual Mt. Ararat imparts to “the climber” the importance of spoken words which bring death or life (Prov. 18:21), justification or condemnation (Matt. 12:37) and a snare (Prov. 6:2) or pathway of life (Prov. 4:20-24).
Mt. Ararat is also a mountain of spiritual renewal--a fresh new start we need daily. The renewal anointing is a powerful force which influences our strength (Ps. 103:5), inward man (2 Cor. 4:16) spirit of our mind (Eph. 4:23), and new “spirit” man within (Col. 3:10). At Mt. Ararat, we become witnesses of God’s covenant sign of the rainbow and see as the color spectrum of God’s grace to us. Grace is God’s favor and willingness to provide every heavenly resource to meet and exceed our needs which He has already accomplished the finished work of Lord Jesus Christ.
MT. MORIAH
Mt. Moriah was the mountain upon which God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his son of promise (Gen 22:2). Mt. Moriah was the mountain of testing for Abraham and “climbers” as well. Our spiritual journey is destined to be marked by a series of tests designed by God for promotion and increase. Just as tests were given in school to determine mastery of the subject before promotion, so it is with our life in Christ. The difference is that God already knows our position--the test is to confirm our status to ourselves. Abraham passed his test of faith and experienced God’s miraculous provision and confirmation of His promise of perpetuity. When “climbers” pass their mountain of testing through faith in God, they also receive God’s miraculous provision through the manifestation of His promise.
MT. SINAI
Mt. Sinai was the mountain upon which God would appear and speak face-to-face with Moses and where he received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:20). For spiritual “climbers,” Mt. Sinai is the mountain of impartation where God’s revealed word and subsequent blessings are received. Mt. Sinai imparts an awe and fear of Almighty God to every believer who sees the Lord as He is. John was probably the disciple closest to Jesus; yet when John saw Lord Jesus Christ as He is, he fell at His feet as dead (Rev. 1:17). Mt. Sinai represents the coming to earth of God’s glory represented by fire and smoke, causing the whole mountain to quake (Ex.. 19:18). “Climbers” desiring to see, experience and minister in the glory of God have to climb spiritual Mt. Sinai to experience His cloud of glory for themselves.
MT. CARMEL
Mt. Carmel was the mountain where Elijah met the prophets of Baal in a national confrontation of fire (I Kgs. 18:18-19). The Lord honored Elijah’s sacrifice with fire from heaven which consumed the offering and all around it (I King 18:38). Mt. Carmel is a mountain of confrontation that “climbers” face in spiritual warfare combating demonic forces against them. Complete trust and dependence upon the Lord are required at Mt. Carmel. Spiritual battles are fought with spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-6) which always makes us conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:37), and always leads us to triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14). In Christ, we are victorious over all the enemy’s power (Lk.10:19). Mt. Carmel was also the location where Elijah prayed for drought to end (I Kgs. 18:41-42). After confrontation the spiritual “climber” will be showered with God’s blessings and abundance after years of drought. Mt. Carmel is both a mountain of confrontation as well as abundance and blessing to believers who climb it.
MT. ZION
Mt. Zion is the city of David as well as the holy hill of God (I Kgs. 8:1: Ps. 2:6). Mt. Zion was where David established his stronghold and transported the ark of the Lord, the presence of God, establishing the tabernacle of David. In Acts 15:13-21, James quotes Amos 9:11, saying the Lord will rebuild David’s tabernacle. This unique tent-structure covering the ark of the Lord was attended by praise and worship twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for thirty-nine years. This was God’s favorite house--one which He intended to establish within believers. Mt. Zion is the mountain of intimacy, praise, and worship which brings “climbers” to a new level of love, power and fellowship in Christ.
At spiritual Mt. Zion, ‘climbers” receive a new levels of worship, intimacy and power.
MT. of TRANSFIGURATION
Mt. of Transfiguration is the mountain where Jesus took Peter, James, and John and was transfigured before them with Moses and Elijah appearing with Him (Matt. 17:1-3). This occurrence was a visual expression of Jesus coming in His kingdom (Matt. 16:28). The Mt. of Transfiguration represents change every “climber” experiences in Christ. Upon the Mt. of Transfiguration we truly understand we are new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); we no longer identify with the first Adam but instead derive our identity with the last Adam, Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:22); and we have been made free from the law of sin and death through the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2)
MT. CALVARY
Mt. Calvary is the mountain where Jesus was crucified and sin’s debt was paid in full (Lk. 23:33). Mt. Calvary is where the cross of Christ is found. Mt. Calvary is the mountain of victory over sin, death, and the grave. Sin was swallowed up in salvation and victims became eternally transformed by Christ’s victorious life. Mt. Calvary is the first mountain every believer must climb. Just as Jesus was required to carry His cross up that mount, so every believer must take up his cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). And just as Jesus was crucified, so we also must be crucified with Christ and made alive again in His resurrection (Gal. 2:20).
MT. of OLIVES
Mt. of Olives was the mountain where Jesus would retreat to spend time with the Father. It was where the Garden of Gethsemane was located, where Jesus ascended into heaven, and where He will first touch His foot when He returns in His “parusia” (Zech. 14:4). The Mt. of Olives is the Mountain of God’s presence, communication, and revelation. On this mountain “climbers” discover their “secret place” with the Father and become one with the Lord in His love, purpose and power (Jn. 17:20-23).
Mountain moving faith is essential in believers’ lives. So also is the spiritual dexterity to climb the “high places” of the Lord. Believers are not destined to remain in the valleys of life with limited visibility (prophetic revelation), but to climb the mountains of the Lord to be endowed to see through the eye of faith with His perspective, being seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). On top of these mountains, incredible blessings await for those willing “to climb.” Haggai 1:8 encourages climbing, “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord.” Each time we climb a mountain there is an increased anointing and blessing to bring back to the valleys below where His House (body of Christ) can be built and where brokenness, misery, failure, and despair can be displaced by the reality of the kingdom of God. The world is waiting for “mountain climbers” who will lead the way to “high places” in Christ. Amen.