HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINTOP? By Roger Roth Sr.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINTOP? By Roger Roth Sr.

Can we rise above life’s oppositions and if so, how is this done? What does opposition have to do with expressing the nature of Jesus? Is there a place where opposition is overcome, a place of spiritual liberty and what would that look like? How does the Vision of the house related to this opposition and to the authority given us? Isaiah had a Vision; how did that vision change him? How can the Vision of the house change us in ways we desire?

Mountains in scripture have varied significance. In numerous scriptures they are spoken of, both positively and negatively as well as signifying rulers, nations, strongholds, the gospel, religious systems, places of worship and many other designations.

Although mountains can signify a variety of things, in one way or another they all relate to the authority of a measure of rule, both good and bad. Mountains are significant rises in the land mass of the earth. They can be seen as the highest point of spiritual revelation, the formation on earth that is closest to heaven.

This is why alters and temples, in the bible, were typically set up on mountaintops. The prophets of Baal and Elijah had their competition upon Mount Carmel on which fire was called down from heaven.

In recent times there has been a teaching in various Christian groups of the seven mountains of influence. In it they describe seven infrastructures of modern society which determine the rule and character of a culture. If Christians can control the mountains of government, business, media, religion, family, entertainment and education, then they can in essence establish Christian rule and influence and, in that sense, bring forth the Kingdom. Although this approach uses the image of mountains to promote Christian action, there is much more significance in understanding the biblical use of this term and how it relates to the authority of the Christian.

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth; ~Dan 2:35

Daniel was interpreting a dream for the king. In so doing he was describing how the stone (Jesus) would overcome earthly kingdoms and set up His own kingdom that would become a great mountain. This was fulfilled in Rev. 11:15; And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

We could say that the influence of Jesus in His followers would become a great governmental mountain (rulership with great authority) that would fill the whole earth. Isaiah 6:3 described it this way; the whole earth is full of His glory!

This is often thought of as the Lord in some miraculous way bringing restoration to the earth while we are excited bystanders, witnessing His acts but not dramatically participating in them. We perhaps don’t understand the process that brings forth this Kingdom or appreciate that we, being instruments of this restoration are also objects of the Lord’s preparation in bringing forth this great mountain.

Here is where vision plays a central role in our development and in our freedom from oppressive attitudes and emotions. Had the apostle Paul not received a vision from the Lord, it is doubtful he could have completed his course with the success he demonstrated. It is also doubtful that he would have had the necessary direction to endure the opposition and to advance the Kingdom as he did. His testimony, in his own words was; I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; Acts 26:19.

There are earthly visions and there are heavenly visions. We need a heavenly vision to give direction, understanding and full purpose. Like Isaiah, who saw (had a vision) the Lord high and lifted up. This vision changed his ministry and his life.

Some mountains in scripture needed to come down and others to rise. There are mountains within us that need to be brought low and others that need to rise out of our land. The mind is our land, the place within, in which we live. We plant, water and grow many thoughts that turn into actions, reaping a harvest which in many cases is both good and bad, depending on what we’ve sown.

Some thoughts foster beliefs that grow into mighty mountains within us. No person in one instant ever became a thief or an intimidator or a manic depressive. Likewise, no person in one instant, has ever become a philanthropist, or a lover of mankind or a voice for the oppressed. These are characteristics that we grow into and those that are founded in an earthly or heavenly vision will often become mountains.

People are sometimes described this way; “she is a mountain of virtue” or “he is a mountain of strength” or even, “they are a mountain of deception.” These are a recognition by others that they possess what might be called over-towering and overpowering character traits, whether good or bad.

So, we each have mountains in our lives. These exert authority over us and through us. For the kingdoms of the earth to become the kingdoms of our Lord (Jesus) and His Christ (that’s us), some of our inner mountains need to rise and others need to be cast into the sea. It is in the inner mountains that we possess the power to rule the outer mountains.

Jesus told several “figs and mountain” parables and teachings that illustrate this.

A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down; Lk 13:6-9

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive; Mt 21:18-22

 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. Lk 19:2-6.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you; Lk 17:6.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you; Mt 17:20.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith; Mk 11:23.

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it; Lk 13:18-19

Figs can be representative of the nation of Israel; Jer. 24:5; Hos 9:10. In the above scriptures they represent self-reformation and, in that context, they also represent Israel’s attempt under the law to gain salvation through self-effort by keeping the Old Covenant.

Adam and Eve are depictions of this as they attempt to cover themselves using fig leaves. This is why Jesus uses that illustration of the fig tree that had no fruit only leaves. This is self-righteousness; trying to achieve righteousness through our own thinking and actions. In Jesus’ parable, the owner of the vineyard had waited for fruit for three years (the length of Jesus’ ministry at that time) but found none and was ready to cut it down but the vinedresser asked for one more year. In other words, until the fulfillment of Jesus’ full ministry.

In Matthew chapter 21 when Jesus curses the fig tree, he makes this statement; If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. Is Jesus literally saying with the right faith we can cast mountains into the sea?

Notice that He says, “this mountain.” Is was a specific mountain. This is not a literal mountain but a spiritual mountain. In context Jesus in verses previous to these statements was dealing with a religious mindset and teachers of the law who had kept people bound to traditions and attempts at self-reformation.

The mountain He was speaking about was this religious mountain build on Old Covenant teachings. So, the sycamore tree (a type of fig tree) and the mountain are references to this type of teaching that produces a self-righteous thinking.

The mustard seed is a parable that likewise spawned various teachings such as, a little faith is all that is needed to do great things. Great deeds, however, require great faith. What Jesus was trying to relay is that faith like a mustard seed is faith that is capable of growing and becoming great faith like the a great mustard tree that the birds of the air (our thoughts) are able to rest in its branches (various avenues of thought).

Faith (belief with understanding) is the key to casting mountains into the sea (a type of ignorance) and to becoming part of the great mountain of God, God’s authority and government restoring and ruling the earth.

This is also the depiction of what happened in the book of Revelation. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; Rev. 8:8. This religious mountain of self-reformation is cast into the sea (back into the ignorance from which it arose). This is also similar to Isaiah’s coal that touch his mouth and purged him of ignorance.

Vision gives us a different way of looking at our world. Some see the world as a very evil place with no hope of redemption. Other see the world as a fearful place from which they are eager to escape. Still others see the world as their opportunity to use manipulation, control and the like to carve out their own earthly kingdom. If we see the world according to a heavenly vision, we now have direction and confidence and an ability to cast down mountains of fear and doubt and frustration with us and build up mountains of faith and confidence and power.

The Lord graciously deals with us to yield, to come down off our high mountain and to build up His mountain upon which we can be transfigured into the radiance of full light. We have spiritual authority according to the measure of our rule.

The Body likewise, has a measure of rule. In the area of our authority we have great power but that authority, like the grain of mustard seed, our faith as related to our measure of rule has to grow into maturity. Opposition is one way that the Lord builds this this faith and increases our authority. Opposition always tests our maturity and gives us opportunities for growth and power.

For the Kingdoms of this world to become our kingdoms will require our taking dominion over those mountains that are in opposition to God. This first begins with taking dominion of the mountains within.

The last speech delivered by Martin Luther King was his “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech. He talks in bible imagery of going to the mountaintop and “my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” He had a Vision. He could see. It didn’t make his life easier, but it made his life significant and fulfilling.

We are the generation of the transition into a new age. We need a clear understanding of a mountaintop Vision. “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of our God.”

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:2-4; Also, Mica 4:1-3.

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Roger Roth Sr. is a ministry son of Dr. Mark Hanby. Together with his wife Karen, they are the set ministry of a local church in Northeastern Wisconsin, and oversee the Bloodline Network Newsletter. They consider it an honor to work with Dr. Hanby for many years, helping to oversee the ministry of Papa Mark’s extended family—”The Father’s Heart.”

Any questions or comments please contact them at rogerandkaren@live.com