TREES IN THE BIBLE

 

TREES IN THE BIBLE    

Trees are mentioned in the Bible more than any living thing other than God and people. And every major character has a tree associated with it. Jesus died on a tree because it was prophesied in the Old Testament. Trees, like Jesus, give rather than take.

There are tree on the first page of Genesis, the first Psalm, the first page of the New Testament, and the last page of Revelation. Whether it is the fall, the flood, or the overthrow of the Pharaoh, every major event in the Bible has a tree marking the spot.

·         Jesus said , “He is the true vine and that his Father is the dresser of the garden” (John 15:1).

·         The Bible refers to itself as a Tree of Life (Proverbs 3:18).

·         We are told to be like trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in season (Psalm 1:3).

2. Every major character has a tree associated with it.

Moreover, every major character in the Bible appears in conjunction with a tree.

·         Noah received the olive branch (see  Genesis 8:11).

·         Abraham sat under the oaks of Mamre -  (Genesis 18:1).

·         Moses stood barefoot in front of the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–5).

·         Joseph might appear to be an exception, but the Bible tells us that Joseph simply is a tree (Genesis 49:22).  A fruitful vine

In the New Testament

Ø  Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore fig (Luke 19:1-4).

Ø  The blind man saw people as if they were trees walking (Mark 8:24).

Ø  The disciples gathered on the Mount of Olives with Jesus. (Luke 22:39).

Ø  Jesus died on a tree because it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

3. Israel Represented by Four Trees

 

The Vine – “the choicest vine” – Emblem of Fruitfulness – Isaiah 5:2

The Olive – “fatness of the olive tree” – Emblem of Testimony – Romans 11:17

The Fig – “the firstripe in the fig tree” – Emblem of Sweetness – Hosea 9:10

The Fir – “I am like a green fir tree” – Emblem of Freshness – Hosea 14:8

 

4. Trees of Righteousness – Isaiah 61:3

These trees obtain life from Gods righteousness.  Trees in bible days it represent people. The tree has a ministry. God has made every believer an OAK TREE of RIGHTEOUSNESS. You are called the Oak of Righteousness the planting of the Lord.

5. Meaning of the Oak Tree

The oak is considered as an embodiment of wisdom and strength. It has special endurance that enable the oak to stand out her presence.

The oak trees symbolize: longevity, humble beginnings, patience, faith, power, endurance, wisdom and strength. That's a whole lot of meaning packed into a leaf and seed, isn't it? Their roots are deep inside the soil even spread bigger than the tree.

6. The Ministry of Righteousness  - 

Rom. 1:16, 17 – “I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel…”

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." The gospel has the power of God and the righteousness of God revealed to believers as we trust Him from faith to another level of faith.  We grow in righteousness and as righteous tree we bear fruits of righteousness.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your salvation and blessings. You have ordained us to be called the Oak tree of righteousness and to preach the gospel to all nations. We are the anointed ones to touch lives and deliver them from the darkness to the light.  Lord, teach us to attract blessings to be a blessing to others. Yes, let the anointing of the Spirit comes upon us in this Year of the Lord. Pour out your glory and Spirit upon the Churches today.  In Jesus Name!  Amen.

May the Lord Bless You and Your family

THE PRIEST OF THE LORD

 

THE PRIEST OF THE LORD - Isaiah 61:6-8

“But you shall be named the Priest of the Lord, men shall call you the servants of the Lord.  You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Vs. 8 Instead of your shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs.”

Do not undervalue your priesthood of the Lord – Men have undervalue us underestimate us as priesthood and saints but the Lord gave us double honour, and possess double in all things (anointing, wealth, power) and even everlasting joy.  No more shame and confusion.  We shall eat the riches of the Gentiles.  The world will recognize and call you the priest and servants of the Lord.

Jesus is our High Priest - Hebrew 6:20

“… where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus made a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek – The word Melchizedek is the highest order of high priesthood.  Not the Levitical priesthood or Aaronic priesthood. 

The Church has entered into this type of Priesthood Ministry. This is a perfect Priesthood ministry greater that of the Aaron ministry. The Melchizedek priesthood gives to man, whereas the Aaronic priesthood takes from man. This ministry feeds us, strengthen us and refreshes us. But the other ministry condemns us. The ministry that blesses and the other one that curses and judges us.

This Melchizedek ministry flows out of the indwelling Christ, and it flows from the heart and not the intellect. This anointing Throne room ministry will be caught, and not taught; it must be imparted spirit to spirit. When we speak, we speak in the realm of the Spirit. The ministry imparts life and transform us into His image.

I FEEL AS PRIESTS WE HAVE BEEN BELITTE BY THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD AND WE HAVE HOLD BACK OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND INFLUENCE IN CHRIST THAT WE DID NOT EVEN KNOW WE ARE SO INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL IN THIS WORLD AS  SONS AND PRIESTS  OF GOD.

WE SOMEHOW NEGLECT OUR PRIESTHOOD DUTIES AND EVEN DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIT IN THE KINGDOM AND MINISTRY OF THE LORD.

THE PRIESTHOOD MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH TODAY DOES NOT REALLY FOCUS ON CHRIST BUT BY THEIR PERFORMANCE AND STYLE.  TODAY TRENT IS TO BE PERFECT AND GREAT FOR THE WORLD OR MEN TO SEE NOT OUR HIGH PRIEST JESUS.

THE BIBLE EXHORTS US IN HEBREWS – “TO SEE JESUS AS AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH”   WE SEE JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST. OUR WORSHIP ON SUNDAY OR OTHER DAYS IS TO SEE JESUS IN HIS GLORY SO THAT THE WORLD WILL SEE OUR GLORY IN CHRIST.

NATIONS COMING TO DESTROY ISRAEL

 

A Psalms Where Nations Coming to Destroy Israel

This psalm is titled A Psalm of Asaph. 

Some commentators connect this psalm with 2 Chronicles 20:1-37 and the victory won in Jehoshaphat’s time. Others see the collection of 10 enemies set against Israel as not referring to one specific occasion, but to the constant danger of extermination Israel lived under – relevant in both the ancient and modern world.

The Psalms span a time frame of about  a 1000 years. Most of the Psalms were written between 1010 and 930 BC during the time of David and his son Solomon.

1. (1-4) Asking God to take action against those set on destroying Israel.

Psalms 83  Do not keep silent, O God!
Do not hold Your peace,
And do not be still, O God!
² For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
³ They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
⁴ They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You:

⁶ The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
⁷ Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
⁸ Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. Selah

GOG AND MAGOG  -  Ezekiel 38:1-16

  14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? 15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. 16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

 “Here the prophet saw the final manifestation of antagonism to Jehovah and His people. He saw it gathering itself in terrific force, the mightiest alliance that had ever acted against Israel.” (Morgan) 

“These verses create the impression that Gog is an imperial power with vast military resources.” (Block) They are coming with missiles, deadly bombs and latest Technology equipment today ever invented.  This battle may happen before the beginning of the last seven-year period of human government, before the glorious return of Jesus Christ. It may in some way usher in the dominance of the final world leader and his government. It can happen during the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or end of tribulation. 

The prophecies of Ezekiel occurred from about 593–571 BC, some scholars—who are in a minority—have argued that the book was written during widely divergent periods, such as in the 7th century and even as late as the 2nd century BC.

THE POWER OF HIS BODY AND BLOOD

 

EXPLAINING THE WORD

1 Corinthians 11:29 - New King James Version

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

Do you CLEARLY DISCERN THE BODY OF CHRIST that you are partaking? This verse is talking about the positive side of partaking the Holy Communion. That means the attitude or action of partaking – your faith in Jesus body. This judgment is concerning the body not eternal judgment.

Someone wrote: If you are still sick, weak, malfunctioning, aging and dying, then you have not CLEARLY DISCERN THE BODY OF CHRIST YET!

The BODY OF CHRIST is...

PERFECT

INFINITE

SPIRITUAL

DIVINE

IMMORTAL

IMPERSONAL

UNIVERSAL!

If you have clearly discerned that the very Body you are living in is the BODY OF CHRIST then all discords, diseases and disharmony in it will instantly and utterly dissolve into nothingness! That is the power of the blood of Christ that brings blessing to us not judgment. So eat it with positive faith.

How much more we are drinking His blood. The woman in the bible touched Jesus garment and was made whole. Today we are drinking His blood into our body. We sang the song “There is power in the blood” so be it.

THE CALL AND MINISTRY OF EZEKIEL 

Date of Writing:  The Book of Ezekiel was likely written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.

Purpose of Writing:  Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God’s people need to affirm God’s sovereignty; (3) God’s Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God if they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God’s Kingdom will come.

2) Ezekiel’s Work and Ministry

Key Verses: Ezekiel 2:3-6, "He said: 'son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day.

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.'"

3) The Call of Ezekiel

A) Ezekiel Preparation for Service

1. The Vision Seen by Ezekiel – Vision of God  – Ezek. 1:1, 26

  A Man (front) Speaks of - Sympathy, intelligence – corresponding to the Gospel of Luke.

  A Lion (right) - Majesty, power – corresponding to the Gospel of Matthew.

  An Ox (left) -  Perseverance in service – corresponding to the Gospel of Mark.

  An Eagle (back) -  Keenness of Vision – corresponding to the Gospel of John.

2. The Voice Heard – Telling the prophet vs 28

        the People to whom he must go - Ezek. 2:3

‘And He said to me: "Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.’

        the Purpose for which he is sent -  Ezek. 2:7

7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.

        the Power behind him as he goes.-  Ezek.2:8

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

3. The Volume (Word) Eaten –

Hearing and Heeding the Word of God – Ezek. 3:1,2

 Ezekiel’s Roll – 3:1-17 was to him what the Bible should be to us.

 a. Intellectually he had to ‘eat it’ – get it into his head – Ezek. 3:2

 b. Experientally he had to ‘digest it’ – get it into his heart – Ezek. 3:10

 c. Practically he was a watchman to give warning – he had ‘to proclaim it’ with his lips – Ezek. 3:17

4. The Victim Ezekiel Yielded – Ezekiel had to bear the sin and yield to God’s command.

 the Astonished Victim – Ezek. 3:15

 15 Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

 the Enchained Victim -  Ezek. 3:23-25

 24 Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, O son of man, surely they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them.

 the Prostrate Victim – Ezek. 4:4

“Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity.

 the Nauseated Victim – Ezek. 4:15

“Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.”

B) EZEKIEL AS A WATCHMAN - Ezek. 3:17

In Ezekiel 3, we learn about his special assignment from God: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17). “Watchman” refers to the person whose job was to stand out on a tower and look out to warn of coming danger.

THE DUTY - The special duty of the watchman or guardian, as here explained, concerns the treatment of the wicked. More particularly it is for him

(1) to warn the wicked;

(2) to assure the inattentive and impenitent that the punishment of death awaits him;

(3) to admonish him to repent.

C) EZEKIEL AS HE WALKS THROUGH WATER 

Ezek. 47 – This is a symbolic of the River of God that is full of water. (Ps. 65:9)

There are rivers of God in Eden – Gen.2;10 and In the Paradise of God above – Rev. 22:1,2  - From Genesis to Revelation the River of God is flowing into us.

Ezekiel walked to the river.

Waters came to the Ankles vs.3 – “Walk in the Spirit” Gal. 5:16

Waters came to the Knees vs. 4 – “Praying in the Spirit” Eph. 6:18

Waters came to the Loins vs. 4 – “Serving in the Spirit” Acts 20:19

Waters to Swim in vs. 5 – “Living a Spirit-filling life” Eph. 5:18

D) EZEKIEL EATING THE WORD (SCROLL) – Ezek. 2:8

God’s Word is Our Spiritual Food’

God’s Words are good for us to eat: we need to eat the Word of God as our food as Ezekiel did.

Matt. 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God.“

Ezekiel was asked by God to take the scroll and eat it, then speak the word of God (Ezek. 2:8-3:4); as believers in Christ we need to eat the word of God, digest them, assimilate them into our being, and then speak the word of God.