MORE ON THE MYSTERY OF THE TWO TREES

In the previous post we discovered that Adam and Eve choosing the tree of knowledge of good and evil -- rebellion from God/Elohim. They believed that they could decide on what was good and evil rather than following Elohim’s instructions.

Yeshua/Jesus came to show us how to follow and accomplish the will of God/Elohim. Yeshua came to do the Father’s will and walked in that spirit. He came to show us how—he is our Lord and savior—we are His disciples. Because He gave His life for ours His name is lifted up above all names. Elohim has appointed Yeshua all glory and honor for His sacrifice for our lives on the stake. Yeshua chose this way.

At the end of the Millennial Kingdom Yeshua will turn the throne over to the Father/Elohim. It will be finished! Paradise will be restored in that day.

In the Bible trees usually represent men. If we allow the Word to interpret this we will understand:

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” Mark 8.22-26

 

Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?”

Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4.11-14

 

And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. ⁵ And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. Revelation 11.3-5

 

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. Romans 11.17-18

These are only four verses of many more on trees. Olive and fig trees are often mentioned in terms of the nation of Israel. We are grafted into Israel as Paul explains in Romans 11.

Finally, let’s look at trees in the restored kingdom after the thousand year millennial reign of Yeshua:

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22.1-5

Now let’s weave this together. The trees represent people and nations. We have rebelled against our creator God through making our choices on what constitutes “good or evil.” We ate the fruit of our own desires and now our knowledge causes our separation from God.

Elohim had a better way. A way of peace, joy, love, respect, and abundance. We chose our way over His. We did not respect the wisdom our father wished us to know.

We had a choice and chose wrong. The two olive trees in Zechariah are the anointed of God. Oil is the anointing of the spirit. When we cross over into Yeshua and new birth we are awakened to the ways of Elohim (only the first tiny step).

In Revelation we see two witnesses on the earth giving a powerful testimony to the wicked and evil world. They are called the two olive trees and two candlesticks (Rev 11.4).

The two witnesses may be the two houses of Judah/Jews and Israel/Ephraim/Gentiles in the last days providing their flaming witness to the wicked of this world. Theirs is a powerful witness for 3 ½ years prior to King Yeshua’s return. They work in the spirit of Elijah and Moses. Judgment and Righteousness.

In Revelation 21, after the second resurrection and White Throne Judgment, we see a new heaven and earth coming down from Heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. This chapter represents the establishing of God’s Paradise on earth and wonderful things beyond what we can think or image.

Rewards are meted out to the faithful at this time and the New Jerusalem is established for eternity.

In Revelation 22 we see pure river of water of life, Elohim’s Royal Law/Torah proceeding forth from the throne of God. Torah, like water, brings and sustains life.

Here, by the river we see the 12 trees of life bearing fruit and leaves for the healing of the nations. This is the total physical and spiritual restoration of all things. That for which the creation is groaning for.

We and the nations are now eating from the trees of Elohim. Judah and Israel have been reunited (Ezekiel 37.15-28), Yeshua has stepped down and delivered the Kingdom to His and our Father:

"Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet." 1 Corinthians 15:24

This represents that great day. The eighth day after the Feast of Tabernacles—a new beginning! Eternity stretches out before us!

"Eye has not seen, nor entered the mind of man, what god prepared for those who love him" Isaiah 64.4

Who can even image what Elohim has prepared for His servants in that day? The Universe is waiting for the revelation of the Sons of God!

 

TWO TREES - TWO PATHS - ONE WAY – THE MYSTERY OF THE TREES

Sometimes I view the Bible as a very sophisticated children’s book. I used to like watching Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show as a kid. It was a very sophisticated children’s show that adults could enjoy watching because of the subject matter, history, and political truths imbedded in this cartoon. In many ways the Bible can be viewed in this way. We are Elohim’s children and He has written us a children’s book to teach us how to live in peace, joy, and prosperity.

This is how He has presented the story of Adam and Eve unto us. The first three chapters of Genesis are Elohim’s first instructions to His children. It is set in a beautiful garden with trees. But this garden and two trees illustrate the foundation of the world in which we (humankind) live in today.

Elohim’s instruction to Adam: And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2.16-17

They could eat of every tree but a single one. That one tree would cause them to die. We might want to call it the tree of death.

Very simply this tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents mankind taking to himself the ability to determine what is good or evil, what is right or wrong. In effect, becoming as gods.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—

Elohim told them the tree of knowledge of good and evil was the way of death. It was the way of death because they would now determine what was good or evil rather than looking to Elohim for the rules of the game. They took of the tree and turned from Elohim’s rules/law and soon their lives were filled with violence and death. They had made THEIR CHOICE.

This act established the foundation of the world as we know it today. A simple child’s decision to reject parental instruction. From this time forward the world as we know it has evolved to the point of human self-annihilation with nuclear weapons and with no solutions.

Elohim says, “Do not sacrifice your children to the fire of false gods.” We choose to abort a fetus of which Elohim says, “I knew you since you were formed in the womb.” Ministers of God in churches today preach it is OK to abort—they think they have a better way. https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=3783

Satan deceived Eve into eating of this tree of death. This was the first test of Elohim’s instructions. Satan contradicted Elohim’s instructions and Eve trusted the lie instead of Elohim’s instruction. She gave it to Adam and he followed in her sin. They choose their own knowledge instead of God’s.

Eve was deceived by the serpent. The Book of Revelation that the world will be deceived because they have no love for the truth. Adam, willing took without question what Eve offered. He should have corrected her!

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—Romans 5.12

That choice quickly led to the first murder. The first child born to Adam and Eve, Cain, ended up murdering his younger brother Abel, and then lying to Elohim about it. Genesis 4:1-9

Our world is full of broken families, rebellious children, wickedness in high places, and untold evil. Everyone is eating of their own tree. If they don’t have a tree they’ll cut yours down!

God personally instructed Adam and Eve but they turned away and listened to Satan the liar, thief, and killer. They became the personification of the knowledge of good and evil—they chose the wrong way! The knowledge they desired became destruction to them.

The tree of life represents the way of the fruitful Holy Spirit of God. Eating from this tree allows us to solve and correct ourselves in the way of life. The Spirit is life. We walk in Elohim’s commandments/law and we have abundant life. The world walks in the way of the tree of death. It is a choice—the way of Elohim or the way of Satan.

Yeshua said, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.” Why is it so difficult for us to obey our Creator?

Satan is a master “broadcaster” of fake news. He invented fake news. Just as TV and radio broadcast through the air so Satan works. Satan broadcasts in attitudes, impulses, moods, and thoughts. Instead of searching the scriptures and learning the laws of God we choose to listen to the fake news of the adversary.

Are you going to follow the word/broadcast of Elohim or that of ha Satan?

Yes, the Bible is a very sophisticated children’s story with very simple instructions.  His way will bring us eternal peace, happiness, joy, and spiritual understanding. We can’t experience blessings if we walk in the way of the knowledge of good and evil and despise our Father’s instructions.

Now that we understand the price of knowledge let us bow to the all knowing ONE!

 

The meaning of the word “Hebrew” and Crossing Over

As we have studied our being grafted into Israel and what that means I found this great article at the source listed at the bottom of this post. I often say we are not called to be Jewish, but rather, Yeshu-ish, this article confirms. Abraham is never referred to as a Jew is scripture—but as a Hebrew (Gen 14.13).

When we come to salvation in Yeshua we “crossover” into new life. Doesn’t matter if you are a Jew, Greek, or
Barbarian—we must crossover into Yeshua!

God’s chosen people identified themselves as Hebrews both in the Old Testament (Jon 1:9) and in the New (Philip 3:5). Abram was the first person to be called a Hebrew, even though he was from Ur of the Chaldaeans (Gen 11:31). So what does “Hebrew” really mean? The word Hebrew in its simplest sense means “one from beyond”.

H5680 – עברי – ‛ibrı̂y – Hebrew Brown-Driver-Briggs Dictionary Definition: Hebrew = “one from beyond”

This makes sense, as the first time we see the word “Hebrew” used is when Abram is called a “Abram the Hebrew”. This may have referred to the fact that Abram came from the other side of the Euphrates River and settled in the plains of Mamre. A closely connected word to “Ivri”/”Hebrew” in the Hebrew language is “Eber” which means beyond/across. So one who comes across or comes from beyond is a Hebrew.

Another word connected with “Ivri” (Hebrew) is “Avar” which means “pass over”. All of these words are connected as the root (Ayin-Bet-Resh עבר) in Hebrew stays the same. It should be noted that the story of Abraham is connected to the word “Abar” Pass-over, as we see it is one of the first things mentioned about him.

Gen 12:4-6 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. And Abram passed through (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

So it is now abundantly clear why Abram was called a Hebrew. This characteristic of “passing over” becomes part of the Hebrew experience, and is seen as part and parcel of the journey of God’s people as seen below.

Joshua 24:2-3 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
Jos 24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.
Jos 24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
Jos 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

In the above passage Joshua makes a distinction between Abram before he passes over, to the life he is called to live after he crossed over. Abram served other gods beyond the river, but when he passed over, he was committed to God. This repeats again with Israel as they cross the Red Sea towards freedom and Israel as they cross the Jordan towards the Promised Land. Passing over was a distinct feature of God’s people. Passing over the waters as much as it is a physical act, it also signifies a symbolic act of leaving the past behind and starting afresh. This is enacted in the Baptism/Mikveh that each of us go through as young believers as well.

When God speaks to Moses about the passover sacrifice, He Himself says that He will Pass Over the land using the same word (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) which is connected to “Ivri” Hebrew, as seen below.

Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

We see the same word (H5674 – עבר – ‛âbar) which is connected to “Ivri” Hebrew, used again in the Song of Moses, after the Hebrews cross the Red Sea. Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Essentially, the Hebrew is a person who has passed from death to life; from a life of sin to a life of righteousness through God’s Commands; from obeying false gods to obeying the one true Creator of the universe.

Yeshua speaks of this fact, saying that whoever hears Him and puts his/her trust in YHVH, would pass from death to life:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

What is the evidence that one has passed from death unto life and become a true Hebrew? John explains it in the following way:

1 John 3:14-24 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abides in death. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment: that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

John explains that the evidence that we have moved from death to life, shines through the love of God which is in our lives. A love that is ready to give even our own life for others. A love that is not in word but in deed, but according to the commandment that Yeshua raised to the next level – “Love one another (Lev 19:18), as I have loved you”(John 15:12). Through God’s love, we show whether we are truly a Hebrew or not. Whether we have truly crossed over from Death to Life. Let us strive to be like the great Hebrews of old such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and many more ; not forgetting Yeshua – A Hebrew of Hebrews, who gave His life so that we may cross over. Like the patriarchs, we may all have our shortcomings. But we should never forget the most important characteristic of a Hebrew – a willingness to cross over from our lives in slavery and death to a life in Covenant and Loving Obedience to God and Love towards everyone who has crossed over and is in the process of crossing over to God’s camp.

Source: https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/the-meaning-of-the-word-hebrew-and-crossing-over/