Watch out, the Almonds are Coming!
Introduction
What does the flowering of the Almond tree have to do with waiting for the coming of the Lord and the beginning of the Apocalypse? Can something beautiful spring forth in the darkness of winter? Can there be new life amongst death in a time of harsh judgement?
Today is a Jewish holiday called ‘tu’bsvat’, ט״ו בִּשְׁבָט, which literally means the ‘15th of the month of Shvat’, which is the eleventh Hebrew month. During this time the tithe, of the fruit of the trees is to be taken. This is after the heavy winter rains are almost over and the trees have what the need to grow buds for spring. It is a time for planting trees in the modern state of Israel today. Years ago I was there at this time in a Kibbutz and we got to plant trees. I remember the heavy rains at that time.
The first tree in Israel to bud and bloom is the very beautiful Almond tree with it’s gorgeous blossom. It blossom’s before the winter is even over. It is a portent that spring will soon arrive. It is an early developer if you like, and a sign of things to come. The bible has much to say about the Almond tree and it is used as a metaphor for diligence, study, hastening and in particular for watching. There are 22 Almonds on the Menorah which is a symbol for the ‘Church’ (Congregation). We need to be watching for the Lord’s coming. The Almond which symbolises being watchful and fruitful is built into the Menorah. And Yeshua commands us for being watchful. There is reward for watchfulness and punishment for sleeping! We should therefore be diligent and watching unto prayer concerning the end of our church age and the beginning of the judgements that lead into the events of Revelation chapter 4 onwards which begins with the birthpangs during the first five seals.
Today is a Jewish holiday called ‘tu’bsvat’, ט״ו בִּשְׁבָט, which literally means the ‘15th of the month of Shvat’, which is the eleventh Hebrew month. During this time the tithe, of the fruit of the trees is to be taken. This is after the heavy winter rains are almost over and the trees have what the need to grow buds for spring. It is a time for planting trees in the modern state of Israel today. Years ago I was there at this time in a Kibbutz and we got to plant trees. I remember the heavy rains at that time.
The first tree in Israel to bud and bloom is the very beautiful Almond tree with it’s gorgeous blossom. It blossom’s before the winter is even over. It is a portent that spring will soon arrive. It is an early developer if you like, and a sign of things to come. The bible has much to say about the Almond tree and it is used as a metaphor for diligence, study, hastening and in particular for watching. There are 22 Almonds on the Menorah which is a symbol for the ‘Church’ (Congregation). We need to be watching for the Lord’s coming. The Almond which symbolises being watchful and fruitful is built into the Menorah. And Yeshua commands us for being watchful. There is reward for watchfulness and punishment for sleeping! We should therefore be diligent and watching unto prayer concerning the end of our church age and the beginning of the judgements that lead into the events of Revelation chapter 4 onwards which begins with the birthpangs during the first five seals.
Israel to fill the Earth with fruit
The bible tells us that one day Israel shall blossom and bear fruit. This is more than just physical fruit, but the kind of fruitfulness that the God of Jacob is looking for. God wants Israel to multiply with seed, with people, but not just any people, he wants us to be fruitful having the blessing of the good fruits of the Holy Spirit. If we follow the Torah of Moses and have the New Covenant then we will be meek and humble like Moses and like our Lord Yeshua.
Isaiah 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root:
Israel shall blossom and bud,
and fill the face of the world with fruit.
Helelujah!
The Almond tree is the first tree to bud and blossom, even before winter is over. The Almond tree represents Israel, the nation that is ultimately to rule all nations. But this is not merely the secular state of Israel, but the ‘Israel of God’, those that are truly circumcised of heart, made up of Jew and Gentile. This includes Gentiles from the 10 lost tribes and Gentiles that are not but will keep His commandments. There was a despute amongst the tribes as to who would be the priest. Aarons rod, budded. And what did it produce?
The Almond tree is the first tree to bud and blossom, even before winter is over. The Almond tree represents Israel, the nation that is ultimately to rule all nations. But this is not merely the secular state of Israel, but the ‘Israel of God’, those that are truly circumcised of heart, made up of Jew and Gentile. This includes Gentiles from the 10 lost tribes and Gentiles that are not but will keep His commandments. There was a despute amongst the tribes as to who would be the priest. Aarons rod, budded. And what did it produce?
Numbers 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
The Almond thus represents the first of those that will lead. The almond will flourish even in a time of judgement, we will read about that later. Whatever tribe we are from we should get the central idea, God is looking for fruitfulness and those that bare good fruit will lead and be saved from the wrath of man when the enemy comes into our lands.
Almonds, diligent study, watching & hastening
Almond is defined in three places in Strongs concordance for some reason…
Strongs: H0824 שׁקד shaw-kad' & H08246
A denominative from 8247;
to be (intensively make) almond shaped:
- make like ({unto} after the fashion of) almonds.
Strongs: H08247 שׁקד shaw-kade'
From 8245;
the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom):
- almond (tree).
The word Almond in Hebrew comes from the root meaning to be ‘on the lookout’. Perhaps this is because people would be waiting for the Almond tree to blossom, being the first tree to do so after the cold and rain of winter.
Strongs: H08245 שׁקד shaw-kad'
A primitive root; to be alert that is, sleepless;
hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill):
- hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).
It can mean to ‘watch’.
Psalms 102:7 I watch (שָׁקַדְתִּי),
and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
It can mean to be ‘awake’ or ‘aware’ when ‘watching’.
Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house,
they labour in vain that build it:
except the LORD keep the city,
the watchman waketh (שָׁקַד) but in vain.
It is related to ‘watching’ in the sense of being spiritually wise and awake.
Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me,
watching (שְׁקֹד) daily at my gates,
waiting at the posts (mezuzot, מְזוּזֹת) of my doors.
And it can mean to ‘hasten’. The word Almond and the word related to it, ‘hasten’, are also mentioned side by side in two verses.
Jeremiah 1:11-12
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree (shawkad, שָׁקֵד).
12 Then said the LORD unto me,
Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten (shoked, שֹׁקֵד) my word to perform it.
Thus the Almond is all about being spiritually awake, aware and watching. It is even about hastening judgement. It is thus a perfect metaphor for awaiting our Lord’s return and being watchful for the coming judgement of the Tribulation. And the Church should be aware of this time now.
22 Almonds on the Menorah
The ‘Church’ or ‘Congregation’ of Israel is related to the number 7. There are 7 churches in the book of Revelation and they are pictured as a ‘Menorah’ or ‘Seven Candlesticks’ in the KJV. However this is not some gentile Catholic candlestick made of wax, it is not in ‘Madame Tussauds Wax Museum’ either, we should get the wax out of our ears and not be dummies. The bible interprets itself so the 7 candlesticks are not made of wax, the symbol appears in the book of Exodus chapter 25 and 37, it is the ‘Menorah’.
The Menorah represents the light of Messiah in His people. The Menorah is a symbol of what God is making during this ‘Age of Grace’, a company of people that are indeed the ‘Congregation of Israel’ which actually includes gentile believers. How good and kind is God? What grace He has shown to the nations. And He shall hold both Jew and Gentile to account for abusing such grace. Grace is coming to an end. It is not over yet, but the doors of the Ark are already beginning to close as the death toll increases in the winter of this age.
The Menorah represents the light of Messiah in His people. The Menorah is a symbol of what God is making during this ‘Age of Grace’, a company of people that are indeed the ‘Congregation of Israel’ which actually includes gentile believers. How good and kind is God? What grace He has shown to the nations. And He shall hold both Jew and Gentile to account for abusing such grace. Grace is coming to an end. It is not over yet, but the doors of the Ark are already beginning to close as the death toll increases in the winter of this age.
The Menorah, a picture of the congregation, the church, had 22 Almonds, 3 on each of the 6 branches and 4 on the central stem.
3 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 22 Almonds
There are 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. And the Menorah gives light just as God’s word does. And Yeshua is at the centre of the Menorah because He is the light of the world. Before the world was formed the Son of God, the word of God incarnate, the Aleph Tav, את, came forth from the Father. Before the Sun & the Moon gave light, Yeshua is that hidden primeval light, the glory of the Father. The Menorah represents His body, His congregation, His bride who is likened to the Almond.
3 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 22 Almonds
There are 22 letters in the Hebrew Alphabet. And the Menorah gives light just as God’s word does. And Yeshua is at the centre of the Menorah because He is the light of the world. Before the world was formed the Son of God, the word of God incarnate, the Aleph Tav, את, came forth from the Father. Before the Sun & the Moon gave light, Yeshua is that hidden primeval light, the glory of the Father. The Menorah represents His body, His congregation, His bride who is likened to the Almond.
Exodus 25:33-34
33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch;
and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch,
with a knop and a flower:
so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
So the Almond is central to what Israel is all about. And the congregation of Israel, the church of the firstborn is an Almond tree! Aaron’s rod that budded is a but a firstfruit of what God shall do. The Church is a Melchizedeck Priesthood. The Church which is the ‘Congregation of Israel’ is what God was after when He said that Israel would be a ‘Kingdom of Priests’, Exodus 19:6 and a ‘Royal Priesthood and an Holy Nation’, I Peter 2:9. The congregation is a priestly entity. And they have a gentile connection because that is who they minister to as well as to Israel. So the Levitical priests minister to Israel and the Melchizeck Priesthood ministers to the nations.
Now the first of the Almonds are about to blossom. And they are about to blossom as we enter into a time of severe judgement upon the Church, Israel and the nations, a time called the ‘Tribulation’ or the time of Jacob’s trouble.
God is about to raise up new leaders just like he did with Aaron whose rod budded, flowered and produced Almonds. God is about to raise them up and set His house in order in a time of cruel judgement. What is coming is the holocaust of all holocausts. The time of the rising of the Antichrist. But the King of Heaven has his Almonds. And Jacob shall begin to blossom, even at the beginning of the time of Jacob’s trouble, Jeremiah 30:7, even in winter which symbolises when Jacob is being made thin, Isaiah 17:4, through this holocaust of war, famine, persecution and so forth (the horsemen of the Apocalypse).
God is about to raise up his 144,000 to work the harvest even before people would think it is time to harvest.
Now the first of the Almonds are about to blossom. And they are about to blossom as we enter into a time of severe judgement upon the Church, Israel and the nations, a time called the ‘Tribulation’ or the time of Jacob’s trouble.
God is about to raise up new leaders just like he did with Aaron whose rod budded, flowered and produced Almonds. God is about to raise them up and set His house in order in a time of cruel judgement. What is coming is the holocaust of all holocausts. The time of the rising of the Antichrist. But the King of Heaven has his Almonds. And Jacob shall begin to blossom, even at the beginning of the time of Jacob’s trouble, Jeremiah 30:7, even in winter which symbolises when Jacob is being made thin, Isaiah 17:4, through this holocaust of war, famine, persecution and so forth (the horsemen of the Apocalypse).
God is about to raise up his 144,000 to work the harvest even before people would think it is time to harvest.
John 4:35 Say not ye,
There are yet four months,
and then cometh harvest?
behold, I say unto you,
Lift up your eyes,
and look on the fields; f
or they are white already to harvest.
The Almonds are those that will be watching because that is implied in the very name ‘Almond’. Then the Lord will lift up their eyes and they shall see the fields and they shall go forth and work the final end time harvest.
This is just for those that the Lord raises up. People may protest, like Israel did when Aaron was chosen. So shall it be shortly. The Lord will raise up the leaders which are his servants to bring in the harvest of souls, to bring a remnant to repentance and fill the House of the Lord with wedding guests.
This is just for those that the Lord raises up. People may protest, like Israel did when Aaron was chosen. So shall it be shortly. The Lord will raise up the leaders which are his servants to bring in the harvest of souls, to bring a remnant to repentance and fill the House of the Lord with wedding guests.
Watch
We have seen that the Hebrew word for Almond (שָּׁקֵד) is related to the Hebrew verb related to being awake (שָׁקַד) and watching (שְׁקֹד). Our Lord has much to say about watching. To be watching is to be like the Almond tree. There are rewards for obedience in this matter. The ‘Israel of God’ should be diligently waiting and watching and longing for the return of her master, our glorious God and King, the Son of God, the God-Man, Yeshua the Mashiach!
Mark 13:32-37
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
We should be watching like good little Almonds that are aware of the times they are living in. We are to be sober and watch.
I Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
We dare not be spiritually asleep.
I Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
There are rewards for watching, Yeshua wants to see who really is looking for His return. Who would not want to be accounted worthy to escape this time of trial or make it through to stand for the Lord? Well watch!
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Many of the 7 Churches were not watching!
Almonds were on each of the 7 branches of the Menorah, 3 on 6 branches and 4 on the central stem! But who was watching in each of these churches? Only Smyrna and Philadelphia were without fault. Thyatira would birth the main part of the 144,000 manchild company, it had 4 Almonds, but it also had the most paganism to deal with, just like Ephraim.
Laodicea, the last church which symbolises our rich, lukewarm self centred and self satisfied western churches right at the end. Laodicea has no commendation at all but the stern promise of being spewed out of Yeshua’s mouth. This has already begun.
However no matter what state the churches are in there are overcomers in each congregation and wonderful promises to these overcomers. But 5 out of the 7 churches had big judgements against them unless they repented. They are not whisked out of tribulation just because they believe in Jesus. Yeshua is looking for obedience and a heartfelt brokenness and a holy life. The Lord is a jealous groom and love is jealous and love hates that which is evil.
Laodicea, the last church which symbolises our rich, lukewarm self centred and self satisfied western churches right at the end. Laodicea has no commendation at all but the stern promise of being spewed out of Yeshua’s mouth. This has already begun.
However no matter what state the churches are in there are overcomers in each congregation and wonderful promises to these overcomers. But 5 out of the 7 churches had big judgements against them unless they repented. They are not whisked out of tribulation just because they believe in Jesus. Yeshua is looking for obedience and a heartfelt brokenness and a holy life. The Lord is a jealous groom and love is jealous and love hates that which is evil.
1. Ephesus: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5
2. Smyrna: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 2:10
3. Pergamos: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:16
4. Thyatira: Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:22-23
5. Sardis: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3
6. Philadelphia: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10
7. Laodicea: 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Revelation 3:16-17
Almond Tree
The end times are so important to the Lord. The Lord wants to bring the wheat into His barn. He will remove the wicked in time but first He has to shake things up in order to save some souls. Nobody wants to be shaken. Nobody wants to go through a holocaust. Who would not want to be raptured or hidden? But do we qualify? According to Zephaniah chapter 2 verses 1 and 2 the godless state of Israel is a nation ‘not desired’ or ‘not redeemed’, and it has gathered itself together (הִֽתְקוֹשְׁשׁוּ וָקוֹשּׁוּ הַגּוֹי לֹא נִכְסָֽף) like the ‘chaf’ (קַשׁ, Exodus 5:12), before the ‘fierce anger of the Lord’ (עֲלֵיכֶם חֲרוֹן אַף־ יְהוָה) comes upon her, which is the day of the Lord. The next verse is for all of us, Jew and Gentile if we wish to escape judgement.
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth,
which have wrought his judgment;
seek righteousness,
seek meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
Are we meek / humble? Have we ‘wrought his judgements’? Are our actions righteous? Do we qualify for being hidden? There is no guarantee we will be hidden, but we may possibly be hidden if we are ‘meek’.
There is much that is truly awful about the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Tribulation, but God has to get His people in order somehow, His Kingdom is Coming! God is about to build Zion up in a time of pulling down. The nations including Israel are going to receive their judgement. All the nations that Israel currently dwells in will be destroyed.
There is much that is truly awful about the time of Jacob’s trouble, the Tribulation, but God has to get His people in order somehow, His Kingdom is Coming! God is about to build Zion up in a time of pulling down. The nations including Israel are going to receive their judgement. All the nations that Israel currently dwells in will be destroyed.
Jeremiah 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
This means that the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain & South Africa will be destroyed. Pure and simple. The end. You’ve got to get this into your soul. If God says it then that is what is about to happen! And other nations will likewise be destroyed. So that is a fact of scripture. This is the end of grace. This is what happens when people say ‘no’ to God’s Son, Yeshua the Mashiach!
Our hope is not in our nations or our politicians, our hope is in our God and Saviour, Yeshua HaMashiach. Our God will hasten judgement and raise up the remnant of his people. The Almond is all about hastening also! The Lord will be pulling apart and planting also, after the winter rains.
Our hope is not in our nations or our politicians, our hope is in our God and Saviour, Yeshua HaMashiach. Our God will hasten judgement and raise up the remnant of his people. The Almond is all about hastening also! The Lord will be pulling apart and planting also, after the winter rains.
Jeremiah 1:10-12
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree (makel shaked, מַקֵּל שָׁקֵד).
12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten (shawked, שֹׁקֵד) my word to perform it.
The following verses in Ecclesiastes 12 are about remembering the Lord our creator before we get too old. But there is a deeper meaning behind the words which I will not go into detail here, suffice to say, it pictures the end times judgement of the tribulation, the time of Jacobs trouble. Darkness is about to descend upon our world. Death is coming to our godless, pagan, Sodomitish, reprobate nations. We are on the very edge of the edge of the edge of it now.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree (הַשָּׁקֵד) shall flourish (bloom, יָנֵאץ), and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
The darkness of the Sun, Moon & Stars refers allegorically to the events preceding the Lord's second coming, the events of the 6th seal of Revelation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Joel etc.
The Almond tree is the only good news in the whole prophecy. It is flourishing!
The word translated ‘Vanity’ has the same root as the name Abel (הבל).
Just like Abel was murdered so there shall be martyrdom in the last days.
The Almond tree is the only good news in the whole prophecy. It is flourishing!
The word translated ‘Vanity’ has the same root as the name Abel (הבל).
Just like Abel was murdered so there shall be martyrdom in the last days.
Tithe of Seed Trees, Circumcised Trees & Men Walking as Trees
Moses was a prophet and all the Torah law has both a practical day to day application and a spiritual end times fulfilment whereby trees, fruit and tithes of our harvest represent the harvest of souls and the Lord’s prophetic program of redemption for believing Israel and the remnant of the nations that call upon His name. The New Testament tells us plainly that the Law (Torah in Hebrew) is Spiritual, Romans 7:14!
The Lord looks upon His people and is looking for fruit. Good fruit. He gives the trees time to produce fruit. In the gospels Yeshua curses the fig tree for not bearing fruit, Mark 11:21. God want’s us to bare good fruit, Matthew 13:23, Luke 8:15. The prophet Jeremiah also speak of good and bad figs, Jeremiah 24. The scriptures through out the old testament and the new talk of good and bad fruit and judgement or blessing because of it. Good doctrine is a beginning but it is not the end. If we abide in the vine we shall produce good fruit, John 15:4. If we don’t abide in Yeshua then we whither and thus don’t produce good fruit. Sadly we are then cast into the fire! We must examine ourselves if we say we follow Yeshua, if we say we keep Torah because there must be good fruit and a broken and contrite heart. We should bow our head like mature wheat and not hold up our head in pride and self will. Tares will be burnt.
The Lord looks upon His people and is looking for fruit. Good fruit. He gives the trees time to produce fruit. In the gospels Yeshua curses the fig tree for not bearing fruit, Mark 11:21. God want’s us to bare good fruit, Matthew 13:23, Luke 8:15. The prophet Jeremiah also speak of good and bad figs, Jeremiah 24. The scriptures through out the old testament and the new talk of good and bad fruit and judgement or blessing because of it. Good doctrine is a beginning but it is not the end. If we abide in the vine we shall produce good fruit, John 15:4. If we don’t abide in Yeshua then we whither and thus don’t produce good fruit. Sadly we are then cast into the fire! We must examine ourselves if we say we follow Yeshua, if we say we keep Torah because there must be good fruit and a broken and contrite heart. We should bow our head like mature wheat and not hold up our head in pride and self will. Tares will be burnt.
Leviticus 19:23-25
23 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.
24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal.
25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.
Are we circumcised of heart or are we dull of heart and led by our flesh? God gives the trees 3 years to deal with their uncircumcision of heart. I cant help think of the first 3 years of the tribulation when I think of verse 23.
God is looking for fruitfulness in our lives. The New Testament emphasises that we should have fruit of repentance. Trees are also a metaphor that remind us of the garden of God. The hunters and the fishers of men are coming, both good and bad fishermen. Are we blind men or do we have eyes to see? We cannot watch if we cannot see. Almonds watch diligently.
God is looking for fruitfulness in our lives. The New Testament emphasises that we should have fruit of repentance. Trees are also a metaphor that remind us of the garden of God. The hunters and the fishers of men are coming, both good and bad fishermen. Are we blind men or do we have eyes to see? We cannot watch if we cannot see. Almonds watch diligently.
Mark 8:22-24 And he cometh to Bethsaida (House of fishing/hunting); and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And 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 upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
If Yeshua spits in our face, even his spittal can remove our blindness. He may use someone else to do it even! Yeshua has done this to me on occasion, to get through to me. His judgements are a kindness if it removes the callouses from our hearts and causes us to look up and see things as they really are. We may find that we are in the Garden of God and this time let us not hide from our maker through our religious pride.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
We do not belong amongst the other trees of the garden, we belong with our Lord, the tree of life. Let us not hide from the voice of prophecy either, let us not hide in empty religious Torah observance or the dead works of a dead Christendom. But let our hearts be knitted to the Lord and to one another in true faith and love. The Torah leads us to Messiah and hope and to the Love of God shed abroad in our hearts, Romans 5:5. The Lord wants fruit, and the Almond is the first to blossom.
During war fruitful trees were not to be cut down, Deuteronomy 20:19. When God brings judgement through war we are to preserve those that produce good fruit in their lives. We know all sorts of bad things happen when Israel was invaded, and good people suffer too. But often the Lord in mercy would save the poor and humble folk that keep His commandments and walk in His ways. God brings war and invasion to humble the proud and wicked in a nation. But the humble and God fearing people that bare good fruit are His delight.
The Almond is the first tree to blossom. Of course it’s fruit is the actual nut, but it is a fruitful tree and therefore should be saved in a time of war. The end times described in the book of Revelation and elsewhere in the bible is a time of harvest for the Church, Israel and humanity. So what we read in the books of Moses applies spiritually to this time.
During war fruitful trees were not to be cut down, Deuteronomy 20:19. When God brings judgement through war we are to preserve those that produce good fruit in their lives. We know all sorts of bad things happen when Israel was invaded, and good people suffer too. But often the Lord in mercy would save the poor and humble folk that keep His commandments and walk in His ways. God brings war and invasion to humble the proud and wicked in a nation. But the humble and God fearing people that bare good fruit are His delight.
The Almond is the first tree to blossom. Of course it’s fruit is the actual nut, but it is a fruitful tree and therefore should be saved in a time of war. The end times described in the book of Revelation and elsewhere in the bible is a time of harvest for the Church, Israel and humanity. So what we read in the books of Moses applies spiritually to this time.
Tithe of thy Seed
Almond trees produce an Almond seed. It flowers first. And ‘tu’bsvat’, ט״ו בִּשְׁבָט, occurs as the Almond is in flower. It is called the ‘new year of trees’. And this is when the tithe of fruit trees and seeds is made. During this time a tithe for the poor is also made in accordance with Deuteronomy 14. Those that give to the poor lend to the Lord. The Church should help the poor. There’s more and more of them. We should also give them the greatest gift, the gospel. Perhaps now a few more will listen. ‘Please help us to bring them into your House through the gate of repentance Father’.
The tithe of the increase of the seed is related to the firstling of the flocks. By analogy this is related to the firstborn and to the 144,000 by extension again. Shall the 144,000 be awakened to who they are at this time? Does the Lord have a work for them now? We shall soon know.
In Deuteronomy 14:23 we are told to ‘eat before the Lord thy God’ in the ‘place he shall choose to place his name there’. We know that this refers to Jerusalem and the temple. But on a higher level it refers to His Throne in His Heavenly temple in the Heavenly Jerusalem. So is his a hint that the tithe of the field and trees and flock which is taken at Tu b’shvat when the Almond blossom’s indicates that the 144,000 come into God’s presence? It could be today! I don’t think this is a rapture but a presentation of those ‘Almonds’ that will be used later. Their 'eyes will be opened'. They will learn to fear the Lord while being in His presence. Without the fear of God there will be no revival and no harvest that’s for sure. It is what is missing in our wicked and adulterous generation.
The tithe of the increase of the seed is related to the firstling of the flocks. By analogy this is related to the firstborn and to the 144,000 by extension again. Shall the 144,000 be awakened to who they are at this time? Does the Lord have a work for them now? We shall soon know.
In Deuteronomy 14:23 we are told to ‘eat before the Lord thy God’ in the ‘place he shall choose to place his name there’. We know that this refers to Jerusalem and the temple. But on a higher level it refers to His Throne in His Heavenly temple in the Heavenly Jerusalem. So is his a hint that the tithe of the field and trees and flock which is taken at Tu b’shvat when the Almond blossom’s indicates that the 144,000 come into God’s presence? It could be today! I don’t think this is a rapture but a presentation of those ‘Almonds’ that will be used later. Their 'eyes will be opened'. They will learn to fear the Lord while being in His presence. Without the fear of God there will be no revival and no harvest that’s for sure. It is what is missing in our wicked and adulterous generation.
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
22 Thou shalt truly tithe (עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר) all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Conclusion
The Almond tree represents Israel and the Church which is the ‘Congregation of Israel’. The Almond tree is about to blossom in a time of winter and judgement.
Tu b’shvat is the 15th of Shvat when the Almonds blossom and the tithes of trees are brought in. Nine represents fruitfulness. There are nine fruits of the spirit.
Tu b’shvat is the 15th of Shvat when the Almonds blossom and the tithes of trees are brought in. Nine represents fruitfulness. There are nine fruits of the spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
23 Meekness,
temperance:
against such there is no law.
Is our Torah obedience real or imagined? Have we got the nine fruits of the spirit in increasing measure?
Nine days after Tu b’shvat, the 15th of Shevat is the 24th of Shevat when the earth is still and at peace, just before the red horse of war rides. Is that this year? I strongly suspect we are about to enter into world war 3 on this date which is the 15th of February 2023 if this is the year. And with the red horse are the other horsemen of the Apocalypse mentioned in Revelation 6. Later in Zechariah 6 we read that they have satisfied the Lord with much death. The Lord is angry with the heathen and with the rebels amongst his people Israel. His Spirit will now be satisfied when this generation of mockers and god haters is destroyed. But judgement begins in God’s house doesn’t it? So let us seek His face.
Nine days after Tu b’shvat, the 15th of Shevat is the 24th of Shevat when the earth is still and at peace, just before the red horse of war rides. Is that this year? I strongly suspect we are about to enter into world war 3 on this date which is the 15th of February 2023 if this is the year. And with the red horse are the other horsemen of the Apocalypse mentioned in Revelation 6. Later in Zechariah 6 we read that they have satisfied the Lord with much death. The Lord is angry with the heathen and with the rebels amongst his people Israel. His Spirit will now be satisfied when this generation of mockers and god haters is destroyed. But judgement begins in God’s house doesn’t it? So let us seek His face.
Zechariah 1:7-12
7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
Are you bearing good fruit? Are you truly of the Almond tree? Are you part of the Menorah, the 7 branched candlestick covered in 22 Almonds representing His Word and being diligent and watchful? Are you truly born again, are you truly circumcised of heart, are you truly diligently looking to the Lord and for His return and hastening His Coming? Will your anchor hold in the coming storm?
Blessings & Love
in Yeshua’s Name
Rory
Blessings & Love
in Yeshua’s Name
Rory
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