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TREES IN THE GARDEN

It is apparent that things are changing in our world today. Change by its very nature can be exciting for some and foreboding for others. Change by its definition can mean a different position, course or direction, to shift, transition, transform, alter, switch, modify, exchange or substitute. It is not a profound statement to say that by outward appearances situations in the world are undergoing great changes. Since there is nothing new under the sun, this is just that, nothing new, at least to a God, who knows the end from the beginning. However, I believe prophetically we are standing in a season of GREAT CHANGE in the heavenlies once again. Just as Jesus Christ came to earth over 2000 years ago to catalyze the greatest change and life transforming act of love that any one human could offer the world, an appointed time has come for this to be displayed once again. However, this demonstration of God’s love will be seen in a way that it has not been seen in recent history or even history itself.

Change is caused by a variety of circumstances. Just recently, parts of the United States have been undergoing great trials and tribulations in the form of powerful hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Many also prophesy of a great earthquake to come. Some call this the wrath of God, while others see it as a catalyst for change. Whatever the case, it is apparent that man is finding it necessary to shift his way of thinking in order to be prepared should this type of wide scale situation occur again. When one’s perspective is altered, modified, or transitioned, a paradigm shift takes place. In this process of change a separation within inevitably occurs, whether or not it is reflected on the outside. There are those who willingly choose to go on with their lives as if nothing happened. In contrast, there are those who willingly choose to respond to the catalyst or outside force by literally changing the way they think, act, or behave. This change can be as simple as keeping a stock of basic necessities in preparation for future disasters, acquiring additional insurance, or even moving from one location to the next.

Is change a bad thing? All things considered, while change is many times very uncomfortable and even frightening, overall I don’t believe change is bad. Change is simply a response to an altered circumstance or situation. Throughout history, God continues to extend His hand of mercy to mankind and allows various trials and tribulations to awaken people, giving them an opportunity to make a change in their way of thinking, thus affecting they way they live. To say that God is angry and these recent occurrences or any trials or tribulations are the retribution of God for man’s sin is to say that He is casting judgment on sin all over again. Is God really mad at mankind and casting judgments upon him? If that were the case, would that not be saying that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, was not enough? Following this realm of misunderstanding would line up with a mindset that does not fully embrace God’s grace and has not been fully renewed. This would mean that Jesus did not completely fulfill His purpose when He came to earth over 2000 years ago in the form of sinful man, bore the full judgment of sin, died on the Cross and was resurrected from the dead on the third day.

What part of ‘It is Finished’ did God leave unfinished in His plan to redeem the world back to Himself through His own Son? According to the Word of God, the Almighty did not leave anything unfinished. Though the work is still being wrought out in mankind’s heart, God does not desire to crucify Christ all over again. Consider the words of the Hebrew writer:
Hebrews 10:29 - Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified an uncommon thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

It is clear in this Scripture that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s own blood was full and complete. Yet, there are those who, despite their knowledge of the Word, long prayers and charitable deeds, willfully cling to their man-made self-righteous garments, destined to continue walking in the realm of unbelief, which can be likened to hell or a realm of intense suffering and condemnation, unless they truly repent. They may speak words that sound like words of faith, but inside the veil of carnality remains upon their hearts and minds as their unbelief causes them to wrongly perceive His sacrifice as an impure, unholy or unclean thing as the Greek word for ‘uncommon’, koinos, is defined in the above verse. These are they who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.

So, what is this change that the earth is undergoing? If we can conclude by the Scriptures that God is not mad at the world and already poured out the full wrath of judgment for man’s sin upon His own Son, then what is all of this about? Surely the Lord must be saying something through the midst of it. As it was with Elijah, the Lord still speaks in a still small voice.

1 Kings 19:11-12
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

If we continue to look for the natural event itself to speak to us, we will completely miss what God is trying to say. It is awfully hard to hear someone talking to you in a still small voice, when you are listening through the disturbance of a wind, an earthquake or a fire or especially the combination of all three! As with any conversation, we must be wise and humble quieting our hearts so that we can correctly hear what the other Person, who just happens to be GOD, is saying to us! Contrary to how a chaotic world may behave and communicate, God still enjoys peaceful, quiet communion with His own in the cool of the day.

There is a great glory that is being revealed and unveiled in this hour across the earth. Hearts are pounding and minds are soaring in the heavenlies as all of creation continues to groan and labor with birth pangs together until now.

2 Corinthians 3:9-11
9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

Oh the glory of what is being unveiled in this hour! There is a remnant who have endured throughout the ages that have been building, precept upon precept, this living, temple of God. This new wineskin, who is Christ within us, is capable of fully containing all of the new wine God is pouring out in this hour. This remnant is not interested in using the pattern of the Temples of yesteryear, nor are they building according to an exact blue print of the Church of Acts. They have encountered the glory of God personally and know the best template is the Son Himself! What better plan is there to follow to build up the Body of Christ, than Jesus Christ, who is the Head of this Body?

Hebrews 10:9-10
9 Then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.

Even in this one example of Scripture, it is clear that Jesus came to take away the Old or First Covenant (law or letter which kills – Adamic mindset), to establish the Second or New Covenant, who is Christ in us the Living Word (through the Spirit Who gives life – Mind of Christ). We are then able to worship in Holy Communion or Holy Matrimony with God in both Spirit and Truth. It is high time to pass from the Old, which is passing away, into the New!

2 Corinthians 3:12-16
12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech - 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their MINDS WERE BLINDED. For UNTIL THIS DAY the SAME VEIL REMAINS UNLIFTED in the reading of the Old Testament, because THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY IN CHRIST. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when ONE TURNS TO THE LORD, the VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY.

The call for repentance is great upon the earth! Events are unfolding, giving way for those with a willing heart to REPENT or TURN TO THE LORD away from the self-life and unto a Spirit filled life in Christ! He who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved! Repent, repent, repent is the cry of the Prophets in this hour! Turn fully toward the Lord and your veil will be taken away so that you can see your Creator face to face! Just as the veil of the Temple was rent in two from top to bottom, through Jesus death on the Cross, the Lord continues to tear down and remove the veil of flesh which separates man from God within temples not made with human hands. There is a destiny to be fulfilled in Christ and the appointed time is now!

God is indeed calling for ‘judgment’ in this hour. However this is not anything like the judgment of man, in which one considers if something is inherently good or evil, resulting in condemnation. No, my friend, the judgment of God is much bigger than that. This call is the same as that of John the Baptist, “REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!” In other words, change your way of thinking. Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind! Instead of running away from your Creator, you can find salvation, healing, restoration and resurrection if you TURN TO HIM! TODAY IS THE DAY OF ACCOUNTABILITY! NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION! This ongoing call to repentance will continue to bring about an even greater divide or separation. It is a separating of that which is of God and that which is not. His judgment is rooted in faith and based upon that which produces life or that which produces death!

Though the Gospel has been preached for centuries, there are still those who have yet to fully cross over from the Old Covenant into the New Covenant. This can only occur through the inner work of the Holy Spirit, who leads those of faith through an inward crucifixion of the self-life or being crucified with Christ. This crucifixion involves sharing in the sufferings of Christ, which consists of a unique and mysterious process designed by God to conform a man or woman into His own image and likeness. Though the outer work has been completed by Jesus’ Finished work on the Cross, God will not stop until the inner work within those, who are called by His Name, is completed. The mind is renewed as the man of perdition or man of sin (Adamic nature) or carnal mindedness, which Paul says in Romans 8 IS DEATH, is separated from the spiritual man wedded to the Holy Spirit or spiritually minded (Christ within us), who is LIFE!

So, how will this greater dimension of God’s glory be demonstrated throughout the earth? Because there is nothing new under the sun, it is safe to say that God will again use the same way to display His glory through His Son. What does this entail? IT IS ALL ABOUT THE TREES!!!

What are you talking about, you may ask. What does great change and separation have to do with TREES? EVERYTHING! I have found that when you do not know where to start, the best place is to GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING! So, let’s take a few steps back and wander about in the Garden. In Genesis 2 we find the creation of the flesh man, Adam, who God formed from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life.

Genesis 2:8-9
8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward of Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every TREE TO GROW that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The TREE OF LIFE, was also in the midst of the garden, and the TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.

Genesis 2:15-17
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

We all know the rest of the story. God forms a woman from one of Adam’s ribs to be his helper. She turns out to ‘help’ in an unfavorable way and they both end up wearing fig leaves, instead of experiencing the free, unhindered communion with God that they had been created to enjoy. God reveals the consequences of their act of unbelief in Genesis 3.

Genesis 3:22-24
22 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” – 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a FLAMING SWORD which turned every way, to GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE.

I recently received a vision or spiritual picture from the Lord. In it the Lord depicted the earth as His garden. Contrary to what some profess, the Word still stands true that, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness there of; the world, and they that dwell therein” (see Psalm 24:1). The thing that struck me was the trees that populated God’s garden in this vision were literally people. It became abundantly clear that the basic truths of the Garden had not changed since the beginning of Creation. In a sense the Garden still exists and men and women continue to have the freedom to partake of one tree or the other. What I hadn’t realized was that the TREES mankind continued to feed off of were one another!

Just as the Lord desired to reveal His glory and power through the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden, He still desires to reveal Himself in this same way today. Because of man’s unbelief he ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This produced the fruit of sin in his life, which caused a paradigm shift or a major change in the Garden. Instead of being able to freely partake of the Tree of Life, the Lord God placed a flaming sword to guard the way to it. Here we see the use of TREES in God’s initial plan to prosper man and freely give him eternal life. Later we see this pattern repeated again, when a person, who was both God and man, by the name of Jesus Christ came to the earth and was crucified on a TREE, once again providing a way to partake of eternal life by means of a tree. This leads me to believe that things have not changed, but that God continues to desire to use TREES to fulfill His purposes on the earth!

Some questions then arise to each one of us regarding TREES. If I am a tree, what type of fruit am I producing? If others are trees, what type of fruit are they producing and what type of fruit am I partaking of from them? Well, the truth remains that there are still only two trees in the Garden to partake of. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. One tree is rooted deeply in good soil that has been cultivated by sharing in the sufferings of Christ. This tree has grown and matured into Oneness with Christ, producing the fruit of righteousness that leads to eternal life, which is intimate communion with the Father. The other tree is rooted in unbelief, with fruit full of the vain philosophies, wisdom and foolish ideas of man, ultimately leading to death.

How can we discern what type of tree we are encountering? Jesus makes this quite clear in Matthew 12.
Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT. 35 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak; they will give account of it on the day of judgment, 37 For BY YOUR WORDS YOU ARE JUSTIFIED, and BY YOUR WORDS YOU ARE CONDEMNED.”

If we are able to know a tree by its fruit, how will we determine what type of fruit we are being offered or offering others? This too is clearly outlined in the Word.

Hebrews 13:15
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the FRUIT OF OUR LIPS, giving thanks to His name.

Scripture is more than clear to explain that fruit is revealed through the words that come out of our mouths. Spiritual fruit is not measured or weighed by the outward appearance as the carnal man measures ‘value’ such as how big a ministry is, how accurate a prophetic word is, how much money someone has given away to the poor, how many demons one has cast out of another, or even how long someone claims to have been a Christian. The fruit of the Spirit can only be discerned through the eyes of the Spirit and according to Galatians 5:22-24 consists of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” The authentic fruit of the Spirit will always exhibit the character of Christ, which brings glory to God. These are not mere words that someone speaks to justify themselves in the sight of God and man as the religious Pharisees spoke. These are words that contain the glory or weightiness of God. They contain the same Holy Spirit power that God used to speak the world into existence.

Now let’s take a look at the device that releases the fruit, revealing the true identity of the tree.

James 3:5-12
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

It is evident that no man can tame the tongue. Therefore, it stands to reason that when a man or woman has become truly BORN AGAIN of God’s Spirit into His Kingdom, their lives are no longer their own and the Spirit will take full control of their life, including their tongues. The Spirit will do this by taking the seat of authority in their hearts which is the source from which the mouth speaks. Once the King has set up His Kingdom in their hearts, their tongue will not longer be set on fire by hell or the realm of unbelief that once ruled their carnal hearts and minds. They are given a new heart and a New King! The First Adam or their carnal nature is dethroned and cast out and the King of kings is given His rightful seat of authority in a man or woman’s life. These once ‘bad trees’ who have truly allowed the Seed, who is Christ, to be planted deeply in good soil, watered by the Holy Spirit, nurtured by the Father’s everlasting love, are transformed into ‘good trees’ or Trees of Life themselves.

Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a TREE OF LIFE, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

By faith, their words will gradually cease from speaking words of hatred and condemnation, which stem from fear and pride, both rooted in unbelief. Their words will instead be filled with life to bless men, rather than curse them. They will speak life, rather than death. It is these Trees of Life that creation has been groaning to be revealed once again! The Trees of Life continue to be guarded by the flaming sword in the garden as they have passed from death into eternal life through Jesus’ Completed work on the Cross! These Trees have become walking, talking messages of the Cross or the crucified life wherever they go. This is what it means to be a living epistle! Those who partake of their good fruit will be inspired to turn toward God in sincerity of heart. As He is lifted up in their lives, He will continue to draw all men to Himself.

As the birth pangs of the earth continue to gain momentum, growing in both frequency and size, I ask you to seriously consider the fruit you have been producing and partaking of. Again, the fruit is that of your lips, conveyed by your tongue. Is your tongue setting fires of destruction or fires of revival? Do you speak words of sincere faith or those of wavering unbelief? Do the words you receive from others and come into agreement with produce life or death? Do they inspire faith or stir up fear? In the days to come it will become abundantly clear to see those who have passed through the Door, who is Jesus, and those who have climbed up another way. We must be watchful and guard our hearts. We can no longer afford to remain yoked together with unbelievers. Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? What communion has light with darkness? Let us be wise and bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Just as the shofar was blown to commemorate the Feast of Trumpets, the same message is blowing loud and clear today! Repent! The day of accountability and separation is NOW! Just as God does not change, the consequences of unbelief, which is the root of all sin, have not changed. A great spiritual harvest is coming and swiftly.

Luke 3:9
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and throw into the fire.

Hebrews 6:7-8
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed whose end is to be burned.

Proverbs 13:2-3
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians also ring clear in this hour.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

We are entering into a season of separation like no other. Many have endured the fires of affliction as the Lord has sifted, refined and purified them. These seasons have been for the testing and working out of their faith as the Lord has prepared them for such a time as this. At last, those systems that seem to be thriving, which are actually rooted in unbelief, will be revealed for what they truly are. Those things hidden darkness will be uncovered. That which is dead and dry will be cut down and thrown into the fire to be burned, not to return again. A spiritual revolution is once again taking shape and form. It is he who endures to the end that shall enjoy God’s salvation to its full extent. This tried and true vessel shall enjoy the harvest promised to him in God’s Word.

Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in due season, whose leaf shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

Revelation 22:1-2
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 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 it fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:14
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.