June 18: THE TRUE WAY
“These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, A tree in the midst of the earth, And its height was great. The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Its leaves were lovely, Its fruit abundant, And in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, And all flesh was fed from it.” Daniel 4:10-12
This is an opportune time to learn of the prophetic symbolism of trees. The LORD loves to teach us using “visuals”. And who of us—especially in the hot and humid southern USA—doesn’t appreciate a large, lush tree and the shade that it provides?
People are sometimes symbolized as trees. A man who delights in God’s law shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm 1:3).
Just before Jesus returns (John 14:3) to gather His elect (those who have fallen asleep in Jesus plus the righteous who are still living), a time of trouble like never before will come upon this world (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21). Until that time, the winds of strife will continue to be held in check until every living individual who is saved is sealed. …that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice . . . “Do not harm…the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:1-3)
We will soon see that the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is himself! This magnificent tree performs a broad array of “services” in the world, all temporary. Not one of them will last.
There is another tree, the tree of life, that existed in the Garden of Eden. The great news about this most amazing tree is that it still exists in the heavenly Jerusalem. It is a literal tree that symbolizes life and the Source of life. And the way (Genesis 3:24) to it has been guarded and protected for the benefit of all mankind. This tree is so important (see Revelation 22:2) that all of the redeemed will eat from it (a different fruit every month) throughout eternity for the ongoing preservation of life. In the New Testament, those who chose to follow Christ were called people of the Way (Acts 9:2). This simple phrase was invested with a depth of meaning: the way to the tree of life!
Jesus made a profound statement about Himself that alludes to the significance of the tree of life:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
More lessons in trees symbolizing people or nations: Psalm 92:12; Ezekiel 31:3-6; Luke 13:6-9; Romans 11:17-24