Today is the New Year for Trees in Israel. It’s the day fruit-bearing trees are inspected, and those failing to produce are removed. Jesus noted this day when He spoke of all the signs of the last days prior to His return… “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when its branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near: so likewise, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:32,33).
The “putting forth” of leaves is Spring: the evidence that the cold of winter is over because buds and blossoms begin showing up everywhere. The sweet encouragement of new life and beauty with the coming warmth of summer, suddenly fills our hearts with hope again.
Jesus gave a list of all the heart-breaking, bitter-cold, things we’d be seeing in the world before his return… wars and rumors of wars, lawlessness, distress of nations with no way out, uprisings, fears, the ugly rise of antisemitism. But these things have an end. This global agitation is spiritual-winters last fight before Springtime and eternal Summer…
“Revere Him, all the earth! The world shall be made stable, that it shall not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let people say among the nations, ‘The Lord is reigning!’ Let the sea roar and everything in it: let the fields rejoice and all that is in them. Then shall the trees of the forest sing out at the presence of the Lord because He is coming to judge the earth. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:30-34).
If creation sings at the signs of Christ’s appearing, let's join the song. Summer is near.
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