10.21.24

 Good morning!

Our Sukkot celebration, here in Ft. Walton, Florida has 3 days left. The worship, the interaction, the learning, the Q&A, the fellowship has been genuinely sweet! By God's design, it’s a feast for the nations! Prophetically speaking, it will be the major determining event, after the Tribulation, to find out where the hearts of men are stationed. Zechariah tells us that everyone who makes the trek to Jerusalem to worship Messiah Yeshua will be blessed with rain. Those who don’t will experience a difficult year of drought (Zech. 14:16-19). Every time we celebrate this event it is known as a holy convocation, a set apart dress rehearsal (Lev. 23:35).

One of the most unfortunate realities to living in the 21st century is that most people have forgotten that we’re supposed to be celebrating these appointed times/moedim of the Lord in anticipation to the full revelation that is to come; erroneously thinking they are Jewish Feasts or only for the Jews. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

By participating in these now, we are carrying out our role as salt and light to the world (Matt. 5:13-16). We are like a city on a hill, seen by everyone. We are letting our light shine so everyone can see our God centered deeds and light the path to where mankind is to go (Matt. 5:13-16).

Commercial: Last night's celebration: Day 5, Who do you say that I am? The greatest love story never told

Part of the rehearsal at Sukkot is to shake a bundle of tree limbs called a lulav. What is that you may ask? The lulav is made up of the branch of a Palm Tree, Myrtle Tree, a Willow tree and a citron (kind of like a lemon). The branches and citron are raised in celebration and recognition for the One Who is being celebrated (Lev. 23:40).

The Scripture figuratively represents people and nations as trees. When Yeshua began healing a blind man, in the first stage, he saw men, as scripture identifies them, walking around like trees (Mark 8:24). Judges 9:8 tells us that people are like trees. Yeshua emphasized the same when He spoke of His return, that the trees would send for their leaves; a prophetic time table pointing us to the return of Messiah Yeshua (Lk. 21:29).

As followers of Yeshua, Abraham's seed, we’ve been grafted into Israel the Olive Tree (Jer. 11:16; Rom. 11:16-26). One Day Yahweh will exalt the lowly tree and bring down the high tree (Eze. 17:24). We could go on and on with symbolism of trees in Scripture. There’s the Fig Tree, the Oak Tree, the Vine, the Cedars, the Palm Tree, etc. Some who meditate upon the Torah day and night are like trees planted by the water who bring forth fruit in their season (Psa. 1:3)...I want this to be said of me! We will all be recognized as a tree, one day; and they will know what type of tree we are by our fruit (Lk. 6:44). I don't want to be the tree that is cut down (Lk 3:9; Deut. 20:19,20) or burned (1 Cor. 3:12-15). NO, NO, NO!

The lulav has three tree branches within its structure. Each has a significant meaning to those who come to Sukkot. The Palm bears fruit (good works), but is not fragrant (spiritual blessing to others). This could represent a person who lives by the Torah/God's instructions, but doesn’t share it in a way that benefits others through love and compassion.  These individuals will be at Sukkot.

The myrtle only has fragrance, but can’t bear fruit. This is the person who is ‘so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. They may be able to recite Scripture, but there is no fruit attached to their lives. They’ll be at Sukkot.

The willow can neither produce fruit nor fragrance. This is like a person who is intrigued by doctrines, but never impacts the lives of others (2 Tim. 3:7).

Finally, we come to the citron, which has both fruit and fragrance. This is like the faithful believer who lives a balanced life in wisdom before Yahweh and man. They live the Torah based lifestyle that produces fruit and its fragrance and taste is pleasant for all to enjoy.

By the time this Sukkot celebration is over, I'd like to be known as the final part of the Lulav, the citron. All ‘trees’ are welcome! It’s a feast for the nations! It’s a prophetic time to rehearse celebrating the coming King! Messiah Yeshua! Prior to this time, as you've experienced, there are two other holy convocations (Lev. 23:24,27), Yom Teruah (Day of Judgment) and Yom HaKippurim (Day of coverings). The month of Elul, where we currently find ourselves, prior to these set apart rehearsals is all about teshuvah/repentance in preparation for the coming King!

How’s your lifetime preparation coming? What type of Tree will you be? Leaf it to Him! He'll get you prepared for that Great Day!

Chag Sameach/happy feast season!

Shalom, shalom!

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