Tag Archives: Christian Message

The Olive Tree: A Symbol of Spiritual Strength and Resilience

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Introduction: The Historical Context of Opposition

After returning from captivity in Babylon, the remnant of God enthusiastically began rebuilding the Temple. They laid the foundation, and there was great joy over the restoration of true worship (Ezra 3). However, fierce opposition arose, halting the work entirely. For approximately 12 years, progress completely stopped, and human efforts yielded no results.

In the midst of this stagnation, God raised two prophets—Haggai and Zechariah—to deliver a word of powerful encouragement:

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6

God gave Zechariah a vision to show that the temple would not be completed by human strength, but by the anointed power of the Holy Spirit.

The Vision Defined (Zechariah 4:1–3, 11–14)

In the vision, Zechariah sees a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top. This bowl feeds seven lamps through seven pipes. Flanking the lampstand are two olive trees—one on the right and one on the left.

When Zechariah asks for the meaning of the olive branches that empty golden oil through the two gold pipes, the angel responds:

“These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” — Zechariah 4:14

The Symbol of the Green Olive Tree

Just as the temple could not be built by human might, we cannot build our spiritual lives on our own strength. We desperately need the continuous, anointing power of the Holy Spirit.

When God anointed David with oil (1 Samuel 16:13), the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon him. Because of this divine indwelling, David could confidently declare during his darkest trials:

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” — Psalm 52:8

What is the spiritual significance of the Olive Tree for believers today?

1. The Production of Fruit

The primary purpose of an olive tree is to bear fruit.

  • Identified as God’s Planting: Believers are described as trees planted directly by God to reflect His glory (Isaiah 60:21; 61:3; Numbers 24:6; Psalm 92:13).
  • A Spiritual Identity: God desires us to be vibrant and productive. “The LORD called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit” (Jeremiah 11:16).
  • The Call to Fruitfulness: True Christian living requires bearing spiritual fruit that reflects the character of Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches; apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:2, 8; Luke 13:18; Matthew 21:43).

2. A Constant Supply of Golden Oil

The secret to the olive tree remaining perpetually green is its connection to the source. The golden oil represents the anointing and work of the Holy Spirit.

  • The Role of Anointing: The olive tree symbolizes being set apart and consecrated for God’s divine purposes, just as King David was (1 Samuel 16:13).
  • Continuous Supply of Grace: To burn continuously without burning out, a lamp needs a constant supply of oil. Likewise, the continuous supply of God’s grace through the Holy Spirit keeps our spiritual lives alive and vibrant (James 4:5–6).
  • Dedication and Consecration: Jacob anointing the stone at Bethel (Genesis 28:18) reflects a life of complete dedication, submission, sanctification, and obedience to God (Leviticus 10:7; 21:12; Psalm 92:10; 132:17).
  • The Anointing Power in Suffering: Through intense suffering, David grew stronger and stronger (2 Samuel 3:1). The Apostle Paul similarly noted that we may be “persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8–10).
  • Illustration: Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who spent 14 years in a communist Romanian prison, testified that it was solely the sustained anointing of God that enabled him to endure constant torture and severe persecution.

3. Supernatural Endurance and Resilience

The olive tree is remarkably durable. It can survive harsh climates, and even if it is cut down or burned, new shoots can sprout from its roots.

  • Sustained Life Amid Decay: When Noah sent out a dove after 190 days on the ark, it returned carrying a freshly plucked olive leaf (Genesis 8:11). While other vegetation had decayed under the floodwaters, the olive tree withstood the judgment and remained alive.
  • Unwavering Faith: No matter how drastically our external situations change, the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to remain steadfast, peaceful, and resilient.

4. A Universal Symbol of Peace and Victory

The olive branch brought back to Noah was the ultimate sign that the judgment had ended, bringing peace and a final victory over the storm. For the believer, staying rooted in the Spirit ensures that we can face the end of our lives with the same victorious confidence as Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–7).

5. A Prophetic Reminder of Jesus’ Second Coming

The Olive Tree also points directly to the end of the age and the triumphant return of Jesus Christ.

“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west…” — Zechariah 14:4

Conclusion: God’s Faithful Promise

The vision of the lampstand and the olive trees stands as a permanent reminder of God’s absolute faithfulness. He never forsakes His own. A life deeply rooted in God ensures spiritual vitality, unwavering peace, and supernatural endurance.

As believers, we are called to stay intimately connected to the Vine (Christ Jesus) and to intentionally seek the daily, fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Only through His golden oil can we live a fruitful, victorious life that brings ultimate glory to God.

The Mercy Seat

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Exo 25:17-22

After 430 years as predestined by God the same day the Israelites were brought out of the bondage of Egypt. They were made to camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and God asked them to prepare themselves by fasting for 3 days and purify them, so that God can speak to them. As told God came down upon the mount and spoke to them, which was terrible fearful sight and Israelites decided not to hear God directly, instead wanted Moses to talk to God.

But God wants to dwell among us and talk to us. God showed the model of tabernacle on the mount and told Moses to build similar tabernacle in the middle of the dwellings of the 12 tribes. Now to build the tabernacle and all things in it. God asks His people to give offering willingly out of wholeheartedness. (Exo 25:1-2) God had made Egyptians give their silver and gold to Israelites when they came out of Egypt, they had things to offer.

The Mercy Seat

God gives specifications to make ark of covenant covered by the mercy seat. Mercy seat means covering. This ark of covenant is foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus. It is made up of shittim wood which symbolize humanity and the gold covering symbolizes divinity. As our Lord Jesus walked upon earth as 100% man and 100% God.

This ark of covenant has 3 things in it. (Heb 10: 4,5)

i) Golden pot with manna

ii) Aaron ‘s Rod

iii) Two tablets of commandments

All these represent our Lord Jesus, Aaron’s Rod represents testimony of the chosen the high priest role of Lord Jesus. The Golden pot with manna refers to our heart filled with  the word of God ( Mathew 4:4) man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth, in the Gospel of John 6:35, Jesus says HE is the bread of life. The 2 tablets refers to the Law of Moses.

Why this mercy seat should cover the ark of covenant?

NKJV Bible. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of the God. Roman 6:23 wages of sin is death. Law kills and can’t make anyone righteous because even if one Law is violated one is guilty of not following the entire Law and should be killed for violating the law. God covered this Law with mercy.  This mercy seat covering the law covers all the sins. So, we can go near God. Cherubim is model of God’s throne of grace.

1. Mercy seat is a place of receiving grace, forgiveness, place of redemption.

When a sinner cries to God accepting his sin and repents, God forgives through HIS mercy. 1 John1 :7.

Because Jesus paid the penalty on the cross once for all and sat at the right hand of the Father God (Heb 10:11,12)

Blood of Jesus Christ covering our sin and we have boldness to come near mercy seat. (Heb 10:19)

John 1:16 “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Col 2:14 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it”

Roman 3:26;25 1 Thes 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God removes the judgment from us by breaking the law and the mercy seat prevails over law.

2. Mercy seat teaches us the Pattern of Worship and Offer sacrifice to God.

Lev 16:14,15.”He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

[15]“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.

Lord Jesus became the lamb.”

The mercy seat needed to be sprinkled with blood.  Jesus shed the blood on the cross for you and me.

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. … [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Roman 12: 1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

3. Mercy seat teaches us the Pattern of Interceding Prayer.

Exodus 25:22 “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.”

This is the secret place of prayer. Heb 4:14; Lev 7:89–place where we meet and talk to God.

Our prayer, intercessor being answer through Jesus.

Lev 7:89 “Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.”

Today our body is the temple of God. Holy Spirit resides in us, He fills our heart with living Word of God (Golden pot of manna) and He pour out love of God (Romans 5:5). Glory of God shining in us (2 Cor 3:18) The Shekinah the visible presence of God overshadows us. Whenever we approach God in prayer, we shed tears of joy, our heart fill with praises. While we praise our God, God is descending in clouds of praises, there we hear and speak with God.

Disciplined prayer life keeps our body in God’s presence as temple and this way that we built the Ark of covenant within us.

If you do not have real communion with God then you do have reason that Christ is not in your first place, not honoring God, you are seeking worldly things, and you are far away from God.

Salvation is the hidden treasure [Mathew 13:14]. Receive this salvation and workout our salvation fearfully Considering all other profitable things a loss. [Phil 3:8, Isaiah 55:1; Rev 3:18]

Due to this mercy seat we come near God.

Mercy prevails over LAW. If we submit ourselves to God as pleasing sacrifice, we can be in communion with God all the time, as Immanuel “God is with us” now in our Spirit making us HIS temple.

We really need to Thank God for HIS abundant unchanging mercies.

Halleluiah. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.

God who heals you.

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2 Kings 20:1-2,5

[1] In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’

[2] Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,

[5]“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

As this word comes to king Hezekiah to set right his household matters as he may not live long, today God is telling us too.

We need to be prepared to leave this life and enter into His glory anytime. So, we need to settle allotments for our family members before our death. People write legal document for their children regarding their land and properties. Thus, preparing for their death.

Similarly, we as believers need to be ready spiritually to leave this earthly life anytime. Jesus can come anytime to take HIS church. So, we need to be ready anytime. This preparation requires us to be in constant connection with God transforming in HIS likeness.

Luke 12:19 we see a foolish man who is joyfully talking to his own soul rejoicing in his prosperity without knowing that his money and overfilling barn is not going to help his soul. But the soul or our inner real man needs to be with God always to be healthy.

Here we see about king Hezekiah who was a very good king. God had done many wonderful deeds in the life of king Hezekiah. 2king 18:2;4 Reveals us that from the time Hezekiah became the king of Judah at the age of 25 years  , he was very careful in following  all the instructions that God had given through Moses and brought great revival and reformation among the people of Judah. He delivered the people from idolatry and turned them towards the true worship of God.

First, 2 Kings 18:5,6 King Hezekiah did not turn away from God, but was always depending on God trusting HIM alone.

It means our soul is always clinging unto God in all situations. None of this world’s troubles or desires should be able to separate him from God. We should have very close relation with God. GOD should be happy with our life.

Secondly, he walked according to all that God taught to Moses.

If a man is very religious, but doesn’t walk according to the statutes of God, his devotion is in vain.

Thirdly, he did not turn back from God and was consistent in following God.   2kings 18: 7 says so God was with him.  Because he was always in God’s presence.

David to Solomon

(1 Chronicles 28:9-10)

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

David tasted God’s goodness and so instructed his son Solomon to be very careful in following God’s commands.

He taught his son that God has a greater purpose in his life and so advised him to be very careful in obeying God.

In bible, we see so many examples like Moses, Joseph, Jacob, David who always hold on to God and rejoiced to be in God’s presence. Moses did not want to go anywhere without God. Joseph even in prison was with God. God promised Jacob that wherever he goes God will be with him and fulfill HIS promise to him. (Genesis 28:15)

Is it possible to be with God always?

Yes, that’s why God had given us Holy Spirit to always be with us and guide us. Immanuel means God with us.

God wants to be with us. So, we should be careful enough to not grieve the Holy Spirit in us (Eph 4:30). When we seek to please God in meditating bible, prayer and fasting God does wonderful deeds (2 Chro 26:5)

2 kings 20:2. We see king Hezekiah turned towards wall and cried.

We might think why God would take away such a good person so early in his young age of 30’s, but the death of saints is pleasing to God. He wasn’t afraid of death but was worried of leaving behind his people who are just learning to turn towards God. He was worried thinking there will be none to lead them after his death. All saints of God including apostle Paul and David were eagerly waiting to die and meet their Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

 Hezekiah upon knowing his dreadful disease, wholeheartedly cried unto God, totally cutting off from the world and prayed earnestly. Immediately God answered his prayer and send word of adding 15 yrs to his life. ( V 5)

Acts 12 we see how the church prayed earnestly for Peter and God miraculously brought Peter out of prison.

Diseases occur due to many reasons. God did not say we won’t get any disease.   We might get disease due to many reasons

1) because of sin in the past life

2) can be an allowed from God to test our love for God, like in the life of Job to find out whom we rely upon primarily God or man?

James 5:13,15 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Yes, even today God watches our tears and listens to our prayers of faith.  God extended the life of Hezekiah by 15 more years seeing his tears.

HE is the same God today.

If we are with HIM, GOD is with us and hears our prayers and answers and delivers us from any grave situation.

Let’s not accept sickness in our body but pray in faith for healing from our Father God in JESUS mighty name.

HE will heal us, and we will glorify HIM.

Halleluiah. May God bless.