The Lord’s Garden:
What Kind of Tree Are You ?
Sept. 20th, 2010
Priscilla Van Sutphin
I awakened this morning slowly with vision of trees with nuts. The nuts were being cracked open to reveal the fruit in them. I saw some really yummy pecans, and walnuts that looked healthy, but also some that looked black and moldy. [ mold often represents, like yeast, a fungus which symbolically means pride ]. I was reminded of Jeremiah being asked “ What do you see, Jeremiah?” by the Lord, and him responding “An almond tree” and the Lord saying and what is it’s season?, and him responding “spring, it’s about to bloom”. [paraphrasing]
Then I thought of Ezekiel 47 in which God compares people to trees, as in Isaiah where he calls us TREES of righteousness. Years ago the Lord had shown me something in Ezekiel that I want to take time again now to share as it’s important for this hour. Then will go on to what He said and is saying more. Also I thought of Rev. 22 where it says the leaves are for the healing of the nations.
Ezekial 47 - Our Victory is through PRAISE !
1) Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; (house) (Joel 3:18) and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, (symbol of sunrise, God's light and glory, the Sun-rising, Cherubim) for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.
2) He brought me out by way of the north gate,[symbolic of the place of God’s throne, and judgments of God ] and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east and there was water running out on the right side. (south side - south symbolic of the place of refreshment)
3) Then, when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4) Again he measured one thousand and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. [ 1000 symbolic of Divine completeness & the Glory of GOD ]
5) Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, a river that could not be crossed. (water in which one must swim)
Thought: We can't just walk and get our feet wet in the river of life, we must swim in it- get soaked! It doesn't work to be part pure/part-washed (like Peter when Jesus washed his feet, he said, then wash all of me Lord) we must be whole-hearted in our desire for God to be with Him, to obey Him, to be like Him; to be empty of self, and filled with the Holy Spirit. (like Gideon and his 300 men, the pitchers dropped to the ground representing our broken flesh, leaving only the torch; the fire of the Holy Spirit)
6) He said to me, Son of man, have you seen this? Then He brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. 7) When I returned there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees (symbol of nations, individuals, the church & Christ Jesus) on one side and the other.
(Rev. 22:2-4) "And he showed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 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 its fruit every month. (fruitfulness) And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (leaf-symbolic of life amidst prosperity or adversity)
And there shall be NO MORE CURSE, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (ref. Matt 5:8, Rev. 14:1, )
Matt. 5:8 NKJ Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Revelation 14:1 "Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on Mt. Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His father's name written on their foreheads." (12: number of Divine Government, Apostolic fullness)
Ezekiel 47
8) Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley and enters the sea. (symbolic of the restless masses of people, the wicked nations) When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. (purifies, heals; salvation and healing to souls and bodies)
9) "And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers (literally 2 rivers) go, will live. (Whosoever follows the Lord in this move of the Spirit-place of Lord's presence-shall live) There will be a very great multitude of fish (Ingathering spoken of by Joel "multitudes, multitudes in the Valley of Decision) because these waters go there; for they will be healed, (all who bathe in the river) and everything will live (prosperity of spirit, soul & body) wherever the river goes." { Thought: Life breathes more life, light overcomes darkness.}
10) "It shall be that fishermen (Evangelists, disciples) will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.
( A great variety of peoples all over the world will be saved from desert and wilderness places and there will be great victory over sin.)
I thought, why would the Lord use these places on the map ? Why wouldn't He say from here to all around the world or something like that instead of from En Gedi to En Eglaim? There were places known much broader than this at the time, so I looked up the words and here is what I found and what I felt the Lord was saying.
EN GEDI: En Gedi means "spring of the kid" goat being a symbol of sinners or sin. En Gedi is on the west side of the Dead Sea. It's the name of a spring and associate streams which issue from beneath limestone cliffs on the west side of the Dead Sea. (due east of Hebron)
I believe it represents healing waters for the people covered with death, (desert places are representative of the absence of God.)
Also, 2 Chron. 20:2 calls En Gedi, Hazazon-tamar which suggests the presence of palm trees which are symbolic of VICTORY. The wilderness of En Gedi is one of the bleakest parts of the wilderness of Judah. (Judah also means praise) We come to victory through death to self as well.
EN EGLAIM: En Eglaim means "spring of a calf or heifer" calf is symbolic of PRAISE, & THANKSGIVING. The exact site is not known, but probably several miles south of Khirbet Qumran (site where dead sea scrolls were found).
What the Lord showed me out of this was VICTORY comes through PRAISE and thanksgiving. And it says in Acts 15 that once again I will raise up the Tabernacle of David which was all about PRAISE…24 hours a day…praise and thanksgiving to God.
Ezekiel goes on to say…11) "But it's seas, swamps and marshes will not be healed; (where it is not allowed to flow - through stagnant water) they will be given over to salt. (place of death, spiritually - Reminds me of Lot's wife who was turned to salt-for whom this world's goods held too great a place in her heart)"
[ Note how much this is like Rev. 22 ]
12) “Along the banks of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees (symbolic of us- Is. 61-trees of righteousness), used for food; (Daniel 12:3, those used to teach, disciple, nurture) their leaves will not wither, (their source of life will not diminish) and their fruit will not fail. (symbolic of continual increase & multiplication) They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary.
(They’re fed and watered by God Himself – His sanctuary in Heaven). Their fruit (fruitfulness) will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.
This last verse shows symbolically where God is taking us to a place of death to self so we can be filled with His glory that will produce this kind of fruitfulness in us a continual flowing of the waters of life; His life flowing through us that we would be poured out like Paul to the lost. And He promises a continual flow from the throne of God , as Revelation shows two rivers coming from the throne [ double anointing ] of LIFE of GOD flowing through us to the people of the nations who have been covered with death and destruction of the enemy.
So then the Lord wants to ask, “ When they [people] eat in My garden, what are they eating ? What fruit have you ? What meat are you giving. [ nut trees]. Do they eat of ME, when they eat from you ? Remember I saw trees that were nut trees ? And I wondered. And I saw that some nuts were hard to crack, like Macadamia nuts, and some nuts are easy to crack comparatively speaking. But we all have to be broken to reveal the fruit within us.
Lets look at some different nuts and their value.
Almonds
“The almond that we think of as a nut is technically the seed of the fruit of the almond tree, a medium-size tree that bears fragrant pink and white flowers. the almond tree bears fruits with stone-like seeds (or pits) within. The seed of the almond fruit is what we refer to as the almond nut. “
Below extrapolated from:
"Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type that reduces risk of heart disease. Five large human epidemiological studies,…all found that nut consumption is linked to a lower risk for heart disease. Researchers who studied the data estimated that substituting nuts for an equivalent amount of carbohydrate in an average diet resulted in a 30% reduction in heart disease risk. Researchers calculated even more impressive risk reduction--45%--when fat from nuts was substituted for saturated fats (found primarily found in meat and dairy products).
Vitamin E found in the almonds, also may reduce heart problems, and have an LDL-lowering effect of almonds. (LDL is the form of cholesterol that has been linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease)….
Magnesium found in nuts helps arteries and veins to relax, which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Deficiency of magnesium is not only associated with heart attack but immediately following a heart attack, lack of sufficient magnesium promotes free radical injury to the heart.
Potassium, an important electrolyte involved in nerve transmission and the contraction of all muscles including the heart, is another mineral that is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Almonds promote your cardiovascular health by providing 257 mg of potassium and only 0.3 mg of sodium, making almonds an especially good choice to in protecting against high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
Almonds Provide Double-Barreled Protection against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
Lessening after-meal surges in blood sugar helps protect against diabetes and cardiovascular disease, most likely by lessening the increase in cholesterol-damaging free radicals that accompanies large elevations in blood sugar. This is one reason why low- glycemic index diets result in lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. Almonds appear to not only decrease after-meal rises in blood sugar, but also provide antioxidants to mop up the smaller amounts of free radicals that still result. (Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Journal of Nutrition)
….Other nuts also are heart protective.
Even more impressive were the results of a review study of the evidence linking nuts and lower risk of coronary heart disease, also published in the British Journal of Nutrition. (Kelly JH, Sabate J.) In this study, researchers looked at four large prospective epidemiological studies-the Adventist Health Study, Iowa Women's Study, Nurses' Health Study and the Physician's Health Study. When evidence from all four studies was combined, subjects consuming nuts at least 4 times a week showed a 37% reduced risk of coronary heart disease compared to those who never or seldom ate nuts. Each additional serving of nuts per week was associated with an average 8.3% reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
{ Practical Tip: To lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, enjoy a handful of nuts or tablespoon of nut butter at least 4 times a week. }
New research on almonds adds to the growing evidence that eating whole foods is the best way to promote optimal health. The flavonoids found in almond skins team up with the vitamin E found in their meat to more than double the antioxidant punch either delivers when administered separately, shows a study published in the Journal of Nutrition."
All this shows us how perfectly GOD made our foods, which now are being destroyed by Genetic alterations of man. Our foods do not need improvement, but less interference. Pesticides and chemicals have ruined many foods for consumption but there are many committed to organic farming to help keep foods nutritious for us to eat. I’m continuing because this will also show us the versatility of food as healing. Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food !” In this, he was in synche with the GOD plan. One of the problems is our soils get no rest, and have been spoiled also by pesticides.
Almond's Healthy Fats May Help You Lose Weight
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders that included 65 overweight and obese adults suggests that an almond-enriched low calorie diet (which is high in monounsaturated fats) can help overweight individuals shed pounds more effectively than a low calorie diet high in complex carbohydrates….
Study authors concluded, "Frequent nut consumption was associated with a reduced risk of weight gain (5 kg or more). These results support the recommendation of nut consumption as an important component of a cardioprotective diet and also allay fears of possible weight gain."
Almonds are a very good source of manganese and a good source of copper, two trace minerals that are essential cofactors of a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories within our cells), thus keeping our energy flowing. Fortunately, Mother Nature supplies both mineral cofactors in almonds. Just one-quarter cup of almonds supplies 45.0% of the daily value for manganese, and 20.0% of the daily value for copper. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) also plays at least two important roles in the body's energy production. When active in energy production pathways, riboflavin takes the form of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) or flavin mononucleotide (FMN). In these forms, riboflavin attaches to protein enzymes called flavoproteins that allow oxygen-based energy production to occur.
Almonds and Oxalates
[ Much of the problems with allergies are due to the processing of our foods, and molds, like with peanuts, there is a specific mold that is on many that causes reaction, but for example those grown in New Mexico that Trader Joes uses for their peanut butter do not have that mold so there is less likely reaction. Many people who react to milk do not react to RAW milk. The pasteurizing removes enzymes that help us digest milk. Lack of enzymes is what often causes allergy response, because the enzymes help us digest the food properly. ]
So in conclusion, ALMONDS benefit the heart, and the whole body by the life giving nutrients in them that help sustain energy, life, heart, blood vessels. I found an analogy in this in terms of our eating of the LORD’s presence just as we eat almonds, that it gives us all these wonderful benefits of life, health and longevity. And when we ignore what is good for us, how it robs us of that life we need in HIM. He is the “TREE OF LIFE” after all. And as we partake of His meat, His life, then we too have life to give to others.
The other thing besides God healing our hearts through eating of HIM, is that it says that eating nuts also helps us to lose WEIGHT. Weight in dreams has meant to me, the heavy burdens we often carry when we have been neglected or abused in life. Again HIS PRESENCE helps heal us and as we cast our burdens onto HIM in prayer and seek His face in worship, we get “lighter” so to speak as demonic bondages and lies fall off of us.
There is another benefit of almonds in the oil:
Benefits of Almond Oil for Aging Skin
Helps in healing and moisturizing dry chapped skin. Good For premature aging, dry or sensitive skin. Nutrient-rich with Vitamins A & E, Suitable for all skill types.
For best results in aromatherapy skin care, use quality skin softener. Also take up a lubricant of sweet almond oil. Do a good massage or just keep it applied on the skin.
It is capable of reducing friction by making your skin smooth.
Almond oil is good for skin as it contains vitamins B1, A, B6 and B2 with extra dose of vitamins.
Almond oil is one of the least greasy oils. It will soak into your skin quickly and leave only a slight residue.
Wash hands in warm, soapy water to remove oily residue from fingers.
Purchase oil in a dark colored, glass jar if possible. This ensures that the oil has had less chance of being damaged by light.
Keep the oil in a cool, dark place and use it quickly once opened to prevent loss of its quality.
Discard unused contents after one year.
Care tips for using Almond Oil for Aging Skin
Eliminates impurities and removes dead cells
Refines the structure of the skin and stimulates cell renewal
Purifies, soothes and decongests the skin
Leaves the skin soft, renewed and radiant
Gives a healthy boost to the complexion
Helps fight against the effects of aging
Increases the efficiency of treatments applied afterward
Help eliminate blackheads
Always test sensitivity to an oil before use. Test a small dab on your wrist, or lower arm and watch for any reactions over a 24 hour period.
Do not use nut oils if you have a nut allergy
APPLICATION OF SKIN HELP of the Almond Oil:
Our skin is our first defense against infection. So rubbing yourself with almond oil for example is symbolic of rubbing yourself with the OIL of the Spirit. It protects us from the invasion of the enemy, as HE is our SHIELD, and our Protector. It keeps the skin supple and intact so that nothing can get in. So does walking in the Spirit, in HIS OIL of ANOINTING keep us from the enemy getting in to our soul through his deceptions. We need flexibility to be able to OBEY God’s will in all situations.
Here are a few more interesting tidbits that help us to picture how perfectly God set up the universe, and the earth and all that is in it.
Hazelnuts are rich in oil. Indeed 60-70 % of hazelnut consists of oil. This structure provides not only energy to organisms, but also another beneficial acid in hazelnut oil is Linoleic Acid which can be found heavily in hazelnut oil. Hazelnut is a good source for B1, B2 and B6 vitamins. These vitamins are essential in blood formation and mental health, especially for those of children in development age. According to results of a research, people who consume hazelnuts or hazelnut oil, have 50% less risk of dying because of heart attack when compared to those who never consume nuts. Hazelnut is the most beneficial nutraceutical element for heart health.
Brazil nuts will prevent male prostate cancer. 1 a day keeps cancer away !
Brazil nut is a South American tree and like most other nuts, Brazil nuts have lots of health benefits. The tree is indigenous to Guiana, Brazil, Venezuela, Eastern Columbia, Eastern Peru and Eastern Bolivia. It contains heart healthy monounsaturated fats that can benefit cholesterol levels. Brazil nuts are high in selenium which makes them special. Selenium is an essential component of two important antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidise and glutathione. Brazil nuts help to protect against heart disease, cancer and thyroid problems.
Peanuts are not true nuts but a member of a family of legumes related to peas, lentils, chickpeas and other beans. Peanuts start growing as a ground flower that due to its heavy weight bends towards the ground and eventually burrows underground where the peanut actually matures.
In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, peanuts feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine that is thought to be responsible for the French paradox: the fact that in France, people consume a diet that is not low in fat, but have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the U.S. With all of the important nutrients provided by nuts like peanuts, it is no wonder that numerous research studies, including the Nurses' Health Study that involved over 86,000 women, have found that frequent nut consumption is related to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Peanuts Rival Fruit as a Source of Antioxidants
Not only do peanuts contain oleic acid, the healthful fat found in olive oil, but new research shows these tasty legumes are also as rich in antioxidants as many fruits. While unable to boast an antioxidant content that can compare with the fruits highest in antioxidants, such as pomegranate, roasted peanuts do rival the antioxidant content of blackberries and strawberries, and are far richer in antioxidants than apples, carrots or beets. Research conducted by a team of University of Florida scientists, published in the journal Food Chemistry, shows that peanuts contain high concentrations of antioxidant polyphenols, primarily a compound called p-coumaric acid, and that roasting can increase peanuts' p-coumaric acid levels, boosting their overall antioxidant content by as much as 22%.
WALNUTS
Walnuts, a rich source of the omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), improve artery function after a high fat meal
Walnuts have often been thought of as a "brain food," not only because of the wrinkled brain-like appearance of their shells, but because of their high concentration of omega-3 fats. Your brain is more than 60% structural fat.
Black walnut's botanical name is Juglans nigra, but it's better known as butternut, oilnut, or English walnut. Greeks and Romans called it the Imperial Nut, because they used it for so many different ailments. Russian hospitals have been utilizing black walnut since the early 17th century. Folk medicine often includes black walnut and, even today, Texan folk medicine considers it second only to tobacco juice for treating scorpion stings.
Black Walnut extract kills parasites effectively.
Black walnut is considered to be an antiseptic, a germicide, a parasitic, and a laxative. H. Winter Griffith, M.D., associate professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, writes that black walnut hull does indeed help with a variety of health conditions from ridding the body of intestinal parasites and tapeworms to reducing constipation and healing skin conditions like acne, canker sores, psoriasis, and other fungal infections. It is used with other herbs to fight cancer.
PECANS
Pecans like the other nuts also have omegas and help heart health.
The serving size for nuts is about one ounce, which equals about 15 pecan halves. Pecans are a great staple for vegetarians, because one serving of pecans can take the place of the protein found in an ounce of meat.
Pecans are also a rich source of oleic acid, the same type of fatty acid found in olive oil. Researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago recently found in laboratory tests that oleic acid has the ability to suppress the activity of a gene in cells thought to trigger breast cancer. While this area of study is still in its early stages, the researchers say it could eventually translate into a recommendation to eat more foods rich in oleic acid, like pecans and olive oil.
Researchers from Loma Linda University in California and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, have confirmed that when pecans are part of the daily diet, levels of bad cholesterol in the blood drop. Pecans get their cholesterol-lowering ability from both the type of fat they contain and the presence of beta-sitosterol, a natural cholesterol-lowering compound. Eating 1-2 ounces of pecans a day, when its part of a heart-healthy diet, can reduce the risk of heart disease. Moreover, a study published in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that pecans, hazelnuts, and walnuts contained the highest antioxidant levels of all nuts tested.
So there you have it ! A few nuts a day will keep the doctor away ! LOL !
And just as eating from the fruit of the nut trees helps our hearts, our immunity, and keeping out the pests, so does eating from our TREE OF LIFE, the LORD JESUS CHRIST ! Thus, that in the physical aligns with the spiritual. In this way, we too will be able to feed the nations with His goodness that we have eaten from. There is that earthly saying, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT ! Thus we are what we eat from, spiritually !
[ some times you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't ...LOL...sorry can't help it : ) ]
