Earlier, I talked about seeing a chestnut tree with much fruit in a dream. In the dream, the tree had the center taken out and the left branch cut just as my wounds shown in another dream. Now I wonder if the wounds signify the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ. If it is so, the tree may bear much fruit once they are properly and completely removed.

Recently, I came to realize that the chestnut tree symbolizes the Presbyterian denomination. And I think the reason Why God led me to know the error of the Covenant Theology is that the two men who will do the reform may come from the Presbyterian (or the “Reformed”) denomination. My mother told me that she met a lady at our first Presbyterian church (the one that I went when I was 5). The lady told her, “This is the church of Sardis. There are only two who are true.” When I first heard it, it did not mean much. A few days ago, I looked up online to know more about a chestnut tree. What I found is that there is a connection between Sardis and a chestnut tree. I do not yet fully know what this means. I think what the lady did not know was her dream was not about the Presbyterian church but the future church.

Fig tree

In the Bible, there are some important trees and fruit. Interestingly, fig is not actually a fruit but a flower.

And seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves alone; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. (Matt 21:19)

Fig symbolizes the conditional covenant that has failed because Adam and Eve rebelled against God and wrapped their bodies with the fig tree leaves. It also symbolizes righteousness based on works.

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” (John 1:48)

Christ said Nathanael was a true Israelite with no deceit. We do not know what Nathanael was thinking or saw under the fig tree. If Nathanael knew the fig tree could not bear fruit, he was waiting for the coming of the Messiah under the tree.

From the very beginning, God made that the conditional covenant could never bear fruit.

Almond tree

An almond tree symbolizes priesthood. Aaron’s staff was made of almond tree. Jeremiah sees an almond tree branch. Almond flowers have 5 petals. In my dreams, number five appeared a few times. God showed me that people got rid of room number 5 and some left feeling angry and sad. I woke up and went to a supermarket to pick up pre-ordered groceries. In my trolley, there were five loaves of bread that I did not order. I told the staff. “I did not order these. I do not need them.” And when I said it, I realized that that was the sin of the church. That evening, we learnt about David asking for five pieces of bread from the priest when he was running away from Saul. I looked up and found out number five symbolizes grace. The church says I do not need grace when God gave salvation for free. (That does not mean I was supposed to take the five loaves of bread for free. But God wanted me to say it to know the sin of the church in this generation.)

An almond fruit is in a shell. Unlike figs, almond fruit is protected because of a shell. The Kingdom is the kingdom of priests. All saints are priests. Almond tree means our priesthood is protected and we live by grace.

Pomegranate

There is some information available online regarding pomegranates mentioned in the Bible. It was used when making priestly garments (Exodus 28: 33-35). And it appears in the Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:20). I think it symbolises a church. One pomegranate has much fruit and seeds in one pouch. We are one but are many.

Grape

Grapes appear many times in the Bible. The fruit is clustered and seen as one bunch, symbolizing a church. It is true that a bad vine does not bear a good fruit. John 15 is a very important chapter to understand the nature of a church, her relationship with Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. A bad tree bears either no fruit or bad fruits. The adulterous Israel was described as a useless vine (Ezekiel 15:1-8). God trains His people as silver is refined by fire (Zech 13:9). But in the case of the stubborn Israel, He brought disasters on the rebellious nation because of their iniquities (Isaiah 48:10) and not for their training. Every human experience suffering. For saints, suffering strengthens faith and knowledge of God just as in the case of Job. There are a lot to talk about grapes regarding life (blood) and wrath of God. And there are still a lot to learn about this fruit.

Chestnut

Chestnut also has multiple fruit in one pouch. Unlike the pomegranate, the pouch has needles. They are good at self-defending. And the new church will have the same features. The size of each church may be small, but they can defend themselves as one. If the size of the church is much smaller than now, the church may not be able to give wages to their ministers. Ministers may need to get a different job for a living. This is already happening now. I saw a news that some ministers got tired of being unable to speak truths in the fear of losing the job and therefore, got a different job while still preaching on Sundays.

I’ve met, talked, and listened to many ministers and those who want to be a minister. I think a lot of them think they have the knowledge of God and wisdom. But I have not seen or met a single minister who are willing to be servants. I consider saints on the earth as cleaners and nurses (and nurses aids). They keep places and people clean. They are in the lowest position in the world, yet their works are very important. If ministers need to do such tasks, I am not sure if any of them would want to keep their job. They want to say clever things in the eyes of the world. They love philosophy, literature, and theology books. Knowing who said what and discussing different ideas are their knowledge and pride. Receiving hospitality from the members of their church is their right and privilege. And seminaries are producing more people like that.

Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. (Matt 23:3)