Nebuchadnezzar had more dreams that Daniel interpreted for him. We read about another of his dreams in Daniel 4, where the king disclosed what he saw: “a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great” (verse 10). The dream was initially meant for the king to let the king know that all power is bestowed on a person by God and can easily be taken away. However, this image of a great tree represents the upcoming church, after Jesus returned to the right hand side of His Father in Heaven. Jesus said unto His disciples, “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
And “the tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it” (verses 11-12). According to this verse the church grew magnificently and bore many good fruits (Prospered) and took care of others. They harbored strangers and fed them as good Christians were supposed to do, bringing others closer to God (‘reach unto heaven’).
In the wise words of king Solomon: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30, KJV).
In Revelation 2 we learn about different types of churches: The first church of Ephesus worked hard and had much patience for their fellow man, they had the spirit of discernment and detested evil and liars. But it seems like they lost their first love, their love for the Lord. Then there were the church of Smyrna who experienced hardship, persecution and poverty, although they were rich in Spirit. The third church was Pergamos who holds on to the Holy name of the Lord in an unwavering faith, and became martyrs for their faith. Although, these churches lead people astray with false doctrines. The church of Thyatira who have a presence of servitude, humility and do works of charity. Even though they accept the twisted words of false prophets and teachings.
John continued on about these churches in Revelations 3, stating that there is three more churches. The church of Sardis who Jesus describe as being dead, although they appear to be much alive. The church of Philadelphia who stood fast in the Word of God and who won’t deny Jesus Christ, although they grow weak. The final church John tells us, is the church of Laodiceans, who Jesus says is lukewarm in their worship. This church also boast of their earthly riches, but the Lord perceive them to be spiritually poor, blind and naked. So much so that He will reject them by spewing “thee out of my mouth” (Revelations 3:16, KJV).
Looking at all these churches we have some good ones, some not so good ones and then…well, those in between. Jesus tells us that, “either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33, KJV). We can’t have both good and corrupt fruit on the same tree. This will brings us to the next part of king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Then the vision changes for the king saw “a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven. He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches” (verses 13-14). In Matthew 7:19 (KJV) we learn what happen to trees that don’t bring forth good fruit, which will be brought down and thrown into the fire.
Jesus (in Revelations 2 and 3) reminds the churches what to do:
- Remember what He (Jesus) has done for us, repent, and continue to do the good works
- To fear not, not even death, for those who are faithful until death will receive a crown of life
- That the Lord will provide in all your needs (hidden manna) and will make those who believe into a new person (new name)
- We need to hold fast onto His word, overcome the troubles and continue in the works, for we will be given power over the nations
- To be watchful, and strengthen each other who remain in the Lord
- The Lord will keep us from temptation, “which shall come upon all the world” (Rev 3:10)
- The Lord promises to provide finances (gold tried in the fire), clothing (white/clean) to wear, and medicine ( spiritual, so that you could see Him in everything around you)
- And, finally, He promises to come quickly, for He is knocking on the door, but who will open the door for Him?
What will then remain here on earth? King Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel that the roots and stump was left in the earth, between the tender grass of the field, and between the wild beast, where dew of the heaven saturated it. But most curiously there was a band of iron and brass around the stump (verse 15). This will be the stump that will be left over from the church of Christ. Those who are left behind will live among people that will have behaviour of ‘wild beast’ and they will be affected through the use of force (iron) and acquisitiveness (brass). We already see these kind of wild behaviour with all the riots going on around the world. But this will be much worse.
This will change those, who were left behinds, hearts into “a beast’s heart” and this will go on for seven years (verse 16) – the start of the tribulation period that will last for seven years.
This prophesy will come to pass just like many others. For “this matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (verse 17). Please see my piece, ‘Trumpet Warning for South Africa,’ to see the purpose of watchmen… “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelations 3:22, KJV).
Will you open the door if Jesus comes knocking? Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that He rose again? And most of all, do you believe that He will return soon?
My prayer for you today, is that you will return to Jesus, and allow Him into your heart. We ask Him to forgive us ours sins and trespasses against Him and others, and His help so that we can forgive those who trespass against us. May He bring healing into your mind, body and spirit so that our tree can blossom and carry good fruits. #GodCanDoThis
Notes:
I was working through Daniel 4. Please read through the whole piece first:
Lightbearer's Quest 
I relate and empathize with your posts! I love the Church, the Body of Christ. But, the organizational (501)(c)(3) church is suffering what appears to the 5th Seal of the Tribulation, the great apostasy or falling away.
My name is Michael (Mike) Young. I pray daily for churches (501)(c)(3) to come back to The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I left the SBC because of their drift and got licensed with the Nazarene church. I left the Nazarene Church because of their serious apostasy and drift and went to an Assemblies of God and was allowed to be a Bible Teacher, but, now, alas, I have had to leave because of the drifting away.
I lament. I feel, at times, like one of the sheep on the side of a hill abandoned. My wife and I are ministering in our community and attending yet another organizational church on Sundays with no intention of getting deeply involved at this point.
Let’s pray for the Church, the Body of Christ!
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Thank you, Mike. I, too, feel deeply saddened by the state our churches are in. Years ago, my husband and I left a church, for we felt unwelcome with our young kids attending. Earlier this year we left another church, for they did away with communion, and their preaching was more to soothe than to guide. The next church we entered, were as the bible describe – dead. We decided not to become involved again, for we were passionately serving in our last church.
Praying is all we can do in these times. For the time of suffering is at hand as this world never has experienced before. This was a message that I received from the Holy Spirit while I was studying Jeremiah earlier this year. If you like, you can read my piece “The vision of Strange Images” in which I elaborate on the church suffering, in which Jesus is opening the seals. Yes, we are experiencing difficulty now, but the tribulation is yet to come.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my piece. I find it enjoyable when people respond to my writing.
God Bless you and your wife. Stay faithful in prayer.
Your sister in Christ
Juanita
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I did read “The vision of Strange Images”. Great! Oddly enough, before I read that article, I had written on named “Are we seeing Things?” in which I am trying to sound the Shofar. But it seems the church isn’t listening – their music must be too lound.
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I’ll have a read of it. I find, too, that churches aren’t listening. But God wants me to write it down nonetheless, so that is what I’m doing. Keep it up. I complained to God that people aren’t taking this onboard, and He told me that a time will come that people would want more of the message, but there will be none🤔. Stay faithful in your walk with God and keep praying.
God bless
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