"Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." (Prov.11:28)
"The leaves of the trees are for the curing of the nations" (Rev.22:2) Eze.47:7,12
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Why do symbolic green leaves, provide robust spiritual health?
Leaves that are green, are filled with chlorophyll. That green colored chemical, is specifically utilized, in the absorption of light from the sun... turning that light, into food.
When a leaf has turned brown and withers, or changes color in the autumn; it is not long before that leaf falls off and dies. It can no longer feed the plant or tree it belongs to, or provide food for other living animals.
The Bible tells us the meaning of the symbolic sun, which provides the light for leaves to absorb.
Rev.1: "16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."
Luke1: "78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven"
Hosea 6: "3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Malachi 4: "2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves."
2Pet.1: "19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
Rev.22: "16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
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Those who put forth leaves to absorb the sun, will thrive.
They will help others to thrive.
When we see that happening, we know that Summer, is near (Matt.24:32)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." (Prov.11:28)
"The leaves of the trees are for the curing of the nations" (Rev.22:2) Eze.47:7,12
-
Why do symbolic green leaves, provide robust spiritual health?
Leaves that are green, are filled with chlorophyll. That green colored chemical, is specifically utilized, in the absorption of light from the sun... turning that light, into food.
When a leaf has turned brown and withers, or changes color in the autumn; it is not long before that leaf falls off and dies. It can no longer feed the plant or tree it belongs to, or provide food for other living animals.
The Bible tells us the meaning of the symbolic sun, which provides the light for leaves to absorb.
Rev.1: "16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."
Luke1: "78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven"
Hosea 6: "3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Malachi 4: "2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves."
2Pet.1: "19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
Rev.22: "16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
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Those who put forth leaves to absorb the sun, will thrive.
They will help others to thrive.
When we see that happening, we know that Summer, is near (Matt.24:32)
(Rev.3:20; Zech.1:3; Jer.4:1; Neh.1:9; Jer.3:12; 31:33; Zech.13:9; Rom.11:26,27; Heb.10:16,17; Rom.9:27; Isa.65:8).
https://pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com
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https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/08/two-trees.html
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There is more we can learn from scripture, once we apply the interpretive symbolism of leaves.
The symbolism of turning to Christ the Sun for light (and turning to the Tree of Life for food/knowledge of God) and the healing such leaves provide (Rev.22:2 E), can be compared to all living things, eating green leaves (Gen.1:30; Ps.23:2; John 10:9; Joel 2:22).
This symbolism also helps us to understand when there is spiritual famine, caused by Satan's messengers (Ps.105:34,35; Joel 1:4,6-7; Rev.9:3,7,8; Joel 1:6-7; Dan.8:12; Luke 23:31; Rev.9:2; John 12:35; 9:4; Mark 2:19,20; Matt.24:29,15; Rev.8:7; Joel 1:4). God allows this, as discipline to His rebellious people (Isa.34:4; Jer.5:17; 8:13; Amos 4:9; Rev.6:13) which draws out the faithful (Hab.3:16,17,18; Rev.14:12,13).
It helps us to understand that spiritual bounty, is a gift from God (Luke 8:11; 15; Prov.11:28; Jer.17:8; Eze.17:24; Rev.22:2).
It helps us to understand the responsibility placed upon those who have been given spirit (Luke 12:48; Matt.7:19; Mark 11:12,13,20,21; 2Tim.4:2; Luke 8:18; 13:6,7,8; Isa.65:8; 1:7,8,9; Joel 2:32; Matt.24:32) (Prov.27:18; Matt.10:41).
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Second ADDITION:
The Bible does compare the righteous, to leaves. But the Bible also says that leaves are eaten and are used for medicine, so the meaning is more complex than simply being persons.
The trees are the teachers. The leaves are a part of the tree (a part of the teacher).
Leaves absorb light from the sun. What part of a teacher, absorbs the truths of Jesus?
It is the mind.
Just like a leaf turns light into food/sugar for the tree to be able to make fruit;
the MIND of a teacher (leaves) enables the teacher to convert the truths of Jesus (light), into teachings (fruit)... when the spirit from Christ in them (as chlorophyll) helps them (Luke 24:45; John 8:12).
https://pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com
-
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/08/two-trees.html
------- ADDITION -------
There is more we can learn from scripture, once we apply the interpretive symbolism of leaves.
The symbolism of turning to Christ the Sun for light (and turning to the Tree of Life for food/knowledge of God) and the healing such leaves provide (Rev.22:2 E), can be compared to all living things, eating green leaves (Gen.1:30; Ps.23:2; John 10:9; Joel 2:22).
This symbolism also helps us to understand when there is spiritual famine, caused by Satan's messengers (Ps.105:34,35; Joel 1:4,6-7; Rev.9:3,7,8; Joel 1:6-7; Dan.8:12; Luke 23:31; Rev.9:2; John 12:35; 9:4; Mark 2:19,20; Matt.24:29,15; Rev.8:7; Joel 1:4). God allows this, as discipline to His rebellious people (Isa.34:4; Jer.5:17; 8:13; Amos 4:9; Rev.6:13) which draws out the faithful (Hab.3:16,17,18; Rev.14:12,13).
It helps us to understand that spiritual bounty, is a gift from God (Luke 8:11; 15; Prov.11:28; Jer.17:8; Eze.17:24; Rev.22:2).
It helps us to understand the responsibility placed upon those who have been given spirit (Luke 12:48; Matt.7:19; Mark 11:12,13,20,21; 2Tim.4:2; Luke 8:18; 13:6,7,8; Isa.65:8; 1:7,8,9; Joel 2:32; Matt.24:32) (Prov.27:18; Matt.10:41).
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Second ADDITION:
The Bible does compare the righteous, to leaves. But the Bible also says that leaves are eaten and are used for medicine, so the meaning is more complex than simply being persons.
The trees are the teachers. The leaves are a part of the tree (a part of the teacher).
Leaves absorb light from the sun. What part of a teacher, absorbs the truths of Jesus?
It is the mind.
Just like a leaf turns light into food/sugar for the tree to be able to make fruit;
the MIND of a teacher (leaves) enables the teacher to convert the truths of Jesus (light), into teachings (fruit)... when the spirit from Christ in them (as chlorophyll) helps them (Luke 24:45; John 8:12).
Prov.11:28 says that "the righteous will flourish like a green leaf". This is not saying that the righteous are a green leaf. It is telling us that the MIND of the righteous, will flourish in their growth of understanding, which results in fine fruit
(Phil.1:9,10,11) (Ps.1:2,3; Isa.26:3; Eze.47:12; Prov.12:18).
Those who turn away from the sun, reap the opposite.
(John 15:6; 3:19,20; 2Cor.11:3,4; Luke 8:18).
Certainly, the mind of a person could be considered that person themselves (Prov.11:28). But just as leaves are not the whole tree... the mind is not the whole person. There is also their heart, their soul, and their strength (Matt.22:37; Deut.6:5).
The tree is the teacher.
That tree's leaves are the mind, which soaks up the knowledge and light of God.
That mind (leaves) convert that light (photosynthesis), into food for that tree to live. That food also enables the tree/teacher, to produce fruit for the eater (Matt.7:20; John 15:8,16).
The divine wisdom in the mind of a fine teacher, can bring spiritual healing to those who are spiritually sick (Rev.22:1-2; Mark 2:17).
I do hope that this explanation helps to make more clear, the symbolic meaning of leaves, and what that part of a teacher, is.
Those who turn away from the sun, reap the opposite.
(John 15:6; 3:19,20; 2Cor.11:3,4; Luke 8:18).
Certainly, the mind of a person could be considered that person themselves (Prov.11:28). But just as leaves are not the whole tree... the mind is not the whole person. There is also their heart, their soul, and their strength (Matt.22:37; Deut.6:5).
The tree is the teacher.
That tree's leaves are the mind, which soaks up the knowledge and light of God.
That mind (leaves) convert that light (photosynthesis), into food for that tree to live. That food also enables the tree/teacher, to produce fruit for the eater (Matt.7:20; John 15:8,16).
The divine wisdom in the mind of a fine teacher, can bring spiritual healing to those who are spiritually sick (Rev.22:1-2; Mark 2:17).
I do hope that this explanation helps to make more clear, the symbolic meaning of leaves, and what that part of a teacher, is.
Third Addition:
Leaves perform another vital function that has not yet been mentioned.
They constantly cleanse the air, and provide oxygen to breathe.
Here is a link about that:
Since we should expect that the analogies used by God and Jesus, aptly apply in a spiritual sense; How would the air improving capacity and function of leaves, apply spiritually?
We are told at Eph.2:1-2...
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience"
(Mark 4:4,14,15; Rev.9:2)
Literal air is what we breathe. It enters our body and the gasses are circulated throughout our body. In a spiritual sense, the spirit we breathe in, influences our whole being. It can either defile, pollute, and sicken us, or it can increase the health of every cell.
We saw above at Eph.2:2 that air is the symbol for spirit. Breathing the spirit of Satan moves our own spirit toward disobedience. Eph.2:2,3 explain.
We saw above at Eph.2:2 that air is the symbol for spirit. Breathing the spirit of Satan moves our own spirit toward disobedience. Eph.2:2,3 explain.
Those who breathe holy spirit into their bodies will be cleansed and enlivened spiritually
(John20:22; Gal.5:16,17,22,23; 6:8; John 6:63; Rom.8:2,6,10,11,13; 1Pet.4:6).
They will be enabled to maintain, God's breath of life.
If we accept holy spirit and live in harmony with it, we are healed of our sins. (Rev.22:2; 2Chron.7:14)