|
|
|
Today we look at a parable that points to the LORD Jesus Christ. The breasts of the palm tree are a picture of the spiritual nourishment a true child of God derives from the LORD. When all true believers are caught up to be with the LORD, they will experience a glorified Zion. Christ is King of Kings and in Isaiah 60 we likewise read that in the glorified Zion believers will "suck the breast of kings"; this is a portrait of the spiritual nourishment flowing from Christ:
"Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time." - Isaiah 60:15-22.
The second half of the parable shows how the Words of Christ, the entire Bible (John 1:1), go down as smooth wine to those who fall asleep (pass away). Sleep is a spiritual picture of death and only a true believer can delight in the gentle flow of the promise of Christ's salvation in His Word at the time of death. To the servant of Christ, the moment of death is a precious thing. In Psalm 116 we read of thanksgiving from the deliverance of death:
" I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD." - Psalm 116:14-19.
|