CHAPTER 13
THE SEED AND THE CROSS
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS, THOU ART CURSED ABOVE EVERY BEAST OF THE FIELD; UPON THY BELLY SHALT THOU GO, AND DUST SHALT THOU EAT ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE: AND I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN THY SEED AND HER SEED; IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL. Genesis, Chapter 3, Verses 14- 15.
The Seed of the Woman is Christ Jesus, the second Adam. The Second Adam, Christ, had the power to prevail over the Serpent’s temptation. The first Adam failed because he succumbed to the Serpent’s temptation and ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Christ was the Seed which was sown in the Earth in order to bruise the head of the Serpent. What the Serpent did to mankind in the Garden of Eden, Christ did to the Serpent at Calvary.
Bruising the head of the Serpent at Calvary turned the tables of confusion on the Kingdom of Darkness. Had the Princes of Darkness known what they were doing at Calvary, they would have never crucified Christ. No weapon that is formed against us can prosper because the Seed of Christ which dwells within us KEEPS and sustains us. The schemes of the enemy cannot prevail against us when we have made Christ Jesus our Fortress, Buckler and Shield.
One night the Lord spoke to me in a dream saying:
EXCEPT A GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DIES IT CANNOT BRING FORTH FRUIT. As I slept the words of this scripture was repeating over and over in my mind. When I woke up in the morning, these words continued resounding in my spirit.
THE HOUR IS COME, THAT THE SON OF MAN SHOULD BE GLORIFIED. John, Chapter 12, Verse 23. Jesus was speaking concerning His death, burial and resurrection. He likened His death and resurrection to being glorified. Continuing, He said: VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, EXCEPT A GRAIN (SEED) OF WHEAT FALL TO THE GROUND AND DIE, IT ABIDETH ALONE: BUT IF IT DIES, IT BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT. John, Chapter 12, Verse 24.
Christ, the Seed of Life, was put to death on the Cross, planted into the ground and was raised from the dead on the third day. Jesus was raised from the dead in order to produce a great HARVEST OF SOULS.
Seeds produce after their own kind. If I plant wheat seeds in the ground, I can expect a harvest of wheat. The same is true with corn or any other kind of seeds. WHATEVER WE SOW--WE WILL REAP.
The Miracle of the Seed is that it has to die first and then be planted into the ground, before it can produce a bountiful harvest. The Seed of Life, Christ, had to die before Life could be reproduced in mankind. The Seed of Life, Christ, was the Seed of Hope for all who would believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That Seed had to be nailed to the Cross to bear the sins of all mankind so that all who would believe in Him could find Eternal Life.
Each of our lives are like seeds which have been sown in earthly places. Before we can find Everlasting Life in Christ, we must die to this present World. We must pick up our Cross daily and follow in His footsteps. If we are to be fruitful in Christ, we must deny ourselves and put to death the Works of the Flesh.
NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE MANIFEST, WHICH ARE THESE; ADULTERY, FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, LACIVIOUSNESS, IDOLATRY, WITCHCRAFT, HATRED, VARIANCE, EMULATIONS, WRATH, STRIFE, SEDITIONS, HERISIES, ENVEYINGS, REVELINGS, AND SUCH LIKE: OF THE WHICH I TELL YOU BEFORE, AS I HAVE ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIMES PAST, THAT THEY WHICH DO THESE THINGS SHALL NOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Galatians, Chapter 5, Verses 19-21.
THE STORY OF THE CROSS
The last book I wrote was entitled “THE STORY OF THE CROSS.” It is a Story about an Olive Tree which grew up on the Mount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem. In the book this Olive Tree eventually became the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. It was written from the viewpoint of the Cross and what he would have seen, felt and experienced if he had been a person.
In reality, as Christians, we WERE that Cross on which Christ died. We (our sins) were the burden Jesus carried to the Cross on Mount Calvary. We were the reason He suffered, bled and died. The Apostle Paul said: “I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME.” Galatians, Chapter 2, Verse 20. On the Cross Christ became the “curse of sin” for the sins of ALL mankind.
In the Bible trees and wood, in general, are prophetic of mankind. For many years the Scriptures have been written on paper which is byproduct of wood. This also is symbolic of God’s Word being written on and established in our hearts when we become believers in Jesus Christ.
The ARK OF THE COVEANANT was made out of wood and overlaid with gold. Gold represents the DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST. The wooden Ark was a type and shadow of mankind’s heart which would one day be a vessel containing the Word of God. The Ten Commandments, the Showbread and Aaron’s Rod which budded were placed in the Ark. The presence of God dwelt in the Ark as a type and shadow of things to come.
In the Bible there are several references where the Cross is referred to as a “tree.” We cannot deny that it was man’s sins that nailed Christ to the Cross.
When we see the Revelation of Christ upon the Cross as our Redeemer, we know that we are the focus of His love. Our sins became the instrument of His death. He who knew no sin became sin so that we could be called the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM. HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITES.
When we experience the Revelation of the Cross and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, like Paul, we can also say “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST.” If we had no sin, there would have been no need for Christ to be crucified.
In the Garden of Eden Christ was represented as the Tree of Life. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represented Satan and the Law of Sin and Death. Unfortunately, we came under the judgment of the Forbidden Tree and what that tree represented because of sin.
The Cross was also a representation of the Law of Sin and Death. The consequence of sin is always Death. Someone had to pay the penalty for sin. Like Adam and Eve, the fig leaves I tried to hide my sin with did not hide or wash away my guilt and shame.
At Calvary we see the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil meeting together in conflict. It was the Law of Life verses the Law of Sin and Death. For a brief period of time it looked as though Life had lost and Death had won. However, behind the scenes the SEED OF LIFE was fulfilling its mandate to produce a Harvest of Life Everlasting.
The Tree of Life had to be nailed to the Tree which represented the Law of Sin and Death. FOR HE HAS MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US WHO KNEW NO SIN THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM. 2 Corinthinans, Chapter 5, Verse 21. This was the Plan of God from the beginning. When God told the Serpent the woman’s seed, Christ, would bruise his head, He was revealing His Plan of Redemption for mankind. (Gen. ch. 3, vs. 15) He who knew no sin became sin. Christ became the curse of sin in order that sin would no longer have dominion over us.
CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE LAW, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, CURSED IS EVERYONE THAT HANGETH ON A TREE. Galatians, Chapter 3, Verse 13. Christ was the promised Seed that hung upon the Tree (Cross) so the promise of justification by faith could be realized. NOW TO ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED WERE THE PROMISES MADE. HE SAID NOT, AND TO THE SEEDS, AS OF MANY; BUT AS ONE, AND TO THY SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST. Galatians, Chapter 3, Verse 16.
It was an imperfect man that sinned. It took a perfect man who knew no sin, Christ, to become sin and reverse the curse OF sin for all who would believe in Him. In His flesh He became the mediator between man and God. WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE, BEING DEAD TO SIN, SHOULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: BY WHOSE STRIPES YE WERE HEALED. 1 Peter, Chapter 2, Verse 24.
The conflagration between man and God is now a conflict between man with God (believers) against the Serpent and his seed. The seed of the Serpent is the Seed of Confusion and Beguilement which tempted Eve to EAT OF THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT in the beginning.
The seed of the Serpent is the Spirit of Anti-Christ. This seed will eventually find its ultimate residence in “THE SON OF PERDITION.” However, the SEED (Christ) AND THE CROSS will eventually prevail over the Kingdom of Darkness and the seed of the Serpent at the END OF DAYS. Our victory has already been confirmed at the Cross. “THERE IS NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST US THAT CAN PROSPER AND EVERY TONGUE THAT RISES UP TO JUDGE US WILL BE CONDEMNED BY US.”
Faith in the Power of the Cross and the Seed of Life, Christ, who dwells within us, is our assurance and hope of Glory. Jesus prayed: THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE: AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US: THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME. AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU HAST GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM; THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE. John, Chapter 17, Verses 21-22.
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES; TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GIVE TO EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD. Revelation, Chapter 2, Verse 7.
The TREE OF LIFE was found in the Garden of Eden.
Eden means “delight and pleasure.” Eden was Adam’s Garden of Delight and Pleasure. More than anything, we need to remember that Eden was a SPIRITUAL PLACE where the Presence of God dwelt and communed with Adam.
Jesus said in Revelation, Chapter 2, Verse 7, that the Tree of Life was in Paradise. According to Strong’s Concordance, another word for Paradise is Eden. In communing and fellowshipping with God, we are eating from the Tree of Life. There is no stronger link between man and God than worship and communion with Him.
The Blood of Jesus is that bond which empowers us to not only believe in God, but to also have fellowship with Him. We fellowship with Him because the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation has removed the veil which separated us from knowing Christ and the Power of His Resurrection.
The Apostle Paul prayed: THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF GLORY, MAY GIVE UNTO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. Ephesians, Chapter 1, Verse 17. All revelation of Christ, who He is and what He has done for us, comes by way of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. Revelation means “an unveiling.”
Revelation is something that cannot be taught. It is revealed to us by the Spirit of Truth. Christ, is our Wisdom. If we are lacking Wisdom, all we have to do is ask for it without wavering. We receive Wisdom as we eat the Fruit of the Tree of Life.
Worship is the highest form of Praise and Adoration. Praise and Adoration is something that cannot be taught. We respond to the move of God in our hearts as we acknowledge His Presence. We are eating of the Tree of Life when we worship and praise Him in Spirit and in Truth. Praise is not a formula designed to manipulate or please God. It is the heart felt FRUIT of our lips responding to Christ, the “Tree of Life,” as we commune with Him intimately.
Access to the Tree of Life has been restored to the descendants of Adam WHO CALL UPON GOD’S NAME. Communion with God is tantamount to eating of the Tree of Life. Through the Power of the Blood of Christ, all who desire may come and “EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE FREELY.”
God’s Word is like a beautiful painting. It is like a work of priceless art embellished with life-containing and life-sustaining principles that lead us to the Tree of Life. When eating from the Tree of Life, line upon line and precept upon precept, we are engaging ourselves with our Creator in the Splendor of the Paradise of God!