THE ILLUSTRATION OF THE OLIVE TREE

A well-known poem ends with these words,

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Yes, a tree is a magnificent thing, and is well-deserving to be used to illustrate other magnificent
things, even the kingdom of God. Tonight we will consider how the apostle Paul did this very thing.
We are familiar with Jesus illustration of the vine, where he was the grapevine, and his disciples
were branches that produced kingdom fruitage. It pictues the Christian congregation and his
anointed followers.
Paul pictured something similar with an olive tree. READ Rom 11:16b, 17
Describe how hardy trees with poor fruit were grafted with branches from weaker trees with good
fruit
The Abrahamic Covenant tree is also the Christian congregation of Christ and his anointed
followers:
Root = Jehovah; trunk = Messiah; branches = members of 144,000; olives = kingdom fruit of
fruitage of spirit and kingdom preaching
When Jesus came, all Jews were potential members of the 144,000 and were branches on the
tree.
But when Pentecost arrived, only 120 truly accepted Christ, and the rest of the branches lacking
faith were lopped off for having no fruit.
But that day, some Jews began showing faith and were grafted back into this tree, first 3,000, then
2,000 more than other 1,000’s
But by 36 CE, there were not the required 144,000 branches required for the tree to be truly fruitful;
like branches from a wild olive tree being grafted in, Gentiles became members of the 144,000
READ Rom 11: 17, 20, 21
One reason for this illustration was to help the Roman congregation have peace between Jews
and Gentiles. (If time describe how Jews left Rome in 49, returned after 54, Paul wrote in 56.)
Today also, Jehovah wants us to get along, and no one to feel superior became of nationality, race,
or material advantages.
Paul further shows reason for humility as he concludes his illustration
READ Rom 11:25, 26: no one was an anointed Christian because he was better than anyone
else; he was merely chosen to help bring about Jehovah’s purpose.
Yes, Jehovah’s purpose to have a complete organization of spiritual Israel consisting of Christ and
the 144,000 will be realized!
And this is and will be to the benefit of ourselves and all faithful humans in the future. Like a tree
that provides food and shelter to those living under it, so Christ and those ruling in heaven with him
will bring life-giving benefits to the human race.
Yes, only God can make a tree, and the tree we have just described will bring us the finest food
and shelter that can be imagined, as we enjoy life under it during the coming 1,000 years.