So, where are we now?

“Almonds” occurs 8 times in 6 verses in the KJV, including 6 exact phrases shown first.

[Gen 43:11 KJV] 11 And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

[Exo 25:33-34 KJV] 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, [with] a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, [with] a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick [shall be] four bowls made like unto almonds, [with] their knops and their flowers.

[Exo 37:19-20 KJV] 19 Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. 20 And in the candlestick [were] four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

[Num 17:8 KJV] 8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
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There is so much intricate detail in scripture surrounding the almond, one could write a book. The almond is the early riser…The first to bud through the scent of water. The resurrection. Job wrote of it, though darkly, until he saw Christ through the preaching of Elihu. Jesus yielded up the Spirit, and the Spirit of life from God came into Him again. And this He shed abroad, pouring out upon all flesh. Where these “waters” came there was life. And to everyone who received Him and believed on His name, He gave power to become sons of God, Children of the resurrection.

Jacob, fleeing from Esau, came to a place called Luz. “The Almond Tree”. There he had visions of Christ, as would Nathanael under the Fig, in the beginning of the gospel. Jacob saw the angels of God ascending and descending (in that order) upon the stones and place where Jacob laid his head ( the head is where thinking and reasoning; threshing occur). In the morning, Jacob declared the place to be the gate of heaven (the way) and the House of God ( I and my Father are one). Jacob poured oil on the stone and thereafter called the place, “Luz which is BethEl”…’The Almond tree which is the house of God”.

Later Jacob became a house. One of his sons would have dreams and visions of Christ also. But because they were not understood, and because they were superior to the family vision, Joseph was hated, thrown into a pit to die. Raised from the pit, sold into slavery. Thrown again into a prison for his righteousness. Delivered from prison for his abilities, and made lord of all Egypt and lord of the bread of the earth…a different vision of resurrection than Jacob’s, but concerning the same Christ.

Jacob, in a famine, sent to Egypt to Pharaoh, to buy grain from Egypt. He sent money, the fruit of the land, and some almonds. He did not know it, but the one who received this from him was his own son, who he thought dead, but lived, another life long teaching of the resurrection that Jacob experienced. And Joseph took no money from Jacob. Only the gifts.

Generations later two Levites would lead the children out of Egypt. Each with a staff, a rod. In settling a dispute about priesthood, the rod of Aaron would be raised. A dead walking stick, cut off from a tree that had it’s roots in a seed that came into Egypt by Jacob, all of which was fulfilled in the life of Joseph (David wrote that until the Lord’s Word came to Joseph, it tried him…until it was established in him, he was tested whether he believed it). The raised almond branch was brought expressly into the holiest place, into the ark of the testimonies which God gave. It completely bypassed the seven lamp-ed, four bowled candlestick that was a golden effigy of a fruiting Almond tree, fulfilling the meaning of the lamp, and forever excluding it from fulfilling what it symbolized. The highest purpose of the candlesticks/assemblies, is to witness to the resurrection.

Later David would build a house for the Lord. He was told it was impossible, but that in one who would be of David’s house, the Lord would build a house for David. (David, being a prophet, saw the resurrection, and called this One “Lord”, and so, how is he David’s son?) Solomon went on to build a temple under concession. It was never ordained, but was allowed. And the Lord said when (not if) you corrupt yourselves in it, I am finished with it. Before Solomon died, he had so corrupted the temple and surrounding environs with idolatrous imagery to the abominations of all his various wives, that the place it sat on was no more called the Mount of Olives, but the Mount of Corruption. It was doomed from the start, as when it (the temple) was dedicated, and they brought in the ark, there was nothing in it but the tables of the law. The risen almond (the resurrection) and hidden manna/ word (the life) were not in it. They were never in it.

Generations later again, A man who is the Son of God would be declared to be “The Resurrection and the Life”, two things that never crossed the threshold of the house built with hands, but revealed in the one God spoke of to David concerning the building of God’s house. This man stood in proximity to the dead house of Solomon, feet upon the Mount of Corruption, and said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days”. He dropped the plumb line in the earth. Choose which is the house of God, He or the heap of stick and stone. Choose wisely.

Him they wickedly slew, and He did rise, exactly as He told them. But what was the manner of His rising? Why is it written that I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live? Why does it admonish that if (not when) ye then be risen with Christ…? Why do the scriptures talk of “I and the children my Father has given me” (also called the children of the resurrection)? Why do the scriptures speak that “as seed shall serve Him and be accounted to the Lord for a generation? Who has counted the names in Matthew 1, the book of the generation of Jesus Christ?

When that rod of Aaron was raised, it was not raised alone. It was raised with a generation to come. For every almond on it’s branches, born to it in resurrection, entering with it into the holiest, had power to become everything the first seed was, that fell to the earth and died, and bore every almond, thus no longer dwelling alone, but raised a house.

Where are we now? Risen with Him, hidden with Him in God, not in the house made with hands, but in the heavens themselves, wherein He has entered. Salvation ready to be revealed, reserved for you (and with you) in heaven. And when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. Enoch the seventh knew this, and wrote of it:

[Jde 1:14-25 KJV] 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

He is indeed coming. But not alone. He will never dwell alone again.