On Thursday 14 March 2013 I saw a vision which I am sharing with you today in this the 13th month of the biblical year.

I saw a majestic, perfectly symmetrical, pure green columnar cypress tree (Tirza) standing in a square patch of lushious green grass and surrounded on all four sides by a shining metal fence. Though not a sapling, it was a young seven year-old, complete and mature.

I had never seen a cypress tree in vision before though I knew it was mentioned in the Bible and Apocrypha. The following describes Hochma, the personification of Wisdom, and a title of the Ruach haQodesh or Holy Spirit:

"Hear the praise of Hochmah (Wisdom) from her own mouth as she speaks with pride among her people, before the assembly of El Elyon (the Most High) and in the presence of the Heavenly host: 'I am the Davar (Word) that was spoken by El Elyon (the Most High); it was I who covered the earth like a mist. My dwelling place was in High Heaven; my throne was in a pillar of cloud. Alone I made a circuit of the sky and traversed the depth of the abyss. The waves of the sea, the whole earth, every people and nation were under my sway. Among them I looked for a home: in whose territory was I to settle? Then the Creator of the universe (Yahweh) laid a mitzvah (command) upon me; my Creator decreed where I should dwell. He said, 'Make your home in Jacob; find your heritage in Israel.' Before time began He created me, and I shall remain for ever. In the sacred mishkan (tent) I ministered in His presence, and so I came to be established in Zion. Thus He settled me in the city He loved and gave me toqef (authority) in Jerusalem. I took root among the people whom Yahweh had honoured by choosing them to be His special possession. There I grew like a cedar in Lebanon, like a cypress on the slopes of Hermon (prominent, ruggèd), like a date-palm at Engedi, like roses at Jericho. I grew like a fair olive tree in the vale, or like a plane-tree planted beside the mayyim (water). Like cassia or camel-thorn I was redolent of spices; I spread my fragrance like choice myrrh, like galban, aromatic shell, and gum resin; I was like smoke of incense in the sacred mishkan (tent). Like a terebinth I spread out my brances, laden with honour and grace. I put forth lovely shoots like the vine, and my blossoms were a harvest of weath and honour" (Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Yah'shua Son of Sirach 24:1-17, NEB).

This is a picture of the obedient and faithful Sukkot Bride arrayed in all her glory. She is surrounded by a metalic fence that represents the durability of the mitzvot (commandments) of Yahweh's Torah. And because she is submitted to the Rule of her Master she is both protected by the fence as well as dwells in lushiousness of His supply. Thus nourished, she reaches tall into the sky, symbolising Heaven, the abode of Yahweh, possessing the toqef (authority) of her Heavenly Husband. Being seven years old, she is complete, abiding in spiritual perfection, and is therefore at rest in the perfect shalom (peace) of the inner Sabbath. She is settled in Israel, the Redeemed, the Overcomers, being established securely in the land of her children's inheritance.

The cypress tree is a evergreen conifer symbolising vigilent wakefulness throughout the yearly cycles. Because she dwells on Mount Hermon, close to where Peter made His historical declaration, through revelation, that Yah'shua (Jesus) was the Messiah, the Son of the Living Elohim (God) (Mt.16:13-20), she is prominent and ruggèd.

Amongst the Persians the cypress is a symbol of truthfulness, youth, freedom and integrity. Those who breathe in the emet (truth) scent of this tree cannot be deceitful in her presence, just as one cannot deceive the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit).

In Turkey the cypress symbolises the universe on account of its roots being underground, its trunk above ground and its leaves reaching for the sky. Thus it represents the three stages of life - birth, middle life and heaven, and because it is evergreen, it also represents immortality. In the Ottomon Empire it was called the Tree of Life.

Cypress wood is known for is durability and logevity. There is a cypress tree near the Iranian village of Shiraz believed to be about 5,000 years old which has led some to speculate that this is where the Garden of Eden was located. At the very least they can live for centuries, being relatives of the famous redwood trees. They typically reach heights of about 50 feet, the oldest being more than 100 feet tall! Because of its durability, it is associated with the resurrection and of heaven's calling. The wood of the cypress is resistant to water decay and is tannic in nature.

Often found in wetlands and swamps, passing through these to reach the cypress tree was anciently viewed a symbolically facing ones fears and sacrificing for a greater cause. Thus the symbolism of the cypress is one of sacrifice for the one we love, guiding us until we have overcome and reached our destination.

Some believe that the presence of the cypress stirs up the primal feminine energies, the creative forces within us that are static in our life (represented by the wetland or swamp), which accords well with the cypress' association with the female Ruach (Spirit). Thus aroused we are enabled to understand our crises, awakening the comfort of home and mother.

In Chinese tradition the cypress represents constancy in adversity, the cypress representing the servant and the pine the master or the Eternal.

Thus we see a common thread running through various of the traditions of the nations that attributes to the cypress symbolic qualities belonging to the submitted and obedient sons and daughters of Elohim (God).

Why has Yahweh shown this vision now? Because it is time - a time of gathering, a time reckoning and of justice. For of the remnant of Messianic Israel Yahweh says today:

"'All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am Yahweh, your Elohim (God), who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,' declares Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 'See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in Yahweh and glory in the Holy One of Israel'" (Isa.41:11-16, NIV).

The waiting is at an end and the sons of Elohim (God) are now to be revealed as we prepare for the unfolding and spiritual movement of the new year next month. Make teshuvah - repent - those who have sought to tear down and destroy else what you designed on Yahweh's people will happen to you. Amen.