Here in the Northeast, it seems appropriate that we celebrate the birthday of the New Church as the summer begins, and the leaves of the trees are out in abundance: “And they will see the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So, you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:30-35) “That the beginning of a new church is meant by ‘a fig-tree,’ is clear from the Lord's words (Matthew 24:32, 33; Mark 13:28, 29, and in Luke 21:28-31).” (Apocalypse Explained 386:29). At the center of the New Church—as seen by John in the book of Revelation—is the Tree of Life (see Revelation 22:2). “The tree of life symbolizes the Lord in respect to His Divine love.” (Apocalypse Revealed 933)
The summertime leaves of the Tree of Life symbolize the rational truths of the Lord’s Second Coming, which we are so blessed to have in abundance in the New Church. And what makes these truths so wonderful is that they come from love. “In mostly present within the doctrinal truths and consequent life in the New Church is the Lord in His Divine love.” (Apocalypse Revealed 933; see also Apocalypse Explained 430.7) And because the truths of the New Church come from love, they are intended to heal people. “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations…. The leaves of the tree symbolize rational truths… [and we] can be healed by rational truths.” (Apocalypse Revealed 936)
Thank you, Lord for the healing and loving truths of your New Church! Happy summer everyone!