TO THE VINE AND THE FIG TREE

Beloved, say to the Vine and the Fig Tree:

Come together. I say again come together for the terrible day of the Lord is upon you. The day will darken the sun and cover the moon. It is a day when the cereal and drink offering has been cut off.

Sanctify a fast and return to me for I will heed your voices. The fire will destroy the pastures while the earth shakes and the heavens tremble. Return to me before the day of destruction and I will pour out my mercy upon you.

I will remove your northern enemy sending him into a parched and desolate land. The enemy at your rear will be thrown into the western sea.

Fear not, my people. Again, fear not, for if you return to me, your Lord will bring the early rain to cleanse your land. On that day, the vine and the fig tree will shout for joy and give their full yield.

TO THE FIG TREE

Beloved, say to the Fig Tree:

How you lament over the destruction of your Temple and the desecration that continues to this day. I tell you that I allowed this time of desecration and abomination as a sign unto you.

Your kings did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, and as I have covered your sin with the death and resurrection of my Son, so too, I have covered your temple with death.

This death is covered with the things of the earth - stone and mineral. And as my son laid in his tomb for three days, so too shall your Temple lay covered.

A time of great trouble shall come, but it will not overcome you. Then you will return to your Lord and believe. Then the time of desecration will end and I will restore your Temple.

So, I say to you repent and believe. Return to your Lord so that you may remove your grave clothes and replace sin with the mantle of resurrection.

TO THE LION NOW IN ASSYRIA

Beloved, say to the Lion now in Assyria:

The King of Persia will betray you.