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AGAPE LESSON 14
THE REMNANT
(hidden in a hostile environment)
Put together by Bongie Kuzwayo
PSALM 52v1–9
We are going to look at this psalm, not through the historical lens, but we want to see how it applies
to the present season of the church.
[Matthew 13v44] Again the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man
found and hid: and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
[Psalm37v1—3, 9] Do not fret because of evil doers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. (2) For
they shall soon be cut down like grass, and wither as a green herb. (3) Trust in the Lord, and do
good: dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. (9) The evil doers shall be cut off; but those who
wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
[Jeremiah 11v16] The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit.
The above is a name that God gave to the Nation of Israel, but Israel did not live up to this name.
Israel was a mixture of wheat and tares; both the precious and the vile grew together. Today we
have both the remnant and the false church (harlot), all thriving together until He assigns 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 (Matthew 13v31).
[Isaiah41v19] I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the oil tree
(olive); I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine tree and the box tree together.
Saul (Desired) represents the governments of the world who are speaking with one voice, to
persecute the true church. Also, he represents the beast of [Revelation 11v7] When they finish their
testimony, the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome
and kill them.
Doeg (Fear) represents the false church (harlot) that is just working to amass wealth, and does not
see God as their source. [Psalm52v7] Here is a man who did not make God his strength, but trusted
in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
The house of Ahimelech (my brother is king): represents the true church that was overcome by the
beast from the bottomless pit.
David (Beloved) represents the remnant (the caliber of believers found in Mount Zion) [Psalm52v8—
9] But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I
will praise you forever, because you have done it: and in the presence of your saints, I will wait on
your name, for it is good.
The color green speaks of freshness, new life, prosperity, new beginning, growth.
A name stands for character, authority, power, distinction.
A tree is a symbol of a mature believer.
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Olive tree:
The olive tree symbolizes a mature believer who is faithful and steadfast (Psalm52v8).
[Psalm 112v7—8] He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in
the Lord. (8) His heart is established; he will not be afraid until he sees his desire
upon his enemies.
• It is a source of food and light. [Leviticus24v2] Command the children of Israel that they
bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make lamps burn continually.
• It is also medicinal, was used for healing. This represents a believer who knows how to bring
a word in season to him who is weary (Isaiah50v4)
• Olive tree grows under almost any condition: on hills, valleys, rocky or fertile soil. This
represents a believer who does not thrive or depend on circumstances, but will look up to
the Lord. He is moved only by faith and not by sight. [Philippians4v11—13] Not that I speak
in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (12) I know how
to be abased, and know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to
be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through
Christ who strengthen me.
• The olive tree is also a symbol of wealth. [1Kings5v11] And Solomon gave Hiram twenty
thousand kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty thousand kors of pressed oil.
This Solomon gave to him year by year.
• The olive can thrive in great heat with minimum water. This believer still thrives in the heat
of great affliction and resistance, and will stand on the word, immovable. [Ezekiel 3v8—9]
Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against
their foreheads. (9) Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do
not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
• The leaves of the olive are ever green, all the year round. This believer is ever beaming with
joy, freshness and is forever fruitful. He showcases life in the kingdom. [Romans14v17] for
the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy on the
Holy Ghost.
• The olive is virtually indestructible. This believer stands focus on the assignment; will not
take detours. [John4v32, 34] – – -, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” (34) – – -,
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.”
• This is the only tree which withstood the flood in Noah’s time. [Genesis8v10—11] And he
waited yet another ten days, and again he sent a dove out from the ark. (11) Then the dove
came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked leaf was in her mouth; and Noah
knew that the waters had receded from the earth.
• The ugly, twisted trunk of the olive seems to give it a grace that sets it apart from other
trees. I choose to give it a grace of an apostle. Paul says, [1Corinthians 4v9—13] For I think
that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death: for we have been
made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. (10) We are fools for Christ’s
sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak but you are strong! You are distinguished, but
we are dishonored! (11) To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly
clothed, and beaten, and homeless. (12) And we labor working with our hands. Being
reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; (13) Being defamed, we entreat. We have
been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
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• It was used in ancient times for anointing. It was the fifth ingredient that completed the
special anointing ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. The olive oil
actually bonded the rest of the ingredients, as one. [Exodus 30v22—25] Moreover the Lord
spoke to Moses, saying, (23) “Also take for yourself quality spices – five hundred shekels of
liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two
hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, (24) five hundred shekels of cassia,
according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. (25) And you shall make from
these a holy anointing ointment.
• The olive is a symbol of eternity – some grow from root systems 2000 years old. The tree
may be burnt down, but the root underneath continues to live. In due time, resurrection life
will kick in and the (was) dead tree will send forth shoots. [Job 14v7—9] For there is hope for
a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. (8)
Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may dry in the ground, (9) yet at
the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.
• [Psalm128v3] Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house. Your children
like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall be the man who fears the Lord.
The analogy of your children being like olive plants all around your table, means your offspring will
be plentiful, hearty, and even dutifully responsive to parents. Around any olive tree will grow as
many as ten shoots, out of the root system.
• The olive producer has to wait fifteen years for his first good harvest.
Fifteen is a multiple of five, and therefore partakes of the significance of that number, and also of
number three with which it is combined, 5×3. Fifteen therefore, specifically refers to the acts
wrought by the energy of Divine grace.
Examples:
(1) The Jews were delivered from death under Esther (Esther 9v15, 21).
(2) Hezekiah’s reprieve from death was fifteen years (2Kings 20v6).
(3) The Ark was borne by the flood fifteen cubits upwards (Genesis7v20).
(4) Bethany, where Lazarus was raised, and from where the Lord ascended was fifteen furlongs
from Jerusalem.
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