The Garden Unlocked

Night pressed itself onto the earth. The sun, obscured by the shame of man, hid its face. Nothing but a void was reflected by the moon. The stars withheld their light as the bitter wind ripped around the three trees atop Golgotha’s Skull. The earth shook while the universe listened to the ripping of flesh as the veil was torn from top to bottom.

When the veil became two, I was tending my sheep near an ancient stone wall. I heard a click and when I turned around, a hidden gate opened toward me. For generations, we have grazed our sheep in this pasture and never before had the opening become uncovered. As I passed through the gate, creation was before me. This garden, like the first, displayed itself in ways unknown in the natural. All transformed by Him who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales.[1] My journey lasted three days, and with the whole earth, I share what there is to tell.

At the entrance, the cornerstone was engraved with a riddle, “The Stone which the builders rejected.”[2] Trees on either side of the gate embraced in an arch overhead, and while hugging each other, they spoke. “Lift up your heads, O gates.” And from the next, “And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in!” And from the next, “Who is the King of glory?” And from the next, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”[3] They repeated these words over and over, never ceasing, never tiring of the good news. As I stepped through the gate, it spoke to me, saying, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”[4]

The garden was ancient, suspended in time, sealed since creation. The presence of God was everywhere, like a protective marine layer, motionless while its molecules danced before me. Each tree was carved with ancient heavenly writing and design.[5] Something was happening within these walls and it became clear to me there was a new alignment on earth as in heaven. As I walked, rocks split on the path and the prophecy revealed itself as streams poured out and ran like rivers.[6] I heard the voice of the Lord upon the waters, and it shook the wilderness and everything cried, “Glory!”[7] The earth trembled under His gaze and the mountains began to smoke.[8] The cypress trees rejoiced over me.[9] The mountains and the hills broke forth into shouts of joy before me, and all the trees of the field clapped their hands.[10] While they clapped, they shouted, “We know You are the Lord.”[11] A celebration was rising.

I sought counsel with the trees and asked, “What is happening?” A giant cedar bowed its branches toward me and said, “Born of a virgin,[12] His throne will last forever![13] We call Him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.[14] Pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.[15] He has died among the wicked ones and buried with the rich.[16] The whole creation groaned and suffered the pains of childbirth together until now.[17] And while we mourn, we also rejoice for we know what is to be. He will be resurrected from the grave, for God would not allow His Holy One to suffer decay.[18] And with His resurrection, all creation has been set free![19] At the consummation of the ages, He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.[20]

Each counted star, unique in its glory, whispered their names, which He had given them.[21] The ends of the earth said “Awake, O north wind, and come, wind of the south; make my garden breathe out fragrance, let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden and eat its choice fruits!”[22]

In the center of the garden, there was a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid,[23] until now. As I gazed upon the tomb, the angels who stood watch, rolled the stone away. From the tomb stepped a gardener dressed in a white linen robe. The holes in his hands eternal reminders of the brambles of sin. With each step, lilies sprung forth and reached toward the heavens. All creation bowed before Him and exulted and sang, “He has risen!” All the earth worshiped Him and sang praises to Him and sang praises to His name.[24] We glorified His name.[25] We worshiped Him in spirit and truth.[26]

The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.[27] I too stepped out of my grave alongside of them. It was without thinking and within the truest part of my being that my soul exulted in my God. He clothed me with garments of salvation; He wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.[28] Before my eyes, the Lord God caused righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.[29] Pierced and illuminated, He handed me a cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”[30]

The Messiah, chosen and set apart, ascended into heaven. The morning stars sang together,[31] “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!”[32] Truly this was the Son of God.[33]

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood – and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.[34]

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen. (Romans 1:20)

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[1] Isaiah 40:12

[2] 1 Peter 2:7

[3] Psalm 24:7

[4] Psalm 100:4

[5] Psalm 74:5

[6] Psalm 78: 16

[7] Psalm 29:3

[8] Psalm 104:32

[9] Isaiah 14:8

[10] Isaiah 55:12

[11] Ezekiel 17:24

[12] Isaiah 7:14

[13] 2 Samuel 7:16

[14] Isaiah 9:6-7

[15] Isaiah 53:5

[16] Isaiah 53:9

[17] Romans 8:22

[18] Psalm 16:10

[19] Romans 8:18

[20] Hebrews 9:26

[21] Psalm 147:4 and 1 Corinthians 15:41

[22] Song of Solomon 5:1

[23] John 19:41

[24] Psalm 66:4

[25] Psalm 86:9

[26] John 4:24

[27] Matthew 27:52

[28] Isaiah 61:10

[29] Isaiah 61:11

[30] 1 Corinthians: 25

[31] Job 38:7

[32] Proverbs 30:4

[33] Matthew 27:54

[34] Revelation 1:5-7