The New Year for Trees on Shevat 15, TuB' Shevat, will be 1-15 to 16. It is the conclusion of the 4 New Years Days on the Hillel Calendar. They are the following: Nisan 1, Elul 1, Tishri 1, and Shevat 15. It will be at the full moon, when the lunar light is fully disclosed, not hidden as at the new moon. It will be the time when the sap is beginning to rise in the trees in Israel, a semi-tropical climate, not far above the equator. The life within the trees is abundant, yet hidden within, awaiting full disclosure in buds forming then opening into leaves or flowers for all to see. What trees would first awaken from the winter dormancy? Like from a sleep? Almond trees. These would display the arrival of earliest spring in buds then flowers of rare beauty. Lest we forget, the design of the cups on the 7 lamp stand menorah was based on almond blossoms! In Revelation Chapter 4, Christ/Messiah is standing in the midst of the menorah in Heaven. The heavenly menorah provided the design for the earthly design. An almond design.
 
   Just as Shevat 15 is about the awakening, into new and beautiful transformed life, so is the epiphany of new life promised for those in Christ. First the dead, then the living, are to be "awakened" into resurrection life, new and transformed eternal life. Paul phrased it well. "Behold I show you a mystery." Might the ending of the Julian Calendar for 2013 on 1-13 to 14 and Shevat 15 on 1-15 to 16 be The Season of His Appearing? There is more to ponder.
 
   From the Hebrew, almond is shakeid. Shakad is the verb form. Meaning what? To "watch" or "wake" and the flowering of almond trees at Shevat 15 is much about awakening from dormancy, like from a sleep. Let us see Luke 21:34 in a new light. "Watch out!" is reminding the attentive to shakad. "Keep alert at all times" also reminds the attentive to shakad, to awaken, be awake, to be alert, not fall asleep.
 
Some themes of the New Year for Trees are similar to those at The Second Coming. Here are themes: celebration of the rebirth of the land of Israel, love of Israel, easing the suffering of creatures, resolution not to destroy, and the restoration of the land in planting trees.
 
Might the time frame just ahead be The Season of His Appearing, The Blessed Hope? The "awakening" of the dead in Christ, then the living in Christ, draws near. Shakar. Watching. Then. Awakening. Will the beginning of the remnant  of the House of Israel then begin to awaken? To shakar?
 
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean