Branches

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 12
This word is figuratively used of Christ (Zech. 3:88Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. (Zechariah 3:8)), of Israel (Isa. 60:2121Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21); Rom. 11:1717And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (Romans 11:17)), the king of Babylon (Satan) (Isa. 14:1919But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. (Isaiah 14:19)), the righteous (Prov. 11:2828He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. (Proverbs 11:28)), and outward disciples of Christ, both true and false (John 15). The figure in John denotes profession, an outward relationship on earth conditional on fruit bearing, not union with Christ (which is in heaven, where there is neither pruning nor purging). The “branch” may or may not have eternal life, the proof on earth is the fruit. In Rom. 11 The figure is used dispensationally as to Jew and Gentile, the former being cut off, and the latter grafted in, who will, however, in their turn be cut off if they continue not in God’s goodness.