Since Jesus Christ was on the earth men wanted to know as to when the "End" of all things will be, since man in his current form is "finite"!
Jesus’ disciples came to him privately while He sat upon the Mount of Olives and asked Him three questions (Matthew 24:1-3). One question dealt with the time of the destruction of the temple. The other two questions were concerned with the end of the age. “…What will be the sign of your coming…?” and what will be the sign of “…the end of the age?” The “end of the age” question was answered by Christ at the beginning of His Olivet discourse.
Jesus said, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation (7-Year Tribulation) and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved (This is not talking about the age of grace we are now in). And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:9-14
Producing Good Fruit Worthy Unto Repentance...
Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees that they needed to produce good fruit (righteous works) like a tree that brings forth good fruit. If they did not produce good fruit, worthy for repentance, they were spiritually worthless to God. As a tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire, so would their destiny be; if they did not produce good works that were worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:7-10, 7:15-20; Luke 3:7-9, 6:43-45).
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:8-10
The principle that a tree should bring forth good fruit was taught by Jesus on several occasions. In the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus used a fig tree (symbolic of Israel) that had not produced fruit for three years, to represent the nation of Israel.
The fig tree in the parable had not produced any good fruit (ripe figs) during the three years of Christ’s ministry to the Jewish people. Jesus was telling the Jewish nation that His ministry with them was drawing to a close and if they did not produce fruit within the next year, their opportunity to repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah would soon pass.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. This was the father who said, "cut it down" to Jesus.
Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9
Since Israel did not produce good fruit (ripe figs) at Jesus’ first coming, the nation was cut down, as a tree, in A.D. 70 by the Roman army, and the Jewish house of worship, the temple, was destroyed and all the Jews were scattered to all the "grave" nations around the world being persecuted.
Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the temple, with not one stone left upon another, was accurately fulfilled (Matthew 24:2). As King Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was cut down like a tree, taken from him and later restored, the nation of Israel, represented by the fig tree, was cut down for failing to recognize Jesus as their Messiah this would only last 2.5 God days "AD". Now they are a nation!
Israel was put aside by God the Father but not abandoned, their minds and hearts and eyes were veiled but not permanently blinded;God's attention was turned to the biological Church of Jesus Christ washed in his blood and made clean it's been around 2.5 God Days or 2500 years AD (Age of Grace).
And not recognizing “the time of their visitation” (Daniel 4:1-37, Job 14:7-9, Luke 19:41-44). The Kingdom of God was taken away from Israel but will be restored after the Lord refines them “as silver is refined,” and tests them “as gold is tested” at the end of the age during the 7-year great tribulation period (Matthew 21:42-43, Zechariah 13:7-9, 14:1-16).
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you (Israel) and given to a people producing its fruits (Gentile Nations). And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. Matthew 21:43-44
Figs are symbolic of the Jewish people in several places in the Scriptures (Jeremiah 24:1-10, Hosea 9:8-10). When Israel did not produce good figs at Christ’s first coming, He cursed the fig tree, which is symbolic of the Jewish nation of Israel (Matthew 21:17-20; Mark 11:11-14, 19-22).
And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. The Lord gave Israel 36 months at the time of his visitation to recognize him as their Messiah but all they had were leaves, there were no fruits!"Is he not the son of Joseph said the scribes of his time!
And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”
And his disciples heard it… And when evening came they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:11-22
How close do you think we are with North Korea coming to Nuclear War?
The question posed earlier in Matthew concerning “What will be the sign of your coming?” is answered by Jesus with a parable (Matthew 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:29-32). The importance placed on this particular parable, as distinguished from the other parables, is magnified by its appearance in three of the gospels.
In Matthew and Mark’s versions of the parable of the fig tree, Christ tells us to “learn a parable of the fig tree” while Luke’s version instructs us to “look at the fig tree and all the other the trees or nations around Israel” (“look,” “watch,” or “behold”).
Matthew’s Version of the Fig Tree Parable
From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:32-34
The practical application Jesus gave was to be learned from observing the fig tree. When you see a (literal) fig tree with branches full of sap (becoming tender), and producing new leaves, these signs meant that summer was near.
The spiritual application, hidden to many, teaches when the fig tree (symbolic of Israel) comes back to life, we are to know that Christ’s return is near. The generation that sees Israel come back to life will not die off until all the events involved with the second coming of Christ take place.
This ladies and gentlemen is the fig tree with leaves only! This happened in or around 1949
All current and future generations were to watch the fig tree (Israel) for signs of new life. This parable could not be properly understood until after Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans, and the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world.
Luke’s Version of the Fig Tree Parable
Luke’s version of the parable of the fig tree gives additional insight into what to watch for in order to understand when Christ will return (i.e., “the sign of your coming”).
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Luke 21:29-32
We are told by Jesus in many Scriptures to “watch” for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42-43, 25:13, Mark 13:33-37, Luke 12:37-40, 21:36, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 3:3, 16:15).
What are we to watch for? Several signs and indicators are given in the aforementioned Scriptures for the general time of Christ’s return, and we are to watch for them as the Scriptures command. In the parable of the fig tree, Luke records Jesus’ specific words where He said to “Watch the fig tree and all the trees” (Luke 21:29). (1)
- Watch the fig tree (Israel)
- Watch all the trees (Gentile nations)
- Watch for leaves sprouting on the fig tree (signs of life)
- Watch for leaves sprouting on all the trees (signs of life of the surrounding nations of Israel)
Other nations growing around Israel to unite into the EU and possibly soon the one world government spoken by Daniel the Prophet and Revelations.
When the fig tree (Israel) and all the trees (Gentile nations) come to life, the parable of the fig tree, which is a date specific and generation specific prophecy, begins its countdown to the return of Christ and the setting up of the Kingdom of God.
Has the Fig Tree (Israel) Put Forth Leaves (come to life)?
The Jewish people, displaced from their homeland for centuries, began showing signs of life during the second half of the 19th century (1850-1900) when waves of Jews (aliyah) started coming back to the land of Israel.
Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), the “Father of Zionism,” was the visionary behind the modern return of the Jewish people and reestablishment of a Jewish homeland. (2)
Herzl organized the first world congress of Zionism that met in Basel, Switzerland, in August 1897 and became the first president of the World Zionist Organization. (3) The goals of the organization were set forth in the Basle Program: “Zionism seeks to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine, secured under public law.” (4)
The Balfour Declaration, dated November 2, 1917, paved the way for the United Nations partition resolution for Palestine on November 29, 1947 and the subsequent formation of the state of Israel on May 14-15, 1948.
The fig tree (Israel) came back to life during the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950), and Israel is now producing young figs (potential Jewish believers) that will be harvested at the end of the age.
There is hope for a tree when it is cut down, even tho Israel was cut off it was indeed repairable at sometime in the future because its roots were deep!
Before she was in labor she gave birth (The Church of Jesus Christ, the bride); before her pain came upon her she delivered a son (resurrected believers). Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?
For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children (Israel accepting Jesus Christ as their Messiah). Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the Lord; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:7-9 At this time the first child male born was "Caught Up" by God into his throne room as soon as it was born (resurrected believers). The birth pains to come is for Israel during the 7-Year Tribulation.
For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. Job 14:7-9
In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit. Isaiah 27:6 This is exactly what happened today! Israel is a huge fruit supporter in the entire world! She blooms especially looking down from the space station, Israel is all green and the surrounding nations all brown desert.
And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more (May 1948-49). And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. 2 Samuel 7:8-10
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