BACKGROUND:
In 445BC,
with one Bible week equating
to seven years (a prophetic year being 360 days), God
commanded that seventy
weeks each of 7 years, would be determined upon Israel,
that is … 70
weeks x 7 years = 490 years (Daniel 9:24-27).
This time
frame is broken into four
time periods of (a) 7 weeks + (b) 62 weeks + (c) the
mystery church
age of about 2,000 years + (d) 1 week = 70
weeks
and is explained as follows:
#1. Seven
weeks of years is 7 x
7 = 49 years … the time it takes to restore and build Jerusalem
from
445BC to 396BC.
#2. Sixty
two weeks of years is 62
x 7 = 434 years … the time from the building of Jerusalem in
396BC to
Christ being cut off at the cross in 32AD.
#3. The
church age of approximately 2,000
years
#4. One
week of years is 1 x 7
= 7 years … this is the seven years of tribulation of God’s
wrath upon
the earth, that takes place after the rapture … called Daniel’s 70th
week.
“THE
FIG TREE”
parable Matthew
24:32-34
“Now
learn a
parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth
forth
leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see
all
these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say
unto
you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things
be
fulfilled.”
“YOU’VE
REALLY GOT US CONFUSED NOW JESUS!”
If
Israel
had difficulty hearing and seeing parables, they must have been really
confused over this parable of the fig tree.
Being
set in
one of the most important chapters of the Bible, Matthew 24 has this
conflicting paradox … here’s Jesus talking a sprouting, healthy, shiny,
fig
leafed tree that is placed along side the most dire of set world events
you
could imagine … as follows …
“ … many
shall come in my name … wars and rumours of wars … nation shall rise
against
nation … kingdom against kingdom … famines, pestilences, and
earthquakes … they
deliver you up … kill you … hated of all nations … many be offended …
betray
one another … hate one another … false prophets … iniquity shall abound
… love
of many shall wax cold … the abomination of desolation … Lo, here is
Christ …
false Christs … false prophets … great signs and wonders … deceive the
very
elect … the sun be darkened … moon shall not give her light … the stars
shall
fall from heaven … he shall send his angels … gather together his elect
…” (Matthew
24:5-31) and so on.
BUT
THE DISCIPLE’S
TWO QUESTIONS WERE …
“What’s
the
sign of your coming back again Jesus?”
“What’s
the
sign of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3)
So
he simply
tells them.
Jesus
says
“Watch out for these dreadful things that will happen, because when you
see
them you will know that I am coming back and that will be the end of
the world
as you know it!”
Surely
the
disciples would have said “Well … that does not make sense Jesus!”
A
LITTLE
BACKGROUND …
Israel
is
represented by two trees of the olive and the fig ... with the first
always
remaining alive (Hebrew 13:5). When Christ entered Jerusalem he cursed
the fig
tree not the olive tree (Matthew 21:19) meaning from that time forward,
Israel
was to be cast aside as a nation. They would be as dead and withered.
In
a
nutshell, Christ with this parable, states that when he comes back a
second
time to rescue Israel (Revelation 19), of which they would not have
known about
at that time, he will be taking the curse off Israel … that is … they
will no
longer be cast aside as a withered and dead tree, but from this time
forth, he
will be sitting on David’s throne, and Israel will be the head and not
the tail
anymore!
What
group
of people does this refer to?
How
long is
a generation of people?
Is
a generation
60 years or seventy years?
Is
it from
1948 when Israel becomes a nation?
Is
it from
the 1960’s and 1970’s with all Israel’s wars against the Arabs going
foward?
THERE
IS A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘GENERATION’ AND ‘GENERATIONS’?
People
see a
word like generation and immediately assume it means generations
as in people and ancestors … as in an ancestral
line … as
we have with Jesus Christ which lists his ancestors … that is …
the
generations, his ancestors, that came before him (Matthew 1:1-17).
But
we see
the distinction between the two words ‘generation’ (Matthew 1:1) and
‘generations’ (Matthew 1:17). In other words Christ’s generation
contains his ancestral generations … the latter being a subset
of the
former.
So
in the
first chapter of Matthew, there is the generation, the
coming
into being, the process involved, the bringing into
existence of
Christ … along with the generations of people that came before
him … his
ancestral line.
Hence
we see
two different meanings to these words.
An
example
would be a certain electric motor that can generate power …
that is
there is a generation of power from the motor. And of
course,
there can be various amounts of power that can be generated … that is …
there
are various generations of power that can come from the
machine. But
no-one would assume that this refers to the previous models, the
generations of
motors, manufactured previously.
Another
example is …
Israel
is a state,
that is, a nation.
Now
one
might ask “What is the state of Israel?” … meaning what are the
conditions in Israel like? That is, what is happening in Israel today …
what
are the economic, political or social factors operating in Israel?
Dear
Reader
can you see the difference?
THE
FIG TREE
GENERATION
In
the
parable, this generation simply means the generation of the fig
tree
… NOT a line of ancestors, NOT a generation of people,
and NOT
a specific time period of people.
So on one hand Israel will be confronted the catastrophic events (Matthew 24:5-31) but are to be encouraged that Christ is coming back after this. The following diagram may help:
1.
Fig leaves
represent a type of human righteousness and used as a shield
to
hide human sins (Genesis 3:7). These leaves are large, velvety,
attractive and
soft to the human skin ... as is man’s religion. Not fit to
stand in the
presence of God, man manufactures his own religious programmes he
thinks will
be sufficient. Fig leaves shrink to about one quarter of their size,
thereby
failing to hide the parts they should. So it is with human religions,
as they
are not sufficient to cover man’s sin.
2.
There are two
trees that represent Israel – the olive and the fig,
with the former representing Israel from a spiritual aspect,
and the fig
tree as a nation.
3.
In the Lord
cursing the fig tree but not the olive tree (Matthew 21:19),
Christ lays
no hope in the survival of the nation of Israel … at that point in
time. His
cursing signified the coming destruction of the nation of Israel … for
about
2,000 years.
However
the
olive tree, being spiritual Israel, and being the hardiest of trees,
and ‘almost’
impossible to destroy and will always survive (Hebrews 13:5) … Christ
never
cursed the olive tree.
4.
Indeed,
during Israel’s seven years of tribulation, we have the two live olive
trees,
Moses and Elijah (Revelation 11:4; Zechariah 4:3-6) being upheld by God
amidst
their enemies.
5.
It can be
said that we see evidence of budding of Israel’s fig leaves today, with
Israel
being established as a nation in 1948 and having its own postage,
coinage,
government and educational institutions and so on, and one day we know
that
Israel will expel all foreign interference, destroy the Moslem dome of
the
rock, and Christ will rule and reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem.
But this is incorrect to the real meaning of the budding fig leaves. Indeed the context is to be found with Israel IN the seven years of tribulation.
1.
the fig
tree = the fig tree represents Israel.
2.
When his
branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know
that summer
is nigh There are several points here:
(a)
The
context of this parable is the time of the seven years of tribulation
that
takes place after the Christian rapture, for both the world and for
Israel.
(b)
The nation
of the fig tree of Israel has been cursed by Christ (Matthew 21:19) but
now will
now be eventually revived, starting with Israel having its eyes being
opened in
the seven years of tribulation (Zechariah 12:10) … thereby signalling
the end
of that world and the return of Christ.
(c)
This is the
prophecy of future history foretold, for Israel and the rest of the
world, that
tender fig trees, and coming into full bloom, are approaching
the summer.
(d)
The word
‘fruit’ is not mentioned in the parable, so the fruit will become
evident after
Christ’s 2nd coming.
(e)
So after
Israel’s eyes being opened, the branches of the fig tree will still be
young
and the leaves will be sprouting … but there will be no fruit at
that time …
but will come in the 1,000 year reign to follow with Christ on David’s
throne. It
will be Christ’s fruit.
(e)
So this
is about Israel watching and waiting, with discernment, and knowing the
time of
when the end of the world is nigh and Christ will return.
The
equivalent is something like this … when any farmer sees the changing
of the
moon phases, dew forming on the ground, increased rain and so on and so
on …
and he puts all these things together, and says “There is a change of
season
coming.” In other words he puts ‘two and two together’ to ascertain the
weather.
(f)
With no
fruit mentioned there are plenty of leaves, which means the fig tree is
alive and
growing … that is … Israel, as a nation, will come alive at the
end seven
years of tribulation.
(g)
Indeed
their eyes will be opened by the Lord (Zechariah 12:10) … but
as a
nation will not have time for fruitful works. Israel’s branch at this
time will
be very tender as the parable says, is producing leaves … but with no
fruit.
(h)
But as
we will see, there will be individuals, one in the field and
one in the mill
(Matthew 24:40-41), that will have produced fruit before the 2nd
coming of the Lord in Revelation chapter 19 … and will raptured before
his coming.
(i)
This
section of the parable warns Israel to use discernment and see that the
‘summer
is nigh’ … that is … the seven year tribulation world is coming to
an end with
Christ about to return.
(j)
So the
situation is this … Israel has been a dead fig tree nation (Matthew
21:19) up
to the time when God opens their eyes (Zechariah 12:10), and they begin
to bud
leaves on their tender branches just before Christ’s 2nd
coming.
3.
So likewise
ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near,
even at
the doors = these things are very close to happening and will be a
certainty
and are imminent. This will be also evidenced by the two witnesses of
Elijah
and Moses (Revelation 11:4)
4.
Verily I
say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all
these
things be fulfilled =
5. till all
these things be
fulfilled.
What are
these things? These things are as have been mentioned …
many shall
come in my name … wars and rumours of wars … nation shall rise against
nation …
kingdom against kingdom … famines, pestilences, and earthquakes … they
deliver
you up … kill you … hated of all nations … many be offended … betray
one
another … hate one another … false prophets … iniquity shall abound …
love of
many shall wax cold … the abomination of desolation … Lo, here is
Christ …
false Christs … false prophets … great signs and wonders … deceive the
very
elect … the sun be darkened … moon shall not give her light … the stars
shall
fall from heaven … he shall send his angels … gather together his elect
… (Matthew
24:3-31) … and
so on.
6.
Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away = in
other
words all the words of this parable will be fulfilled before heaven and
earth
pass away … and they will ... but not just yet … but all the words of
this
parable will come about before that happens. In other words, it will be
impossible that heaven and earth shall pass away before these things
come to
pass.
7.
But
of that day
and hour knoweth no man = only the Father knows.
But
doesn’t
say week or month does it?
Israel
will
know they are on ‘the verge’ of something very, very near … it
might be
this week … or next?
8.
But
as the
days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be = Revelation
chapter 19.
9.
For as in
the days that were before the flood = the flood
occurred in
2340BC
10.
they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the
day that noe entered into the ark = the Gentiles were having a
good time
and carrying on as usual.
We
must
remember this will be the general populace of people of the world, and
not the
righteous ones, Jewish and Gentile, that will be raptured just before
the 2nd
coming.
11.
And knew
not until the flood came, and took them all away; so
shall also
the coming of the Son of man be, not the Son of God = see Revelation
19:19-21.
The
Son of
God comes in the air for the Christians at their rapture, but this will
be a
physical coming of Christ onto the earth … actual horse and rider on
the
ground!
12.
Then shall two
be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other
left.
Two
women
shall be grinding at the mill;
the one shall be taken, and the other left
= this will be the rapture of the individual righteous ones … either
Gentile or
Jewish just before the 2nd coming of Christ.
13.
Watch
therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come = it’s
getting real
close now … it doesn’t mention day as in verse 36 (Matthew 24:36).
This
happens JUST before the 2nd coming of Christ
… to the
hour … that day!
14.
But know
this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch
the thief
would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his
house to be
broken up.
Just
suppose
the man of the house had heard that a thief would break into his house
after
12.30 am and before 12.45 am, he would sit up, watch and wait and be
ready for
the thief to break into his house.
15.
Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh
= so Israel needs to know that when all the above things start to
happen, then
the Son of man will be returning.
THE
CHRISTIAN APPLICATION:
There
is a
parallel application of this parable for Christians today.
Christians
are asking “When will the end of this world be?”
“When will you
be coming back Jesus?”
There
will
be two world endings and two comings of Jesus Christ.
The following diagram may help:
Dear
Reader,
do you know when the 1st rapture will happen” … that
is … when
Christians will be taken off the earth with the return of the Son of
God (1
Thessalonians 4:16)? You want to go with this lot! You won’t want to
miss it!
Be
warned …
the time is very near with
1.
Ukraine
and Russia going to war … soon to be joined together with Sudan, Iran,
Libya,
Turkey to attack Israel after the Christian rapture!
2.
China
(kings of the East) flexing its muscles!
3.
Europe is
about to announce its leader … antichrist!
Dear
Reader,
you won’t want to be around for the seven years of God’s wrath and
tribulation
being poured out on the earth! Go in the 1st rapture!
“Dear God,
help me!
I keep
doing things that I don’t want to do.
It’s like
there’s a criminal inside of me making me do things I
hate doing!
I hate
myself! I’m a sinner!
It’s like
I’m a schizophrenic … there’s two sides to me.
I want to
do the right thing but I can’t!
I want to
be good! You have to set me free from my sins!
They’re
killing me!
I’ve got
this monkey on my back! The black dog keeps hounding me!
You said
if I believe that Jesus died for my sins … you can save
me.
It’s like
I’m in this body of death. I can’t help myself. Save
me!”
October 2023
www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com
“YOU HAVE TWO ENEMIES
… GOD’S LAWS AND YOUR FLESH!”
“Dear God,
help me! I do things that
I don’t
want to do.
“THE
41 PARABLES OF JESUS CHRIST”
28
general parables and 13 kingdom of heaven
parables
Parable #21 –
“WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS”
READ
Matthew 25:1-4,5-8,9-12,13
The
12th of the 13 kingdom of heaven
parables