Lessons From The Fig Tree
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Introduction
Introduction
Text - Matthew 24.32-35
Text - Matthew 24.32-35
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Title - Lessons From The Fig Tree
Title - Lessons From The Fig Tree
Background
Background
The fig tree
The fig tree, Ficus Carica, L., is cultivated everywhere in the Holy Land, and also grows spontaneously in many places. It is a tree of moderate size, seldom attaining a height of 15 ft., but its spreading branches often cover a circle with a diameter of 25 to 30 ft. Fig trees are habitually planted near houses, and the people sit in their shade, and that of the vines which grow over the trellises.
a symbol of peace and prosperity
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
a symbol of the nation Israel
a nation chosen by God to delare God’s holiness and be a vessel for the coming Messiah
type of the church
whatever happened to Israel in the natural provides important lessons to the church in the spiritual.
Luke 13.6-9 | the parable of the unfruitful fig tree
Luke 13.6-9 | the parable of the unfruitful fig tree
6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
Elements of the story
the man who planted the fig tree had been looking for fruit for 3 years but found none
an unfruit fig tree is a waste of space and soil nutrients - better to cut it down
the keeper asks for one more year before the three is finally condemned
The lessons
1.) Fruit follows repentance
Jesus gives this parable after showing the Jews the importance of repentance
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
unless you repent, you will likewise perish
everyone must repent of their sins
remorse, sorrow
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
repentance - to have a change of mind, and therefore actions
2.) Three (3) years is enough to produce the fruits
the fig tree could starting bearing fruits on its third year, if not, it will most likely not bear at all
Jesus was expecting fruits from Israel during his ministry
3.) extra year, extra care means extended grace
God extends His grace towards the us to give us more time to produce what He wants to see in us!
Mark 11.12-14 | the cursed fig tree
Mark 11.12-14 | the cursed fig tree
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.
13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.
Elements of the story
a fig tree with leaves should have fruits
Jesus was hungry but did not find fruit from the fig tree who had leaves
The Lessons
1.) if you have leaves, you must also have fruits - otherwise its hypocrisy
leaves can be anything that shows you are full of life
but fruit is the ultimate expression of life - but it contains the seed-life in it
a joyful church-goer without the fruit of the Spirit is a hypocrite in the eyes of God
2.) a fruitless Christian does not give glory to God - it is cursed
God is most pleased in the fruit, not in the leaves
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
The story continues in Mark 11.20-24
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Elements of the story
the fig tree withered away - a whole tree dried up in just 1 day!
The Lessons
3.) Faith is not a mere request of one’s need or desire - FAITH IS A DECLARATION OF GOD’S WILL OVER ONE’S LIFE
Jesus did not ask God for the fig tree to dry up
Jesus declared what God requires from a tree and what happens when God’s will is not fulfilled
TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD IS TO TRUST IN THE WILL OF GOD AND CLAIM IT FOR YOURSELF!
ISRAEL FAILED TO PRODUCE GOD’S DESIRE FOR HER LIFE, JESUS ‘CURSED’ HER
41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,
42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Matthew 24.32-35 | the parable of the blooming fig tree
Matthew 24.32-35 | the parable of the blooming fig tree
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Elements of the story
a blooming fig tree indicates summer is near (it’s spring time)
the fulfillment of the things Jesus said about Israel in Matthew 24 indicates the nearness of Christ’s return
historically, Israel will be destroyed by 4 kingdoms, but will be restored in later times
2 Hear this, you elders, And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers?
3 Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation.
4 What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.
5 Awake, you drunkards, and weep; And wail, all you drinkers of wine, Because of the new wine, For it has been cut off from your mouth.
6 For a nation has come up against My land, Strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.
7 He has laid waste My vine, And ruined My fig tree; He has stripped it bare and thrown it away; Its branches are made white.
21 Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things!
22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
the prophecy also includes other trees
12 The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree— All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
If Israel is blooming/reviving in the last days, so are many ancient nations like - Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq (Babylon), Iran (Persia), Ehtiopia, Libya, Sudan, Arabia
This indicates the time of the coming of the kingdom of God!
The Lessons
1.) Summer time is harvest time in God’s calendar
a harvest of men for God’s kingdom
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
2.) Summer time is a time of abundance!
spiritual abundance
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
3.) Summer time is a time of restoration!
25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Israel will be restored
the church is restored
4.) Be aware of the time and season of your life!
This awareness will lead you to understand the things that God is doing in your day.
5.) It is time to extend mercy to Israel
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,
31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
as long as Jerusalem is in trouble, there no peace to the world
global peace begins only when the chosen nation of God is at peace!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Israel in the last day stands as a living vindication that the words of God are true and faithful!
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