The parable of the fig tree is the next scripture in Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, and Luke 21:29-33. I like Luke's inspired accounting!
Luke 21:29-33: And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
“This generation” means the generation of Daniel's 70th week and the 2nd Advent, not the current audience to whom Jesus is speaking. We will unpack the issue of “all the trees” next week.
There are three agricultural illustrations God uses in the Bible to explain His relationship with Israel:
1. The Olive Tree which represents the spiritual life of Israel. It is her “standing” or “position” before God. He has an everlasting covenant with His chosen people. The millennial government of Messiah King Jesus will last forever! Please see Isaiah 9:6-7. Genesis 8:11 illustrates that God will save the remnant of Israel and bring them through the cataclysmic event of the tribulation just as He brought Noah and his family through the global flood. The olive leaf brought to Noah by the dove signified that the flood waters had abated. Please see 1 Peter 3:18-20. The eight souls saved picture how few will make it through the tribulation. Romans 11:25-27 and Zechariah 13:8-9 clearly teach how few will be left at the end of the tribulation to enter the kingdom.
The two olive trees of Zechariah 4:11-14 represent the law and the prophets – Moses and Elijah who met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-4. They will also be the two witnesses in the tribulation...Revelation 11:3-6.
2. The Fig Tree which represents the national / physical life of Israel. This picture represents the “state” of Israel's fellowship with God. This represents Israel's “practice.” Jesus pulled back the curtain in Matthew 23 to reveal the true nature of the health of Israel. He exposed the spiritual leaders as being whited sepulchers full of dead men's bones. Their stumble and fall is explained in Romans 11, as well as their salvation at the end of the tribulation.
Romans 11:25-29: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Jeremiah 30 and Ezekiel 37 are companion scriptures concerning the revitalization of Israel before the 2nd Advent. The valley of dry bones will come to life as one united nation again. Jeremiah 30:9 and Ezekiel 37:24-25 confirm that David will be resurrected and will be their king and prince forever. This prophecy parallels the parable of the fig tree.
What did Adam and Eve do after eating the poisoned fruit? They did not die physically but died spiritually. Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12
We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners. The Adamic nature, the old man, which we all have within us, will remain a sinner till death; but our assurance is found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
What did Adam and Eve do? They sewed fig leaves together and covered themselves with the aprons of self righteousness after losing the glory of God that covered them. This is a picture of a fallen state they were now in.
3. The Vine which represents the spiritual life of Israel and the One who sustains them. Psalm 80:8-11, John 15:1-5
The vine was the nation of Israel that was planted with a deep root and covered the promised land. Jesus made it clear that He was that deep root. Just as Israel has an eternal standing / position with God based on His promise / covenant with them, we, too, have an eternal standing / position of our relationship with God based upon our faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ as the propitiation for us all. It is eternal, forever settled in heaven. Ephesians 1:13-14. 2:8-9
We also have a state / practice of our fellowship with God based upon our day to day, moment by moment walk in Christ. Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:16
Just as Israel was responsible to keep the commandments and obey the Law as it was delivered to her, we have a responsibility to be holy, acceptable, reasonable living sacrifices in our daily lives. It is my hope that we can learn from the history, and grow from the doctrine, and apply the devotional application as we study God's Word each day!
