Post by rt on Oct 22, 2021 20:40:23 GMT -6
Parable of the Fig Tree- study
edited to add: The prevailing view concerning this parable has been that the fig tree represents the political rebirth of the nation of Israel. This is the same mistake the Jews of Jesus' day made, that God was going to deliver them politically, which is part of the reason they denied Christ, because he wasn't a political savior, rather He was a spiritual one. It is my view that the fig tree here may represent a spiritual rebirth and not the rebirth of the nation politically. The purpose of the 70th week is to bring Israel to national repentance and then restore them to their standing as a nation before God.
Mark 13:28–33 (See also the parallel passage in Matthew 24:32- 36)28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.29 “Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
Judges 9:6-21 speaks of the fig tree and other trees, it is the first parable in scripture I believe, but the fig tree is speaking of one of the Judges of Israel who was being asked to rule over the men of Shechem (descended from the Edomites) and Beth-millo (located near Shechem). The fig tree here symbolizes one of the godly upright spiritual leaders of Israel.
According to the passage then:
Figs = those godly upright judges who were obedient to God’s word.
Jeremiah 24:2-10 also speaks of figs, the very good first ripe figs, and the very bad rotten figs which could not be eaten.
According to the passage :
Figs = inhabitants of Judah (good figs- thode godly obedient ones who were made captives while
bad figs- those who disobeyed God and remained in the land)
Hosea 9:10 as well speaks of figs:
According to the passage:
Figs = Israel’s godly upright founding fathers (wilderness) first fruits of a new tree.
Micah 7:1-2 as well speaks of figs:
According to the passage:
Figs = Godly upright person (of Judah/the land)
The New Testament also speaks of figs figuratively (pun intended)
Matthew 21:18-1918 Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.
Mark 11:13-14 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
This event happened just after Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem after Christ entered the temple. Matthew’s account puts it after the overturning of the money changer’s tables, while Mark’s puts it before, while his explanation to the disciples followed the temple event. Therefore it appears that this cursing of the fig tree has something to do with this event, Christ sees no fruit, no good figs, no upright godly men leading in the temple.
Figs = Israel’s godly, upright religious leaders.
Also note that here the fig tree is in leaf, but it is not yet the time for figs, much like the passage in Matthew 24, the spring tree has leafed but has not yet produced fruit. The nation of Israel was in the spring of life, ready to bring forth (spiritual) fruit, and yet there was none, no righteous upright men among the leaders in Jerusalem.
Luke 13:3-9 3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.4 “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?5 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.7 “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’8 “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ”
It seems here that this parable explains how Jesus (the man) planted a fig tree (tree of Judah?). And how he began His ministry not finding any fruit on the tree so he began fertilizing and cultivating the people in hopes that it would produce godly righteous leadership, primarily I believe this is pointing to the religious leaders. And just before He goes to the cross, He enters the temple to find that there is no godly fruit among those who are religious leaders, and He proceeds to then curse the fig tree, which later withers and dies. His death and resurrection effectively cut off the religious leaders in their role for Israel. No longer were they needed to perform the works of the law for atonement, Christ had become the perfect High priest and atoned for sin once for all. The fig tree was cut down.
Figs = Israel’s godly, upright religious leaders.
Since Jesus, only passages earlier, appears to identify the fig tree as Israel’s religious leaders, then it is logical that the fig tree here is also speaking of Israel’s faithful, those who are upright who are spiritual leaders in Israel. The point of the parable is not Israel’s birth as a nation, but its spiritual rebirth. The fig tree is revived and about to produce fruit, it is green and tender putting forth leaves (springtime) it is a pre-harvest tree. Luke says all the trees, thus when all the trees of the region begin to revive and are about to put forth spiritual fruit, then recognize that the kingdom of God is at hand. No one who sees the trees in that state will pass away until all these things take place.
The parable specifically states that the person who sees “these things” happening is like the one who witnesses the trees putting forth their leaves. It is obvious that when a tree puts forth leaves that it will soon bear its fruit (in summer). So it will also be obvious that when those who see “these things” occurring will know that the Kingdom will be brought forth soon.
The signs were given in response to the question posed by the disciples concerning the destruction of the temple and the Lord’s coming to establish His kingdom. These two events were connected in their minds. They however did not foresee at that time the age of grace, the church age that would separate the two events.
Matthew 24:1-3 1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Luke 21:5-7 5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said,6 “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
So what are “the signs” that will show that the Kingdom is at hand? (See Matthew 24 and Luke 21, and Mark 13)
False Christs, Wars and rumors of wars, Famine, earthquakes, plagues (pestilence), and signs from heaven; these are called birth pains. In addition we have Martyrdom, persecution, false prophets, increase in lawlessness, love growing cold, and the gospel will be preached to the whole world.
All these signs will be evidence that the Return of Christ to set up His earthly Kingdom is at hand. These signs are like the leaves on the fig tree, with the return of Christ will come the summer of harvest for Israel, a renewed relationship with their God, when they will again be upright and righteous in His eyes, when they will again be the head of nations, who will serve their God in Jerusalem. It is the rebirth of the nation spiritually not politically that the parable is talking about.
Another interesting note is this
Revelation 6:12-14 12 I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
This event seems to take place when the fruit is on the tree, but yet unripe, again pre-harvest, so before Israel is spiritually reborn, before the righteous godly upright fruit has been produced.
While what many believe to be the parallel passage in Isaiah indicates a post harvest fig tree:
Isaiah 34:2-5 2 For the Lord’s indignation is against all the nations, And His wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter.3 So their slain will be thrown out, And their corpses will give off their stench, And the mountains will be drenched with their blood.4 And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from the vine, Or as one withers from the fig tree.5 For My sword is satiated in heaven, Behold it shall descend for judgment upon Edom And upon the people whom I have devoted to destruction.
Clearly this was not an oversight of our Lord; He deliberately uses words to describe a pre-harvest Israel in Revelation, knowing that the passage in Isaiah uses post harvest depiction of the fig tree. In doing so He is pointing to two different events, that are very similar but not exactly the same.
There is a reference to the fig tree also found in the Song of Solomon, which also appears to indicate springtime, the ripening of early figs, which also seems to indicate that the bride goes along with the groom (the rapture?) at the time of the ripening of the figs in the spring, when the grapevines are in flower. Flowering occurs when average daily temperatures stay between 15–20 °C (59–68 °F) which in Israel is around April/May. Also when the turtledoves are heard in the land, they migrate from Africa to Europe via Israel in late April/ early May.
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 8 “Listen! My beloved!Behold, he is coming, Climbing on the mountains,Leaping on the hills! 9 “My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.Behold, he is standing behind our wall,He is looking through the windows,He is peering through the lattice.10 “My beloved responded and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,And come along.11 ‘For behold, the winter is past,The rain is over and gone.12 ‘The flowers have already appeared in the land;The time has arrived for pruning the vines,And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.13 ‘The fig tree has ripened its figs,And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,And come along!’ ”
This is one reason why I believe the sixth seal happens before the 70th week begins, before the tree has put forth fruit. I believe that what comes just before the 70th week is designed by God to look like what comes at its end. And that it is part of the deluding influence ( 2 Thessalonians 2:11) sent by Him to cause the men of earth to believe that the sixth seal events are the end of prophetic events rather than its beginning. Think about it, it really is a perfect set up. Israel will believe that the Anti-christ is their Messiah, when he steps on the scene with the false prophet and his lying wonders and miracles. Many others will buy into this idea as well.
We have references for the pre-harvest fig tree and the post harvest fig tree, but what of the harvest itself?
Isaiah 28:2-6 2 Behold, the Lord has a strong and mighty agent; As a storm of hail, a tempest of destruction, Like a storm of mighty overflowing waters, He has cast it down to the earth with His hand.3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim is trodden under foot.4 And the fading flower of its glorious beauty, Which is at the head of the fertile valley, Will be like the first-ripe fig prior to summer, Which one sees, And as soon as it is in his hand, He swallows it.5 In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people;6 A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, A strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.
I believe the mighty agent is Satan himself and his work accomplished through the Antichrist. The language used in this passage is not unlike that used to describe the casting down of the dragon (Satan) and his angels in Revelation 12:9 and following. The proud crown Is Jerusalem, that is trampled underfoot, the beautiful flower that was once Jerusalem will bring forth fruit, first fruits of Israel and they will become like a first ripe fig just before summer, which one sees and picks and eats it right away, this is the remnant (in my opinion the 144,000) who will be crowned with the glory of the Lord. These are the first figs of the harvest, those few who appear and ripen before all the rest, who cannot be left for the main harvest, but are picked and eaten right away. These are those who are sealed during the first half of the 70th week before the trumpets sound, who flee Jerusalem (Judea) when the Abomination of desolation takes place. The rest of the figs are harvested later when Christ returns to fight those who have gone against Jerusalem and her inhabitants.
Interesting facts about the fig tree
The first ripe figs appear in late spring/ early summer, and are harvested around June, these figs are produced on the previous year’s growth and are not as sweet or as numerous as the fruit that is produced in the second crop in late summer on the new growth which are harvested in late summer beginning around August and lasting into the fall until October. Unlike other fruit figs do not ripen after picking so must be allowed to fully ripen on the tree. Their fruit is easily damaged and must be carefully picked to avoid bruising. In ancient times they were often dried and used as a sweetener. Could this be a picture of the fruit born of the old growth, those who will be sealed during the first half of the tribulation? While the later crop is born of the new growth, after the abomination of desolation?
Something I did not know when I originally wrote this study is that the flower of the fig tree is not visible,
Flowers: The tiny flowers of the fig are out of sight, clustered inside the green "fruits", technically a synconium. Pollinating insects gain access to the flowers through an opening at the apex of the synconium. In the case of the common fig the flowers are all female and need no pollination.(The common fig I believe is what is native to Israel) www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/fig.html
Which is interesting in light of Isaiah 28:
Isaiah 28:3-4 3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim is trodden under foot.4 And the fading flower of its glorious beauty,Which is at the head of the fertile valley,Will be like the first-ripe fig prior to summer,Which one sees,And as soon as it is in his hand,He swallows it.
The fading flower is not noticed by the observer. Only God was aware of Jerusalem’s fading beauty. But one day it will become like the first ripe fig of spring (May/June).
Something else as well, in ancient times it was common to harvest the ripened figs by hitting the branch of the tree with a stick to cause the ripened fruit to fall onto a cloth stretched out beneath the tree to catch the fruit before it hit the ground so it would not get bruised. Perhaps the mighty agent- the Antichrist will be the stick or “rod” used to strike the fig tree, so that the ripened fruit might be harvested.
Proverbs 23:13-14 13 Do not hold back discipline from the child,Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.14 You shall strike him with the rodAnd rescue his soul from Sheol.
Isaiah 10:5-6 5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My angerAnd the staff in whose hands is My indignation,6 I send it against a godless nationAnd commission it against the people of My furyTo capture booty and to seize plunder,And to trample them down like mud in the streets.
Isaiah 10:24-25 24 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, “O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, the way Egypt did.25 “For in a very little while My indignation against you will be spent and My anger will be directed to their destruction.”
This is my understanding of what the parable might imply if we go beyond the simple meaning of the parable, which is that as the ripening fruit of the fig tree indicates that the summer harvest is near so too the one who sees the signs beginning will soon see the return of Christ. The point of the parable is that as believers in Christ we are to remain alert, paying attention to events around us so that we are ready (spiritually) for His return.