Disclaimer – I’m human, these are just my thoughts and research from the Holy Bible and prayer. We all should come before the Lord and ask for His divine guidance and do our own Bible research.
The Parable
There are a couple of parables about the fig tree in the Bible. However, I will be focusing mainly on the one in Matthew 24, for times sake. I believe Jesus tells us to learn the parable of the fig tree because it indicates when He is returning. This parable is important because Jesus told us to learn it.
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. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Matthew 24:32-35
Understanding the Fig Tree
Right before this passage in Matthew 24, are a list of things that will happen before Christ’s return. Most of us don’t know a lot about the fig tree, such as the fruit cycle or the season. But the Israelites had a better perspective because they were familiar with fig trees as they were common in Israel. Many believe that the fig tree represents the Jewish people but it could also represent the individual, such as you and me.
It turns out, the fig tree is super interesting. It has huge leaves that offer much shade. There are generally two harvests for a fig tree, one in the early summer and one in the fall. The early summer harvest is a continuation of the last crop on the unpruned branches from the year before. The fall crop is the main crop.
Brief Overview of the Fig Cycle
The fruit is actually more of a seed with an inverted flower. The enclosed flower is inside a flesh-like pear structure that has a small hole at one end where the pollinating wasps enter. The flowers are hidden but an educated person could still know the season of when the figs were ripening. The female wasps go into the fig and lay larva. That female wasp dies inside the fig. However, the male wasps that hatch fertilize the female eggs and then dig a tunnel for the female wasps to escape and thus the cycle continues.
Good and Bad Figs
The Jews would cut open the fig to see if they are ‘bad’ or ‘good’ figs. Unripened figs may also be considered bad. This may help explain Jeremiah 24 a little better. Jesus also cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21, because it only had leaves.
One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.” Jeremiah 24:2-3
The types of figs discussed in the Bible are – good, bad and none. As Christians, we must ask ourselves, “Am I producing good fruit, bad fruit or no fruit at all?”
Sign of the Times
We are to recognize the sign of the times when Jesus returns. It is understandable that we should know when a harvest is approaching or know when a a storm is blowing in by the way the clouds look.
You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. Matthew 16:3
These signs could also be the time that the Jewish people have a spiritual awaking of realizing that Jesus is the Messiah. Many believe these signs will be a turning point and the time of the gentiles will come to an end.
…and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24
This statement came in connection with the end times. It is probably impossible to know what exactly the Lord will do during the end times but we are told one thing for sure, and that is to STAY AWAKE. We do not know the exact day, only the season. Many have grown weary of waiting because the season has been so long, and pretty rough if I’m being honest.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
What Does Scripture Say?
Let’s take a look at some of the signs of the end times as described in Matthew 24, that surround the parable of the fig tree. It is said there will be: wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, earthquakes, famines, persecution of Christians, division and betrayal in families, disobedience of children, deception, anger, sorrow, sensuality, sexual immorality, abomination of desolation and “birth” pains.
Do these things sound familiar? Our society is struggling with all of these problems. We are bombarded with worldly advice and messages encouraging us to engage in sinful practices. Sadly, even Christians are pulled into this. There has been a push like never before to remove our identity in Christ. The enemy does this by persuading the world to remove gender, pushing sexual immorality, numbing us with substances and distractions, and tainting the sanctity of marriage and family.
Matthew 24 is not the only place where we see warnings of a troubled generation in the last days. We also see warnings in Jude and 2 Timothy that people will be: obsessed with themselves, greedy, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderers, dividers, reckless, brutal, not loving good, uncontrollable, treacherous, conceited, pleasure seekers, wordly, fake, denying God, corrupt, opposing truth, unspiritual and foolish.
Scoffers
Additionally we have a warning about scoffers in the latter days as described in 2 Peter.
…scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4
A scoffer in this context (Greek word empaiktés) is someone, particularly a false teacher, who says something insulting or mocking of another person. We can see with our own eyes the evil that is being pushed in our society and if you try to push back against it you are silenced, humiliated or mocked. However, we cannot change the Word of God.
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7
They’ve Been Saying That For Years
You may be thinking – the world has always been a mess, so why would now be the end end times? I propose that the times are different. First, because God revealed this to me. But logically, if you look at the last 100 years of our history you can see a rapid increase of technology and a setting up of a satan’s kingdom. There is also a world-wide push for a dark agenda. It’s global and major corporations and governments are involved. Many countries have also removed or are trying to remove God from every faucet of our communities, such as prayer in school and more recently attempting to demonize Christians if they love their country or speak against the agenda.
Fire From Heaven
Now there is a tendency to be so frustrated with seeing corruption and sin, that some of us begin to look forward to seeing God’s judgment. Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? – Luke 9:54. No, we should not be wanting fire to come down from heaven. We are to have great mercy on those who are deceived or held captive by sin and darkness. After all, God had great mercy on us when we were in darkness and we are to have that same mercy. In fact, I believe God allowed great sin into my life in the past so that I could relate to what others are going through. Since we know first hand how crucial it is to be on God’s side, we must warn others of the wrath to come.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.” Revelation 18:4
I still have a pile of sins to repent for, we all do and I’ll probably mess up tomorrow but we should still continue to strive for righteousness. We are ALL sinners. Thankfully, Jesus redeems us because of His mercy and steadfast love. We only need to come before Him and ask for forgiveness. He will help us turn away (and stay away) from sin. We should not ignore sin, especially if it is being pushed in society and portrayed as a good thing. We do not want to miss the Lord’s visitation, nor be ignorant to the times, like many were before when He first came:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Matthew 23:37
A Generation
In the scripture we are considering about the fig tree it said:
Truly, I say to you this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:34
This scripture has caused confusion for some because the generation at the time of Jesus has obviously passed away. But many believe, as do I, that Jesus was referring to the generation that saw the branch budding. We do not want to be unaware of the season we are in, as many were unaware at Jesus’ last visitation.
Additionally, a generation is considered 70-80 years.
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10
A Brief History on the Budding Branch
It is understood that the budding of the branch is when the body of the Jewish people would be gathered and begin to flourish.
Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. Hosea 9:10
As you may recall, the Israelites first returned to their land as described in Ezra and Nehemiah.
Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. Ezra 2:1
The Temple
There was great emotion, weeping and praise once the temple began to be restored. They wanted restoration and to be close to God again.
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy. Ezra 3:12
The Israelites began their return after 70 years of captivity which was revealed to Daniel (Daniel 9:2). Why seventy years? 2 Chronicles explains it was one full year for each Sabbath year not honored.
All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. 2 Chronicles 36:21
Basically, an entire generation of Israelites were held captive until they were allowed to return, around 538 BC, and with most being back in the land around 400 BC. A new temple was built and they strived to get back to ‘normal’. However, many troubled times lie ahead. Once again, the Jewish people were scattered throughout the nations. As we know the temple was again restored during King Herod and destroyed again in 70 A.D. as prophesied by Jesus (Matthew 24:2).
The Shift
It wasn’t until 1917 that a shift happened. Turkish Ottomans ruled over Jerusalem for 400 years prior to 1917. The atmosphere was not peaceful. The Turks were aligned with Germany and a vast number of people were affected by the war. The Balfour Declaration was the beginning of the Jewish people regaining the land, however Britain first claimed the land in Jerusalem. On October 31, 1917, the Balfour Declaration was signed. This declaration basically said that Jews were able to live in Palestine.
However, during World War II (1939ish) when the Jews were being heavily persecuted by Hitler all over Europe, the Jews were told by Britain that they could no longer return. The British eventually turned over Palestinian rule to the United Nations who then tried to divide up the land. As a result, anger and fighting over the land began. Israel’s war for independence lasted 13 months between 1948 and 1949. Nonetheless, David Ben-Gurion, from the World Zionist Organization, declared the establishment of the Jewish State on May 14, 1948.
This return could be the budding of the branch that the scripture is referring to. We cannot be sure of the official date of return to the land, although it is important to be aware of the times. It is our job, to stay awake and alert and be watching for Jesus.
“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” Revelation 16:15
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