Parable of the Fig Tree

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32–36 ESV

32 “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. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Zechariah 14:1–5 ESV

1 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

The greatest hope we are given from the Lord Jesus Christ is his imminent; the Second Coming. Part of the Mosaic Covenant is that Israel must enthrone a king of God’s choosing (Duet 17:15). One day, Israel will live into their Covenant with God and entrust Jesus as their king. It doesn’t matter if the entire Gentile world calls on the name of Jesus, until Israel receives Jesus as Lord, there is no return.

Matthew 23:39 ESV

39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

That second coming is dependent upon Israel seating Messiah Jesus as King. I know of no greater topic that I can preach to you than on the return of our Lord as Eternal King. There is coming a day when that will be made reality and we are commanded as believers to be living lives that expectantly await his return.

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Luke 12:40 ESV

40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

The expectancy of Christ’s return is not something new to our generations or recent generations. In fact in the very gospels we find the the disciples themselves were eagerly awaiting Christ’s return before he even made his departure. The theme of Christ’s Second Coming fills the New Testament. It is when our bodies will be redeemed in the fullness of our salvation. It is when we will witness the final and great defeat of Satan and all that is evil. It is a real event fortold by the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that will happen as personally and historically as His first coming and with just as far-reaching and glorious impact.

The reality of his return was also a common topic in Jesus’ ministry. No where do we find a more fascinating work on the topic but by the Lord himself in what we call the Mt Olivet Discourse. It is recorded by Matthew and Mark and Luke because of its tremendous importance. Today we’re looking at a parable within the discourse regarding the fig tree. However, to fully appreciate the context of the parable, we have to understand why Jesus tells the parable. It is on the Mt of Olives that Jesus is giving this lesson. Interestingly, it is the very spot where Zechariah tells us he will make his physical return.

Matthew 24:3–4 ESV

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

So the disciples ask him two questions: when will it be and what will be the signs? Interestingly, Jesus answers those questions in reverse order. He gives the signs And then he answers the question as to when. And these are the signs that we as believers today are to be watching. Today we are seeing foreshadows of many of these signs that will happen in rapid fire succession. We call those signs birthing pains.

Signs

One of the main signs Jesus warns his disciples about is what we call the abomination that causes desolation. We know this to be when the Antichrist sets up his throne up on the temple mount in the temple. We know from our study of the prophet Daniel, and the book of revelation, that this happens in the midway point of what is known as the great tribulation, a seven-year. After the church is raptured when the Antichrist has global leadership. We can see this Antichrist system being set up before our eyes to day. This gives us confirmation that the Rapture of the Church is happening imminently.

But, a parallel question that stands in the minds of God's people just as much as “what” is the question of when. Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Even though we may not know the day or the hour, Jesus gives us clear signs of the season. This is the parable we find ourselves looking at today. Matthew 24:32

Matthew 24:32 ESV

32 “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.

Signs

Parables unexplained hid the truth; parables explained made the truth clear. When Jesus gave a parable to the multitude or to the religious leaders and never explained it, it was a riddle to them. When He gave it to the disciples and explained it, it was an illustration that made things all that much more clear. They are uncomplicated analogies to illustrate a simple truth. The Parable of the Fig Tree is no exception I want you to see four elements as we go through the parable.

A Simple Analogy

It is a simple analogy of the fig tree and it is something that all the disciple could easily understand because they are a common tree in Israel. In fact, on this very day in the morning, according Matthew 21:18-22, Jesus had already taught them one lesson from a fig tree when he found a fig tree with leaves and no fruit and He taught them lessons about barrenness and lessons about prayer off of that fig tree. The fig tree is a common prophetic analogy of Israel as we see in Jeremiah, Hosea, and Joel.

But Jesus wants the disciples to see the spiritual significance of parable, so he says, “Learn this lesson.” In other words, don’t just hear what I’m saying but hold this lesson deep in your heart and grasp its significance. Here is the significance, “When its branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.”  Now, nobody can misunderstand that.  When you see a fig tree put forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  What does that mean?  It’s time for fruit and harvest.

A Simple Analogy

The tree will give you a calculous as to the time of year. If it is barron, it is winter. If the leaves are just starting to appear, it is spring. As the flowers come forth and the leaves are in full then you know that it is summer. Summer for the fig tree was the time of harvest. Harvest in the Bible is regularly referred to as a time of judgement he separates the good from the bad. Even at his baptism, John the Baptism referred to this judgement by the means of fire.

Matthew 3:11 ESV

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 15:6 ESV

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Matthew 9:35–38 ESV

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 13:30 ESV

30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

Matthew 13:40–41 ESV

40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,

Luke 21:31 ESV

31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

A Simple Analogy

So what He is saying is when you see all the birth pains and all the signs know that the end is near. And then in verse 34 He says:  “Truly I say to you,”  (in other words, he’s added greater emphasis to this whole statement), “this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.” Now, the question you will probably ask is, “What generation is He talking about?”

Here are some of the options. 

1. Some suggest that this generation refers directly to the disciples. Obviously, that did not happen.

2. It refers to the disciples, but the thing He’s talking about being fulfilled was the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

That also is an unacceptable view because you cannot confuse the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. with the second coming of Jesus Christ. Obviously, Jesus did not return after the destruction of Jerusalem and the antichrist did not set up his global beast system. Nor were there the great signs mentioned in the prophets and in Revelation.

3. It refers to the Jewish race.

“This genea,” could refer a race of people, that’s true.  He’s saying, “This generation of Jews, this Jewish people, will not die until all these things come to pass.” He doesn’t say “Israel” but rather, he is speaking generationally.  I think He would have said “My people shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled.”

4. The fig tree is Israel and when it puts forth its leaves it is at the statehood of Israel in 1948.

The coming of Israel in 1948 introduced to the world all the birthing pains that we are witnessing today. The increase in Earthquakes, the rise of antisemitism, the emergence of apostasy in the Church, the increase in famines and pestilences, global wars, and spiritual deceptions. All of these things show a sharp increase of occurence around 1948 and have increased in frequency and intensity since that time.

The unmistakable application is when you see all these signs this generation will not pass away before he returns. What is all these things? All the signs Jesus has listed:

Spiritual Deception

Spiritual Deception started in the Garden of Eden and has continued through the centuries until present day. However, there has never been a time when Spiritual Deception was more rampant than today. Falsifications of the Christian faith are increasing in the last days in preparation of the coming false Christ and false prophet who will deceive the world on a never before seen scale.

Luke 21:8 ESV

8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.

1 John 2:22–23 ESV

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 4:1 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

False Christs

There are many doctrines and religions that claim to be Christian and believe in Jesus but have in fact fabricated a false Christ. False Christs can also be alternative Saviors that present themselves as being superior to Jesus Christ. Money, authority, entertainment, nationalism, the prosperity gospel, and so on. The apostasy of the Church has increased the frequency we see the false Christ’s in the church

Revelation 2:20 ESV

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 3:15–16 ESV

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Wars

War has been a part of human history since the beginning of mankind. However, the number of wars being fought and the intensity and destruction with which they are being waged has increased greatly. The threat of war has also increased. At least nine nations now have nuclear weapons and as many as 35 have weapons of mass destruction.ince 1948 there have also been around 50 wars between countries in which a thousand or more people died.

Mark 13:7–8 ESV

7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Famines

Food shortages in a population can be caused by many factors including: drought, population explosion, climate changes, natural disasters, war, and difficulties with th distribution of food to name a few. During the 20th Century an estimated 70 million people died from famines across the world. A 2007 government report estimated approximately 40% of the world’s agricultural land is in a seriously degraded condition. The UN suggests if current trends of soil degradation continue in Africa, the continent might be able to feed just 25% of its population next year.

Revelation 6:7–8 ESV

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

Pestilences

The Greek word, loimos, can refer to pestilence, plague, or pandemic. Until around 1900 epidemics did not affect the population of the entire world. The Black Plague for example devastated Europe, but not every population center on earth. Since 1900, well over 750 million people have died from the top 10 infectious diseases alone. AIDS has already killed over 25 million people since 1970 and an estimated 70 million more could die in the next 15 years. AIDS also has no cure. Infectious diseases like AIDS, Cholera, Influenza, Typhus, Smallpox, Measles, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Malaria, Yellow Fever, SARS, and Avian Flu are threatening. It is reported that more than 7 million people have died from the COVID-19 pandemic

Earthquakes

Luke 21:11 ESV

11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Earthquakes

The US Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center releases yearly detailed reports about the number and size of all earthquakes around the world. 1948 - 550

1990 – 16,590

2000 – 22,256

2005 – 30,198

2010 – 26,312

2020 - 190,204

Apostasy

Apostasy is a willful departing or desertion from one’s religion, faith, or principles. Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has claimed to be a follower of Christ (II Thess. 2:3). Never in the history of the world has the average Christian’s faith been colder. Studies show 88% of college students raised in the Christian faith are leaving the church. As late as 1991, 50% of Americans claimed to attend religious services regularly. By 2010 the average had dropped to around 35% and is trending lower every year.

Matthew 24:12 ESV

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

1 Timothy 4:1–3 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

2 Timothy 4:1–4 ESV

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Apostasy

The significance of these signs cannot be overstated. They are not just mere celestial phenomena, but they are indicators of God's unfolding plan for humanity and the world. They are the divine signals of the impending return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the consummation of His kingdom. They are the cosmic reminders that God is in control and that His purposes will be accomplished.

“Our world is not as it should be: We should be longing for the day when God will set all things right. It means trusting in God's promises, even when we do not fully understand them. It means striving to live according to God's commands, knowing that our actions have eternal significance. It means keeping watch, as Jesus instructed, and living each day as if it could be the day of the Lord's return.

Apostasy

More than a future event to look forward to: It’s a reality that should shape our lives here and now. The signs in the sky and the events they signify are not meant to scare us, but to spur us on to faithfulness and perseverance. They remind us that our hope is not in this world, but in the coming kingdom of God. They assure us that no matter how dark the world may seem, the light of God's glory will ultimately shine through.” (Sermon Central, Signs in the Sky)

Jesus said this:  “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” That is an unchanging authority.  And He closes the parable with an unchanging authority.  “My Word shall not pass away.”  He said not one jot or one tittle in Matthew 5:18 will pass away until all is fulfilled.  In John 10:35, He said Scripture cannot be broken.  And so if we believe the Word of God, we believe this is going to happen and it is going to happen. And the question for you is:

“Are you ready?”