The All-Important Parenthesis - Part 1

Break Time!

At this point Christ “takes a break” from explaining what will happen

The last verses of chapter 24 focus on those who will be firsthand witnesses of the events just described

Many good preachers have taken verses form this passage and wrongly preached that the church is in view

Verses 40-41 specifically

2 Exhortations, 2 Parables

Jesus gave 2 exhortations for those enduring the tribulation using 2 parables:

Be Watchful: 32-44

The fig tree 32-35

Noah 36-42

The thief 43-44

Be Prepared: 45-51

The faithful servant

Be Watchful Verses 32-43

Be Watchful: The Fig Tree 32-35

Jesus uses the figure of a fig tree

Typically the fig tree pictures the nation of Israel, but here it is used to typify that the end is near

The disciples had asked for a sign way back in verse 3

Jesus offered to them a multitude of signs that will shout His 2nd coming

What is the purpose of the signs?

To proclaim the coming judgment and the end

The Jews understood that one of the first plants to bud in the Spring is the fig tree

When they saw the fig tree budding they knew winter was passing and spring was on its way

Likewise they were to know that when the saw “...all these things” they were to understand that the Messiah was returning

“...all these things” refers to signs we've studied in verses 4-28

Let's clarify some truth from these verses:

“This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled”

This refers to the generation that will endure the tribulation, not the generation that was alive when Christ spoke these words

Verse 35 stands to prove the validity of Christ's words as a promise that this will indeed come to pass!

While we are not going to endure the tribulation, it is important to realize that we today need to be watchful:

For opportunities to evangelize

For opportunities to do good deeds

For opportunities to demonstrate the love of God to others

Next week we’ll conclude the parables concerning being watchful