Bible Questions Answered:
Matthew talks about the fig tree, who is the fig tree?
Mark P./ Charlotte, North Carolina
Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer to is.....
Matthew 24:32-36 KJV
[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things(conditions of the “Last Days,” mentioned in Matthew 24), know that it is near, even at the doors.
[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Who is the fig tree? The Word, tell us.
Joel 1:6,7 NLT
6 A vast army of locusts has invaded my land (the Hebrew nation-Palestine),a terrible army too numerous to count.
Its teeth are like lions' teeth,its fangs like those of a lioness.
7 It has destroyed my grapevines and ruined my fig trees,stripping their bark and destroying it,leaving the branches white and bare.”
Hosea 9:10 NASB
10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness ; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season....”
The Word of God, tells us that “God likens His people to the fig tree.”
Again....
Matthew 24:32-36 KJV
[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things(conditions of the “Last Days,” mentioned in Matthew 24), know that it is near, even at the doors.
[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:, and Luke 21 parallel scriptures.....
Luke 21:28-33 KJV
[28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
[29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
[30] When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
[31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
[32] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
[33] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
The Fig Tree represents the Jews.
The Budding of the Fig Tree, represents it's growing and coming to life.
Many interpret this as meaning the beginning and flourishing of the Jewish Nation (since 1948).
And since that year, countless Jews every year go back home to their beloved Palestine.
Many of these last day events mentioned, are taking place today, as the Jewish people repopulate their home land.
Many of these verses refer as much to events leading up to the Rapture of the Church, as they also do to refer to Christ's Second Advent.
In either case, many of these last day conditions are “Now Prevalent” ...before the rapture, indicating the soon secret catching away of the Bride of Christ-could be at any moment!
Matthew 24:
verses--
4,5 False Christs
6,7 Wars and rumors of wars
9,10 Religious persecution
11 False Prophets
12 Spiritual coldness, indifference
14 Gospel preached to all the world
15 Abomination of Desolation (Anti-Christ, seated in the temple of Jerusalem) (A sign of
the middle of the Tribulation Period.)
16-22 Fleeing from the Anti-Christ
23-26 Deception- False Christ's/ False Prophets
29 Terrible Astronomical Signs- Sun and Moon darkened-Stars fall from heaven.
30 The Sign of the Son of Man in heaven.
31 Separating the Sheep from the Goats
37-39 As the sinful days of Noah were
40-41 Time of separation
Now, again, if many of these last day signs are already present today, surely the “Secret-Catching Away” and the Tribulation itself cannot be far away!
These “Last-Day” events, are to warn Christian people today, to be prepared for the catching away of the Bride of Christ, the Rapture of the Church.
And these “Last-Day” events during the Tribulation, will warn many of the nearness of the Second Advent of Christ.
Luke 21:31 KJV
[31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Matthew 24:36 KJV
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
