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Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 Introduction Each generation must ask and answer the question; “Are we the final generation?” The parable Jesus offers is given to the first generation of disciples and the final generation that must witness the visible, Second Coming of Jesus Christ (vv.27-28). The signs of Christ’s return are covered in verses 5-28. In verse 8 Jesus says, “Take heed that you not be deceived”. Jesus knew every generation would have religious racketeers and prophecy for profit, profiteers; sensational saints, some motivated by greed, others sincere but misguided. The only way to keep our balance and avoid deception is to know the Scriptures and obey what God tells us to do. One of the temptations people face when they study the Bible is to make the text say what we want it to say rather than what it really says. In recent years Matthew 24 and Luke 21 have been placed in the exegetical torture chambers of prophecy buffs and endtime enthusiasts. In Luke 21 Jesus speaks of deception by false teachers (v.8); destruction by wars (vv.910); devastation by disasters (v.11); deliverance to tribulation (vv.16-17) as believers are persecuted. There is destitution and death and distress and then delight as Jesus returns to rule and reign. Jesus points to signs in nature, signs in society, spiritual signs, signs of technology, signs in world politics, signs of Israel. What do the signs mean? False teachers mean multitudes will be tragically deceived. Wars mean terrible times are ahead, natural disasters, floods and earthquakes remind us human suffering will intensify. When believers see other believers persecuted, they know that God will right every wrong and solve the problem of human injustice. When believers see the armies surround Jerusalem they will know the time of the Gentiles is about to end and Israel will be restored once and for all. When believers see the sky is falling, bizarre astronomical phenomena, they know their Lord is at hand. The signs are visible—rapid—and certain. The day and the hour of Christ’s Return are known only by God (Matt.24:36). Believers are to be ready. There is no excuse for being caught off guard. We still want to know. We like the intoxicating power of correctly predicting the future. If we can predict the future, we can control the future. False prophecy and false prophets usually fly in the face of common sense. Now Jesus tells his disciples “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees”. What lessons can we learn from trees? The Lesson Of Visibility (vv.29-31) (v.29) Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees”. Remember what a parable is—an earthly story that illustrates a heavenly truth. The word “parable” means to lay one thing along side of another. Parables served a dual purpose in the Bible, and in the ministry of Jesus. Parables were meant to reveal truth to some, and 1 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 conceal truth from others. When Jesus spoke parables to the religious leaders of his day without an explanation—it was to conceal a matter. When Jesus spoke parables to his own disciples with an explanation-it was to reveal a matter. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus says in 24:32a; “Now learn this parable from the fig tree:” In Luke’s gospel Jesus says; “Look”. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus says; “Learn”. “Look” and “learn” seem to indicate the desire to reveal rather than conceal. The Greek expression for look; eidon-is used over 350 times in the Gospels. It means to “see” to “perceive” “to realize” “to know”. The verb “learn” in Matthew’s gospel is manthano. It means to genuinely learn or understand in such a way that you accept something as true and apply it to your life! The word was often used in the way we use the word habit. The parable really isn’t complicated. You can tell what time of the year it is by looking at a tree. When a fig tree sprouts leaves, you know summer is near. When you see these signs, you know the Kingdom is near. The fall of Jerusalem means the plan of God is moving forward (v.20). All that’s left on God’s divine calendar after the collapse of the city are the cosmic signs, which indicate the end is really near. The parable in effect is saying, keep looking, keep watch, keep your eyes open to what God is doing. We first learn about the fig tree in Genesis 3:7. It is the first time in the Bible where a tree is called by name. Ancient writers saw in the fig tree a type of man made religion and human righteousness which is used as a shield to hide human sins. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings”. The fig tree produces large soft, velvety leaves which are very attractive and lovely to touch. Man made religion is very much like those leaves. Human beings know they are not quite fit to stand in the presence of God, so we manufacture human religious programs and think our religion will satisfy God. Fig leaves shrink quickly and reduce in size to about one fourth their original size. In other words—they fail to hide what really needs to be hidden. So it is with man made religions. They are not able to cover man’s sin, or hide our iniquity. Only the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover us and satisfy the demands of God. My Grandfather Geraci loved figs and had fig trees. My Grandmother would make Italian fig cookies every Christmas. Fig trees have no blossoms on their branches—the blossom is inside the fruit. Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little seeds that give figs their unusual texture. Figs are harvested fully ripened and partially dried on the tree. It is true that the Bible speaks of nations as “trees”. For example, the nation of Assyria is depicted as a cedar tree (Ezek.31:3). The Amorite nation as an oak (Amos 2:9). The nation Israel as a fig tree (see The King is Coming; H.L. Willmington; pp.326-345). In Hosea 9:10; 2 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 “I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.” Baal Peor means “Lord of the Gap” Hal Lindsey and others interpreted this parable to speak of the creation of the Jewish State. On May 14th, 1948; Israel as modern state came to life. Lindsey suggested the creation of the state of Israel, coupled with verse 32; “this generation shall not pass” meant the super-sign had come, and we are in fact that terminal generation and captured the imagination of a generation with rapture fever. His book, “The Late Great Planet Earth” became the best selling non-fiction book of the 1970’s. I first heard this as a very young, impressionable, naïve Christian. Israel was reborn in 1948. Jerusalem was recaptured from the Jordanians in 1967 and in 1973 a six day war was fought in October. Bible teachers like Hal Lindsey taught Israel was the fig tree and the generation alive when Israel became a nation (1948) would witness the second coming of Jesus Christ. He taught with what seemed like unquestioning authority a Biblical generation was 40 years; 40 plus 48 = 88-7 years for a time of torment (the tribulation) and you have an ETA for Jesus as 1981. The problem with Lindsey and everyone else who believed Israel was the fig tree (including me) was we failed to read the passage and let the passage speak for itself. Jesus makes an unmistakable statement that any person who has ever watched tees grow—knows—trees bloom in the spring. Budding trees means spring is in the air and summer is near. Since Jesus is speaking to his disciples, it seems reasonable that Jesus wants them to understand the meaning of the parable. If Israel is the fig tree, and the budding leaves refer to a reborn Israeli state, the meaning of the parable would have been utterly lost to the disciples! Is this parable a complicated allegory or a simple analogy? I believe the parable is a simple analogy! When you look at a tree, watch the leaves beginning to pop out, you know fruit season is just around the corner! Jesus is using this analogy to speak of the nearness of His Coming in relationship to the signs and signals we have studied at length. Does the Bible speak of Israel as a fig tree? The answer is yes. In Genesis the fig tree is a type of false religion. In Judges chapter 9:10-11 Gideon is the fig tree. In the Song of Solomon figs are a type of prosperity. It depends on the context. Jesus does not identify the “fig tree” and “all the trees” as Israel or other nations. He may have had that in mind—but if he did—it was to conceal the matter. To say the fig tree is Israel is to make the passage obscure and unintelligible to all except a 20the Century Christian. Some have suggested the budding leaves speak of revival in the restored state of Israel, but for the last 50 years the state of Israel has been closed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and has put pressure to outlaw the preaching of the gospel. Here the parable is simple and uncomplicated. Jesus is using a simple fig tree to illustrate a timeless truth! In Matthew 24:32-33 Jesus says; “When its branch has already become 3 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 tender and puts forth leaves you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, that it is near—at the doors! When the sap flows into the branches, the branches become tender and new leaves appear on the tree. A budding tree means fruit is right around the corner! Ripened figs would drop from the tree. Good fruit is harvested. Bad fruit is thrown away! The illustration is simple—when signs transpire, in frequency and intensity, when the signal is made, the return of Jesus Christ is near! Prophecy was never intended to disappoint the saints, but to give them hope! That is why the second coming of Jesus is called the Blessed Hope. Paul wrote; 2 Timothy 4:8; “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing”. Did Paul believe he was a member of the final generation? I think so. He longed for Jesus to appear. Few things are more disappointing than false hope based on false interpretations of the Bible. One thing is certain. The Bible teaches Jesus will return physically, literally, bodily, gloriously, to judge the unrighteous, to reward the righteous, to fulfill prophecy, and establish a kingdom. John MacArthur writes; “The Lord’s return will be as real and as historical an event as His first coming. Believers look back to the moment of saving faith in Christ, when their souls were redeemed. They look forward to the return of Christ, when their bodies will be redeemed and they will enter into the promised fullness of salvation. In that day Satan will be defeated, the curse lifted, Christ worshipped, the creation liberated and restored, sin and death conquered, and the saints glorfied” (Matthew p.60), Luke adds, “and all the trees”. If nations are trees—the nations most mentioned in the Bible are Israel, Iraq, Assyria and Egypt. Is this a parable about the recreation of the modern state of Israel, or is it something else? Luke 21: 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. When the trees are already budding—in the Old King James it says, 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. The verb for “budding” is proballo and is only used here and in Acts 19:33 in the Greek New Testament. It means “put forward” in the sense that the trees are putting forward and clearly means “sprout leaves”. Could it be the meaning of the parable is much more simple and obvious? Trees put forth their buds or flowers in the spring, summer follows spring. As certain as summer follows spring, so is the certainty that these signs will in fact signal the Savior’s return. The idea is not to look for the creation or the destruction of the modern state of Israel, but rather 4 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 know what is going on! The important thing is the believer knows that God is keeping His promises and that His Word will not fail (see TBEC Vol.1; p.263). 14 “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Jos 23:14 Have you ever been lost on a freeway or a highway or in a strange city? You look for a sign to point you in the right direction. The signs Jesus speaks of are to point us toward an object, the Lord Jesus Christ. Signs are intended to keep us on the right track, and headed in the right direction. They are meant to guard and protect us from going in the wrong direction, or be led astray. The sign is also intended to give assurance and confidence, assurance and confidence that we won’t be caught off guard, or taken by surprise. The Lesson Of Rapidity (v.32) 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. A few weeks ago a couple in our church approached me and asked the question, “What does this passage mean? In verse 32, what does “generation” mean and to whom does it apply? This is one of the most difficult verses in Luke’s gospel. “This generation” seems to set a specific time frame for these events, all of which certainly did not take place in the lifetime of the disciples. It seems clear that whatever generation means—it did not refer to the generation that Jesus addressed or the generation that stretched to 70 A.D. The Son of Man did not return visibly at that time. Some argue that Jesus simply got it wrong. Jesus made a mistake. I suspect that can’t be right. Jesus is not speaking of the historical timing of his coming, but rather of the events surrounding His return. If Jesus was wrong about the timing of His return, or that He will return; He runs the risk of being wrong about other things! I suspect Jesus had another generation in mind. Some have argued that generation refers to the Jewish people. Another option is the generation of humanity as a whole or to the evil generation of humanity. In other words the end will come before humanity is wiped out. Such a view is possible, though it seems a little unusual to give this phrase that force of meaning. I suspect the preferred view is the generation—present in verse 25—“and there will be signs in the sun, the moon, and in the stars; and the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring”. In other words, those who see the beginning of the end in the cosmic signs will see the arrival of the decisive era in the Son 5 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 of Man’s return. Once the events of the final act commence, they will take place quickly (see Darrell L. Bock; The NIV Application Commentary; pp.538-539). Warren Wiersbe in his commentary writes; “Some who doubt that Jesus will literally return say that this statement applies to the generation of the Apostles, so that “the coming of the Lord” was either the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) or the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. But none of the signs Jesus mentioned took place before or during those events. Nor did they climax with the deliverance of Israel and the establishing of the kingdom” (TBEC; Vol. 1p.263). The devastations in 70 AD did not include global famines and earthquakes. The believers were not hated by all nations. False Christs and false prophets were evident but not everywhere; and the gospel of the Kingdom of God had not yet been preached in the whole world. The sun did not become blood, the stars didn’t fall, and most importantly, Jesus did not return. Wiersbe goes on to suggest that Jesus probably was referring to the generation that would be alive on earth at the time all these things take place. He further suggests that it would not take a whole generation, but rather the events, would take place rapidly, swiftly. The meaning of the Parable is the final generation will not have to wait long! Those who witness the birth pains, will witness the birth-the second coming of Jesus Christ (except the people who are killed in catastrophic judgment). The books of Daniel and Revelation make it clear the total time of judgment will be seven years. The Lesson Of Certainty (v.33) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Jesus reminds the disciples of the certainty, the truth, the fact, the reality, that all these signs, are sure, eternally established, irrevocable. Jesus is certain He is right—and that reality will collapse before He is proven a liar. The disciples of Jesus must rely on His Word. Jesus uses the strongest language possible—“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” Certainly that means the obvious—Heaven and earth will be done away with. The sun will collapse. The earth will be consumed by fire. God will create a new heaven and a new earth. Everything you see will one day be gone! Our bodies will fail, the planet will dry up, the sea will disappear, the Word of the Lord will not fail. Every single prophecy and every single promise of Jesus Christ will come to pass. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (2 Peter 3:10-11) 6 Lessons From A Fig Tree Luke 21:29-33 Jesus places His Words on the level of the Word of God; all that Jesus has said, about the fate of Jerusalem, the great tribulation, the persecution, the religious deception, His return—all of it will happen. Bishop Moule once said; “Christ absolutely trusted the Bible; and though there are in it things inexplicable and intricate that have puzzled me so much, I am going, not in a blind sense, but reverently, to trust the Book because of Him”. Some men still doubt Jesus’ words. They assume the whole idea of the second coming is some Christian myth, wishful thinking, the figment of hopeful imagination. God knew this would happen. First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. 4 This will be their argument: “Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created.” 2 Pe 3:3-4 Three things are certain to happen in human history. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. Mt 24:8 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Mt 24:21 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Lk 21:27 Conclusion Philip Lovejoy tells the story of a ride he took in 1955. “A lumber merchant friend of mine drove me in a jeep up Mt. Cushman in Vermont. Near the tip of the mountain I noted some six-inch deciduous seedlings. I asked him when they would be good as lumber and he replied, “In the year 2015 A.D.” (at that time 60 years into the future). Since that was way beyond his life-span I asked him why he had planted these trees and he replied, “Because my grandfather planted some on the other side of the mountain for me”. We plant the seed for future generations. 7