Jesus and the War Generation-The Irony of the Fig Tree

[newton3005]

At first glance, it seems that there is ambiguity in the New Testament. Maybe there are those that are familiar with the Bible enough to show us that as one reads and understands every Passage in the New Testament both separately and together, there is no ambiguity. Perhaps the rest of us are to rely on faith that there is no ambiguity; it’s just that we haven’t seen the light shining out of each Passage. Perhaps one’s misconceptions may unintentionally block seeing that light. And then there are the doubting Thomas's who may not see the light until it is spelled out for them.

Submitted for your approval is Matthew 24:34 In which Jesus, who after foretelling of wars, death and destruction in Verses 3 and following, says “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. “

Before going any further, it seems there is some confusion regarding what Jesus means as “this generation.” Even among some commentators, who usually have no problem getting to the point of a Passage, seem confused by what Jesus means. Some say that Jesus is referring to those of the generation and maybe a little after, that hear his words. Some say ergo, the Romans who were high and mighty during that time, have had a hand in the death and destruction that Jesus refers to.

But in all the talk about the destruction of the world or a facsimile thereof, there is one irony. John 3:17 says that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Well, some may wonder how Jesus saves the world by foretelling of its destruction. And the irony is illuminated by a metaphysical fig tree that Jesus refers to in Matthew 24:32, which by ‘putting out its leaves’ will signal the death and destruction he refers to.

Fortunately, there are parts of the NT which follow that have another fig tree signaling a new beginning for mankind, even after heaven and earth are folded into a scroll sometime after the rampage that Jesus speaks of. Somewhere down Fig Tree Road a generation will bear witness to it, and, as alluded to in Verses like 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the dead will rise from their graves to bear witness to it as well. And that point in time will be far past the time when physical temples are needed; instead, there will be a temple without walls as the minions are in God’s Presence.

 

[Davy]

How long will the unlearned keep listening to stupid doctrines of men instead of the actual Scripture as it is written? Don't brethren know that God allows Satan's host to deceive those who put their trust in men?

The generation Jesus was pointing to is simple, if... one reads the Scripture in simplicity.

Matt 24:32-37
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, know that it is near, even at the doors.

There's the first clue of what generation Jesus was pointing to, the generation that "shall see all these things". WHAT THINGS? The Signs He was giving leading up to and to include the day of His future coming to gather His saints. Did Jesus' 2nd coming happen back in His Apostle's day? NO! of course not.

Thus it is Christ's enemies and their deceived followers that keep wrongly assigning the generation as the time of His Apostles.

Just like the fig tree in the middle east, when it puts forth leaves on it, then one knows that summer is near. Summer harvest time is symbolic of the time of Christ's future coming.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

There's Jesus' second time declaring that generation is about the very end with His saints that will see His future coming. That's two times for emphasis by Lord Jesus. One should easily notice that the last SIGN Jesus gave in His Olivet discourse above this is about His future 2nd coming to gather His faithful Church, the saints. That is included in "all these things be fulfilled."

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

Jesus even gives a SIGN of this present world passing away on that day of His future coming, again a third time marking that generation being about the very end of this world that sees His coming.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
KJV

Jesus then even compares that future time of the end with the days of Noah, and that only The Father knows what day and hour His future coming will be. How can that point back to the generation of the Apostles? It's stupid to try and apply it back in history. Those who do are LIARS against Christ Jesus, and one should take warning of them, because they are not of Christ, but instead serve the devil and his children, whether on purpose, or whether they are just deceived. It is so much easier to just listen to our Lord Jesus in HIS... Word instead of their lies.