parable of the fig tree generation

[Spiritual Israelite]

Regardless of what book, it is necessary to understand what the fig presents to determine what generation won't pass without witnessing Jesus's return.

Here is what you are missing. I know this will go over your head, but I'll say this for the benefit of anyone else reading the discussion.

In Matthew 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30 and Luke 21:29-32, the leaves starting to come out on the fig tree and all the other trees indicates that summer is near. Similarly, when "all these things" happen that Jesus had just previously referenced, then that means His second coming is near. So, the fig tree does not represent Jerusalem or Israel in that parable, it is simply referenced to give an example of how near Jesus's return will be when "all these things" happen. The same generation who witnesses "all these things" will not pass away until all those things happen first.

 

[PinSeeker]

And Christ also said that “this generation” refers to the ongoing lineage (family) of evil that began with Cain. This evil continues through history, through the first century, through the entire New Testament, including the loosened of Satan. This generation will persist until all the events described in the Olivet Discourse are fully accomplished.

Well, He's specifically talking about the period that began with his birth and will really get going with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but yes, continuing through history, through the entire New Testament period, the Church age, yes, but up to the occurrence of what Paul talks about in Romans 11:25-26, when the fullness of the Gentiles is brought into God's Israel and the partial hardening of Israel (the Jewish elect) is removed, so all of Israel saved. The loosening of Satan will happen when this is fully accomplished. And will be a time of tribulation such has never previously occurred, and will be cut short for the sake of the elect... by the return of Jesus.

Only after these signs are fulfilled will Christ appear visibly, bringing final judgment. At that time, all the spiritual offspring (generation) of evil—the entire “generation” of Satan’s influence—will be cast into the Lake of Fire, as Scripture clearly teaches. We, the Elect, of the chosen generation from Adam/Eve to the Last Elect will have not to worry about it. Remember there are two generations, two spiritual families, on Earth!

Basically correct... And one will be on Jesus's right in the final Judgment; this is the congregation of the righteous (Psalm 1), and the other will be on Jesus's left (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29).

The key point: the Olivet Discourse is about recognizing the signs of the end,....

Hmmm. I would say the Olivet Discourse is about the Gospel being available to all, with no one for any reason excluded.

not about earthly Israel or temporal nations.

Except in the same sense as what Paul says in his letters, that all those in Christ Jesus are one, regardless of any earthly distinction of any kind, including ethnicity.

The final judgment comes after the complete fulfillment of these prophetic events concerning the New Testament congregation and the ultimate victory of Christ over evil is certain.

Amen and amen. And we can live now as if this is already a reality. The joy of the future must enter into the present.

Grace and peace to all.

 

[PinSeeker]

The fig tree is about bearing fruit ~ the fruit of the Spirit ~ or not. Goodness gracious. The ones that bear this fruit are the ones who will be the ones on Jesus's right in the final Judgment, having been resurrected to eternal life, and the ones who do not are the ones who will be on His left, having been resurrected to judgment.

There are no... "ages." There is the covenant of the law, for which Adam was the mediator, and he failed. From the time of the Fall in Genesis 3, there is the covenant of Grace ~ which consists of the specific covenants with Adam and Noah (life), Abraham (land, people), Moses (law), and David (kingship over Israel), which Christ Himself is, collectively speaking, the full embodiment of ~ for which Christ is the Mediator, and He... has succeeded. <smile> Perfectly. <smile> And now, it is being brought to completion. God is building His House, His Israel:

"...(God's Israel)... the household of God (is being) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him (we all, Jew and Gentile alike) are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)​

​

"...the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10)​

Grace and peace to all.

 

[TribulationSigns]

@TribulationSigns, you are making a mistake in your reasoning.

Not at all — I’m confident my reasoning is sound.

Matthew 24:32 states this, "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.

Now the Fig Tree was a frequent metaphor for the nation of Israel and in Genesis 15:16 we are told this: - "But in the fourth generation they, {your descendants} shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Christ did not talk about Israel in his fig tree parable.

Four Thousand years after the birth of Isaac in the year 2052 BC in the year 1948 AD Abraham's descendants did return to live in the land of Canaan. Now the fourth Generation has a duration of 4096 years and 96 years after the descendants of Abraham return to the Canaan, the completion of the visitation of the iniquities of the fathers upon their children and the children's children in the third and the fourth generation of the existence of the nation of Israel would end. The ending of the fourth generation will occur 96 years after the nation was established in the year 1948 AD. Now an interesting fact is that between when the trees begin to bud during the early Spring until the beginning of the Summer Season 96 days will pass and if we apply the years for a day to this prophecy it tells us that the beginning of the age when the Summer's harvest of souls will begin, firstly with the nation of Israel, is the years 2045 AD as God will begin to draw the nation of Israel to Himself.

Now these years, referenced above, confirm when the Seventh Age, of the overarching age, will begin around the year 2045 AD.

Seventh Age? Overarching age? Chuckle...

The Scriptures provide the timeline for when the events of the End times as described in Mat 24-25 will occur.

Like what. Show us the chapters and verses.

The lesson in Mat 24-25 is about our spiritual awareness of the time,

Yes. More specifically awareness of the Little Season.

and what will unfold and when it will unfold, as we approach the end of the Seventh Age.

First, tell me what the first six ages are supposed to be. I’m guessing this comes from dispensationalist teaching. Let me guess:

• Age of Innocence
• Age of Conscience
• Age of Human Government
• Age of Promise
• Age of Law
• Age of Grace
• (Then supposedly) an “Overarching” or seventh age

Regardless, this idea does not come directly from the fig tree passage itself. It appears to be a man-made interpretation layered onto the text. The attempt to connect a “seventh age” to the fig tree generation comes from combining several different theological systems in order to construct a prophetic timeline that simply is not stated in Scripture.

 

[Jay Ross]

Not at all — I’m confident my reasoning is sound.



Christ did not talk about Israel in his fig tree parable.







Seventh Age? Overarching age? Chuckle...



Like what. Show us the chapters and verses.



Yes. More specifically awareness of the Little Season.



First, tell me what the first six ages are supposed to be. I’m guessing this comes from dispensationalist teaching. Let me guess:

• Age of Innocence
• Age of Conscience
• Age of Human Government
• Age of Promise
• Age of Law
• Age of Grace
• (Then supposedly) an “Overarching” or seventh age

Regardless, this idea does not come directly from the fig tree passage itself. It appears to be a man-made interpretation layered onto the text. The attempt to connect a “seventh age” to the fig tree generation comes from combining several different theological systems in order to construct a prophetic timeline that simply is not stated in Scripture.

You have just stated your opinion not understanding that an overarching age can also contain seven ages within its boundaries.

 

[TribulationSigns]

You have just stated your opinion not understanding that an overarching age can also contain seven ages within its boundaries.

I know for a fact that your so-called “overarching age” interpretation is not from God. It is nothing but speculation of man! And I noticed you weren’t able to provide the Scripture I asked for anyway. So… I think that pretty much settles it. Move on!

 

[Jay Ross]

I know for a fact that your so-called “overarching age” interpretation is not from God. It is nothing but speculation of man! And I noticed you weren’t able to provide the Scripture I asked for anyway. So… I think that pretty much settles it. Move on!

There are others on this forum would disagree with you.

Just because I did not provide you with any scriptures to justify my posts does not mean that my understanding is wrong. It takes a lot of effort to dig through scripture to find what is requested by others.

The expression I have to find for you is the "age of the ages" which has two different variations of the Greek Root word G:0165 embedded in the text.

The tradition of the respective religious cults blinkers us from seeing God's truth.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

There are others on this forum would disagree with you.

Just because I did not provide you with any scriptures to justify my posts does not mean that my understanding is wrong. It takes a lot of effort to dig through scripture to find what is requested by others.

You can't be taken seriously on this forum if you can't back up your claims with scripture. Just so you know. Try to remember that. No one cares about what you come up with in your imagination. Show us the scripture.

The expression I have to find for you is the "age of the ages" which has two different variations of the Greek Root word G:0165 embedded in the text.

The tradition of the respective religious cults blinkers us from seeing God's truth.

You have blinkered yourself from seeing God's truth.

 

[ewq1938]

Trees can represent things other than just being trees.

They can also be used as literal trees in a different metaphoric teaching about sprouting being the signs of the second coming.

 

[TribulationSigns]

There are others on this forum would disagree with you.

I really do not care how many others on this forum agree with you. Truth is not determined by popularity. If a group of people all share the same doctrinal error, they will naturally defend each other’s interpretations. That does not make it true — it simply means the same misunderstanding has been repeated.

Just because I did not provide you with any scriptures to justify my posts does not mean that my understanding is wrong. It takes a lot of effort to dig through scripture to find what is requested by others. The expression I have to find for you is the "age of the ages" which has two different variations of the Greek Root word G:0165 embedded in the text.

Aww, poor you — it’s “too much work” to provide Scripture for the doctrine you’re promoting? That actually proves my point. If a teaching truly comes from the Bible, it should not be difficult to show the passage that supports it. The Word of God is not hidden behind endless digging or complicated excuses.

When someone makes a doctrinal claim, the responsibility is simple: show the Scripture. If it takes so much effort that you cannot even point to a clear verse, then perhaps the doctrine itself is the problem — not the effort required.

Biblical truth is meant to be examined openly. The Bereans were called noble because they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so. Real doctrine can withstand that test. If yours cannot even be presented plainly, then it is not something I am obligated to accept.

So again, the issue is simple: show the Scripture, or admit that the idea is speculation.

The tradition of the respective religious cults blinkers us from seeing God's truth.

And regarding your last statement about “religious cults blinding people,” that accusation actually applies to the very method you are using. The Dispensationalists who tend to divide God's people and "ages" are actually cult-like thinking often begins when someone introduces an idea that cannot be plainly supported by Scripture and then tells others they simply lack special insight if they cannot see it. That is not how God reveals truth. Scripture interprets Scripture, and truth does not require secret linguistic constructions or private interpretations to exist.

So again, if the doctrine is real, show the Scripture plainly. If it cannot be shown, then it remains nothing more than the speculation of man.

 

[Douggg]

They can also be used as literal trees in a different metaphoric teaching about sprouting being the signs of the second coming.

A parable is not needed for that alone. The parable of the fig tree is also to identify what generation will witness Jesus's return. Which to do that, it is necessary to determine what the fig tree presents.

Can you not see what is going on with Iran's attacks on Israel in the news as an indicator that the Gog/Magog event is close at hand - before the end of 2030 ?

 

[PinSeeker]

They can also be used as literal trees in a different metaphoric teaching about sprouting being the signs of the second coming.

I love this little poem...

Trees​

Joyce Kilmer
1886 – 1918
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

 

[PinSeeker]

There are others on this forum would disagree with you.

Well of course there are. <smile>

Just because I did not provide you with any scriptures to justify my posts does not mean that my understanding is wrong. It takes a lot of effort to dig through scripture to find what is requested by others.

For someone who is so dug in on what he's dug in on, as you are, it seems it wouldn't be very difficult at all, really.

The expression I have to find for you is the "age of the ages" which has two different variations of the Greek Root word G:0165 embedded in the text.

Hmmmm...

The tradition of the respective religious cults blinkers us from seeing God's truth.

Maybe, but the Holy Spirit can overcome that, for sure.

Grace and peace to you.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

A parable is not needed for that alone.

Who are you to say for what purpose Jesus should have told His parables, including that one? He sometimes gave short parables to make quick, simple points and this was one of them. His point in the Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28, Luke 21:29) parable was to give people an indication of how near His return would be when "all these things" happened. It would be as near as summer is when the leaves on a fig tree and all the other trees start to come out. There's no reason to read any more into it than that.