Our time is finite.

[Derek1955]

Luke 13 : 6-9. He spake also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

This parable is also an awakening for all. God has borne long with the sins of humankind and we may hope that he will bear with us for a little longer but we cannot expect that he will bear always, for a coal that will not burn is not fit for the fire..

Reading this parable, the warning is clear that the time for us to come to our senses and repent is finite. If we do not obey the two great commandments, repent and seek God's forgiveness for those wrongdoings we continually commit in thought, word and deed then, at our death, instead of being given eternal life, our tree will be cut down and burnt.

 

[Dino246]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your conclusion, but I have a question for you to consider: if the parable is "about" our time being finite, what does "dig about it, and dung it" mean? Jesus didn't mince words, so those words must have meaning within the overall intent of the parable.

 

[Runningman]

4Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

John 3:4-10

 

[Corban]

Jehovah is always correct. He had chosen Abraham and his seed to achieve His purpose. So when our Lord Jesus came, He first approached Israel, seed of Abraham, with the Kingdom. It is only after His total rejection by the Nation of Israel that He turns to individuals of both Israel and the Gentiles and forms the "New Man". The beginning of Luke 13 follows this pattern. Our Lord Jesus enters a scene of Jewish religion. It is "this time" (12:56) and "this season" (13:1) when the Lord graciously offers Himself as the Jubilee to acquit Israel and return their possessions free of charge. But Israel as a whole is no more. A Tree in parable is a king and his kingdom (Judges Chapter 9). Up until the Assyrian deportation of the the 10 northern Tribes, Israel as a Kingdom is depicted by a Vine. But after the Babylonian captivety ended, only a small remnant of Judah and Benjamin returned to build God's City and Temple again, and they are called a "Fig" Tree.

For a man, or a Nation to be forgiven, he must admit that he is a sinner. John Baptist and our Lord Jesus came with the cry, "REPENT ...". That is, admit that your road is wrong and turn from it. The Jews could not do this. So they show and example of "real" sinners who where slaughtered by Pilate. Our Lord answers this from a Jewish perspective:

• The word "perish" in the Greek does not mean "annihilated". It means living men in a state of "lack of well-being", or suffering (Vine). So the following text shows a Nation in agony.
• The first mention of "eighteen" is in Judges 3:14 and 10:8 where Israel, for their sins, were ruled brutally by a foreign king. All three examples contain the number "eighteen", showing that Israel was ruled by Pilate, an oppressive regent of Caesar and ruled by demons who bent them double so that they could not look to heaven
• Galilee speaks of Israel in captivity for it is "Galilee of the NATIONS" (Isa.9:1)
• Siloam is a stream that should have refreshed Judah, but had been turned into a "tower" (for false worship) that caused judgement to come on Israel for breaking the Law
• The woman bent double was the former wife of God - Israel - who had received a "writ of divorce" for idolatry (Jer.3:8)
• "Eighteen" is made of THREE times SIX. Three examples are given to show Israel, and all men, made on the SIXTH day, in the first SIX thousand years since Adam. The picture is one of sin and failure and judgment and oppression
• The ministry of Jesus was just over three years. In that time Judah could have repented and believed and made themselves eligible for the Kingdom of God - the Kingdom that would replace Rome (Dan.2:34-35, 44). But, alas - NO FRUIT from the Law, and NO FRUIT of repentance
• The Lord allows Judah to enter the fourth year to bear fruit, but half way through it, they murder their Messiah
• The Lord was teaching in synagogues. Synagogues were not ordained by God. They were places of gathering for Israel when their was no Temple. They were thus places of RELIGION without the real thing
• The Sabbath is a bastion and pillar of the Law. It is a time of no work, rest, joy, feasting and "every man in his place" (Ex.16:29).
• The woman oppressed by the "spirit" that bent her double, is healed on the Sabbath. This depicts Israel's recovery in the SEVENTH one-thousand-year DAY since Adam - the Millennium or Messianic Age
• The woman oppressed is a "daughter of Abraham". This shows the seed of Abraham in "their Place" - that is, restored to their Land. BUT ... in Israel only men inherited the rule of the Land. So "daughter" of Abraham shows Israel forfeiting the Kingdom (Matt.21:43)
• The "rulers" of the synagogues - Pharisees, illegal rulers, would have Israel BOUND on the SEVENTH. But the Son of David will set give Israel her Jubilee when He comes again. Luke's main theme is Christ, a Jubilee to Israel and the Nations. So the next Parables, starting from verse 18, address the Church and those who would inherit the Kingdom when God sets its up on earth after His return.

Below is the text we discuss in Luke 13:1-17 (KJV) for quick reference;

1 "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him."

 

[p_rehbein]

It is appointed once for all to die, after that...

It earthly lives...bodies surely have a finite shelf life.

Spirits live 4ever. Where is the choice all have 2 make

 

[Derek1955]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your conclusion, but I have a question for you to consider: if the parable is "about" our time being finite, what does "dig about it, and dung it" mean? Jesus didn't mince words, so those words must have meaning within the overall intent of the parable.

It means to keep trying to bring someone to belief.

 

[throughfaith]

Luke 13 : 6-9. He spake also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

This parable is also an awakening for all. God has borne long with the sins of humankind and we may hope that he will bear with us for a little longer but we cannot expect that he will bear always, for a coal that will not burn is not fit for the fire..

Reading this parable, the warning is clear that the time for us to come to our senses and repent is finite. If we do not obey the two great commandments, repent and seek God's forgiveness for those wrongdoings we continually commit in thought, word and deed then, at our death, instead of being given eternal life, our tree will be cut down and burnt.

When you say ' we 'do you mean believer's in Christ or unbelievers who are not saved yet ?

 

[throughfaith]

Luke 13 : 6-9. He spake also this parable; a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

This parable is also an awakening for all. God has borne long with the sins of humankind and we may hope that he will bear with us for a little longer but we cannot expect that he will bear always, for a coal that will not burn is not fit for the fire..

Reading this parable, the warning is clear that the time for us to come to our senses and repent is finite. If we do not obey the two great commandments, repent and seek God's forgiveness for those wrongdoings we continually commit in thought, word and deed then, at our death, instead of being given eternal life, our tree will be cut down and burnt.

If Jesus has died for the sins of the world why would the message not be " Jesus has died for your sins ,but you need to recieve Him , Believe that He died for your sins and was raised for your justification . He has already done it ,but you need to recieve what He has done for you ,by Faith . Isnt that the good news ?

 

[Guojing]

Jehovah is always correct. He had chosen Abraham and his seed to achieve His purpose. So when our Lord Jesus came, He first approached Israel, seed of Abraham, with the Kingdom. It is only after His total rejection by the Nation of Israel that He turns to individuals of both Israel and the Gentiles and forms the "New Man". The beginning of Luke 13 follows this pattern. Our Lord Jesus enters a scene of Jewish religion. It is "this time" (12:56) and "this season" (13:1) when the Lord graciously offers Himself as the Jubilee to acquit Israel and return their possessions free of charge. But Israel as a whole is no more. A Tree in parable is a king and his kingdom (Judges Chapter 9). Up until the Assyrian deportation of the the 10 northern Tribes, Israel as a Kingdom is depicted by a Vine. But after the Babylonian captivety ended, only a small remnant of Judah and Benjamin returned to build God's City and Temple again, and they are called a "Fig" Tree.

For a man, or a Nation to be forgiven, he must admit that he is a sinner. John Baptist and our Lord Jesus came with the cry, "REPENT ...". That is, admit that your road is wrong and turn from it. The Jews could not do this. So they show and example of "real" sinners who where slaughtered by Pilate. Our Lord answers this from a Jewish perspective:

• The word "perish" in the Greek does not mean "annihilated". It means living men in a state of "lack of well-being", or suffering (Vine). So the following text shows a Nation in agony.
• The first mention of "eighteen" is in Judges 3:14 and 10:8 where Israel, for their sins, were ruled brutally by a foreign king. All three examples contain the number "eighteen", showing that Israel was ruled by Pilate, an oppressive regent of Caesar and ruled by demons who bent them double so that they could not look to heaven
• Galilee speaks of Israel in captivity for it is "Galilee of the NATIONS" (Isa.9:1)
• Siloam is a stream that should have refreshed Judah, but had been turned into a "tower" (for false worship) that caused judgement to come on Israel for breaking the Law
• The woman bent double was the former wife of God - Israel - who had received a "writ of divorce" for idolatry (Jer.3:8)
• "Eighteen" is made of THREE times SIX. Three examples are given to show Israel, and all men, made on the SIXTH day, in the first SIX thousand years since Adam. The picture is one of sin and failure and judgment and oppression
• The ministry of Jesus was just over three years. In that time Judah could have repented and believed and made themselves eligible for the Kingdom of God - the Kingdom that would replace Rome (Dan.2:34-35, 44). But, alas - NO FRUIT from the Law, and NO FRUIT of repentance
• The Lord allows Judah to enter the fourth year to bear fruit, but half way through it, they murder their Messiah
• The Lord was teaching in synagogues. Synagogues were not ordained by God. They were places of gathering for Israel when their was no Temple. They were thus places of RELIGION without the real thing
• The Sabbath is a bastion and pillar of the Law. It is a time of no work, rest, joy, feasting and "every man in his place" (Ex.16:29).
• The woman oppressed by the "spirit" that bent her double, is healed on the Sabbath. This depicts Israel's recovery in the SEVENTH one-thousand-year DAY since Adam - the Millennium or Messianic Age
• The woman oppressed is a "daughter of Abraham". This shows the seed of Abraham in "their Place" - that is, restored to their Land. BUT ... in Israel only men inherited the rule of the Land. So "daughter" of Abraham shows Israel forfeiting the Kingdom (Matt.21:43)
• The "rulers" of the synagogues - Pharisees, illegal rulers, would have Israel BOUND on the SEVENTH. But the Son of David will set give Israel her Jubilee when He comes again. Luke's main theme is Christ, a Jubilee to Israel and the Nations. So the next Parables, starting from verse 18, address the Church and those who would inherit the Kingdom when God sets its up on earth after His return.

Below is the text we discuss in Luke 13:1-17 (KJV) for quick reference;

1 "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him."

Jesus was a minster only to the circumcision during his time on Earth. Matthew 15:24, Romans 15:8. Fig tree, vineyard and olive are always symbols in the Gospels referring to Israel and the Jews.

Some examples from the OT show that The fig tree is symbolic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically. Hosea 9:10 says,

“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”

Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when

“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)

The fig tree is a picture of Israel. In Jeremiah 24, we read about the prophet’s vision of two baskets of figs. Every person in Israel was symbolized by those figs. This means that the whole nation is one or several fig trees from which come the figs, the individual Israelites.

Elsewhere in the OT, when God was displeased with His people because of their unfaithfulness, He would make it known by referring to the lack of fruit on a fig tree. We have an example of this in Jeremiah 8:13. "I will surely consume them," says the Lord. "No grapes shall be on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things I have given them shall pass away from them." Here again, Israel as a nation is symbolized by a fig tree.

 

[Corban]

Jesus was a minster only to the circumcision during his time on Earth. Matthew 15:24, Romans 15:8. Fig tree, vineyard and olive are always symbols in the Gospels referring to Israel and the Jews.

Some examples from the OT show that The fig tree is symbolic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically. Hosea 9:10 says,

“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”

Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when

“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)

The fig tree is a picture of Israel. In Jeremiah 24, we read about the prophet’s vision of two baskets of figs. Every person in Israel was symbolized by those figs. This means that the whole nation is one or several fig trees from which come the figs, the individual Israelites.

Elsewhere in the OT, when God was displeased with His people because of their unfaithfulness, He would make it known by referring to the lack of fruit on a fig tree. We have an example of this in Jeremiah 8:13. "I will surely consume them," says the Lord. "No grapes shall be on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things I have given them shall pass away from them." Here again, Israel as a nation is symbolized by a fig tree.

Fair enough. Let us assume you are correct. Show, in the parable, how our Lord Jesus can expect fruit of the ten Northern Tribes when He came to Judah some 600 years after the ten Northern Tribes has been defeated, deported and dispersed - never to have returned?

While you prepare that, consider the following;

1. Hosea 9:10 speaks of the past when Israel was in the wilderness, not of Christ's time
2. 1st Kings 4 speaks of Israel still united under Solomon, not Christ's time
3. Jeremiah 24 concerns those who were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar - Judah. It rather supports what I said
4. Jeremiah 8:13 is literal. It is one of the curses of the Law (Lev.26:20) which applied to all Israel

 

[Nehemiah6]

Reading this parable, the warning is clear that the time for us to come to our senses and repent is finite.

While this is certainly a valid application to unbelievers (not believers as you seem to be suggesting), the primary application is to unbelieving Israel (which you have not even mentioned). This parable was a warning to Israel, and it went unheeded.

 

[Dino246]

It means to keep trying to bring someone to belief.

Okay... again, Jesus doesn't mince words. What does "dung it" mean, in the context you propose?

Proper interpretation of the passage must account for the entire passage, not merely the parts that conveniently fit the interpretation.

 

[Guojing]

Fair enough. Let us assume you are correct. Show, in the parable, how our Lord Jesus can expect fruit of the ten Northern Tribes when He came to Judah some 600 years after the ten Northern Tribes has been defeated, deported and dispersed - never to have returned?

While you prepare that, consider the following;

1. Hosea 9:10 speaks of the past when Israel was in the wilderness, not of Christ's time
2. 1st Kings 4 speaks of Israel still united under Solomon, not Christ's time
3. Jeremiah 24 concerns those who were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar - Judah. It rather supports what I said
4. Jeremiah 8:13 is literal. It is one of the curses of the Law (Lev.26:20) which applied to all Israel

Fruit, in the case of the gospel of the kingdom, is for Jews to acknowledge that he is the Son of God and their promised Messiah.

Is that a lot to expect from Israel, given all the signs and wonders Jesus displayed specifically for Israel? John 10 stated

22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in [d]doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me

37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and [f]believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.

 

[Derek1955]

Okay... again, Jesus doesn't mince words. What does "dung it" mean, in the context you propose?

Proper interpretation of the passage must account for the entire passage, not merely the parts that conveniently fit the interpretation.

Dung it means 'feed' it. Give it something to feed on.

 

[Derek1955]

While this is certainly a valid application to unbelievers (not believers as you seem to be suggesting), the primary application is to unbelieving Israel (which you have not even mentioned). This parable was a warning to Israel, and it went unheeded.

It is also a timely warning to ALL unbelievers I thought Paul in Romans 10:12 said there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

 

[Nehemiah6]

It is also a timely warning to ALL unbelievers I thought Paul in Romans 10:12 said there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

While Paul was speaking about the grace of God being freely available to all, Christ was speaking (in that parable) about the wrath of God on those who deliberately reject Christ. So let's examine that parable and see how that is evident.

LUKE 13: THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE

WARNING TO THE JEWS TO REPENT
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

ISRAEL REPRESENTED AS AN UNFRUITFUL FIG TREE
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man [GOD] had a fig tree [ISRAEL] planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. [Note: Christ was opposed daily by the religious leaders]

JUDGMENT WAS PENDING BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard [CHRIST], Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? [Note: Christ ministered to Israel for 3 1/2 years. The half year is shown in the next verse]

ISRAEL WAS GIVEN EXTRA TIME TO REPENT
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: [Note: Christ offered Himself to Israel as their King/Messiah when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey]

JUDGMENT CAME UPON ISRAEL IN 70 AD
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. [Note: Israel had another 40 years to turn to Christ. Many believed on Him but many others did not. Paul eventually turned from the unbelieving Jews to the Gentiles]