The following is a quote from a commentary by John Gill on Matt. 21:19, a Jewish commentator of note from the public domain:and presently the fig tree withered away: immediately, upon Christ’s saying these words, its sap was dried up, it lost its verdure; its leaves were shrivelled and shrunk up, and dropped off, and the whole was blasted. This tree was an emblem of the Jews: Christ being hungry, and very desirous of the salvation of men, came first to them, from whom, on account of their large profession of religion, and great pretensions to holiness, and the many advantages they enjoyed, humanly speaking, much fruit of righteousness might have been expected; but, alas! he found nothing but mere words, empty boasts, an outward show of religion, an external profession, and a bare performance of trifling ceremonies, and oral traditions; wherefore Christ rejected them, and in a little time after, the kingdom of God, the Gospel, was taken away from them, and their temple, city, and nation, entirely destroyed.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF SYMBOLISM IN THE BIBLE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN????
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With all undue respect to John Gill Mat 21:19 only applies to Israel if the context is not considered and the meaning arbitrarily inserted on the text:
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
The fig tree is only being used as an example of faith at work.
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
The fig tree is only being used as an example of faith at work.
If the futurists want to appeal to the fig tree as a symbol of Israel then it defeats their own claim of a future restoration of the fig tree as Jesus stated it would never bear fruit again.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
That is the point, there is no future for Israel as Gods Kingdom, only individual believers from that day forward are the Israel of God. Several of the old public domain commentators picked up on this. Only about 1&1/2% 0f Jews in Israel today even claim to be christian, the majority are still waiting for their Messiah but I will grant you, your doctrine is very popular today.
Interpretation is consistent in the bible: given in one place apply elsewhere; but we need to examine correctly and not jump to conclusion and think we know, if we think we know we stop learning. "If any man thinks He knows he doesn't know as He should." When Jesus said, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees," "They understood He meant beware of the teaching of the Pharisees". It was pride of achievement that made their teaching sin. Otherwise another parable about the kingdom of God being like leaven hid in tree measures of bread until the whole is leavened, is interpreted wrong. The leaven of the people is pride of accomplishment: unleavened bread meant that we had to unlearn, purge out old teaching: "Lean not on your understanding but trust in the Lord." Not think like the religious leaders who said they see and remained blind: but to become teachable "As a little child." The new leaven is the preaching of "Faith that works by Love."
For an example of interpretation: had a dream, walking through a field: do you get any interpretation for field? "The field is the world." Jesus giving an interpretation. Walking through the field in the dream, represented the world we overcome through Christ. Then in the dream realized there was an evil spirit shooting at me, putting me in fear and I stopped moving forward and fled for my life. Unless we are in the Fear of God: in admiration worship, we will not have the rightful place for fear in our life, fear is not of Faith. Then I was watching a vision in the dream, the evil spirit was trying to put a yoke on a big ox to make it work for Him, referred as the yoke of bondage in the bible, but the yoke was to small and would not fit. It was cruel to watch him slam this U shape yoke on the animal to try and make it fit across its back. It woke me up thinking, this is not of God He would not show me something so cruel, I got to forget this. Then the interpretation came, I was the big ox. Because I feared for my life, gave a foot hold for the enemy to try and bring me in bondage again; but I had grown by God's word so the former bondage would not fit: I had outgrown it. There is more to this dream, years later about receiving armour... Why I was represented as ox: the four creatures in revelation represent the image of God we are created in. The face as a lion represents Him as King, and the leader personality in man. The face as an ox, is the servant but is old testament: in Ezekiel. The face of a calf is the one in revelation, representing entering in as a little child and not with pride of accomplishment. 12 years ago the Lord told me: Enter in as a little child and put away your divide spirit. The servant personality is also the most prone to idolatry, Israel His servant worshiped the creature (golden calf) more than the creator. The Face as of man: friend of man, son of man: the most animated character trait, the face as a flying eagle: Son of God. Our personality is defined by our 2 strongest traits. Ends up 12 different personalities. The face as a flying eagle is the most introverted personality and represents our inner journey in relationship with God. "They that wait on the Lord shall renew strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles... (Because someone is introverted doesn't mean they are close to God. We tainted the image of God and died in our sin). The order of the four gospels is the same order the four living creatures are mentioned as well. Matthew reveals Jesus as king and shows his genealogy as King, Mark as servant, Luke as son of man and the genealogy goes to Adam, and John as Son of God. A king, a servant, a friend of man and a friend of God. The servant is the richest trait both introverted and introverted, Jesus came as a servant first and as King next. David was a servant before he was King and learned from the old king not to be like Him, until He was in charge of the whole kingdom and corrupted by power for a moment fell to Bathsheba. God's sentence, "From now on you will have wars,". David had failed to go to war when he fell. Other times at war He turned to God for help. "Wars are appointed until the end." The face as lion and as eagle are both leader personalities, one extroverted one introverted. Let's not jump to conclusion and think that we know what we are talking about: the face as a man is the most animated and most shallow personality trait, but we need to show ourselves friendly to have friends. lol
For an example of interpretation: had a dream, walking through a field: do you get any interpretation for field? "The field is the world." Jesus giving an interpretation. Walking through the field in the dream, represented the world we overcome through Christ. Then in the dream realized there was an evil spirit shooting at me, putting me in fear and I stopped moving forward and fled for my life. Unless we are in the Fear of God: in admiration worship, we will not have the rightful place for fear in our life, fear is not of Faith. Then I was watching a vision in the dream, the evil spirit was trying to put a yoke on a big ox to make it work for Him, referred as the yoke of bondage in the bible, but the yoke was to small and would not fit. It was cruel to watch him slam this U shape yoke on the animal to try and make it fit across its back. It woke me up thinking, this is not of God He would not show me something so cruel, I got to forget this. Then the interpretation came, I was the big ox. Because I feared for my life, gave a foot hold for the enemy to try and bring me in bondage again; but I had grown by God's word so the former bondage would not fit: I had outgrown it. There is more to this dream, years later about receiving armour... Why I was represented as ox: the four creatures in revelation represent the image of God we are created in. The face as a lion represents Him as King, and the leader personality in man. The face as an ox, is the servant but is old testament: in Ezekiel. The face of a calf is the one in revelation, representing entering in as a little child and not with pride of accomplishment. 12 years ago the Lord told me: Enter in as a little child and put away your divide spirit. The servant personality is also the most prone to idolatry, Israel His servant worshiped the creature (golden calf) more than the creator. The Face as of man: friend of man, son of man: the most animated character trait, the face as a flying eagle: Son of God. Our personality is defined by our 2 strongest traits. Ends up 12 different personalities. The face as a flying eagle is the most introverted personality and represents our inner journey in relationship with God. "They that wait on the Lord shall renew strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles... (Because someone is introverted doesn't mean they are close to God. We tainted the image of God and died in our sin). The order of the four gospels is the same order the four living creatures are mentioned as well. Matthew reveals Jesus as king and shows his genealogy as King, Mark as servant, Luke as son of man and the genealogy goes to Adam, and John as Son of God. A king, a servant, a friend of man and a friend of God. The servant is the richest trait both introverted and introverted, Jesus came as a servant first and as King next. David was a servant before he was King and learned from the old king not to be like Him, until He was in charge of the whole kingdom and corrupted by power for a moment fell to Bathsheba. God's sentence, "From now on you will have wars,". David had failed to go to war when he fell. Other times at war He turned to God for help. "Wars are appointed until the end." The face as lion and as eagle are both leader personalities, one extroverted one introverted. Let's not jump to conclusion and think that we know what we are talking about: the face as a man is the most animated and most shallow personality trait, but we need to show ourselves friendly to have friends. lol
The leaves have one purpose, common grace the healing of all the nations. Or the temporal covering that Adam and eve used in respect to their body of death.
While the fruit the gospel is signified by figs is that can bring salvation.The power of salvation
Not all Israel is Israel. So it cannot stand for Israel alone without attaching fruit to it. A person would have to ask.... is the Israel, a word when defined that means ; a person has power with God and with men, and hast prevailed in respect to a inward Jew who has the Spirit of Christ or a outward Jew that stand in the same place of a gentile in respect to the name of Jacob before he had a conversion, the surplanter .
If any man has not the Spirit of Christ represented by the fruit of the gospel than neither do they belong to Christ. Its never about one nation. God is father of all nations, always has been .
The leaves again represent that which does not profit for salvation, the flesh of the Son of man which is represented by the veil. When it was rent it was like God saying... Let no fruit grow on you from this time forth forever more
The time of refomation has come.The way into the holiest of all was now made manifest.The outward Jew in respect to the flesh which could never profit with anything that does have to do with the fruit of salvation had served it purpose to be used in parables as shadows .
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away
It will be eaten in the new heaven and earth .
While the fruit the gospel is signified by figs is that can bring salvation.The power of salvation
Not all Israel is Israel. So it cannot stand for Israel alone without attaching fruit to it. A person would have to ask.... is the Israel, a word when defined that means ; a person has power with God and with men, and hast prevailed in respect to a inward Jew who has the Spirit of Christ or a outward Jew that stand in the same place of a gentile in respect to the name of Jacob before he had a conversion, the surplanter .
If any man has not the Spirit of Christ represented by the fruit of the gospel than neither do they belong to Christ. Its never about one nation. God is father of all nations, always has been .
The leaves again represent that which does not profit for salvation, the flesh of the Son of man which is represented by the veil. When it was rent it was like God saying... Let no fruit grow on you from this time forth forever more
The time of refomation has come.The way into the holiest of all was now made manifest.The outward Jew in respect to the flesh which could never profit with anything that does have to do with the fruit of salvation had served it purpose to be used in parables as shadows .
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away
It will be eaten in the new heaven and earth .
In the old testament the word week was used to represent 7 days.
The Greek had no word for week, they used days .
Nine times in the new testament the meaning of the word Sabbath (rest with no other meaning attached ) has been changed from a non-time sensitive word rest to one that is, week, making the word rest to no effect..
Without parables Christ spoke not.In that way the whole poetic language of God is signified using the things seen to represent that not seen (the faith principle).
The Proverbs are one kind of parable . The word proverb is the same word used for parables or sometimes called a figure.
There are different kinds of parables that use the temporal things seen to represent the unseen, eternal gospel. The gospel is hid in parables .
The formula or prescription for discovering the spiritual manner used in parables must be used if we are to seek after the spiritual understanding of God. It provides a understanding that surpass human understanding as the thoughts of God who is not a man as us it is described as the the peace of God .By it we lean not on our own human understanding. But as he gives ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us,
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Many of the parables are historical true using history as a parable. Like the Exodus of Egypt used to represent the eternal rest as the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world . Egypt represents the kingdoms of this world.
Below that parable is spoken .
Deu 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
The Sabbath day referring to the day the Lord did rest in the begining
Looking at the spiritual meaning of that historically true parable in Deuteronomy finding the gospel message we compare the spiritual (not seen) to the spiritual... or faith (not seen) to faith: as it is written
Again the gospel is hid in parables they reveal His righteousness know no man will be found with one of his own
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Rom 1:17
By using the parable of the Exodus rendering, therefore we find both working together in perfect harmony to give of the unseen witness of God .
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Together as one word , one thought we are given.... remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt and with and in six days the LORD made heaven and earth. To different reasons speaking of the same rest.
Many parables work with other parables (faith to faith) to make the gospel more clearer .
The Proverbs are one kind of parable . The word proverb is the same word used for parables or sometimes called a figure.
There are different kinds of parables that use the temporal things seen to represent the unseen, eternal gospel. The gospel is hid in parables .
The formula or prescription for discovering the spiritual manner used in parables must be used if we are to seek after the spiritual understanding of God. It provides a understanding that surpass human understanding as the thoughts of God who is not a man as us it is described as the the peace of God .By it we lean not on our own human understanding. But as he gives ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to us,
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Many of the parables are historical true using history as a parable. Like the Exodus of Egypt used to represent the eternal rest as the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world . Egypt represents the kingdoms of this world.
Below that parable is spoken .
Deu 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
The Sabbath day referring to the day the Lord did rest in the begining
Looking at the spiritual meaning of that historically true parable in Deuteronomy finding the gospel message we compare the spiritual (not seen) to the spiritual... or faith (not seen) to faith: as it is written
Again the gospel is hid in parables they reveal His righteousness know no man will be found with one of his own
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Rom 1:17
By using the parable of the Exodus rendering, therefore we find both working together in perfect harmony to give of the unseen witness of God .
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Together as one word , one thought we are given.... remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt and with and in six days the LORD made heaven and earth. To different reasons speaking of the same rest.
Many parables work with other parables (faith to faith) to make the gospel more clearer .
I would think the post office is not a source of biblical faith.
All Israel is not Israel .
Which one.. the ones seen in respect to the flesh , or the inward Jew not seen in respect to the Spirit of Christ ?
I would offer we must walk by faith rather than by sight. Its the believing Jew, the other Israel, that sought after a sign as that seen . they stumbled over the cross as do most jews today.
The outward Jew in respect to their corruptible flesh flesh would be identified as the Antichrists. They are still waiting for Him to come in the flesh as the Son of man. There will be no other outward demonstration . The promise is one. They need the gospel in the same way the gentiles do.No difference bewteen the two.
1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Some are still waiting for the antichrists to appear ,many, from other sects also to include the outward flesh of a Jew. Like Rome.
All Israel is not Israel .
Which one.. the ones seen in respect to the flesh , or the inward Jew not seen in respect to the Spirit of Christ ?
I would offer we must walk by faith rather than by sight. Its the believing Jew, the other Israel, that sought after a sign as that seen . they stumbled over the cross as do most jews today.
The outward Jew in respect to their corruptible flesh flesh would be identified as the Antichrists. They are still waiting for Him to come in the flesh as the Son of man. There will be no other outward demonstration . The promise is one. They need the gospel in the same way the gentiles do.No difference bewteen the two.
1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Some are still waiting for the antichrists to appear ,many, from other sects also to include the outward flesh of a Jew. Like Rome.
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The above is complete conjecture, as there is nothing in the context that would support your conclusion. It's a complete guess! Since there is nothing to link the rich man as representing the Jews and Lazarus as representing the Gentiles, you could assign any meaning that you want to them. The fact is that the rich man and Lazarus is not a parable, but an event which took place which Jesus is relating to the reader.
Symbolizing what is meant to be taken literally is one of the major reasons for misinterpreting scripture. If you read the rich man and Lazarus event at face value, much information can be garnered from it, which is what God means to convey.
Parables use symbolism to represent the literal, The sower of good seed = Jesus, Wheat = son's of the kingdom, weeds = son's of the devil, harvesters = angels, harvest = end of the age, etc., etc.
In opposition to this, the rich man and Lazarus uses real names and the real location of Hades, ergo, not a parable.
Symbolizing what is meant to be taken literally is one of the major reasons for misinterpreting scripture. If you read the rich man and Lazarus event at face value, much information can be garnered from it, which is what God means to convey.
Parables use symbolism to represent the literal, The sower of good seed = Jesus, Wheat = son's of the kingdom, weeds = son's of the devil, harvesters = angels, harvest = end of the age, etc., etc.
In opposition to this, the rich man and Lazarus uses real names and the real location of Hades, ergo, not a parable.
Hello MarcR,
Just as with everything, the meaning is dependent upon the context. That said, the mention of a fig tree is not always referring to Israel. Below is a scripture that is popularly believed to represent Israel becoming a nation in 1948:
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near."
Below is Luke's version of the same scripture:
"Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near."
If the fig tree sprouting new leaves represents Israel becoming a nation, then in keeping with the parable, the blossoming of "all the trees" would have to represent a literal event as well.
The fig tree blossoming and representing Israel as becoming a nation is simply applied because Israel was used symbolically elsewhere in scripture as the fig tree. It doesn't mean that every time the words "fig tree" is mentioned that it is referring to Israel. We could do the same thing with the event of when Jesus cursed the fig tree causing it to wither, but again it would just be a personal application based on the fact that the fig tree was used to represent Israel in another scripture.
In the case of the fig tree and all the trees blossoming, it is simply being used as a comparison:
Fig tree and all the trees blossoming = Summer is near
The signs that Jesus mentions = End of the age is near
Just as with everything, the meaning is dependent upon the context. That said, the mention of a fig tree is not always referring to Israel. Below is a scripture that is popularly believed to represent Israel becoming a nation in 1948:
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near."
Below is Luke's version of the same scripture:
"Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near."
If the fig tree sprouting new leaves represents Israel becoming a nation, then in keeping with the parable, the blossoming of "all the trees" would have to represent a literal event as well.
The fig tree blossoming and representing Israel as becoming a nation is simply applied because Israel was used symbolically elsewhere in scripture as the fig tree. It doesn't mean that every time the words "fig tree" is mentioned that it is referring to Israel. We could do the same thing with the event of when Jesus cursed the fig tree causing it to wither, but again it would just be a personal application based on the fact that the fig tree was used to represent Israel in another scripture.
In the case of the fig tree and all the trees blossoming, it is simply being used as a comparison:
Fig tree and all the trees blossoming = Summer is near
The signs that Jesus mentions = End of the age is near
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Hello Locutus, all answers shared are welcome!! There's no right or wrong - everyone just share what you've been given - what you understand.
All the symbolism is spiritually discerned - Jesus once said, "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying."
Just share whatever the Holy Spirit has shown you - we don't have to agree.
All the symbolism is spiritually discerned - Jesus once said, "He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying."
Just share whatever the Holy Spirit has shown you - we don't have to agree.
In Matthew 5:15,16:
Jesus is The Light of the world and He calls us...
the light of the world (little "l) = believers in Christ that carry the Light (Jesus) to all people in the world to dispel the darkness
City on a hill = flocks of believers with authority over darkness
City = flocks of believers
Hill = authority
Candle = person
Lit Candle = person saved and the Holy Spirit is indwelling them as oil that keeps the fire burning of Christ in them so others might come out of darkness and into His marvelous Light also.
Bushel = no authority, fear of people, timid, hiding where no one can see
Candlestick = place and position on display in the public arena to dispel darkness so, others can easily come to the Light, which is Jesus.
House = saved person's family, community, city, state, nation, world - all the people the saved person will encounter in their lifetime.
good works = Christ working in me to do those things that are pleasing to the Father and causes people to give glory to God; the person gives ALL glory to the Father.
Jesus is The Light of the world and He calls us...
the light of the world (little "l) = believers in Christ that carry the Light (Jesus) to all people in the world to dispel the darkness
City on a hill = flocks of believers with authority over darkness
City = flocks of believers
Hill = authority
Candle = person
Lit Candle = person saved and the Holy Spirit is indwelling them as oil that keeps the fire burning of Christ in them so others might come out of darkness and into His marvelous Light also.
Bushel = no authority, fear of people, timid, hiding where no one can see
Candlestick = place and position on display in the public arena to dispel darkness so, others can easily come to the Light, which is Jesus.
House = saved person's family, community, city, state, nation, world - all the people the saved person will encounter in their lifetime.
good works = Christ working in me to do those things that are pleasing to the Father and causes people to give glory to God; the person gives ALL glory to the Father.
Hello Awatuthee,
Be aware that Sheol and Hades simply refers to the grave. Our doctrine of a dwelling place of the dead is inserted into Strong's Concordance as a reference. The reference in Revelation where they are tormented day and night forever, their smoke ascending forever could refer to something captured on film, therefore forever preserved. The reference in Mark 9:44: "Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched" I believe is another example of that. It just does not make sense of a maggot that never dies.
All said, as I stated before all scripture has to fit together, in what we teach, or none of it is valid. Some things were presented in parables with figurative speech. Some things maybe we don't quite understand yet. God will not reveal some things until He is ready for us to know. I feel Lazarus and the rich man is a parable despite the proper names
Yours,
Deade