Through the symbol of a Fig Tree the bible teaches us a lesson that many have missed. let us look at these occurrences so that we will not be deceived.
Lets first look at the Old testament.
Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Notice here that God likens Israel to grapes and a Fig Tree. Let us consider now another passage where the grape or vineyard is a symbol of Israel.
Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
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Notice that Israel and Judah are represented here as the Lords vineyard but it brought forth bad grapes. thus God was going to leave them to perish.
Now with these things in mind, lets go to the New Testament. First we look at the words of John the Baptist when speaking to the Pharasees and Sadducees.
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Notice that He warns then that they need to bring forth Fruits which are the meet of repentance.
Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Then John clarifies in verse 9 that just because they are physical children of Abraham does not save them. Notice the words raise up stones. This was a term used by the Jewish people against Gentiles. They called them Dogs, swine, stones etc. stones was to refer to their stony heart.
So John is saying that God can raise up spiritual children from among the Gentiles.
Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
now notice that John speaks of the axe is at the root of the "trees" and all those trees that don't bring forth fruit will be cut down and burned.
keep this in mind. now notice these words of Jesus.
Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Luk 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luk 13:4 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?
Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Now notice what Jesus said here. He speaks of those who do not repent that they will perish. but now notice what he says next.
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man (God the Father) had a fig tree (Israel) planted in his vineyard (world); and he came and sought fruit(repentance, spirit fruit) thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 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?
Luk 13:8 And he (Jesus) answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Notice here in Jesus Parable God sees No fruit on Israel and thus says to cut it down. but Jesus asks for one year to try and get fruit to appear. Its important to know the timing here. scholars know that this parable is about 2 and a half years into Jesus ministry. interestingly enough John the Baptist preached 6 months before Jesus began. that give us three years. in this time no fruit had grown. so Jesus says give me one year. Approximately one year after that time Jesus died on the cross.
Remember what Jesus said, If it bear no fruit then it shall be cut down.
So the same as John the baptist. if no fruit then it will be cut down.
Mat 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Mat 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
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.
notice that Jesus cursed this fig tee because when it should have fruit it did not. now look at what the disciples said the next day.
Mar 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mar 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Notice it is dried up from the roots. remember John said the axe is at the root.
Now notice another parable from Jesus regarding the vineyard like in Isaiah.
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Mat 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Notice that God sent servants to collect fruit but the beat these servants and killed them. This is refering to the prophets God sent before the Babylonian captivity.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise[/COLOR
After the captivity God sent more prophets than before, as we see in the old testament.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Then next God sends Jesus. and they kill him. thus Jesus is about to tell them what will be their end because of this act of killing the son.
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Notice their answer, destroy the current occupants and give it to others, remember John said that God will raise up children from the Stones/Gentiles.
So Jesus teaches that unless Israel repents then they will surly be rejected as a nation under God. and the kingdom will be given to the Gentiles.
So we ask ourselves, did they kill the son? Yes they did thus they are no longer the chosen nation.
This was prophesied in Daniel.
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
notice seventy weeks are determined for them to finish breaking the law and stop sinning. or in other words they had seventy weeks to repent and bring fourth fruit of repentance. Jesus was clear that as a nation they would be rejected if they rejected Him. that is exactly what they did.
This is why Paul said these things.
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Notice this last one Paul speaks of how even though he is a Jew by flesh he counts it nothing bu dung. but rather he is a Jew in spirit through Jesus. amen.
Stop looking to Israel, Jesus has made it clear that Israel turned away from God. Spiritual Israel is the focus not. blessings.
Lets first look at the Old testament.
Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Notice here that God likens Israel to grapes and a Fig Tree. Let us consider now another passage where the grape or vineyard is a symbol of Israel.
Isa 5:1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Isa 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
.
Notice that Israel and Judah are represented here as the Lords vineyard but it brought forth bad grapes. thus God was going to leave them to perish.
Now with these things in mind, lets go to the New Testament. First we look at the words of John the Baptist when speaking to the Pharasees and Sadducees.
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Notice that He warns then that they need to bring forth Fruits which are the meet of repentance.
Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Then John clarifies in verse 9 that just because they are physical children of Abraham does not save them. Notice the words raise up stones. This was a term used by the Jewish people against Gentiles. They called them Dogs, swine, stones etc. stones was to refer to their stony heart.
So John is saying that God can raise up spiritual children from among the Gentiles.
Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
now notice that John speaks of the axe is at the root of the "trees" and all those trees that don't bring forth fruit will be cut down and burned.
keep this in mind. now notice these words of Jesus.
Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Luk 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luk 13:4 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?
Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Now notice what Jesus said here. He speaks of those who do not repent that they will perish. but now notice what he says next.
Luk 13:6 He spake also this parable; A certain man (God the Father) had a fig tree (Israel) planted in his vineyard (world); and he came and sought fruit(repentance, spirit fruit) thereon, and found none.
Luk 13:7 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?
Luk 13:8 And he (Jesus) answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luk 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Notice here in Jesus Parable God sees No fruit on Israel and thus says to cut it down. but Jesus asks for one year to try and get fruit to appear. Its important to know the timing here. scholars know that this parable is about 2 and a half years into Jesus ministry. interestingly enough John the Baptist preached 6 months before Jesus began. that give us three years. in this time no fruit had grown. so Jesus says give me one year. Approximately one year after that time Jesus died on the cross.
Remember what Jesus said, If it bear no fruit then it shall be cut down.
So the same as John the baptist. if no fruit then it will be cut down.
Mat 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Mat 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
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.
notice that Jesus cursed this fig tee because when it should have fruit it did not. now look at what the disciples said the next day.
Mar 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mar 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Notice it is dried up from the roots. remember John said the axe is at the root.
Now notice another parable from Jesus regarding the vineyard like in Isaiah.
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Mat 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Notice that God sent servants to collect fruit but the beat these servants and killed them. This is refering to the prophets God sent before the Babylonian captivity.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise[/COLOR
After the captivity God sent more prophets than before, as we see in the old testament.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Then next God sends Jesus. and they kill him. thus Jesus is about to tell them what will be their end because of this act of killing the son.
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Notice their answer, destroy the current occupants and give it to others, remember John said that God will raise up children from the Stones/Gentiles.
So Jesus teaches that unless Israel repents then they will surly be rejected as a nation under God. and the kingdom will be given to the Gentiles.
So we ask ourselves, did they kill the son? Yes they did thus they are no longer the chosen nation.
This was prophesied in Daniel.
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
notice seventy weeks are determined for them to finish breaking the law and stop sinning. or in other words they had seventy weeks to repent and bring fourth fruit of repentance. Jesus was clear that as a nation they would be rejected if they rejected Him. that is exactly what they did.
This is why Paul said these things.
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Notice this last one Paul speaks of how even though he is a Jew by flesh he counts it nothing bu dung. but rather he is a Jew in spirit through Jesus. amen.
Stop looking to Israel, Jesus has made it clear that Israel turned away from God. Spiritual Israel is the focus not. blessings.
