1 “The Fig Tree Mystery”
2 When Jesus teaches a parable, He draws a picture that all the people of Israel could easily understand……Then He relates strong spiritual truths that they could apply to their everyday lives! The same for Us! Figs and Fig Trees are Common in Jerusalem and All Israel We Know Very Little About Figs – Yet the Bible uses Figs Over and Over
3 To learn the Mysteries of the End Times We need to go back to the Beginning! Where do we first find Fig Trees and Leaves? Genesis 3:7 – In the Garden of Eden
4 “Adam, of every tree of the Garden, you may freely eat,There was only One Rule Adam and Eve Could Disobey… “Adam, of every tree of the Garden, you may freely eat, but of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, you shall NOT eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” Genesis 2 :16-17
5 her; and he did eat. ( Genesis 3:6)“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took fo the fruit and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat. ( Genesis 3:6) “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Genesis 3:7)
6 When God formed Man out of the dust of the ground, He clothed Adam in the supernatural light of His Presence. After yielding to sin, God’s Presence was removed. Adam and Eve s were naked and ashamed. When Jesus is ruling on the Earth, All believers will have glorified bodies and once again, we will be clothed in His Presence!
7 What if the leaves and the fruit came off the same fig tree?Figs, Olives, and Grapes N OT Apples are the fruit of the Bible Lands
8 If tne Fruit of the Tree of Life offers Eternal Life in Christ!What does the Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil offer? All the Ways of the World - The Good and the Bad As we Learn about Figs, we will soon see 2 natures, both Good & Bad!
9 FIGS Amazing Facts AboutFig trees come in many different varieties, growing between 30 to 50 feet, allowing wonderful shade since their branches grow horizontally. They lose their large green leaves (deciduous) every year and being new growth. Fig leaves are so large (1 ft.) that the fruit is usually hidden. There are 2 fig crops per year. Their wood is weak, pithy instead of solid and decays very quickly. If you cut the branches, milky white sap flows which irritates human skin. The roots of the fig tree are greedy, and choke out other plants and trees. Just like the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, there are 2 natures to the fig trees, good and bad!
10 Fig trees have 2 Natures and 2 Crops The Good & The BadThere are giant fig trees called strangler figs because they grown alongside other trees, wrapping themselves around the trunk& branches, invading the root system – eventually strangling their neighbor trees. This again presents the theme of good and evil. Strngler fig trees drop hanging vines with become new roots everywhere they touch the ground and everntually they takeover…..just like the sin nature from eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Fig trees have genders, male and female. The male caprifig produces fruit you can not eat, It is the host to a nasty fig wasp that burrows inside the fruit reproducing and defecating, totally spoiling the figs. The female fig tree produces 2 crops…. The first ripe crop is the breba, is ripens in Spring around Passover. Because it is grown on last year’s branches, it is not sweet, more starchy and considered food for the poor, the widow, the stranger. The Bible has many verses about the first ripe fig, the breba. The 2nd crop is the sweetest, most desirable fig of the year and harvest is at the time of the Fall Festivals (Oct). Do not miss the fact that the 2 fig crops are times to Passover ( old branch produces not satisfyig figs) and Tabernacles ( sweet figs grown of new branches – Messiah). ( sounds like the 1st and 2nd Coming of Messiah for Israel)! Yes, the fig tree is a symbol for israel, the good and the bad actions of the Nation. WE have much more to learn!
11 “Sitting under Your Fig Tree” is a Symbol of Prosperity and Blessing!As to the wonderful parts of the large shady fig tree that provides covering and wonderful delicious figs, no wonder God pictured the greatest prosperity and blessing in the age to come as, everyone inviting his neighbor to come sit under his fig tree. “In that Day, everyone of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree” Zechariah 3:10
12 The Nation of Israel in Rebellion - Jeremiah 24:1-8Israel as God’s Fig Tree Both Good and Bad The Nation of Israel in Rebellion Jeremiah 24:1-8 Jesus’ Judgment of Israel at 1st Coming Matthew 21:18-22 Israel as Prophetic Sign of 2nd Coming Matthew 24:32-34
13 Jeremiah Chapter 24 1-8 1.The Lord showed me, and behold, 2 baskets of figs were set before the Temple of the LORD, after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah, son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, & the princes of Judah, with carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon” 2.One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten they were so bad. 3. Then said the LORD to me, "What see you, Jeremiah?” I said, "Figs: the good figs, very good & the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten they are so evil.”
14 5. "Thus says the Lord, the God 4. Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 5. "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: `Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. 6. For I will set Mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. 7. And I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart. Obedient Israel = Good Figs Rebellious Israel = Bad Figs
15 Israel as The Fig Tree God’s Judgment of His People Jeremiah 29:16-17 Hosea 9:10 Micah 7:1 Nahum 3:12 Isaiah 28:3 Luke 13:6-8 Mark 11:12-14
16 Hosea 9:10 “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal Peor, and separated themselves unto their shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.” Numbers 25 – Moabite Women Seduce Israelites at Baal Peor - Balaam
17 Jeremiah 29: “Know that thus says the Lord – of the King that sits on the throne of David and of all the people that dwell in this city & of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity. Thus says the Lord of Hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, famine, pestilence and will make them like vile figs, that can not be eaten they are so evil.” Nahum 3:12 “All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit: when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.
18 God’s Judgment of Ephraim “ The House of Israel”The 10 northern Tribes led by Ephraim Taken Captive by The Assyrians - 722BC “The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden underfoot. And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looks upon it sees, he eats it up while it is yet in his hand.” Isaiah 28:3
19 Luke 6 – The Barren Fig Tree6. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: he came & looked for fruit and found none. 7.Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, Behold these 3 years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down why encumber the ground? 8. And he answered, saying Lord, let it alone this year also till I shall dig about it and fertilize it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shall cut it down.”
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21 Bethphage is the back side of the MtBethphage is the back side of the Mt. Of Olives where Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. And the people came to greet Him, waving palm branches and singing, “Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord.” John 12 Zechariah 9:9 Psalm 118:25-26 “And when they were near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mt. of Olives, then Jesus sent 2 disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village against you and right away you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them to me.” Matt.21:1-2
22 Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree!Mark 11: “And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves. For the time of the figs was not yet. Jesus said to it, ‘No man can eat fruit of you hereafter forever.” Jesus Cursed the Fig Tree! “ In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree, dried up from the roots. And Peter said, ‘Master, Behold, the fig tree, which you cursed is withered away’
23 Did God Curse Israel Forever? Never! Romans 1115.For if the casting away of Israel be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of Israel be, but life from the dead. 16. For if the 1st fruit is holy, the lump is also holy: if the root be holy, so are the branches 17. And if some of the branches be broken off, And you as a wild olive tree were grafted in among them, and with them partake of the root (Messiah) and the fatness of the olive tree. 18. Boast not against the branches. But if you boast, you do NOT bear the root but the root bears you. 19. Will you then say, ‘The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by FAITH.. Be not high-minded, but FEAR!
24 For if God spared not the natural branches,take heed lest He also spare you not. 22. Behold the goodness & severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off. 23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24. For if you were cut out of the wild olive tree & were grafted in contrary to nature to a good olive tree, how much more shall these which are the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree?
25 Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so All Israel shall be SavedRomans 11:25
27 If the Fig Tree represents Israel…Did God Curse Israel Forever?What if that Fig Tree is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, whose fruit introduced the power of sin to mankind? Could Jesus be declaring..” Never again will anyone eat of your fruit From This day on, I am Redeeming My People and My Land!
28 Israel, the Fig Tree & Bible ProphecyMatthew 24:32-35 Song of Songs 1:8 Joel 1:6-7 Revelation 6:12-17
29 “Now learn the parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh. So likewise you, when you see all these, know that it is near, even at the door.” (Matt. 24:32-33)
30 “Verily I say to you, that this generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:34-35
31 “The voice of My Beloved. Behold,Song of Songs 1:8 “The voice of My Beloved. Behold, He comes leaping upon the Mountains and skipping on the Hills. My Beloved is like a roe or a young hart; Behold He stands behind our wall, He looks forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. My Beloved spoke and said to me, Rise up, My fair one and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Rise up, My Love, My fair one and come away”
32 Rev. 6: “And I behold when He had opened the 6th seal, and there was a great earthquake: the sun became black as sackcloth & the moon became as blood. The stars of heaven fell to the earth even as a fig tree cast here untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll…
33 a Joel Chapter 1:6-7 Islam & The Locust Army6 “For a nation is come up upon my land (Israel), strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the cheek teeth (meth allah) of a great lion.” 7 “He has laid My vine (Israel) waste, and barked My fig tree (Israel): he has made it (Israel) clean, bare, and cast (Israel) it away; the branches thereof are made white.”
34 When you see the Fig tree – Israel – begin to put forth new leaves……When you see the Fig tree – Israel – begin to put forth new leaves…….the generation who sees Israel bloom and grow…will see the Coming of the King!
35 These shall make war with the Lamb, & the Lamb shall overcome them;for He is Lord of Lords & King of Kings” They that are with Him are called, and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 16:14
36 Who Can Miss the Miracle of Israel Today?Israel is God’s Time Clock for the End Times!
37 “The Restitution of All Things” Acts 3:21Levite’s Garments Recreated! Red Heifer for Temple Purification Holy Temple Vessels “The Restitution of All Things” Acts 3:21 High Priest’s Crown, Robes, & Ephod Sanhedren Re-established Hebrew Language
38 “The Mystery of the Fig Tree”