the fig tree

[nanasimmons]

It could be helpful to know..When does a fig tree bear it's fruit?

In Matt 21, the fig tree was cursed, 5 days before passover.

[kenod]

It could be helpful to know..When does a fig tree bear it's fruit?

In Matt 21, the fig tree was cursed, 5 days before passover.

The fig tree is dormant in winter, and produces leaves in spring. Trees usually bear a spring crop, and some also bear an autumn crop.

Passover is in spring (usually April).

It is interesting to note that Titus laid seige to Jerusalem in April 70AD, exactly 40 years after Jesus cursed the fig tree. (Many sources say that Jesus was crucified in 30AD.)

This suggests that a "generation" is 40 years.

[kenod]

Luke 21:29 would show that the fig tree is not Israel in this reference.

I would be interested to hear your justification of that understanding.

The way I understand it, in Luke 25-27, Jesus is speaking about what is called the Great tribulation. He then goes on in the rest of the chapter to tell us to be ready.

Luke 21:28-36

And when these things

begin to come to pass

, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass

, and to stand before the Son of man.

An interesting little postcript on "the fig tree and all the trees" ... have you noticed how the number of independent countries has increased since WW11?

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Edited December 27, 2006 by kenod

[nanasimmons]

It could be helpful to know..When does a fig tree bear it's fruit?

In Matt 21, the fig tree was cursed, 5 days before passover.

The fig tree is dormant in winter, and produces leaves in spring. Trees usually bear a spring crop, and some also bear an autumn crop.

Passover is in spring (usually April).

It is interesting to note that Titus laid seige to Jerusalem in April 70AD, exactly 40 years after Jesus cursed the fig tree. (Many sources say that Jesus was crucified in 30AD.)

This suggests that a "generation" is 40 years.

Years ago, I vaghely remember a sermon preached about Jesus cursing the fig tree. That when He went to the fig tree to look for fruit, it was not literally in season for figs, and so the cursed tree was symbolic of Israel and her lack of fruit, symbolically.

I also lean toward 40 years, being a generation. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!!

When I first became a Christian, I felt honored to be born on the exact day and year, that Israel regained control of Jerusalem, until my 35th b-day, when terrorist came in and bombed Israel. Now I don't look forward to my 40th b-bay, this June, in fear of violance again. Hopfully/prayfully they are prepared for the worst.

Does anyone know if Israel is preparing against a anniversary attack from terrorists?

[kenod]

Years ago, I vaguely remember a sermon preached about Jesus cursing the fig tree. That when He went to the fig tree to look for fruit, it was not literally in season for figs, and so the cursed tree was symbolic of Israel and her lack of fruit, symbolically.

I also lean toward 40 years, being a generation. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!!

When I first became a Christian, I felt honored to be born on the exact day and year, that Israel regained control of Jerusalem, until my 35th b-day, when terrorists came in and bombed Israel. Now I don't look forward to my 40th b-bay, this June, in fear of violence again. Hopfully/prayfully they are prepared for the worst.

Does anyone know if Israel is preparing against a anniversary attack from terrorists?

It seems that Jesus singled out Jerusalem specifically for the judgment that would come upon Israel, and indeed they suffered terribly during the seige of Titus in 70AD. Perhaps this is an indication that when the "fig tree" is restored, we should pay particular heed to what has taken place in Jerusalem - most notably the restoration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 1967.

If a generation is in fact forty years, then 2007 may be a most interesting year! I do hope so, but I am not a prophet

Luke 13:34-35

34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Luke 21:20-24

20 And when ye shall see

Jerusalem compassed with armies

, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and

Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles

, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luke 23:28-31

But Jesus turning unto them said,

Daughters of Jerusalem

, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed [are] the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

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Edited December 27, 2006 by kenod