He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Fig Tree) # 16

In order to do this, you generally have to read the verses that precede the parable He spoke.

For example, following Jesus' comments about the widow giving her two small coins in the temple, He teaches about:

• The destruction of the temple

• The coming of the end of the age

Look at Luke 21: 7-28, we read, “And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 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. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 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. 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. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

As we read about these signs that would precede His coming, someone might be saying, “These aren’t really signs, because the things He mentions are things that have occurred since mankind has been on earth.” This is true!

But the Lord was stating that before the end of age, as we know it to be, the things He talks about will be of a greater magnitude than ever before.

We have to remember that it was Jewish disciples who asked this question, and He is responding to their question in verse 7, “…When shall these things be?” So the things He talks to them about apply to them.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT?

Because some of the signs that the Lord talks about, will take place during the tribulation period. And since the Jews rejected Christ, they will be here during the tribulation period to witness these things, before the Lord comes back to set up the Kingdom of God.

To illustrate how they might know when the end of the age is at hand, the Lord spoke to them using the parable of the FIG TREE.

WHAT CAN A FIG TREE TEACH US ABOUT THE END OF THE AGE?

Figs are something we do not hear a lot about today. But during the days of Christ, the fig tree was a common and important source of food for the Jews.

WHY DID THE LORD CHOOSE THE FIG TREE?

Because not only the fig tree, but all trees can tell you a great deal about when AUTUMN and SPRING are coming.