The Parable Of The Fig Tree Series

Introduction

A. Lets turn to Matthew 24:32 - 34, I believe that this is one of the more misunderstood passages in the gospels

Matthew 24:32-34 (NKJV)

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. {33} "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! {34} "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

1. The fig tree, Some believe, represents Israel

a. When the tree begins to put forth leaves, summer is near

(1) Its not summer yet

(2) But it is close at hand

2. But the fig tree might represent the times

a. The signs that Jesus has revealed

b. If we are watching, we can see the leaves of the tree beginning to grow

(1) So we should be watching for the beginning of the signs Jesus has already spoken of

(a) Lets turn to Matthew 24:4-8

3. The entire passage, verses 4 - 28 tell us generally and specifically the signs of the times

a. But, we shall only read verses 4-8

Matthew 24:4-8 (NKJV)

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. {5} "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. {6} "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. {8} "All these are the beginning of sorrows.

(1) Religious deception will be rampant

(a) Many claiming to be Christ

(b) And false prophets of a false Christianity

(2) Wars and rumors of wars

(a) Racial tensions will be escalating

i) Tension between Black and White

ii) Tension between Jew and Arab

iii) Tension between various tribes

(b) Wars between nations

i) This includes internal strife

ii) And external war

(3) Famines

(a) Starvation caused by natural disasters

(b) Caused by war

(c) Caused by political unrest

(d) Caused by economics

(4) Pestilence

(a) Zika Virus

(b) Aids, we haven’t heard much about this one recently

(c) Pneumonia seems to be on the rise

(d) West Nile Virus

(e) We could name so many more

(5) Earthquakes

(a) Just a short while ago, there was a quake reported to have been greater than the San Francisco quake that leveled the city on April 18, 1906

(b) Earthquakes in China

(c) Earthquakes in South America

(d) Earthquakes all around the world

i) The tsunami in Japan was the result of an undersea quake

(6) And along with earthquakes, we should consider the weather lately.

(a) Here in Colorado we have had mild weather

(b) But the West Coast had drought conditions

(c) And the East Coast was drowned out

(d) Other places, Europe, Africa, Asia have not faired any better

i) We have had the largest El-Nino on record

(7) Are these the signs of which Jesus spoke?

(a) These things have been going on since Cain murdered Able

(b) There are a few very specific things to watch for

i) The building of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem

ii) The Abomination of Desolation

iii) And others

a) Lets turn again to Matthew 24:34

B. What is a generation

Matthew 24:34 (NKJV)

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

1. What is a generation?

a. In this context, what is a generation?

(1) Many have said that this verse applies to the generation which was living at the time of the establishment of the modern Israel on May 14, 1948.

(a) However, those people around in 1948 would be, 62 at the very youngest

(b) And well over 71 for those adults who were around in 1948, that is those who were 21 in 1948

(2) Today, many say that this is those around when all these signs take place

(a) J Vernon McGee says this generation is the nation of Israel who are alive when these things begin to take place

i) Israel will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

ii) Since Jesus was talking about the future of Israel, this makes sense

2. So why did Jesus make the statements found here in Matthew chapter 24?

a. So that we might see these things beginning to happen and anticipate Christ’s return to catch up the church prior to the tribulation

b. And so that those who receive Christ as Savior after the rapture will know what lies before them in those 7 years