Blessed be the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Welcome as we delve into God\u2019s Word today. Our study is titled \u201cTHE FIG TREE WITH LEAVES.\u201d You may wonder what this title means, but follow along to the end \u2014 I am certain you will receive a profound lesson.<\/p>\n
One day, before Jesus went to sit with His disciples on the Mount of Olives to explain the signs of the end times, He performed a remarkable act, intentionally teaching a lesson for the following day. This act was cursing the fig tree.<\/p>\n
As Jesus left Bethany early in the morning to go to the temple in Jerusalem, He encountered a fig tree along the way (the fig tree bears figs, a fruit common in the Middle East). Let us read what happened:<\/p>\n
\nMark 11:12\u201314
\u201cOn the following day, when they had come from Bethany, He was hungry.
Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Then Jesus answered and said to it, \u2018Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.\u2019 And His disciples heard it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nWHAT IS A FIG TREE?<\/h3>\n
A fig tree produces figs, and it thrives mainly in the Middle East.
From this passage, it appears Jesus knew it was not the season for figs, yet He cursed the tree for bearing no fruit. But He did this deliberately, to teach His disciples a lesson \u2014 a lesson that we, living in the last days, can understand clearly today.<\/p>\n
\nTHE FIG TREE AS A SYMBOL<\/h3>\n
When Jesus later explained the signs of the end times on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24), He described events such as false prophets, wars, lawlessness, fading love, the abomination of desolation, and the preaching of the gospel to all nations.<\/p>\n
Near the conclusion, He reminded His disciples of the fig tree:<\/p>\n
\nMatthew 24:32\u201335
\u201cNow learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near \u2014 at the doors!
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nNotice closely: \u201cWhen its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know the harvest is near.\u201d<\/em>
Jesus knew that when a fig tree reaches the stage of leafing, the time of harvest is near. The first tree He cursed also had leaves, but it was not yet ready to bear fruit. He used that example to teach a long-term spiritual lesson, pointing to the ultimate harvest at the end of the age.<\/p>\n
\nWHAT DOES THIS REVEAL?<\/h3>\n
The world, even in the days of the disciples, was not yet in the time of the final harvest. Jesus postponed the harvest, as He did with that fig tree, to conceal the signs of the end until the appropriate time.<\/p>\n
A fig tree goes through three main stages:<\/p>\n
\n
- Shedding old leaves<\/li>\n
- Putting forth new leaves<\/li>\n
- Bearing fruit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The shedding of leaves can appear devastating, like a dry branch. Revelation 6:12 compares the falling of stars and cosmic disturbances to a fig tree shedding its leaves:<\/p>\n
\nRevelation 6:12
\u201cI looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBy postponing the harvest, God allowed the signs of the end times to remain hidden for centuries. But in the 20th century, these signs began to manifest rapidly:<\/p>\n
\n
- Two world wars<\/li>\n
- Emergence of deadly diseases such as HIV\/AIDS, Ebola, and cancer<\/li>\n
- Moral decay and unprecedented societal sins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nTHE SIGNS ARE FULFILLING<\/h3>\n
Today, in the 21st century, the final harvest is near. The fig tree \u2014 symbolizing the world \u2014 has reached the stage of leafing, and we can see the branches. False prophets and widespread moral corruption are evident. Sodom-like sins prevail globally, including pornography, sexual immorality, and the loss of moral restraint.<\/p>\n
Jesus said to His disciples:<\/p>\n
\nLuke 21:28
\u201cNow when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nTime is fleeting. Those who are saved should rejoice, for we are approaching the culmination of God\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n
\nA CALL TO REPENTANCE<\/h3>\n
But what about you, sinner? Where will you be as the world reaches its final harvest?
Turn to Christ immediately. Repent while there is still time. Confess your sins; He will forgive freely. Seek fellowship with believers. Remove the \u201cclothing\u201d of sin \u2014 your evil deeds, pride, and worldly attachments \u2014 and show God your genuine repentance.<\/p>\nWhen God sees true faith and determination, He will fill you with His Holy Spirit, empowering you to overcome remaining sin.<\/p>\n
Remember: we live in the season of the fig tree\u2019s leafing, and the harvest is near.<\/p>\n
May the Lord bless you abundantly.<\/p>\n
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Shalom.<\/p>\n\n\n
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