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. Luke 21:29-33

As we work through Luke Chapter 21, we see most of the theme is about the return of Christ and the end of the age. Jesus here teaches us another parable about his return, the parable of the Fig Tree. Now before we get into what Jesus was prophesying about, we need to note the Fig Tree reference here. We see in the gospels Jesus references the Fig Tree multiple times including cursing the Fig Tree (Mark 11:14) Now this is significant because the Fig Tree was symbolic of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament the Fig Tree was referenced as prosperity and health to the nation (Micah 7, Jeremiah 8, Hosea 9)

So Jesus using the Fig Tree as symbolism of His return and the judgement of Israel, makes perfect sense. Now as Jesus told us “Nobody knows the day or hour of his return” (Matthew 24:36) so we don’t know the exact day, month, or year of Christ return, however based on the signs and seasons we can anticipate when The Lord will return. This Jesus illustrated using the Fig Tree, as Jesus said “You know when the summer is near” why? Because the Fig Tree will be blooming with leaves and budding with figs, just as we can discern the seasons based on the signs around us. We can tell when its summer based on the heat, we can tell when its winter based on the cold, we can discern the spiritual season we are in based on the spiritual signs around us

Now Jesus makes a very profound statement “This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled” So the key is “This generation” , Jesus is addressing the disciples that were with him at the time. What was fulfilled during their time period? The crucifixion of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, the Ascension of Christ, all these things happened during their lifetime, however Jesus was most likely referring to 70 A.D The destruction of The Temple. As I wrote in a previous article, the destruction of The Temple as a central sign of fulfillment of the Old Covenant and confirmation the New Covenant  is active

Jesus makes another statement “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” The Word of God is eternal, its the same today, yesterday, and forever. Many feel the Bible are irrelevant to today, but that is farther from the truth, the Word of God is very relevant still for today, as there are prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled including the 2nd coming of Christ! An eternal God has written an eternal word to give us eternity, Amen!

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?: Luke 13:6-7

Previously Jesus used the example of a Fig Tree to represent the understanding of what spiritual season you are living in. Today he is using the Fig Tree in a different context, its about us! Alot of people think when they become Christians, they just sit back and wait for the Rapture. However this is not what Jesus taught, when we become Born Again, Christ is expecting us to produce some fruit. Meaning he’s expecting us to be obedient and demonstrate some sanctification

Now as soon as we talk about actually doing something, alot of Christans get bent out of shape “This is works theology”! No, this has nothing to do with you “earning your salvation”, as we know nobody can earn their way into Heaven, its only though Christ alone that we can be saved

The point is, if you truly became a “New Creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17) then we should see some change, correct? This is all about the process of sanctification taught in the Bible. (Hebrews 10:10) A certain man planted a tree (that’s you) and he waited 3 years and still found no fruit produced (Matthew 7) he was then going to cut it down, why? Because its useless, a tree that doesn’t produce anything is basically dead, a Christian that doesn’t produce any spiritual fruit is spiritually dead

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke 13:8-9

But not the grace and mercy of Christ, “Let’s give it another year, and if it doesn’t produce anything, they we will cut it down” Now I know there are alot of Christians doing good work for the Kingdom of God. And this is exactly what the Church is supposed to be, the hands and feet of Christ, the salt and light of the world. When Christians don’t do anything, this is when the Church fails

Jesus didn’t just preach, he got down on his knees and washed his disciples feet, think about that! The Son of God lowered himself to serve the son of men, we have no excuse but to follow the example of our Master! Deny yourself, Carry your cross, and follow and serve Jesus wherever you go! Amen!