From the Sermon on the Mount, when the disciples asked the question: And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? Jesus gave them many signs. Then He gave them the most revealing sign of all: [Behold the fig tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth, ye know of your own selves that summer is now near at hand. So likewise ye, when you see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is near at hand. Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass…Luke 21:29-32,36].
The question is then, who or what is “the fig tree”? For the answer to that question we go to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: [For a nation is come upon My land, strong and without number…He has laid My vine waste, and barked My fig tree. Joel 1:6-7]. My land…My fig tree. The Lord says it all. The nation of Israel is the fig tree.
Remember, that at the time Jesus spoke this parable, the nation of Israel did not exist. The land was under Roman control, and the Romans called it Palestine. It would be called Palestine until 1948, when it was recognized as the new nation of Israel.
Another scriptural reference to Israel as the fig tree:
[I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness, I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the “fig tree” at her first time. Hosea 9:10]. Also in Jeremiah 24:1-7, God refers to the Jewish people as: [My people], either as [good figs], or [bad figs], 7 times in those verses. In scripture, the word tree is sometimes used to symbolize nations. For example, in Isaiah 60:13 Lebanon is referred to metaphorically as the fir tree. For other examples of this type of symbolism refer to Isaiah chapters 14 and 41. The “trees” (plural) in the parable refers to the other countries that play significant roles in “end time” prophesies such as those countries named in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
What is of great significance in identifying Israel as the fig tree, is that the generation that witnesses it’s birth will not pass until all the ‘end time’ prophesies are fulfilled. The ‘end time’ prophesies that are yet to be fulfilled are the Rapture of the Church, Ezekiels’ Great War, the Tribulation Period, and Christ’s Second Coming at the battle of Armageddon. The count down began on May 14th, 1948. In the Bible a generation is usually 40, 60, or 70 years. We don’t know at what point inside that generation, end time events will begin or end. As far as knowing when the Rapture of the Church will occur the Lord says this: [But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36]. Any person who says they know the day or the hour of the Rapture of the Church is claiming to have more knowledge than God, and is to be avoided!
The Lord inspired Ezekiel to prophesy the birth of the nation of Israel about 2600 years ago, 600 years before Jesus gave us the parable of the fig tree: [And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I gave to your fathers. Ezekiel 20:42].
We find the Lord asking this question in Isaiah 66:8; Can a nation be born in a day? He answered that question for you on May 14, 1948. If there is any doubt that the Lord did cause this: [Awake, Awake Zion, Awake, Awake Jerusalem Isaiah 52:1 and Isaiah 51:17].
When Jesus spoke the following words, He was not only addressing the Jewish people of that time, He was addressing us also: [Then He said to them; O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Luke 24:25]. The major “end time” prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, and St. John gave us the book of Revelation. Jesus also gave us this sobering thought: [Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on earth? Luke 18:8].
The Tombs of Daniel and Ezekiel
Most people are unaware that the tombs of the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament: Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Nahum and Jonah are located in a small town south of Baghdad. The tomb has been maintained since the days of king Nebuchadnezzar by the Babylonians, and their descendants, the Iraqi people. Despite all the Hebrew inscriptions at the site, thousands of Jews, Christians, and Muslims come each year to pray at this site. The Babylonians held Daniel and his contemporaries in very high regard for their wisdom, they received their wisdom from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That same God came in the flesh, Jesus Christ. The Bible says: [The fool has said in his heart; there is no God. Psalm 53:1]. You should read the book of Daniel, and take note of Daniels’ prayer, one of the greatest prayers in the Bible. Daniels prayer: Daniel 9:3-22.
The Tomb of the Patriarchs
The tombs of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the West Bank, is a massive shrine complex. It centers around the Cave of Machpelah, an ancient double cave revered since at least 1000 B.C. as the burial site of the Hebrew Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives. It is the second holiest site in Judaism after the Western Wall in Jerusalem. It is also highly sacred to Muslims, who revere Abraham as a true prophet of God, and to Christians for the same reason. [Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave on the plot of land at Machpelah to the east of Mamre, which is in Hebron, in Canaan…Abrahams’ sons, Isaac and Ishmael, buried him in the cave at Machpelah…with his wife Sarah. Genesis 23:19 and 25:29].
If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savior, I might suggest that you say this prayer: [Dear Lord, I come to you humbly in prayer. In Jesus name I repent of all my sins. I accept Christs’ finished work on the Cross as payment for my sins. All things are new. I am born again. Please send the Holy Spirit to dwell inside me. I ask that the Holy Spirit guide me in everything that I do. Amen.]
Also concerning prophesy, we have these words from the Apostle Peter:
[We have also a more sure word of prophesy;…Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21].
Consider these verses regarding prophesy: […for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophesy. Revelation 19:10]. Paul adds this: [For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 1 Corinthians 14:31]. Paul is saying that we should all come to an understanding of prophesy, that we can be comforted regarding the promises of our salvation which is in Jesus Christ. Jesus assures us that the Spirit of prophesy comes through Him.
The prophets Daniel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were contemporaries during the Babylonian captivity from about 606 B.C. to 536 B.C. Ezekiel, inspired by the Lord, wrote down this prophesy: [For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and I will bring you into your own land. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be My people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:24,28]
The prophet Jeremiah wrote down this prophesy over 2600 years ago: [Hear the word of the Lord, all nations, and declare it in the Isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him. Jeremiah 31:10]. This verse is of great significance. The words are from the Lord to all nations, informing them that it was He, the Lord, that scattered Israel, and that it was the Lord that gathered them. The Isles were to declare it. That is exactly what happened in 1948. Christians in America who studied prophesy, proclaimed that the birth of Israel was the fulfillment of prophesy. With the exception of some people in Canada, and Great Britain, the other nations of the world had little or no knowledge that this was the fulfillment of prophesy because they have belief in other religions, or were mostly secular.
Another of the signs Jesus gave during the same sermon was: [And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is near. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Luke 21:20,22]. Compassed means that Israel will be surrounded by invading armies in the latter years. This is a reference to the situation facing Israel as described by the prophet Ezekiel in Chapters 38 and 39. This will be studied in another article: Ezekiel’s Great War. In that article, we will identify the countries [all the trees] that will move against Israel during the days of vengeance, the tribulation period. The fig tree, Israel, is the focal point of all end time prophesies. The fig tree appeared in 1948, and the countdown began.
[And He said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9-10]. This is why it is so important to gain an understanding of the Bible and the prophesies that were given to us by the Lord. John urges us to search the scriptures, for in them we shall find eternal life John 5:39. Prophesy assures us that God is in control of all things. Through the study of prophesy we come to the belief that Jesus Christ was who He said He was.
Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord tells us: [Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail. Isaiah 34:16]
With regard to the prophesies in the Book of Revelation, the Lord says this: [Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophesy, and keep those things which are written therein. Revelation 1:3]
Also from the Book of Revelation; [For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this Book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this prophesy; God shall take away his part out of the Book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book. Revelation 22:18,19]
Paul, the appointed apostle to the Gentiles: [Despise not prophesyings. 1 Thessalonians. 5:20]
A special note to all the people who receive this message, sow a seed. If you believe in this message of Hope, please e-mail it to as many people as you can, to believers and especially to non-believers. We also must provide for those of us who don’t have access to a computer and the internet. So please make hard copies and give them to those people.
Remember this verse: [Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:20]. If you feel so inclined, you could take out a small ad in your local newspaper and direct them to my site. May God bless you.
Be steadfast and unmoveable in your faith.
Be of good cheer! You have overcome the world.
The Nazarene Watchman
To read other articles in this series go to:
thenazarenewatchman.com
Coming soon:
Is America in the Bible
Ezekiel's War
Left Behind
Is Rome the True Church
Mystery Babylon Revealed
