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Identification of the Fig Tree

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The Identification of the Fig Tree

I. Preliminary Considerations:

  1. The term "the fig tree", and its consideration in this study, is taken primarily from the parables of Mt 24:32, Mk 13:28, and Lk 21:29

  2. The identification is critical to determining the terminus a quo of the Rapture/2nd Advent Generation.

  3. Since the sign in Mt 24:32, Mk 13:28, and Lk 21:30 specifies that summer is "near" when the leaves appear (as opposed to the fruit, which appears in summer), the repopulating of the reality behind the symbolic Fig Tree must be accurately identified.

  4. The accurate identification is part of fulfilling the command to be alert, lest the day overtake us "like a thief". Mt 24:42; Mk 13:33; Lk 21:34, 36; cp 1Th 5:4

  5. The identification can only be arrived at from a proper study of Scriptural references, avoiding any subjective considerations or assumptions.

    1. identification of the specific term "the fig tree" is the primary emphasis of this study other uses of the word "tree" may be harmonized or considered, but "figs" and "fig tree" are the focus of and purpose for this examination

    2. the time-span of the generation (40, 70, 100 yrs, etc) is not an issue considered herein

    3. the age of a member of that generation is likewise not considered (20 and above, newborn to adult, etc)

    4. the NT references must be harmonized with OT references and contexts

    5. parables considered are to be interpreted via the literal method

  1. Other titles given to Israel, Jerusalem, or individual Jews should be compared, as in "this mountain of Mine" "grapes/vine" or "olive tree". Jer 11:16, 17:3; Zech 4:11; Rom 11:17

    1. the term "mountain" is taken as a prophetic symbol for world powers, i.e. the government thereof. cp Dan 2, 7

    2. the term "olive tree" is used of each of the two witnesses, in Zech 4:3, 11 & Rev 11:4, as well as of the Kingdom of Judah, in Jer 11:16 (emphasizing individuality).

    3. a "vine" represents the growth of the nation, as opposed to its strength or usability in and of itself. cp Eze 15:2, 6

    4. grapes, as the produce of a vine, are the desirable products of a prosperous nation, designed to be used for the benefit of the grower, and so is a reference to believers who apply BD as the Lord would have them do cp Isa 5:2, 4

II. The expression "fig tree" occurs 32x in both Testaments:

  1. Metaphorically of an individual, both desirable for and capable of, ruling others (a king), as compared to other "trees" (2x) Jdg 9:10-11

  2. Literal fig trees, whether cultivated or wild (sometimes used as a parabolic/symbolic reference, but a literal fig tree is in view) (27x) 1Kin 4:25; 2Kin 18:31; Pro 27:18; SOS 2:13; Isa 34:4, 36:16; Joel 1:12, 2:22; Mic 4:4; Hab 3:17; Hag 2:19; Zech 3:10; Mt 21:19-21 (3x), 24:32; Mk 11:13, 20, 21, 13:28; Lk 13:6-7 (2x), 21:29; Jn 1:48, 50; Js 3:12; Rev 6:13

  3. Metaphorically for a category or society of Jews (3x) Jer 8:13; Hos 9:10; Joel 1:7

  4. Additionally, the word "fig" is used by metonymy of individual Jews or a group thereof 8x Isa 28:3-4; Jer 8:13, 24:1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 29:17.

  5. Note: the plural "fig trees" is never used, metaphorically or otherwise, for a people, society, city, or country hence the singular "fig tree" has only one specific identification; it cannot be identified as two distinct entities, interrelated or not (i.e. it is one or the other, not used interchangeably)

III. Context:

  1. The terms "fig tree", "figs" and "tree" must be considered in their grammatical, historical, and prophetic context to arrive at the proper identification, for both OT references and NT references, specifically of the "this generation will not pass away" sections in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

  2. Due consideration must be given to that to which the terms do not refer, as well.

  3. The contextual indicators must be identified precisely, with clear identifications taking precedence over more obscure references.

  4. The identification of relevant terms within the context under consideration will also be crucial to understanding the meaning of the term "the fig tree".

  5. Conclusions drawn from logic are also included, but Scriptural documentation will be first and foremost, with those conclusions only serving to illustrate the final identification, not as the prima facie evidence.

IV. The identification of "trees" as compared to "fig tree"

  1. Jdg 9:8-15 trees are used metaphorically to represent the different categories of individuals desired as rulers, and those who would place them in their position of king.

  2. Isa 10:19 trees are used to portray individuals capable of rule in Assyria.

  3. Jer 11:16 Judah/Jerusalem is called "a green olive tree".

  4. Jer 17:8 a man who trusts in the Lord is like a tree (cp vss 1, 3 Judah is in view, and is called "this mountain of Mine"; not the entire nation, but Judah in particular the Northern Kingdom had already been dispersed).

  5. Eze 15:6 Jerusalem is compared by simile to wood from a vine, useless for anything by itself, and therefore destined for destruction unless it produces fruit.

  6. Eze 17 equates the Southern Kingdom, in captivity, with a cedar tree; the top of the tree is identified as the members of the royal family taken to Babylon; "all the trees" is used in reference to other nations that witness the restoration of Israel (notice vs 24, the tree is planted on a mountain of Israel, not Israel itself).

  1. Eze 31:3-9 uses a cedar tree as a symbol for the Assyrian Empire, and "the trees of the Garden of Eden" as a symbol for the contemporaneous nations.

  2. Mt 3:10 trees are used by John the Baptist as a symbol for individual men.

  3. Lk 21:29 only in Lukes parallel account does the term "and all the trees" occur; the clear indication is that the other national governments detailed in prophecy must be in place before the 2nd Advent can take place. cp 2Th 2:3

  4. Rom 11:17-24 true Judaism is symbolized by a cultured olive tree, upon which the Church has been grafted in order to partake of "the rich root of the olive tree"; this is a reference not to the nation of Israel (Rom 9:6; Gal 6:16), but to the covenants promised to the nation, i.e. the aspects of relationship with God, and the observance of His requirements to attain and maintain that relationship (Gal 3:16)

A "tree" therefore is a symbol for a national entity, or the ruler/government thereof, with emphasis on the individual nature of the subject. Rather than viewing the entire nation, focus is on its capital, or center of government. This metaphor includes the aspect of an individual tree within a "forest" of trees, or a government within the governments/nations of the earth.

V. Individuals represented by the produce of "trees"

  1. Isa 5:7 the "house of Israel" is called the "vineyard of the Lord", but the men of Judah are specified as His "delightful plant" (an important distinction).

  2. Jer 8:5-13 speaking of Jerusalem, inhabitants are referred to as grapes on a vine, and figs on a tree, which are about to be removed.

  3. Jer 24 compares inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem to good and bad figs; specifically the good figs are those who have gone into Babylonian captivity, while the bad figs are the ruling class still in Jerusalem.

  4. Jer 29:16-17 the king who sits on the throne of David and the inhabitants of Judah will be made like figs which are unusable/inedible due to rottenness cp v 20

  5. Hos 9:10 the forefathers of Israel were like grapes in the wilderness and the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season; since "the earliest fruit on the fig tree" could conceivably be the founders of either the nation/race or its capital, this reference could refer to either the nation or Jerusalem, and must therefore be considered in light of the other passages.

  6. Mic 7:1-2 in a prophecy to Southern Kingdom, the godly person is described as a cluster of grapes or a first ripe fig, of which there are none left.

  7. Mt 21:19 Jesus found only leaves on the fig tree He then cursed, indicative of the fig trees population, but without the required fruit (leaves = accouterments of society, fruit = believers cp Mic 7:1-2; Mt 21:43).

  8. Lk 13:6-9 while in Jerusalem, Jesus used a parable to describe the spiritual state of its inhabitants, the impending judgement, and its cause. Typically understood as a reference to the nation, the emphasis is on its religious establishment and their failure to produce fruit (He came to Jerusalem in three consecutive years). cp Mt 21:43, spoken to the religious leaders.

  1. The "fig tree" in relation to Jerusalem/Judah

  1. Joel 1:7 a prophet to the Southern Kingdom makes reference to the invading army (locusts?) which denudes Judah; the prophet says "my (the Lords) vine" has been wasted/stripped and "my fig tree splinters" the vine and tree have been made desolate; this is best understood as a reference to Jerusalem, as indicated by vs 9 (which refers to the Temple), rather than to the entire nation (the Northern Kingdom is neither mentioned nor referenced).

  2. Mt 21:19 Jesus cursed a fig tree outside Jerusalem, and metaphorically made reference to "this mountain" being cast into the sea. Correctly understood as a prophetic announcement of the dispersion of 70 AD (the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple), the context demands consideration of Jerusalem in particular as fulfillment of the cursed fig tree, as well as the "mountain", for reasons listed above in IV. D).

  3. Mt 24:32; Mk 13:28; Lk 21:29 in context, all three parallel passages are spoken in relation to Jerusalem, which as the seat of government and religious authority, has been cursed by the Lord. (cp Mt 24:15 & Mk 13:14, which contain a direct reference to the Temple, and therefore can only refer to Jerusalem proper)

VII.  A discussion of the term "this generation", from Mt 24:34; Mk 13:30; Lk 21:32.

  1. The term itself refers to that segment of society of a certain age/historical time period, which experienced the defining historical event within that age. Mt 11:16 the people who experienced the visit of John the Baptist and Jesus. cp Heb 3:10 = the Exodus generation

  2. The generation which will not pass away before all these things occur is, by context, that generation which experiences the "putting forth of leaves" by the fig tree.

  3. Thus, the correct identification of the Fig Tree is crucial to understanding the beginning of the Fig Tree Generation, as well as the predicted time-frame of the Coming Wrath, Great Tribulation, and Day of the Lord.

VIII.  Final observations and conclusions

  1. While some passages may refer to the nation of Israel as a whole, the majority of verses are understood more clearly as a reference to the Southern Kingdom, or Judea/Jerusalem in the NT.

  2. Trees are used symbolically not of entire nations, but of the ruling body thereof, i.e. their capitals and ruling parties.

  3. The references to fig trees always occur in context, grammatically and historically, with Jerusalem, its environs, or events within.

  4. Jesus cursed the fig tree while in the Jerusalem environs, both before and after specific references to Jerusalem, thus establishing a contextual identification with the city itself; there is no mention of the fig tree while in the North of Israel, nor outside the nation.

  5. The term "this generation" is used only while within Jerusalem, as a reference to the religious establishment and the citizens of the city.

  6. Logically, just as Daniels 70th Week must await the prophecies of the Church Age (Lk 21:6; Jn 21:18; 1Tim 4:1), it must also await the beginning of the generation that experiences the budding of the Fig Tree.

  7. Logically, if the Temple must be in place before Daniel's 70th Week can begin, Jerusalem must be controlled by Israel, therefore the Generation could not begin until that was an accomplished fact.

  8. The term "the Fig Tree" is a reference not to national Israel, but specifically to Jerusalem as her capital, under the control of the government of Israel.

  9. The Fig Tree Generation began in 1967, with the re-establishment of Jewish control over the city of Jerusalem and the Temple grounds.