THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: The Budding Fig Tree

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.”

This is a very short parable on understanding the “signs of the times”.

Christ looked to find some fruit, for the time of gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he found none. I think He made this fig-tree an example, not to the trees, but to the men of that generation. It was a figure of the doom upon the church, to which he came seeking fruit, but found none...The disciples could not think why that fig-tree should so soon wither away; but we know that all wither who reject Christ.

The fig tree was a common tree in Palestine and it stood out in the winter more than other evergreen trees with its bareness. It was one of the last trees to leaf after winter, so its shoots were an indication of summer. Jesus used an image from nature to illustrate a spiritual lesson and the point of the parable is clear. As trees and seasons point to the future, so discernable events or signs point to the coming kingdom of God.

Jesus has said that in the last days there will be certain signs to watch for. These signs include the fact that you will “hear of wars and rumors of wars” and the scripture warns us “not to be troubled,” for all these things must come to pass,” (Matthew 24:5-7).

Jesus said in the same passage (Matthew 24:7), “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.” There are many famines in Africa and starvation in other developing countries. Farmers are familiar with the locust and mice plagues that devastate their hard work. In recent times, we have heard of increasing earthquakes happening worldwide. “These are all the “beginning of sorrows” (v.8). They resemble labor pains the earth is suffering before the great and terrible Day of the Lord is birthed. The tsunamis, earthquakes, famines, diseases and viruses are all the “beginnings of sorrows”.

REFLECTION

Luke 21:29-33

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth; this generation [3] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND THE END OF THE AGE

For the watching believer the indicators of the Lord’s return will be clear. For believers, the cosmic disasters predicted by Jesus are a sign of hope and joyful expectation (“stand up and lift up your heads”) that the visible establishment of God’s rule (“the kingdom of God”) and the safety of believers (“redemption”) is near. The Christian need not be afraid of the upheaval and turmoil of nations because history is moving to the climax that God has appointed for it.

THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST’S RETURN

It is important that believers understand that God keeps his promises. The second coming of Jesus is certain. Jesus stressed the absolute certainty of what he had promised. It would be easier, he said, for the present universe (“heaven and earth”) to perish than for his “words”, or everything that he has said, to fail. The universe will some day cease to exist (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1) but his teaching has absolute certainty, reliability, and lasting authority (Isaiah 40:6-8). The early Christians welcomed one another with the greeting “Come, O Lord.” (1 Corinthians 16:22). Every generation since Jesus has been faced with the reality of signs pointing to the end of the age.