The Olivet Discourse: Learn the lesson of the fig tree.
Jesus gave clear instructions to the early disciples. He said, “Learn the lesson of the fig tree.” We don’t know if Peter, James, John, or any of the earliest disciples understood what he meant. They often misunderstood his meaning when he discussed important topics. Thank the Lord, the Holy Spirit guided their thoughts when they wrote the gospels and New Testament letters. Simple fishermen as some of them were, I guess we can allow them to miss his meaning at times. But today, nearly two thousand years later, the great collection of impressive biblical scholars, has yet to settle the issue. Jesus said to “learn the lesson of the fig tree,” but we still await that divine understanding.
At least we know we can trust the writings of the fishermen, they were guided by the Spirit. But biblical scholars can’t confidently make the same claim. Over the last 1500 years or so, the consensus among scholars was that the lesson of the fig tree and the last generation referred to the generation of Jesus. That generation is over, the fig tree (The Jewish nation) is dead. And so died the promises to the Jewish people. A quick transfer was made. Most scholars of the past, blind in their interpretations, placed all the promises to the Jews onto the Church.
The lesson the preterist learned was simple. The fig tree is dead.
But things have changed dramatically in the interpretation of the fig tree parable and Bible prophecy as a whole. In the last two hundred years, we have moved from a mostly allegorical view to one that’s more literal.
A quote from Newton
Isaac Newton chimed in with his wise opinion when he said the following.
“About the times of the End, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition” (source).
Time passes
For the past 1500 years plus, we’ve endured a long period in which literal interpretation was set aside. The promises to Israel in the Old Testament weren’t literal but veiled words that really pointed to the Church. Every promise to Abraham, Jacob, David, and the prophets wasn’t actually for them. It was for the future church. The Jews missed their chance to enjoy the promises.
In that view of scripture, it wasn’t even considered that Israel would ever become a nation again. That wasn’t possible, or so it was thought. But then along came 1948 and the rebirth of a nation.
But in this recent trend toward a literal interpretation, there is another problematic view put forward concerning the lesson of the fig tree. In the literalist/futurist interpretation, (Which I support) a false claim is often made regarding the fig tree parable.
The lesson of the fig tree summarized:
The following is a generalized version of the popular literalist interpretation of the lesson of the fig tree.
Israel is the fig tree. Thus, the rebirth of Israel started the clock on the last generation. Set aside all the signs Jesus mentioned in verses one through thirty-one. The real focus is verse 32. The rebirth of the nation of Israel was the main and only thing the Lord’s discourse was concerned with. Look for that and then start the clock until the Lord’s return. The clock started in 1948 so simple mathematics will allow us to know when the return of Christ is likely to happen.
This interpretation has led to a plethora of wild and false predictions concerning the return of Jesus.
We need to stop the guessing games and get back to an honest interpretation of the scriptures.
Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
So what is the lesson of the fig tree parable in the Lord’s discourse, Matthew 24, regarding the end times events?
To be continued…
Ha! I’m not ready for the big reveal yet. This was a tease that will lead to the next article in this series. In that article, I’ll take the generation into account along with the lesson of the fig tree.
It should be clear to those who are objective, that many mistakes have been made in the interpretation of this verse as well as many other verses.
If one is brave enough to oppose the popular views regarding the lesson of the fig tree another warning from the Lord comes to mind. Jesus said “when you see the Abomination of Desolation,” run.
Well since I take issue with both popular views of the lesson of the fig tree, I’m thinking of running for the hills right about now.
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Matthew 24:31-33
31And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 32Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door.…
Don’t miss the excellent study links in the quote above.
Let me know what you think.