THE PARABLE OF THE BUDDING FIG TREE

(Matthew 24:32-36; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33)

 

Matthew 24:32-36
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. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [1] is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth; this generation [2] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

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.

DATES AND TIMETABLES ARE NOT TO BE OUR CONCERN

The words “nor the Son” (verse 36) are significant.  God has not revealed the exact date of Christ’s return.  If Jesus himself when he was on earth did not know the date of his return, no one can predict the time of the end (cf. Acts 1:7).  While the fact of Christ’s return is certain, the precise time of that return remains undetermined and excludes all date-setting.  Any attempt to draw up a precise programme of future events in detail goes beyond the content and spirit of Jesus’ prophecies and causes sectarian divisions. [4]  Jesus did not give us an exact timetable, only general indications.  He did not encourage crystal-ball gazing. Perhaps the predictions point to processes rather than particular identifiable events. Therefore beware of “end-time timetables”.

This parable draws attention to the purpose of biblical prophecy.  It is not speculative but practical; it is not to allow us to forecast the future but to interpret the present, not to satisfy curiosity but to encourage faith and warn against deception.  Jesus cautioned, “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:5).  Prophecy gives spiritual insight into the unfolding of God’s purpose in the events of history.  It is intended to make us more faithful believers here and now.  It encourages right living and faithful service, not profitless speculation.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “THIS GENERATION”?

Matthew 24:34 (and Luke 21:32) is difficult to explain and debatable.  Jesus explained, “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened”.  The Greek word ‘genea’ translated “generation” has puzzled commentators and led to controversy.  Unfortunately its use in the New Testament is inconclusive.  It may mean “generation” (people living at the same time) or “race” (a group of people descended from a common ancestor or tribe) and has been interpreted in a narrow or a wider sense to mean:

1. This type of generation i.e. the unconverted human race in general (Philippians 2:15).
2. All believers in every age.
3. The Jews as a race or nation i. e. the Jewish people despite their rejection of Christ will be preserved by God and not be destroyed by persecution.
4. The final generation that sees the return of Christ at the end of this age.
5. The disobedient generation of Jesus’ own day (Matthew 11:16; 12:41, 42, 45; 23:36).
6. Both the people who saw the destruction of Jerusalem and those who live at the end times.  I.e. The destruction of Jerusalem contains within itself aspects of the end times and points beyond itself.

IMMEDIATE FULFILLMENT AND AN ULTIMATE FULFILLMENT

Probably there is a double reference to the immediate and the distant future.  If the meaning is Jesus’ own generation, then “all these things” will refer to the events associated with the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 that occurred about 40 years later, within the lifetime of the generation then living.  However, the end of the age would only come after world-wide evangelism (Matthew 24: 14)  Since “all” of these events in their totality have never occurred at the same time, their ultimate and complete fulfillment lies in the future at the end of this age.  Alternatively, “all these things” could refer to the distress throughout the course of this present age of grace between Christ’s ascension to heaven and his return. 

It seems two events are interwoven and inter-related in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13 and it is difficult to distinguish between them.  They are the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the end of the present world age, when Christ returns in royal power.  “That day” (verse 36) seems to refer to the end of this age.  One event was localized; the other will affect the entire universe.  Jesus used the events associated with the immediate crisis facing Jerusalem to foreshadow those events connected with the ultimate crisis.  What happened to Jerusalem was a dress rehearsal for the final event.  The Christians in Jerusalem made their escape from Jerusalem prior to AD 70.  Eusebius, an early Church historian, tells that they fled to Pella, east of Jordan.  Similarly the final redemption of believers from all the troubles of the present age occurs at the Second Coming.  

ISRAEL AND NATIONALISM

In the Bible the fig tree is often a symbol of Israel (Hosea 9:10; Luke 13:6-10).  Jesus used this image for the destruction of the temple (Mark 11:12-25).  Some commentators understand the sprouting of the fig tree to represent the restoration of Israel as an independent nation in 1948 after centuries of dispersion.  Since Luke added “all the trees” (29) it suggests that other nations were involved.  Perhaps Jesus referred to the rise of nationalism and the emergence of new nation states.  In 1945 there were 50 founding nations of the United Nations; today there are more than 170 members.

THE BIBLE’S TEACHING ABOUT THE FUTURE IS ESSENTIALLY PRACTICAL

Uncertainty about the date of the Lord’s return does not give believers an excuse for being unprepared.  Nor should it be a cause for quarrels among believers over points of minor importance.  We are all responsible to keep watch lest Jesus find us spiritually careless and seduced by a secular society.  Every believer in every generation should be watching and working in the light of Christ’s return even though its time is unknown. 

FOR REFLECTION

• For believers the return of Christ is a call to responsible discipleship.
• The events that make other people afraid of the future are the things that encourage Christians!
• We do not need to know the future if we are trusting in the One who holds the future.
• If Jerusalem was destroyed as Jesus predicted, what other prophecies did he make that we should take seriously?
• Are you ready for Christ’s return?  Would Jesus regard you as a faithful and good servant?  Are there any changes you would like to make now? (1 John 3:3; 1 Corinthians 15:58)
• The subject of Christ’s return has been ignored by most believers due to the fanaticism, dogmatism, and the misguided interpretations of extremists.  However, it is a main theme of the New Testament and we need to be ready for the Master’s unexpected return.
• There is much that puzzles in biblical prophecy, but the ultimate triumph of Jesus is certain (Isaiah 11:9: Habakkuk 2:14).  The future is in God’s hands.  History is going somewhere. 
• In contrast to Christ’s firt coming in obscurity and weakness, his second coming will be in power and glory when He will be Lord of all.  Everyone will acknowledge him.

PRAYERs

Loving Father, help me to work purposefully and be prayerfully watchful so that the end may affect the present.  Amen.