Word of Salvation – Vol.23 No.23 – March 1977
The Lesson From The Fig-Tree
Sermon by Rev. M. P. Geluk on Matthew 24:32,33
Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:29 – 24:51
Psalter Hymnal: 135:1,2; 370 all vs.; 335 all vs.; 466:1,3,4; 469 all vs.
Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Any Christian who has been taking note of what has been happening of late in the world must have wondered about the nearness of Christ’s coming. We hear of earthquakes in various places, of tidal waves, of famines caused among other things by drought, of wars and rumours of wars. We are seeing an increase in lawlessness, disorder and rejection of authority. The forces and wickedness of the Antichrist are becoming increasingly bold and revealing themselves more and more. Christian standards and Christian morality are attacked from all sides and anyone can plainly see that the future for the Christian and the Christian church will become more difficult.
Indeed, the Christian church appears to be entering into a time of open persecution, not only in communist countries, where it is already happening, but everywhere. Are we, therefore, in the very last days of history? Is the coming of Christ and the end of the age almost upon us? The Word of God is not silent about the signs of the second coming and the second coming itself, and neither therefore, must WE be silent.
The sermon today is based on vs.32,33 from Matthew 24 and speaks about:
The Lesson from the Fig-tree.
Jesus said, “From the fig-tree learn its lesson: “so let us first see the illustration that the fig-tree presents to us.
When the branches of the fig-tree become tender and put forth their leaves you know that summer is near. The fig-tree was a very common tree in Palestine and a healthy tree bore fruit for about 10 months of the year. There were late figs which ripened in autumn but some didn’t and stayed green and were called the winter figs. These winter figs had no time to ripen and remained on the branches but with the first touch of spring some grew ruddy and ripened. These remained small however, and were easily blown off by the wind, others remained on the tree and ripened in summer.
Now we mention the fruit of the fig-tree because on a number of occasions it played a part in Jesus’ teaching, but it appears that here with regard to the second coming of Christ not the fruit of the fig-tree is illustrated but simply the tree itself.
Not everyone agrees with this, however, and it is said that when the fig- tree began to sprout leaves then it meant a time of blessing and fullness, because the figs would ripen in the best possible way. The illustration of the fig-tree is then taken to mean that the Jewish nation as such will no longer be object of God’s love but the Gentiles will now come in. There will be a rich harvest of souls from the Gentile world, from all the nations. So as the branches of the fig-tree become tender, and the leaves begin to appear, then of course, the summer is near; and thus it implies that the fruit would be harvested, which is then taken to mean the influx of new believers from all over the world.
However, it is doubtful if Jesus meant to point to the fruit, with this illustration, of the fig-tree. It makes it too complex. It seems more likely that He is simply referring to the fig-tree as to what it shows just before summer. Jesus doesn’t mention the fruit and Luke even records Jesus as saying, “Behold, the fig-tree and all the trees.” (21:29). So when the branches of the fig-tree or of any tree, for that matter, begin to show those tender shoots and the leaves are appearing, then what does it mean? Well, it means that the summer is near. Everyone knows that! In springtime, we can observe the first new leaves and we all know that summer is on the way, it is near. It is sure to come! That is the lesson from the fig-tree.
Now with the lesson from the fig-tree Jesus is making a point and He puts it like this: “So also when you see all these things you know that he (it) is near, at the very gates (or: at the door).”
In the context of Mat.24 Jesus was speaking to His disciples who had pointed out to Him the temple building in Jerusalem. Before that, Jesus (in ch.23) had spoken very strongly about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He had greatly sorrowed over Jerusalem, the Lord had wanted to gather His Jewish people but they had killed God’s prophets and even now they were very unwilling to accept Jesus as the Son of God.
So Jesus pronounced a punishment upon the house of Israel (23:38) and said that Jerusalem would not see Him again until they say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (vs.39).
Well, the disciples of Jesus had heard all this and they no doubt wondered about what was going to happen. And in answer to their remarks about the beautiful temple buildings, Jesus had spoken about their total destruction. (vs.52).
Later on, on the Mount of Olives, the disciples further questioned Christ as to when this destruction would come, and what the sign would be of His coming and of the end of the age (vs.3). The disciples had heard Jesus refer to the destruction of the temple, His coming at the end of time, and now, being obviously not sure, they asked Jesus about it. And in Matt.24 Jesus prophesied about the destruction of the temple, yes of Jerusalem, and of the approaching end of the Jews as a nation in God’s plan of salvation, and of His coming at the end of time.
Now these events are “all these things” mentioned in vs.33. There will be many signs and they will point to the events to take place. “Even so, when you see all these things, He said, know that He (or it) is near, right at the door.”
So what are the signs that the summer is fast approaching? The new shoots, and new leaves on the trees of course! Well, so also will there be signs that point to the second coming of Christ and the end of the age. Similar signs have occurred prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Jewish nation as God’s chosen people. Jerusalem fell in A.D, 70 in the midst of incredible suffering and the signs had pointed to it in the time before it. It was near, that is when the signs were there.
Now also will similar signs occur prior to Jesus’ coming again and the end of the age. The signs indicate that He is near. So let us take careful note of the lesson of the fig-tree. When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so you too, when you see all these things know that He is near, right at the door.
The lesson of the fig-tree then, once pointed the disciples to the destruction of Jerusalem and certainly it still points us to the coming of Christ and the end of the age. The signs of summer being near are the new shoots. and the new leaves but what are the signs of Jesus’ coming and of the end of the age? Can we clearly see those signs now?
Well, Matt.24 tells us that the Gospel will be preached in all the world before the end comes (vs.14) but this will not mean a world-wide conversion because there will be false Christs, false prophets (vs.5); there will be the continuance of wars (vs.6) the persecution of the church (vs.9,10); wickedness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold (vs.12). After all that, Jesus will come in a clearly visible way, with power and with great glory (vs.30).
A recent R.E.S. report on the doctrine of the last things has summarised the signs of Jesus’ coming as follows:
FIRSTLY there are those signs in relation to God:
False prophets shall rise and deceive many in the Name of Christ (Matt 24:11; Mk.13:6,21); but still the Gospel will be published among all nations (Mk.13:10; Mt.24:14); the Holy Spirit will bear witness through the faithful (Mk.13:11); and those that shall endure unto the end shall be saved. (Mk.13:13: Mt.24:13).
SECONDLY, the signs in relation to the neighbour:
Wars and rumours of wars, many will betray, hate and persecute one another (Mt.24:6,10,12); while family relationships will be disturbed (Mk.13:12).
THIRDLY the signs in relation to creation:
Earthquakes will occur (Mt.24:7) and the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Mt.13:25) and
FOURTHLY the signs in relation to the personal life:
Famine and pestilence will abound (Mt.24:7). Unrighteousness and pride will increase (Mt.24:12).
But having now heard about the various signs that indicate Christ’s coming and the close of the age, we must be very clear as to where we are going to look for them. Many of the signs are occurring right now in our present time but we cannot automatically conclude that it is certain that Jesus will be here any day, or that we may not reach the 1980’s for example. The Bible certainly tells us that the end of all things and Jesus’ coming are near but we are also told His coming will be a surprise, like a thief in the night.
We know He is coming and coming soon, but the Bible also speaks of the Lord delaying His coming, as for example in the parable of the five foolish and five prepared girls.
So with the signs of Christ’s coming we must be careful not to shift them towards the end, as if they have meaning there and then only. No, the signs must be seen and understood as signs of all times. The signs are present now and they were present in time gone by. Some may still be in the process of being fulfilled like the world-wide proclamation of the Gospel, others have been occurring in every generation. The signs have really been present ever since Christ went to heaven. Earthquakes, wars, famines, wickedness, forces of the Antichrist have continually been there.
So the signs do not tell us that the coming of Christ is drawing near but that it is near now! The Lord’s coming is not at some nearby or far-off stage but it’s near now! These are the last days, this is the end-time, it has been with us ever since Christ ascended to heaven. And as He is on the way, the signs will become clearer and more intense and more frequent. But we are now in the 1000 year period, it is now the last days that stretch from ascension to second coming.
The Kingdom of God is not something future, it is here and now. Christ established His Kingdom, and He rules at present. But it is still an incomplete rule, Satan still wields some power and briefly it will, before the very end, flare up. Wickedness and the forces of Antichrist will increase. But notwithstanding God’s kingdom is on the march towards its full and complete realisation.
The lesson of the fig-tree is there every year as the summer draws near. Time does not stand still, we are moving all the time towards the end of the age and the coming of Christ. Even so you too, when you see all these things know that He is near, right at the door.
But having now pointed out that we must expect Jesus’ coming and the end of the age, we have thereby not done full justice to Mt.24. A careful reading of this chapter and the parallel chapters in Mark and Luke will show that the many things spoken about have had a fulfilment in the past already. After the lesson of the fig-tree, Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (vs.34).
Now much will depend on how one interprets, “this generation”. It could very well refer to the Jewish people as a race, not as a nation, that they shall not pass away until all the things which Jesus had predicted, up to and including the second coming have taken place. It would mean that there are the elect of God among the Jews as there are among other nations, and that the Jews as a race will remain until all the elect among them are brought to salvation.
But by “this generation” Jesus could also have meant the Jewish people living at the time when He spoke these words. It would mean that this particular generation would not pass away until the events ending with the fall of Jerusalem had occurred. And if that is what is meant by this generation” then the vs.1-35 have already been fulfilled and the vs.36-51 are still to take place. “But of THAT day and hour…” referring then to the second coming.
The first part of the chapter then speaks of the events prior to and including the fall of Jerusalem in A.D.70, meaning the end of the Jewish nation as having a special place in God’s salvation plan, and the second part of the chapter (from vs.36) referring to the end of the world and Jesus’ coming.
Now we are well aware that there are those who do not like this second interpretation of the words “this generation”, but it’s not what we like or don’t like that counts, but what does the Scripture say! And we would very much hesitate to force upon the congregation any particular view when the context of this chapter 24 seems to intertwine the events of the past up to and including the fall of Jerusalem and those of Jesus’ second coming and the end of the age, which of course makes it difficult. (cf.vs27),
But nevertheless for the sake of doing justice to this whole chapter it must be said that the events spoken of in vs.1-35 have indeed taken place, even though there is a further fulfilment. In answer to the disciples’ question Jesus described the sign of Jerusalem’s approaching desolation. Prior to Jerusalem’s fall in A.D.70 which history has clearly recorded for us, there have been false Christs. Also in this time between Jesus’ words here and Jerusalem’s fall, there have been wars, pestilences, earthquakes, famines and persecutions. The historical record and the book of Acts will bring this out (cf.11:28).
Also the gospel of the kingdom was preached in the whole world (v14) which could quite easily mean the “then known” world of the Roman Empire, as indeed it often means in the N.T.
Further the desolating sacrilege (vs.15) took place when the pagan Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and offered heathen sacrifices in the holy temple before destroying that too. The vs.16-28 warn the believers to flee and not return to the temple and city. Judea is mentioned, and reference is made to the Sabbath, all indicating past fulfilment of these verses.
Even with the vs.29-30 where it speaks about the sun and the moon, the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, one must remember that much of this are quotations from the O.T. The same language is used in Isaiah 31:10 where the fall of Babylon is foretold, and in Is.34:4 where the fall of Edom is foretold, and again in Ezekiel 32:7,8 in relation to the fall of Egypt. The prophesy of Joel 2:28-32 where the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is prophesied, foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. Time does not permit us to go into detail but any serious Bible student can look up all the O.T. references and discover how similar words and expressions have been used before.
The point needs to be made therefore that this chapter does not lend itself to a quick and easy interpretation. One can certainly not just make the whole chapter refer to the future only. Much is said about the fall of Jerusalem and of the signs pointing to it and that because of Israel’s exclusion as a nation from God’s salvation plan, the Gentiles from all over the world may now be included. And among the saved Gentiles will of course also be the individual elect Jews.
But now the Christian of today, yes, the N.T. Church in these last days, must once again learn from the lesson of the fig-tree and realise that in the words of Jesus spoken to His generation are nevertheless also references to His glorious coming at the end of time.
The vss.29 & 30 may have once indicated Jerusalem’s fall but their language points to yet another event, the coming of our King in judgement. And when He comes “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. Vs.29 – or as in Rev. 6:12 – “the sun became black as sackcloth. and the whole moon became like blood.”
Furthermore “the stars will fall from the sky and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” vs29. And from Rev. 6:14 “The sky was split apart like a scroll when it’s rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”
And from the letter of Peter: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.’ (2Peter 3:10).
So, “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire.” (2Thes.1:7).
And “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory (vs.30).
Yes, “every eye will see Him”. (Rev.1:7).
“But at the trumpet sound the dead in Christ shall be raised first,” (1Thes.4:16), “they will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” (1Cor.15:52).
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thes.4:17,18).
And so congregation we have spoken about the signs of Jesus’ coming. Many of these signs we see daily around us or we hear of them as they occur around the world. We have quoted texts referring to Jesus’ coming with power and great glory. They have reminded us of the final events to come. Many questions will of course still be raised in connection with the doctrine of the last things. You may have disagreed with some of what has been said and some of it may still be confusing.
But if we were now to begin speculating or reading all sorts of ideas and theories into the Scriptures as regards the final days of history, then we would sadly miss the point of the lesson from the fig-tree. The tender shoots and the new leaves remind us of the nearness of summer. And in the same way do the signs of our times remind us of the nearness of Jesus’ rcoming. It is Christ who should be uppermost in our minds and lives.
Can we therefore see the Bridegroom coming and about to enter and bring about the end of the age? The signs of Christ’s coming must lead us to a life of perseverance and faith, to a faithful testimony and victory. God is using us to gather His elect from the four winds and therefore we must be faithful and persevering in the work of mission! All the nations must be reached and that includes the Jews.
That Christ is coming and that He will overthrow and defeat all wickedness and the forces of the Antichrist, should fill us with hope and make us active for His kingdom in whatever vocation Christ has placed us. Let us notice the need around us and be willing to give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, justice and righteousness to the oppressed. Let us do all that in the Name of Jesus Christ. Let us stand firm in the strength of Christ for the days are evil. The dragon and the beast mentioned in Revelation are not going to break out at some future stage, but is in fact raging at this very moment. Yet the Lamb of God shall conquer in full at His coming.
But be alert and watchful, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Learn the lesson from the fig-tree; when its branch has already become tender, and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so you too, when you see all these things, know that He is near, right at the door.
Amen..