Sunday 29 April 2012

Is the Fig Tree in the Bible Always a Type of Israel?

Does the Bible always use the fig tree as a type of the nation of Israel?

Answer: no. Not always. Sometimes it does. But not always.

In Jeremiah 24, Israel is illustrated by figs.

But in Nahum 3:12, the analogy of figs is used to describe not Israel but Nineveh, a Gentile nation:

"All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater".

So in Luke 21, when Jesus said, "Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand", the shooting-forth of branches doesn't necessarily mean the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948.

Firstly, because the fig tree does not automatically mean Israel.

Secondly, because even if the fig tree does mean Israel in this context, the text doesn't single-out the fig-tree, but all the trees - not only Israel.

Thirdly, the text itself explains what is meant by the shooting forth of the branches. Jesus said, "...so likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass..." The shooting-forth of the branches illustrates "these things". What are "these things"? The rebirth of Israel? No, Jesus didn't mention that. Instead, He mentioned the siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, the abomination causing desolation standing in the holy place, the deportation of Jews all around the world; wars, rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, false doctrines, earthquakes, persecutions and the
preaching of the Gospel to all nations. Those things - not necessarily the rebirth of Israel as a nation - would mean the end is near.

That doesn't mean the rebirth of Israel isn't significant. It simply means that the parable of the shooting-forth of branches was not necessarily prophetic of that event. It also means that the end doesn't necessarily have to come within the generation that saw that event.

Christ cometh at an hour that ye think not!

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

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