The parable of the fig tree

[keras]

then Why did James say Jesus’ coming was near, right at the door?

He did it so as people like you, can reject the idea that they will personally have to face severe testing and trials.

The facts are - Jesus is yet to Return and our time of testing is imminent. Man up!

 

[claninja]

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All believers have hoped Jesus would return in their life time. Some even actually believed Jesus would come in their lifetime and this is also addressed in The Bible.

And Peter wrote 2 Peter 3 addressing this

Did James believe it would occur near to his lifetime when he wrote "the coming of the Lord is near, and the judge is at the door" in James 5:8-9?

 

[claninja]

He did it so as people like you, can reject the idea that they will personally have to face severe testing and trials.

The facts are - Jesus is yet to Return and our time of testing is imminent. Man up!

James wrote "the coming of the Lord is near, and the judge is standing at the door" so I would reject that I have to personally face severe testing and trials??? I have never rejected the idea that I personally will face severe testing or trials, so I am not sure what in the world you are talking about. Is this another one of your failed predictions Keras?

Back to the OP, is it possible to know when He is near, right at the door based on the Jesus' words in Matthew 24:32-33?

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, YOU WILL KNOW that He is near, right at the door.

 

[keras]

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, YOU WILL KNOW that He is near, right at the door.

The fig tree is an allegory for the House of Judah. They established their new nation in the holy Land in May 1948.
From that date, they made the Jewish State of Israel, strong and prosperous.

For us; who are alive now, it will be possible to see the glorious Return of Jesus.

 

[d taylor]

Did James believe it would occur near to his lifetime when he wrote "the coming of the Lord is near, and the judge is at the door" in James 5:8-9?

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Like i have stated James or any human (and even Jesus when on earth) does not know when the exact day and date Jesus will return. That is why James writes the coming of Jesus is at hand, because it could have happened the moment after James wrote these words. But it is now seen that was not the case, it has been some 2000 years and Jesus has not yet returned. So the coming of the Lord is still near and at hand.

 

[claninja]

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Like i have stated James or any human (and even Jesus when on earth) does not know when the exact day and date Jesus will return. That is why James writes the coming of Jesus is at hand, because it could have happened the moment after James wrote these words. But it is now seen that was not the case, it has been some 2000 years and Jesus has not yet returned. So the coming of the Lord is still near and at hand.

Ok so based on all you responses so far, you seem to believe that the parable of the fig tree is about “not knowing the exact date or time when summer arrives at any moment because the fig tree could sprout leaves at any time”.

however, since you haven’t really been directly responding to my questions or the OP, it’s difficult to know what you are even saying sometimes. So maybe you can clarify what you believe the parable of the fig tree means when it is applied to Jesus’ teaching of “WHEN you see all things, YOU WILL KNOW that he is near, right at the door”?

 

[claninja]

The fig tree is an allegory for the House of Judah. They established their new nation in the holy Land in May 1948.
From that date, they made the Jewish State of Israel, strong and prosperous.

For us; who are alive now, it will be possible to see the glorious Return of Jesus.

where does it say “when a fig tree sprouts leaves you know summer is near, SO ALSO when you see a new nation of Israel form you will know he is near right at the door”?

 

[d taylor]

Ok so based on all you responses so far, you seem to believe that the parable of the fig tree is about “not knowing the exact date or time when summer arrives at any moment because the fig tree could sprout leaves at any time”.

however, since you haven’t really been directly responding to my questions or the OP, it’s difficult to know what you are even saying sometimes. So maybe you can clarify what you believe the parable of the fig tree means when it is applied to Jesus’ teaching of “WHEN you see all things, YOU WILL KNOW that he is near, right at the door”?

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I do not know the exact time or any other person alive now. But the Jews living during the tribulation will know when they see the signs that accompany the tribulation time period. A short 7 years and actually when many of the signs appear it will just 3 1/2 years away from the return of Jesus.

 

[keras]

where does it say “when a fig tree sprouts leaves you know summer is near, SO ALSO when you see a new nation of Israel form you will know he is near right at the door”?

Because I use my brain and can discern the meaning of scriptural types and allegories.
The Jewish State of Israel is represented by the fig tree. They have 'sprouted leaves', but they have never borne fruit; Matthew 21:19

 

[claninja]

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I do not know the exact time or any other person alive now. But the Jews living during the tribulation will know when they see the signs that accompany the tribulation time period. A short 7 years and actually when many of the signs appear it will just 3 1/2 years away from the return of Jesus.

Ok, so now you are saying the Jews that live through the events of the Olivet discourse (great tribulation, etc…) will know He is near, right at the door? Am I understanding you correctly?

 

[claninja]

Because I use my brain and can discern the meaning of scriptural types and allegories.
The Jewish State of Israel is represented by the fig tree. They have 'sprouted leaves', but they have never borne fruit; Matthew 21:19

Is this the same brain that made failed predictions based on how it interpreted scriptural types and allegories?

 

[d taylor]

Ok, so now you are saying the Jews that live through the events of the Olivet discourse (great tribulation, etc…) will know He is near, right at the door? Am I understanding you correctly?

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I am not now just saying this, but yes living Jewish believers during the tribulation will see the signs and know The Messiah is coming soon.

 

[claninja]

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I am not now just saying this, but yes living Jewish believers during the tribulation will see the signs and know The Messiah is coming soon.

Excellent, ok so you are implying that Jews living during certain events of the Olivet discourse, will recognize Jesus’ parable of the fig tree and then will Know he is near, right at the door. Perfect.

So based on this understanding, why did James say Jesus’ coming had drawn near, and that he was right at the door?

 

[d taylor]

Excellent, ok so you are implying that Jews living during certain events of the Olivet discourse, will recognize Jesus’ parable of the fig tree and then will Know he is near, right at the door. Perfect.

So based on this understanding, why did James say Jesus’ coming had drawn near, and that he was right at the door?

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I have explained this and will not explain this again.

 

[Douggg]

Here is a chart I made that breaks down the Olivet Discourse (in Matthew 24) into three groups of verses.

The parable of the fig tree generation is in Matthew 24:32-34. The parable of the fig tree generation is in the End Times segment of the Olivet Discourse.

There are three segments - Near Term (the time of the apostles), Long Term (while Israel is in exile), and End Times (when Israel is back in the land as a sovereign nation again).

The fig tree represents Jerusalem. Jerusalem back in the hands of the Jews 1967. 1967 + 70 years for a generation = 2037. Minus 7 years for Daniel 9:27 (Ezekiel 39:9) = 2030. So our redemption (redemption of our bodies) is near. Hallelujah !!!!

 

[Douggg]

Our redemption - of our bodies - in the rapture/resurrection event could happen anytime. Even today. But must happen before Stage 4 of the little horn person - which triggers the beginning of the day of the Lord. In 1Thessalonians 5:9-11 are the rapture verses.

 

[claninja]

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I have explained this and will not explain this again.

Well on one hand you said the generation of Jews that see the events of the olivet discourse will know He is near, right at the door. Then on the other hand, you said the generation of Jews that claimed the coming of the Lord is near, right at the door, didn't actually know he was near, right at the door, but taught he could come any time. So its a little hard to follow you.

 

[claninja]

Here is a chart I made that breaks down the Olivet Discourse (in Matthew 24) into three groups of verses.

The parable of the fig tree generation is in Matthew 24:32-34. The parable of the fig tree generation is in the End Times segment of the Olivet Discourse.

There are three segments - Near Term (the time of the apostles), Long Term (while Israel is in exile), and End Times (when Israel is back in the land as a sovereign nation again).

The fig tree represents Jerusalem. Jerusalem back in the hands of the Jews 1967. 1967 + 70 years for a generation = 2037. Minus 7 years for Daniel 9:27 (Ezekiel 39:9) = 2030. So our redemption (redemption of our bodies) is near. Hallelujah !!!!


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Ok, so Jesus told his disciples that "when a fig tree sprouts leaves, you know summer is near, SO ALSO when you see all these things happen YOU WILL KNOW He is near, right at the door".

Then James wrote, "the coming of the Lord is near, and the judge is standing at the door" in james 5:8-9

So, Did james KNOW the Lord was near, right at the door based on seeing certain events of the olivet discourse, just as one KNOWS summer is near when the fig tree sprouts leaves?

 

[Douggg]

Ok, so Jesus told his disciples that "when a fig tree sprouts leaves, you know summer is near, SO ALSO when you see all these things happen YOU WILL KNOW He is near, right at the door".

Then James wrote, "the coming of the Lord is near, and the judge is standing at the door" in james 5:8-9

So, Did james KNOW the Lord was near, right at the door based on seeing certain events of the olivet discourse, just as one KNOWS summer is near when the fig tree sprouts leaves?

In the book of James, James is telling Christians how to live.

In James chapter 5, James is telling Christians, specifically those under the yoke of rich men who abuse them by fraud, to be patient as the Lord hears their prayers, in verse 4.

Verses 5 and 6, James continues his criticism of the abusive rich men of his day.

Verse 7, James tells his fellow Christians to be patient, that the coming of the Lord will take place, and live accordingly,

Verse 8, James gives another incentive to be patient, and how to live. "for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" meaning it is getting closer day by day.

James did not say one way or the other, that his generation was the parable of the fig tree generation.

 

[claninja]

In the book of James, James is telling Christians how to live.

In James chapter 5, James is telling Christians, specifically those under the yoke of rich men who abuse them by fraud, to be patient as the Lord hears their prayers, in verse 4.

Verses 5 and 6, James continues his criticism of the abusive rich men of his day.

Verse 7, James tells his fellow Christians to be patient, that the coming of the Lord will take place, and live accordingly,

Verse 8, James gives another incentive to be patient, and how to live. "for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" meaning it is getting closer day by day.

James did not say one way or the other, that his generation was the parable of the fig tree generation.

The context sets the stage for the "last days" in which Rich men were hording wealth and from the workers.

James 5:2-4 You have hoarded treasure in the last days. 4Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

James exhorts them to patient until the coming of the Lord and the is coming had drawn near

James 5:8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming has drawn near.

The morphology of "has drawn near" doesn't indicate "getting closer day by day", since its in the perfect indicative active. When in the perfect indicative active like in James 5:8, it means extreme closeness or immediate imminence.

ἤγγικεν (has drawn near) - perfect indicative active in James 5:8

1448 eggízō (from 1451 /eggýs, "near") – properly, has drawn close (come near). 1448 (eggízō) occurs 14 times in the Greek perfect tense (indicative mood) in the NT which expresses "extreme closeness, immediate imminence – even a presence ('It is here') because the moment of this coming happened (i.e. at the beginning of Jesus' ministry)" (J. Schlosser).

Adam Clarke's commentary on James 5:8 The coming of the Lord draweth nigh - Ηγγικε· Is at hand. He is already on his way to destroy this wicked people, to raze their city and temple, and to destroy their polity for ever; and this judgment will soon take place.

Barnes commentary on James 5:8 The most natural interpretation of the passage, and one which will accord well with the time when the Epistle was written, is, that the predicted time of the destruction of Jerusalem Matthew 24 was at hand; that there were already indications that that would soon occur; and that there was a prevalent expectation among Christians that that event would be a release from many trials of persecution, and would be followed by the setting up of the Redeemer's kingdom.