Season 5 Podcast 18 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 24 “The Sign of Thy Coming and the End of the World Pt C.”In this podcast we shall continue with Matthew 24. We shall discuss vs 32- 51. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”The Savior makes it very simple. In the temporal world, we can all recognize the seasons. Those who are close to the soil become very adept at reading the seasons. In my yard I have five fig trees. Fig trees are very hearty plants. When I planted my fig trees I also planted apple trees, peach trees, and plumb trees. None survived but the fig trees, and all of them survived. The fig tree a metaphor is historically important in Scriptures. In the creation story, the fig tree symbolizes modesty.Genesis 3:77 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.Traditionally the fig tree symbolizes peace and safety.1 Kings 4:2525 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.It also represented healing.2 Kings 20:77 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.In addition, it symbolized law and orderMatthew 7:1616 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?The above is dramatically illustrated in one of the tragic stories of the Old Testament. Abimelech, Gideon’s son by his concubine, a woman from Shechem, murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Gideon’s many wives, to become king.  Jotham, the only other surviving son of Gideon gave the following parable:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. (Judges 9:7-15)The olive, the fig, and the grape are symbols of law and order and goodness and fruitfulness. The bramble is a symbol of evil and barrenness and lawlessness and disorder.  In the following parable the fig tree is cursed because it does not bear fruit. It symbolizes those children of the covenant who do not follow the commandments of God. Matthew 21:1919 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

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