“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.” Mark 11:12-14. NKJV
It would be accurate to say that this account from the book Mark is, and can be, confusing to many that read it. I know it certainly was to me when I first read it many years ago, but as I studied it I came to realize just why it is important, and why it may prove to be even more so in the future. You see, as always when studying scripture, context is everything and this account of the only destructive miracle Jesus performed is the key to our understanding.
If we back up just a little we find that this cursing of the fig tree occurred on Monday, the day after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Riding on a colt, He was welcomed by the people crying out “Hosanna”, yet three days later He would be rejected by these same people and crucified on a cross. Considering this, we always need to remember how often the fig tree was used as an idiom for the nation of Israel in the Word. If we do that, and then apply it to this passage about cursing the fig tree, we begin to see the light.
Now some might argue that the fig tree was punished for not having fruit even though it was early in the season and no fruit should have been expected, yet with a little digging one can see that is not necessarily the case. In Israel, where fig trees are abundant, there is something that occurs early in spring when the leaves first grow on the trees and that is the appearance of Breba figs.
Brebas are figs that grow on last years unpruned branches and are usually always picked off by growers to encourage the growth of the main crop which is to come later in the season. If no Breba figs appear in the spring on a fig tree, it is usually taken as a sign that it is a sterile tree which will not produce a normal crop in the coming months. When Jesus saw that the fig tree had leaves, He was expecting to find Breba figs on it. Finding none, He knew it was a sterile tree which would not produce fruit in its season.
Putting it all together, Jesus came to His people, the nation of Israel, expecting to find fruit and instead found none. Rather than accept His Kingship, they rejected Him so in turn He set them aside and founded His Church, made up of all who choose to believe He is the Son of God. The cursing of the fig tree is simply an illustration of this, and at the current time we the Church, made up of all who choose to believe, enjoy the favor of His promise of a future Kingdom.
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:43 NKJV
Now I said earlier that there may be a future component to this story which I personally find exciting so let me also share my thoughts on that.
“For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!" Song of Solomon 2:11-13 NKJV
It’s not often that you hear a sermon taught on the Songs of Solomon. Truthfully that seems to be a shame for if you believe that all scripture is inspired by God, and all scripture is profitable for instruction, you need to ask why this book was included in the scripture and what is its message? Solomon wrote this song to a Shulamite woman who he had fallen in love with, and it is his love song to her while he is courting her with the intent of making her his bride. We don't need to read very far at all to understand the depth of his love for her, and the anticipation he has for the day she will become his own.
Seen in this light, it appears logical that this song can easily describe what Jesus is feeling as He looks forward to His own wedding to His bride, the Church. Although the Jews have always looked at this book as signifying God's love for the nation of Israel, and it easily could be, I can also certainly see Jesus' love for the Church and His anticipation for the coming wedding in it as well. One of the many interesting things I found while reading this book was this description of his intended which Solomon gives us in chapter 4.
"You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you." Song of Solomon 4:7 NKJV
The fact that he sees no spot in her immediately brought to mind the description of the Church Paul gives us in the book of Ephesians.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27 NKJV
I can easily read this book and picture Jesus writing these words in anticipation of His future wedding with the Church. As long as we are going to talk about a future wedding, however, it would also seem appropriate to consider the possible timing of it to see if Solomon gives us a clue as to when that might take place. Notice his description in the passage from the second chapter, and everything that he says there. It seems rather obvious that Solomon is talking about the season of Spring, and all of the things that occur in Israel during that particular time of the year.
"For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone."
Solomon tells us that the winter is past, as well as the early rains. It is these early rains which help start the growing season in Israel.
"The flowers appear on the earth;"
One of the things I, and many others appreciate most about spring, is watching all of the flowers reappear after hiding under the snow for the winter.
"the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land"
Did you know that the turtledove is a migratory bird? It normally leaves in the fall and returns to Israel in the spring.
"And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell"
Grapes have begun to appear on the vines, ripening in preparation for the coming harvest.
"The fig tree puts forth her green figs”.
“Here’s your sign”?. When I read this you could accurately say this was my “sign” moment. Based on our new understanding of the fig tree, what figs are appearing in the spring? As we now know, the answer to that is breba figs, those which Jesus was looking for but could not find. Could this possibly be a clue as to the season of the rapture? Is there a deeper reason Solomon chooses to call his bride in the spring at the time of breba figs, to “come away”.
Why do I think this might be important? Most understand that in the book of Daniel the nation of Israel was given a timeline for its future, which totaled 70 weeks. The clock stopped at 69 weeks in the spring when Jesus cursed the fig tree and was crucified. Does it not make sense that Israel’s clock will start up again in a future spring season exactly as it did when it stopped in the spring of 33AD?
“After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.” Hosea 6:2. NKJV
Many are of the opinion it is no coincidence that if we accept the premise based on the one day equals one thousand years revealed in the Bible, we see that two days, or two thousand years are about to pass since Israels’ clock was stopped in 33AD. Accordingly, if you subtract 7 years of tribulation from 2033 you arrive at the spring of 2026. Most important of all, let’s not forget that the Church must be taken away in the rapture before Israel’s clock restarts.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!“ Mark 13:28-29. NKJV
All things considered, I think it is safe to say that Solomon was anticipating a wedding just like many others have. I have to wonder if Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, had a reason to choose spring as the season for a wedding. Many believe the Church is rapidly approaching its own wedding in Heaven, and a close look at the state of this world certainly seems to support that belief. One day, very soon in many believers opinion, the Church will hear the Jesus the bridegroom call out for her to "come away" just as Solomon wrote in this passage.
It is my prayer that you have made the decision to accept the gift of eternal life offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your sin, and that you are part of the body, the bride of Christ which will live with Him forever in the place He is preparing for us.
If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do it right now. Simply admit to God that you need His forgiveness because you are a sinner, be willing to turn away from your sins, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and invite Him to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit by praying a simple prayer like this;
Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" John 1:12 NKJV
If you have prayed this prayer you are part of the body of Christ, a member of His Church, and just like the rest of us are now waiting for the call to join Him in the air for the wedding soon to come.
Keep watching.
PS. As I write this, the next Middle East war has broken out and missiles are flying once again. As our forces, along with those of Israel begin to fight please join me in praying for their safety along with the innocent, as well as obeying the biblical call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
