Posted on 03/31/2015 8:25:14 AM PDT by RnMomof7
Some scholars say that it was not the season for figs, others say that there was one early type of fig ..either way the leaves signaled the presence of fruit, as figs grew before the the tree would show leaves from a distance .
I appreciate the fact that you ran an article that was not anti-Catholic. Thank you.
They Looked holy with their works but were in fact enemies of God
The fig tree was often used as a symbol of Israel.. a fruitless people
This was a teaching moment for the apostles and for us
Do we show leaves that do not cover fruit.. real fruit?
John 15:
5"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Jesus Christ’s parables are meant to teach those who are spiritually in tune with his underlying spiritual message. Scholars will never attain this level because they seek a learned level, they are not seeking a spiritual level or asking to be fed spiritually.
That article should cause some introspection.
Kyle Butt hopefully will learn there is no reason to address what “skeptics” say.
the fig tree represents national Israel.
The tree was barren of the budding figs that would normally later grow into full size figs in fig season — that explains a whole lot. Those familiar with fig trees would know it. Apples, cherries, etc. do not grow in this fashion.
With all due respect, this ought to be a caution against jumping to conclusions when reading the bible. Give it time to become clear and certainly don’t curse others who don’t have the same take you had, just because they did not. Everybody must be born again and everybody must grow.
Cautioning the flock is one reason to address it; being able to give an answer with meekness and respect for the hope within us is another reason to address it. It is a spiritual snobbery to assume everyone has to be on the same exalted level as you.
With the vine, this is speaking of grapes, a different horticultural example.
How do you figure that? National Israel is being brought back together ever since 1948.
It seems here to be a all or nothing thing, rather than a matter of degree. The tree had budding figs, or it did not. It wasn’t a question of it being scanty.
Still it is very possible for the Lord to curse those things that are “just for show” in a life. The Lord may want you to live small rather than living large, if doing the latter hardly ever presents a gospel attitude to the world.
No it’s a waste of time and effort in an article such as this.
We do have to deal with the narrative, which had Jesus declaring the tree would never bear fruit. It might be metaphorically referring to a certain generation or generations of the official leaders of the nation of Israel, not Israel forevermore.
This may be another example that there are a lot of biblical texts which are not intended to stand alone or be viewed in a vacuum.
The modern regathering of Israel is very partial at this point. Great difficulties and some losses in retaining Jewish control of the territory, and a territory which is much smaller than its biblical extent.
How so? Does everybody already know everything about this? Is it a sin to tell them?
Your snobbery is showing!
Um......what? Not sure what that means and can’t imagine how it ties to my post.
Carrying the metaphor forward in a straightforward way. Maybe it was not the “introspection” use you envisioned, and please share what you had in mind if it was not. It could be both-and.
Paul would have hooted at this notion. Yes even scholars are saved by grace through faith.
“Does everybody already know everything about this?”
I don’t even know what you are talking about.
Does everyone know the dumb ideas of “skeptics”?
I see no reason to address their ideas.
It detracts from the teaching.
Perhaps you think I am saying no one needs to teach what the fig tree incident means. That is not what I am saying, quite the opposite.
I am saying he should forget about what the skeptics say and just teach the Bible.
His first paragraphs are all about presenting idiocy put forth by “skeptics”. Such idiocy is completely inconsequential.
It detracts from the message and will lose readers.
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