On last Lord’s day, Pastor Fisher opened a topic illustrating several aspects of ways God spoke spiritual things to His people using trees as a metaphor. This week we continue with part 2 of this topic as we continue our study in the gospel of Mark.
How does a parable concerning a tree have to do with the future of Israel the covenant people descended from Abraham? Well, as we continue our study through the Gospel of Saint Mark in the thirteenth chapter, let us consider what Jesus is teaching about the end times in a set of verses well known as ‘The Olivet Discourse’ that are now being hotly debated in Christendom. So, open your bible take a few notes and listen today as we return to our ongoing study through the gospel of Mark as our teacher Pastor Fisher shares in a teaching which he calls “Learning From The Tree Part II”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 1:1 – 6 (KJV)
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 13:28 – 37 (KJV)
Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
Mark 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mark 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) Trees are one of God’s most plenteous and stable creations and since there are so many of them, I guess this is why there is such a great usage of them in the Scripture being used as a metaphor for a spiritual application and even as instruments of judgment.
#2) The parable of the fig tree, in contrast to the cursed fig tree from earlier in this gospel tell us about the apostate condition of the religious leaders and many deceived by them, and lets us see that in a future time Israel shall be restored to good graces with God and His Son Christ Jesus.
#3) There are a number of types and shadows in the Old Testament of the wicked being judged by hanging on a tree; Yet God spared not His own Son and made Him a curse for the deliverance of all who trust in Him.
