Parable of the Fig Tree

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: Parable of the Fig Tree
Keywords: “fig tree” “signs”
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Passage: Mark 13:28-31*

28. "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

29. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, [right] at the door.

30. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

31. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."

Questions

1. What is the parable of the fig tree?

 

2. If you were to die today, do you know you would go to heaven?

 

Practical help

A parable usually has a single profound point. An allegory is a story where most characters and objects are symbols for something else. Pilgrim’s Progress and Gulliver’s Travels are two examples of allegories. Keep in mind this is a parable and control your imagination as you seek to understand its meaning.

Why the English lesson? Because it is important when you are reading something in the Bible that you know how to understand it. Are you to take something literally or figuratively? It has been very helpful in my spiritual growth to remember that different parts of the Bible are written in different forms not unlike those we are used to reading elsewhere. For example, I don’t try to understand poetry the same way I try to understand a news article or a novel. It is the same with the Bible.

With this in mind, let’s go back to this parable of the fig tree. Jesus is answering the question of when He will return and what will be the signs. Go back and read the preceding verses if you can’t recall what He said.

People like me walk by trees and flowers everyday, but I would not be able to make many predictions as to what the weather will be like in the next few months unless the transformation is significant (like spring flowers after winter tell me that warm weather is ahead). But to the observant, plant-sensitive person little subtle changes provide a great deal of information. When it comes to life and what you can expect, you have a wealth of information at your finger tips — if you know how to read the signs. Don’t be fool by charlatans because you are too lazy to study for yourself what God is attempting to communicate through Scripture.

So what does porn have to do with this? Porn derails your attention span and dulls your senses. It distracts you from seeing even the most obvious signs that should be telling you this life is short, will come to an abrupt end at some point, and then it will be too late to begin to think about getting your life in order. Respond to the signs before its too late.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."