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Matt. 24: 32-42.
A | 32-25. THE FIG.--Its lessons concerning what may be known.
A1 | 32, 33. a | Branch tender, and puts forth leaves.
b | Ye know that summer is near.
a | When ye shall see all these things.
b | Ye know that He is near at the doors.
B1 | 34, 35. c | This generation will not have passed away.
d | Till all these things shall have come to pass.
c | The heaven and the earth shall pass away.
d | But My words shall not pass away.
B | 36. What no one knows. e | Concerning that day and hour.
f | No one knows.
f | Not even the angels of heaven.
e | But My Father (knows) only.
A | 37-41. THE DAYS OF NOAH.-Its lessons concerning the coming of the Son of man.
A2 | 37. a | The days of Noah
\
The
b | The coming of the Son of man.
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days.
B2 | 38, 39-. c | Eating, drinking, marrying.
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d | Till the day that Noah entered ark. \
The
d | Till the flood came.
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people.
c | And swept them all away.
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A3 | -39. a | Even so (like days of Noah).
\
The
b | The coming of the Son of man.
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days.
B3 | 40, 41. c | Two men in field
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d | One taken, other left.
\
The
c | Two women grinding at mill.
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people.
d | One taken, other left.
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B | 42. What no one knows. Ye know not what day your Lord cometh.
The majority of our readers will require no proof that the fig tree typifies Israel in the
Scriptures, and together with the Olive and the Vine presents its destiny under the three
phases, National, Covenant Privilege, and Blessing. The fig tree is used particularly in
the Gospels, where national fruitfulness and national excision is in view. The Olive
figures prominently in Rom. 11: where Covenant Privileges are in view. The Vine in
Isa. 5: and Psa. 80: speaks of blessing. Apart from the reference in Matt. 24: 32
the fig tree is mentioned in one other place in that Gospel, namely, in chapter 21: 19, 20,
21. There the tree, having "nothing thereon but leaves only," is cursed and withers away.
This typified the fruitless condition of Israel when the Lord came "seeking fruit." Luke's
Gospel provides another reference which supplements the statements of Matthew.
"He spake also this parable: a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and
he came and sought fruit thereon and found none. And he said to the vine dresser,
Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none, cut it down,
why should it render the earth unproductive" (Luke 13: 6, 7).
The "fruit" is explained by John the Baptist:--
"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance . . . . . and now also the axe is laid
unto the root of the trees . . . . ." (Matt. 3: 8, 10).