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The Season of Redemption begins at the time of Christ. From this time on, mankind is awarded the opportunity of redemption
from sin when they call on the Lord as their Savior. This time is known as the Church age.
According to the words of Jesus,
this age sets precedence for what is called the time of the Fig Tree.
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: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these
things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Jesus forewarns of this time in the Book of Mark when He gives
His apostles a list of different events that will come to pass.
Mark 13 1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples
saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these
great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of
Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and
what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive
you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of
wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings
of sorrows. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and
ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among
all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate:
but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother
shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them
to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shallbe saved. 14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let
him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go
down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back
again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye
that your flight be not in the winter. 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation
which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ;
or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce,
if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24 But in those days, after that
tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers
that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 Andthen shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the
uttermost part of heaven. 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: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away:
but my words shall not pass away. 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. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 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.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: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Notice Jesus' list of
events: deceivers (v.6), wars (v. 7-8), earthquakes, famine, trouble (v. 8), persecution of Christians (v. 9), the gospel preached
around the world (v. 10), betrayal (v. 12), hatred of Christians (v. 13), Daniel prophecy of abomination of desolation (v. 14),
Christians warned to leave Judea during the Daniel prophecy (v. 14-18), Christian tribulation, affliction (v. 19), and antichrists
(v. 20-22).
The sun will darken and the moon will not give light (v. 24) and powers of heaven will be shaken
(v. 25) is an immediate warning of His return (v.26).
This chapter is the final days. Its contents sets
the final stage for Christ's return where in this "generation" (v. 30). ("generation" from Greek genea: "generation,
time, or age") (Strong 1074) all these events will come about.
The age which began before this time started with Genesis creation
and will continue to the end of Christ's thousand year reign (before final judgment). In its realm is the fall and
redemption of mankind. It is mentioned in Matthew when the apostles question when it will end. King James
calls this end "the end of the world" (Matt. 24:3).
("world" from Greek Aion: age) (Strong 165)
Some of the events
Jesus listed that would happen during the time of the fig tree such as wars and earthquakes have been both widespread
and common in the "aion" (age) while they have escalated in recent years in the time of the fig tree. But there
are those events whose sole influence is in the time of the fig tree such as the tribulation and Christian persecution (although
persecution of the saints, those who have given their life to God, is an "aion" (age) event since Abel).
Christian
persecution began with Christ's apostles and will continue until Christ returns. The tribulation event is described
in Revelation and Daniel prophecies most of which have happened during the time of the apostolic and early Christian ministry.
(See Books of Prophecy.)
The Mark prophetic chapter also mentions that before Christ's return, the gospel will
be taught throughout the world (v. 10). It is no coincidence that technological increase has escalated this event. The increase
in technology has been a source of ministry as not seen before its existence.
Another Jesus prophecy in Mark is
that the stars of heaven will fall before His return.
In Revelation, John the Elder prophecies the "stars of heaven"
falling as a fig tree casting "untimely figs."
Revelation 6 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto
the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
The stars fall after the sun
will "become black as sackcloth of hair and the moon as "blood." (v. 12). Compare to Mark 13:24-26. Note the similarities between
prophecies.
Revelation calls the stars angels.
Revelation 1 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,
and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest
are the seven churches.
In Luke, Jesus prophecies an event that occurs during the time of the fig tree, the time
of the gentiles.
Luke 21 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalemshall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
This time of the gentiles is fulfilled after
the gospel has reached all nations (Matt. 24:14).
In Matthew, Jesus prophecies that before His return Israel
would again become a nation after a future exile of its people...
Matthew 25 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou
that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even
as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto
you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
...as prophesied in
the book of Psalms.
Psalm 118 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
The
Israel "house" would be left desolate (exile) and they would someday see their Savior when they say of Jesus "blessed is He that
comes in the name of the Lord."
The Israeli exile began under Roman occupation with the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus
in A.D. 70 and continued into the second century under Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 132 during the Bar Kokhba revolt.
Israel
regained itself as a nation on May 12, 1948.
Zachariah prophesied Israel would be a nation when the Lord returns.
Zachariah
14 1 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against
Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth
into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against
those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before
Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall
be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee
to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before
the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
According to the
prophet Zachariah, the Lord will enter Jerusalem (v. 4) and fight against the nations who have gone to war against Jerusalem
(v. 3) when He will return with the saints (v. 5). In order for this war to take place, Jerusalem must exist as a city.
The
prophet Joel tells about the Lord's return when the sun and moon become dark.
Joel 2 1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound
an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people
and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations 10 The
earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for theday of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders,
gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and
give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is
their God? 18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
[Compare to the Mark 13:34 Jesus prophecy.]
According
to Joel, the priests and ministers of the Lord "weep" for God's people (the Jewish people) and the Lord will have pity on them
(v. 17). Jesus the bridegroom has returned and the Jewish people claim Him as their Savior which fulfills the
time of the gentiles.
The third chapter of Joel foretells the reuniting of the Jewish people.
Joel 3 1 For, behold, in
those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, and
will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whomthey have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Notice Jesus will plead for His people who are scattered among the nations.
Will all the Jewish people have returned to Israel before Christ's return to earth? Jesus is also admonishing the nations for parting
the land which belongs to the Jewish people.
As in the days of Noah, so will be the return of Christ.
(Matt 24:37-41).
[Compare to Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Also see Revelation 14:14-20.]
There will not be another flood in the
physical sense (Gen. 9:12-15). But Jesus commonly gave warning of things to come by comparing the physical events in history from
the Old Testament with future events (such as the event of Jonah three days in the belly of a whale signifying His crucifixion and
resurrection (Matt. 12:40). And as God cleaned up the earth with water in the time of Noah, God will clean up the earth with
fire after judgment (2 Peter 3:10-13). Compare to Isaiah 45:17 and Ephesians 3:21, world without end, the eighth day (Rev. 21)].
InMark, Jesus foretells that His return and the gathering of the His elect will take place "after that
tribulation."
Mark 13 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and
shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
"But in
those days, after that tribulation" Christ will return. "So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that
it is nigh, even at the doors" (Mark 13:29).
In Matthew, Jesus says when He returns the Lord's elect will be gathered
from the earth after the tribulation (v. 29).
Matthew 24 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And
then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Both books agree that Jesus'
return and the gathering of the elect will happen after the tribulation.
Jesus will not appear the second time born on
earth as before, but instead through the skies as lightning for all to see (Matt. 24:26-27).
When Jesus returns, His saints
who have passed since before His return shall be brought to life at the sound of the trumpet.
1 Corinthians 15 51 Behold,
I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4 16 For the
Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The resurrection of the saints is often referred to as the rapture. This "rapture" which
happens after the tribulation does not happen in secret. The world will witness the event.
This rapture is the
first resurrection.
Revelation 20 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the
souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither
his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousandyears. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed
and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God
and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The Lord will return to earth
"as a thief in the night" (2 Peter
3:10). The world will be surprised by His coming and not expect it.
During the time of the Fig Tree, the
bride of Christ (the saints) are made ready for their espoused Husband Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11 2 For I am jealous over you with godly
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
The prophet Isaiah foretold
this marriage between God and His bride.
Isaiah 6 25 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: andas the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
In Mark, Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom.
Mark
2 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and
of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the
bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast
And in the book of Revelation, John sees
a vision of the Bride who is wed to the Messiah.
Revelation 19 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage
of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto
the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God:
for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
John speaks of a Jewish wedding. The Bridegroom (Jesus) has already chosen
His bride (the Church). When He finished His obligation for her sanctification so that she could be wed to Him (His crucifixion),
Christ and the Church were married. This event happened during His first appearance on earth.
His Father will
send Him back to the earth (His return). The Father will make the decision of when the wedding will take place and only He knows when
this time will happen (Matt. 24:36). When Jesus returns, the wedding will be made complete. The marriage supper is the celebration
(feast) of the marriage of the Messiah and His bride (v. 7).
The bride will be ready for the return of the Messiah (v. 7).
Mark
13
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
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: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
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Furtherstudy:
Matthew 24 1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildingsof the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone
upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying,
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and
said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many .6 Andye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not
yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes,
in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall
hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of
many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination
of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which
be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither
let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck
in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation,
such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo,
here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if
they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secretchambers; believe it not. 27 For as
the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever
the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 Andthen shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig
tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all
these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things
be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no,
not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For
as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then
shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be
taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
2 Peter 3 1 This second epistle,
beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words
which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first,
that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly
are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby
the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this
one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking
for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
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Works
Cited
Strong, James. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Hendrickson Publishers, Incorporated, 2009.
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