Nelda Larson

Only His Sheep Will Raise Their Heads: End Times Study Nelda Larson

From the fig tree, learn its lesson: as soon as its young shoots become soft and tender and it puts out its leaves, you know of a surety that summer is near (Matthew 24:32) If this was important for the disciples, it is even more important for us! We are 2000 years closer than they were. We know from the fig tree that He is giving a spiritual analogy. Who is the fig tree in prophecy? Israel! Israel is the fig tree in the Word of God. What Jesus is bringing out here is, if you want to know prophecy, don't look at the United States, England, Europe, etc. . . Look at the hub of prophecy, Israel! Those other nations are important in prophecy but the most important today, is the fig tree in the nation of Israel. We have seen the return of the Jews to their homeland. We know by the Word of God that Jesus is coming soon. How soon? We are not to know. Many years back, and not so many years back, during all of the wars that were going on people thought it was the tribulation and Israel wasn't even mentioned yet. They were looking at the wars rather than the fig tree. We can look at the fig tree today. It's doing fine! In fact the leaves are all over it! Most teachings on Bible prophecy are filled with doom and forebodings of fear. This viewpoint can be confusing and puts people off God's true, merciful nature and purpose for humanity. That won't be the focus of this study. Prophecies of the End Times are not so much for warnings as they are an invitation to salvation! Therefore, remain full of hope realizing that God is in control, and our Lord's victory is assured.