My husband and I went on a walk and found this fig tree in one of our neighbourhood garden’s. The fruit grew lush, although the leaves turned brown and dead. I was reminded of Jesus’ words “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” (Matthew 24:32-33, KJV).
As I got home I looked up on this phenomenon, and found that the browning of leaves are caused by over watering the plant. The plants roots starts to rot, leading to a fungal infection spreading to the plants leaves (Oakhill gardens.com).
This became a metaphor for our churches today. The good message is being watered down by the false prophets and are rotting the true word of God. This then can be seen in the state of the church today. Although the tree were bearing fruit, it is in the leaves that we can see the changes.
What the website suggest to do with this struggling tree, is to remove the dead leaves and to replant this tree, where it will receive enough sun and not so much water.
Jesus told the people, in Matthews 24, that the temple will be destroyed, and we all know from history that this did happen. But there is a halt, before Jesus continues to describe the troublesome times. This is the part of the bible which is mostly used by apocalyptic warner’s and false prophets. They quote verse 6, saying, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass…” They conveniently leave out, “but the end is not yet” (verse 6). I want to put an exclamation mark after that sentence. Jesus went on telling about how “there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (verse 7). 8-All these are the beginning of sorrows. I’ll repeat this part, for it is only the beginning.
We pick up the newspapers and read about different law changes the people in power wants to bring in. As a Christian, or rather follower of Christ, I read it with trepidation in my heart. But in this, will lie our ultimate test. Will you be able to keep standing for the Lord? Are you the fruit or the leaves of the tree? For we will be delivered to be prosecuted and killed (verse 9). The church is the only thing, in the past, that stood between the antichrist and the moral demise of the people. We are an offence to them, and rightly so.
Jesus said to the people that, “suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three…” (Luke 12:51-53, KJV). Like the figs on the dead-leafed tree, the good fruit need to stand out and continue the good work.
Offensiveness is on the rise amongst the people, to a point where they will hate one another (verse 10). 11-“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12- And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Because “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation: and a house divided against a house falleth” (Luke 11:17, KJV). Therefore, it is time for Christians to stand strong and together in this time to come. Let us not be deceived, but rather focus on the Word of God and the promises therein.
Jesus said that the good “…gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (verse 14). “We will then see the abomination sit in the holy place” (verse 15). Please take note here that no rapture has taken place, yet. We too, have to go through troubled time.
How do I know this? Last year, while in prayer these words were spoken onto me: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthews 24:21,KJV). I remember feeling unsettled for long. Jesus said that we should pray that these days should be shortened, and “… for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (verse 22).
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35, KJV).
Prayer: My dear Lord God, please replant the church in fresh soil. Prune the church so that the church can grow strong again, so that Your Word can grow strong again. Give us a new strength so that Your gospel can be preached to all the world, so that we can be a witness unto all nations. Give us strength of heart and spirit to stay in your word, and lead us in the way You need us to go. #GodCanDoThis
Notes:
The main text are based on:
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.24.1-51.KJV
Fig tree information, you can find in:
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR DYING FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE on the following blogsite: http://www.oakhillgardens.com>blog
Lightbearer's Quest 