Matthew 21:18-21
"Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (NKJV)
In Matthew 24, in the context of the end of the age, Jesus described various things that would be associated with the end of the age - and He then says that they are as sure to come - and as imminent - as when you see the fig tree leafing, you KNOW that summer is SURELY right around the corner !
In Luke 13, verse 6 (and following) must be taken in context with verse 5. Unless you repent you shall perish - in that context the parable of the fig tree deals with fruitlessness - repentance is necessary to become fruitful. Failure to repent >> continued fruitlessness >> barrenness >> death.
In Matthew 21:18 there are two parts. First, concerning the condemning of the tree, it is important to note that the tree was NOT doing what it was supposed to be doing. The fig tree is supposed to bring forth figs. THIS fig tree only brought forth leaves. Judgment will be upon those who bear NO fruit. ALL believers are to bear fruit - e.g. the Holy Spirit of God dwells within those who have been born again, and Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". Furthermore, "He who has not the Spirit of God is none of His" (Romans 8:9). So a person who has NO fruit exhibits the absence of the Holy Spirit and therefore would appear to be an unbeliever who abides under the wrath of God and faces God's judgment.
As to the second part, We believe that Jesus is not teaching about physical power to command mountains. We believe His concern is to teach His disciples deep spiritual truths and so we should look for spiritual meaning here. To pronounce judgment on one who is already condemned (he who has not the Son has not life...) isn't really all that spectacular, but... "greater works shall they do" - what might that be? To proclaim the Gospel which is the POWER of God unto salvation - this is FAR greater - to see the power of converting a condemned soul from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13) is a FAR greater work than pronouncing judgment on those who are already condemned.
"Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (NKJV)
In Matthew 24, in the context of the end of the age, Jesus described various things that would be associated with the end of the age - and He then says that they are as sure to come - and as imminent - as when you see the fig tree leafing, you KNOW that summer is SURELY right around the corner !
In Luke 13, verse 6 (and following) must be taken in context with verse 5. Unless you repent you shall perish - in that context the parable of the fig tree deals with fruitlessness - repentance is necessary to become fruitful. Failure to repent >> continued fruitlessness >> barrenness >> death.
In Matthew 21:18 there are two parts. First, concerning the condemning of the tree, it is important to note that the tree was NOT doing what it was supposed to be doing. The fig tree is supposed to bring forth figs. THIS fig tree only brought forth leaves. Judgment will be upon those who bear NO fruit. ALL believers are to bear fruit - e.g. the Holy Spirit of God dwells within those who have been born again, and Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". Furthermore, "He who has not the Spirit of God is none of His" (Romans 8:9). So a person who has NO fruit exhibits the absence of the Holy Spirit and therefore would appear to be an unbeliever who abides under the wrath of God and faces God's judgment.
As to the second part, We believe that Jesus is not teaching about physical power to command mountains. We believe His concern is to teach His disciples deep spiritual truths and so we should look for spiritual meaning here. To pronounce judgment on one who is already condemned (he who has not the Son has not life...) isn't really all that spectacular, but... "greater works shall they do" - what might that be? To proclaim the Gospel which is the POWER of God unto salvation - this is FAR greater - to see the power of converting a condemned soul from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13) is a FAR greater work than pronouncing judgment on those who are already condemned.