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At Enjoy The Bible Ministries we receive
a fair amount of correspondence, especially in the form of Bible questions. Periodically
we like to take the opportunity to share a few of these questions and answers with you.
The following selections have been edited to conserve space, ensure clarity, and remove
any personal information.
MATTHEW 10:16
When Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I
send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and
harmless as doves"; what is this all about and who are the "wolves"?
JAMES 2
Why does James say in James 2:26 that "faith
without works is dead"?
I CORINTHIANS 10:1
Why does Paul refer to the ones who came out of
Egypt as "our fathers" when he says, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that
ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea"? Is it the same as the fatherhood of Abraham, as in Romans 4?
I AND II
KINGS
How did the people of Israel get to where they
are in the books of I and II Kings, and what happened to put them there?
II CORINTHIANS 11:1-2
Though I am persuaded that the term "the
bride of Christ" belongs to Gods program with Israel, it is puzzling when Paul
in II Corinthians 11:2 says, "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."
GALATIANS 5:22 and PHILIPPIANS 1:11
What, if any, is the difference between "the fruit of
the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22 and "the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ,
" in Philippians 1:11?
MATTHEW 21:18-19
Why did Jesus cause the fig tree to wither and die, as
described in Matthew 21:18-19?
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MATTHEW 10:16 When Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep
in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves";
what is this all about and who are the "wolves"?
Matthew 10:16 is the beginning of a warning that the Lord Jesus Christ
gave to His 12 Apostles in His program with Israel. It concerns what they were going to
encounter from the people of Israel as they fulfilled their ministry of proclaiming
"the gospel of the kingdom" among the cities of Israel. Beginning with John the
Baptists ministry Gods program with Israel had entered its climactic stage.
Just as "the gospel of the kingdom" said, Israels long-awaited and
long-ago-covenanted kingdom of heaven was "at hand." John began to proclaim this
to Israel, and by means of this gospel, and by his baptism, he began to call out the
remnant of Israel that had been prophesied about. And it would indeed be a small remnant
in Israel that would respond to "the gospel of the kingdom," just as the
prophets described. The majority of the people would stick with Israels vain
religious system headed up by their rulers, along with the chief priests, lawyers,
scribes, and the like. The preaching of "the gospel of the kingdom," along with
the testimony that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, would not be received by them as good
news. Instead, they would oppose it, along with opposing those commissioned by the Lord to
proclaim it to them. It is this that the Lord is warning and instructing His 12 Apostles
about beginning in Matthew 10:16.
As Matthew 10:1-15 sets forth, the Lord commissioned the 12 to go only
to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and to "preach, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is at hand." In connection with manifesting the signs of the
kingdom that the prophets had spoken of, the Lord gave the 12 power to heal the sick, cast
out devils, and the like, which confirmed the reality of the kingdom being "at
hand." In addition, He also instructed them on how to conduct themselves as they
journeyed among the various cities and towns of Israel and how to respond to the type of
reception they received. How they were received and what they did in response to it would
be used by the Lord as a criterion for judgment in "the day of judgment." Just
as the prophets set forth, the Lord would purge His land in that day, both wasting and
destroying in it all opposition to Him, including even places of opposition. And there
would be much opposition and many places of opposition that the apostles would encounter.
This, too, is just what the prophets had described.
In connection with this the Lord warned His Apostles about the
prevailing negative reception they and their message were going to receive. Hence He said
to them, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves." As
"sheep" they were going to be preyed upon and attacked by the
"wolves." In particular, the "wolves" is a reference to Israels
rulers and judges, just as God had previously described them to be, for example, in
Zephaniah 3:3.
3 "Her princes within
her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the
morrow." (Zephaniah 3:3)
In view of this the Lord went on in Matthew 10:17-18 to
describe how that the Apostles would be delivered up to the councils and hauled before the
governors, etc. They, therefore, were going to need to be "wise as serpents, and
harmless as doves." The Lords doctrine would equip them with the wisdom they
needed. They also did not need to be concerned with providing for themselves or avenging
themselves. Rather they were to be "as harmless as doves." As the Lord further
said to them in verses 19-20 He would not only miraculously provide for their defense, but
He provided for them not to have to fear the opposition in other areas as well.
This is the gist of what the Lord is saying in Matthew 10:16, and how
it pertains to what was going on in Gods program with Israel when the Lord was here
on the earth and the climactic stage in Israels program had arrived. God, of course,
has temporarily suspended His program and dealings with Israel, just as the Apostle Paul
teaches us about in his epistles to us. From the time when God raised up the Apostle Paul
to be the apostle of the Gentiles and revealed to him "the mystery of Christ,"
the dispensation of Gods grace for us Gentiles has been in effect, and it is still
in effect today. However, Gods program and dealings with Israel have not been
canceled. As Paul teaches in Romans 9-11, God will yet resume and fulfill His program with
Israel. Their fulness is yet to come. And when God does conclude this present dispensation
of Gentile grace and resumes His program with Israel, then Israels "gospel of
the kingdom" will once again be preached. At that time the doctrine, for example, in
Matthew 10 will once again be applicable to, and followed by, the remnant of Israel.
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JAMES 2 Why does James say in James 2:26 that "faith without works is
dead"?
James was one of the "pillars" in Gods program with
Israel, and as such his epistle is written to the believing remnant of Israel to whom he
ministered, as James 1:1 makes clear. He sets forth fundamental doctrine to the remnant
regarding the privilege they have to function just as James 1:18 says, as "a kind of
firstfruits of (Gods) creatures." This was indeed a special privilege for the
believing remnant. It was something that had not only been prophesied about, but was also
something in which Abraham had participated. As James teaches in chapter 2, Abraham had
justified himself in the eyes of men by his works as "the Friend of God." And
this is exactly what Gods creatures will be when He fulfills His program with Israel
and establishes His kingdom on this earth. And now these members of the remnant of Israel
had the opportunity to do the same, which is what James exhorts them to do throughout his
epistle, but especially in chapter 2.
James is dealing with two separate and distinct justifications in
chapter 2: i.e. justification by faith and justification by works. Though they are
separate and distinct, it is Gods design in His program with Israel that both
justifications be possessed by an Israelite, with the justification by works following and
complimenting the justification by faith. Abraham had both justifications, and so having
both he not only had justification by faith unto eternal life in Gods sight, he also
had justification by works in the sight of men vindicating him as "the Friend of
God" he professed himself to be. With Abraham God established the fact that in His
program with Israel these two kinds of justification would be the big issues in His
dealings with them as the seed of Abraham.
Therefore as the natural "seed" of Abraham the people of
Israel would first need to be justified by faith as their father Abraham was, and in so
being they would be the "children of Abraham" with imputed righteousness and
heirs of eternal life. However following this, the child of Abraham needed to be justified
by his works as "the Friend of God," (just like his father Abraham was), in
order like Abraham to be counted worthy of the kingdom with all of its honors and the
like.
The members of the remnant of Israel that James is writing to already
had been justified by faith like Abraham, as James makes apparent in writing to them. But
thats not the only kind of justification they ought to be content with as the
children of Abraham. When it comes to the judgment at the establishment of the kingdom
that determines the kind of entrance they will have into the kingdom, if they do not have
justification by works as "the Friend of God" like their father Abraham, then
they will not be counted worthy of the kingdom and its honors. Their friendship with the
world will testify against their worthiness to be counted among the Kings worthies.
And this is what James warns them about, admonishes them on, and exhorts them unto,
throughout his epistle to them.
The two justifications are separate and distinct, but the justification
by works as "the Friend of God" does compliment and "perfect" the
initial "faith," completing the full package of justifications that is to be the
mark of a child of Abraham as he functions as "the salt of the earth" and
"the light of the world."
Because God has designed for the remnant to have both kinds of
justifications, James concludes his teaching on it with the statement in 2:26 regarding
faith without works being dead. Just as the natural thing is for the body to be joined
together with the spirit, and when it is not the body is "dead," (i.e. separated
from its natural compliment); so also is it the same with their faith, i.e. their
justification by faith. God has designed for them to emulate their father Abraham and to
do the works of Abraham. He has designed, therefore, for their justification by faith in
His sight to have justification by works as the friend of God in mens sight as its
natural compliment. But if they dont have justification by works as the friend of
God, their faith is "dead, being alone," being separated from its designed
compliment. And their entrance into the kingdom will not be with abundance and reward.
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| I CORINTHIANS 10:1
Why does Paul refer to the ones who came out
of Egypt as "our fathers" when he says, "Moreover, brethren, I would not
that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea"? Is it the same as the fatherhood of Abraham, as in Romans 4?
The "fatherhood" of Abraham issue, as in Galatians 3 and
Romans 4 would be the issue if Abraham alone was in view. But seeing that the issue in I
Corinthians 10 is plural, "fathers," and it is dealing with an historical event
past the time of Abraham, it is evident that Paul is using the word "fathers" in
another way.
The word "father" in the singular is often used to refer to
one who is either the author, originator, founder, etc., of something, or the first person
associated with some particular thing. When more than one person would qualify for such a
distinction then the word "fathers" would be applied to them. This is
Pauls use of the term in I Corinthians 10:1.
The Israelites coming out of Egypt were "our fathers" in
connection with the sanctification that Paul is talking about. They experienced an
identifying sanctification by which they were to see themselves as completely dead to what
they used to belong to, just as we do in this dispensation. However, as Paul shows, they
failed to appreciate their identifying sanctification and so experienced grievous
consequences in view of it. And as such, with them being "our fathers" in this
area, Paul makes the application that we ought not follow their example.
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| I AND II KINGS
How did the people of Israel get to where
they are in the books of I and II Kings, and what happened to put them there?
The books of I & II Kings in particular set forth the historical
record of Israel undergoing the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and the beginning of the 5th courses of
punishment described in Leviticus 26. When God brought Israel out of Egypt the nation
opted for God to deal with them on the basis of the Law Covenant they made with Him at
Mount Sinai. That Law Covenant was a performance contract. If they performed its
commandments, statutes, judgments, and the like, they would be blessed by God, both
personally and nationally. However, if they failed to perform and did not keep the
covenant, then they would be cursed and punished by God, both personally and nationally.
In Leviticus 26 the terms of the covenant regarding the national blessings and cursings
are set forth, with verses 14ff describing the way in which the national curses would
come.
Briefly put, Leviticus 26:14ff sets forth a total of 5 courses of
punishment that Israel would experience if they failed to comply with the Law Covenant. By
the time you get to I Kings Israel has already experienced the 1st course of punishment.
The book of Judges, along with Ruth, and the first part of I Samuel deal with Israel under
the 1st course of punishment. Before beginning to bring the 2nd course of punishment upon
them, (which the nation merited), God gave Israel a merciful time of unmerited blessing
under David and Solomon. This He did for the purposes set forth in the Davidic Covenant.
Near the end of Solomons reign, however, (as set forth in I Kings 11), Solomon
plunged the nation back into rebelliousness, and the 2nd course of punishment described in
Leviticus 26 arrived. The 2nd course was followed by the 3rd, the 4th, and then the 5th
course arrived, the beginning of which called for Israel to be taken by captivity out of
their land, which is what the account of II Kings concludes with.
The books of I & II Kings, therefore, set forth the historical
record of Israel coming under the effects of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and the beginning of the
5th courses of punishment of the Law Covenant in Gods program with Israel.
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| II CORINTHIANS 11:1-2
Though I am persuaded that the term
"the bride of Christ" belongs to Gods program with Israel, it is puzzling
when Paul in II Corinthians 11:2 says, "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."
I agree with you in recognizing that the bride of Christ is not a
designation given to us today, Gods "new creation" the church the body of
Christ in this dispensation of grace. The designation clearly belongs to Israel in
Gods program with His nation, and in particular pertains to the
living-union-relationship that He will establish with them when He brings His residence to
this earth and joins it to the land He gave to Israel. Hence, as John describes in
Revelation 21:9-10, "the bride, the Lambs wife" is "that great city,
the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." What John sees is the
culmination of Gods program with Israel. He sees the living-union-relationship of
the marriage of God Himself to them in their land, which has been the declared and
prophesied issue with them, their land, and Him since the foundation of the world.
We in this dispensation of grace also possess a
living-union-relationship with God as the members of the body of Christ. God, in
accordance with the genius of His wisdom, has provided for the existence of two kinds of
living-union-relationships with Himself. Marriage is one, and being members of a body is
the other. Israel possesses the marriage living-union-relationship, while we being the
body of Christ naturally possess the body member living-union-relationship. The two kinds
of living-union-relationships provide for God to have two distinct entities in such a
relationship with Himself. And, of course, the genius of Gods wisdom in doing this
is that it provides Him with the two distinct entities needed for the reconciliation of
both the earthly realm and heavenly realm back to Himself from Satans usurpation.
Israel in their living-union-relationship with God is His means for the reconciliation of
the earthly realm, and we the church the body of Christ in our special
living-union-relationship with God are His means for the reconciliation of the heavenly
places.
Naturally enough, its when Christians fail to "rightly
divide the word of truth" in accordance with Gods two distinct programs that
confusion arises and Israels living-union-relationship with God is thought to be
ours today, etc. However, even when a Christian does recognize the distinctiveness and
differences between Gods two programs, sometimes Pauls use of marriage, or
marriage-type terminology with us today causes a bit of consternation, as in II
Corinthians 11:2. Yet that doesnt need to be the case. This is because the things
associated with the marriage relationship can be used to illustrate and define a number of
matters like love, self-sacrifice, righteous jealousy, and the like. And this is just what
Paul does when he uses it with us in this dispensation.
The issue in II Corinthians 11:2 is an illustrative analogy of espousal
so that the Corinthians can understand why Paul is so upset over what is happening in
Corinth and why he is being so protective of them with regards to some "very chiefest
apostles" who have enamored the Corinthians and swept them off their feet. In chapter
10 Paul just began addressing in particular the issue of the love-spell that
these "very chiefest apostles" had cast upon a number of the Corinthians. In so
doing he set forth how that he dare not make himself of their number or get into a
beauty-type contest with them by comparing himself with them, etc. Instead, he would
simply set before them the Lords own commendation of himself as their rightful
apostle, and "revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled" after
they had the opportunity to respond to what he says.
Having said this, Paul knew that these bedazzled Corinthians would
misinterpret his motives. He knew that they would not perceive his genuine "godly
jealousy" as the motive behind his actions. Rather, they would accuse him of simply
operating on sour grapes, so to speak. They already thought of him as if he "walked
according to the flesh" and so they would naturally think that he was just fleshly
jealous of these apostles who were much better than him in so many impressive ways.
Therefore knowing this, Paul begins chapter 11 with an appeal for them to "bear with
me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me." He knows they think he is a fool
for speaking as he has already in chapter 10, and now he beseeches them to bear with him
as he tries to explain his motives to them in a way that they can understand. He, as he
declares in the opening of verse 2, is "jealous over them with godly jealousy."
He isnt walking after the flesh like they think. Instead he has the very same
jealousy over them as God Himself has, and this is something they need to understand if
they are ever going to respond properly to him as they need to. Therefore, the context
from at least back into chapter 10 is the key to understanding and appreciating what Paul
is now going to say in the rest of verse 2.
Notice that Pauls illustrative analogy begins with the word
"for." Hence, it is an amplification upon the declaration he has just made about
being "jealous over you with godly jealousy." Once again, he knows that the ones
he is particularly addressing here in chapters 10-12 do not understand his genuine love
for them. They do not understand his reasons for being upset with their disapproval of
him. They do not understand his motives behind dealing with them as he has done, etc, etc.
He knows that they think he "walks after the flesh"; that he is insincere; has
ulterior motives; operates on a hidden agenda; and is just plain fleshly jealous over
these much more impressive and entertaining "very chiefest apostles." Once
again, Paul knows all of this and is taking it into account as he deals with them.
Paul is jealous, as he says. But not of "the very chiefest
apostles." That truly would be fleshly jealousy. Instead, as he says to them, "I
am jealous over you with godly jealousy." And once again, this is completely
different and is righteous, being the very righteous jealousy that God Himself possesses
and operates upon. However, Paul knows that these Corinthians are not going to pick up on
this right away. They didnt have any frame of reference for this kind of jealousy,
(anymore than Israel did when God first declared it of Himself to them.) So Paul provides
for them to have a measure of understanding and appreciation for his "godly
jealousy" over them by giving them an illustrative analogy of what it is like. And he
does this by referring to a righteous jealousy that they could easily understand and
relate to - i.e. the kind that an espoused husband would have to his virgin. Just as an
espoused husband would not want his virgin seduced by anyone, and would possess a
righteous jealousy over her in the face of any such seductions, so is it with Paul. Even
in their carnality these Corinthians could understand this. And this is the kind of
righteous jealousy that Paul had for them.
Therefore, he wasnt walking after the flesh at all. His jealousy
wasnt sour grapes. Instead, they were being seduced by a seducer and did not even
know it. Their spiritual chastity was being violated by the allurements of a seducer, and
they needed to realize this and preserve their chastity. And this is what he goes on to
declare to them in no uncertain terms in verses 3ff. If they would "bear with"
Paul as he deals with them on this, then they would come to realize the righteousness of
his motives, the sincerity of his love for them, along with both the power and correctness
of his "godly jealousy" over them.
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GALATIANS 5:22 and PHILIPPIANS 1:11 What, if any, is the difference between "the fruit of the
Spirit" in Galatians 5:22 and "the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus
Christ,
" in Philippians 1:11?
In essence it is the same issue in both places, but the nature of the
context has dictated Pauls wording. With the Galatians the emphasis is upon the
source of the fruit. Hence, the designator "of the Spirit." With the Philippians
the emphasis is upon the means by which God the Father is being glorified through them,
and that being because the life of Christ was being manifested through them. Hence, Paul
describes the fruits of righteousness that they were bringing forth as being "by
Jesus Christ."
In view of the fact that the Galatians had put themselves "under
the law," they were not "walking after the Spirit" at all. Contrary to what
they thought, or had been taught, by putting themselves "under the law" they
were not going to be able to live unto God. The law is a fleshly performance system that
manifests the productive capabilities, and fruit, of the flesh. It puts on display what
the flesh can do; what it can accomplish. And so when one is "under the law" he
is "in the flesh," "walking after the flesh," trying to be made
"perfect after the flesh," and brings forth the fruit of the flesh. However, the
fruit of the flesh is not "fruit unto holiness." It is not fruit that Gods
Justice can accept. It is not fruit that God has anything to do with producing. Rather, it
is just as Paul says in Philippians 3:9, it is "mine own righteousness, which is of
the law." And as such it falls far short of being "fruit unto holiness."
The Galatians, having been "bewitched" by erroneous teaching
about the law, werent recognizing the reality of this. They didnt realize that
they couldnt "live unto God" by the law; that their position "in
Christ" was not being put into practice by them being "under the law." They
needed to realize that the Spirit of Gods fruit being produced through us, (which is
what the glory of our sanctification is all about), doesnt occur except by living
"under grace."
Its only by "walking after the Spirit" that the
"fruit of the Spirit" is produced. Its only by "walking after the
Spirit" that our members are what God has sanctified them to be i.e.
instruments of righteousness unto Him.
And so in dealing with the Galatians, Paul talks about the "fruit
unto holiness" that our sanctified position "in Christ" enables us to bring
forth as "the fruit of the Spirit" that it is. Its source is not "of our
flesh," but "of the Spirit." As we "walk after the Spirit" He
quickens our mortal bodies, actively making our members "instruments of righteousness
unto God" and so bringing forth His fruit through us.
With the more doctrinally mature Philippians, Paul speaks to them
regarding the understanding and appreciation they had for the fact that as they lived in
accordance with the fulness of their position "in Christ," the life of Christ
was also being manifest through them to God the Fathers glory and praise. Hence as
they abounded yet more and more in knowledge and all judgment, and were approving the
things that were excellent, they would be ones who would be "filled with the fruits
of righteousness." And those "fruits of righteousness" would be the issue
of Jesus Christ being made manifest through them, and God the Father being glorified and
praised thereby.
The Philippians understood and appreciated not only the doctrine of our
justification "in Christ" and our sanctification "in Christ," they
also knew the doctrine of our exaltation "in Christ." And in connection with our
exaltation "in Christ," they knew that we have the exceeding high privilege of
Gods grace to be putting the life of Christ on display, and for that to be done in
the face of the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. They knew what Paul knew
that made him say, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing
I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. For to me to live is
Christ,
" They also understood what Paul meant when he said, "that I may
win Christ"; and also, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus." They understood, appreciated, and operated in
connection with all of this understanding. And so with them, Paul speaks of what "the
fruits of righteousness" are when it comes to the glorification that God the Father
receives from them. They are not just the genuine "the fruits of righteousness"
in contrast to the fruits of the flesh produced by the law. They are "the fruits of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ"; .i.e. by the Lord Jesus Christ living His
life out through us, the members of His body, to the glory of God the Father in the
heavenly realm.
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MATTHEW
21:18-19 Why did Jesus cause the fig
tree to wither and die, as described in Matthew 21:18-19?
This event is actually quite significant in Gods program and
dealings with Israel, in view of the fact that God had taught His nation in the past that
various aspects of their national existence were likened by Him unto some particular
trees. The fig tree was one of those trees. It, along with 3 other trees, were used by God
to represent and describe four aspects of Israels national existence and experience.
Now there is a lot that could be said about this, and in truth there is
a lot that first needs to be understood from Genesis to Malachi in order to fully
appreciate all that is represented and signified not only by the Lords action of
cursing the fig tree, but also the references He makes to the other trees. However, the
following brief comments should help provide you with the gist of the issue.
Of the four aspects of Israels national existence and experience,
the fig tree, (in accordance with mans use of it in the Garden of Eden), represented
Israels religious life. That religious life, however, was doomed to failure seeing
it was rooted in the performance system of their own works resident in the Law covenant
that they had signed with God. As such it rejected the issue of being dealt with by God on
the basis of His grace. Their religious life would produce and bring forth fruit, but it
would be fruit that Gods Holiness, Righteousness, and Justice could not, and would
not, accept. It would be just like the fig tree Adam and his wife used in the garden. God
wouldnt accept it.
As Israels religious life pursued the grace-rejecting course of
the Law contract, it eventually developed into the completely vain religious system God
declared it to be in Isaiahs day. Later, through Jeremiah, God likened it and its
participants unto "vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil," and He
promised that He would treat them accordingly. And, indeed, He began to do so in
Jeremiahs day.
However, it would be in the Lords day of wrath, (the final
installment in Gods program with Israel during which He would purge His nation of
all its religious unrighteous element), that God would finally cut down the fig tree of
Israels vain religious system and give it to the fire to be burned.
When the Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth in Israel as recorded in
the Gospel accounts, He was just as Paul declares in Romans 15:8. He "was a minister
of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the
fathers." One of those promises He confirmed was the promised destruction of
Israels vain, "vile fig" producing, religious system. God the Father
promised its destruction, and God the Son confirmed it when He came.
Therefore, when the Lords three year ministry was drawing to its conclusion, and
the prophesied time of purging wrath was just around the corner on Israels
time-schedule, the Lord performed the significant gesture of cursing the fig tree in the
presence of His disciples. The fig tree of Israels vain religious system was set to
be judged and destroyed, and the Lords gesture confirmed the reality of that. |
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