24.187 | MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY | Mark 13:28-31 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 13:28-31 (ESV)

28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY

Having explained the signs of the end of the world and His coming, Jesus directed their attention to the fig tree for an important lesson. Fig trees are a good indication that summer is near. It is because their leaves fall in the winter and return in late spring, a couple of months behind other plants. In the same way, we can consider how the signs given in the Bible compare to what we experience to determine if the end times are near.

The fig tree is often attributed as a symbol of Israel (Hos 9:10; Joel 1:6–7) Some scholars have speculated that the leafing fig tree here is symbolic of Israel as well. They think that when Israel feels healthy and protected enough to "put out new leaves," we should be aware that the end is near. That may mean the establishment of the modern Israel in 1948. From diaspora to its expansion even into non-Jewish-held territories is something no one has expected to happen. The nation settling back in the Promised land is no short of a miracle.

However, we should not be dogmatic that this refers to Israel when we look closely the statements of verse 29, and Luke's addition of "and all the trees" in Luke 21:29. The warning is clear that as we can tell the seasons change by watching the world around us, people in the tribulation should get a hint of when Jesus is coming by watching their own world events.

Jesus ascertained that this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. The word ‘generation’ has sparked controversy whether this refers to the four apostles, namely Peter, James, Andrew, and John. Or, is this referring to the church until Jesus' return? The most plausible is this refers to the people during the unfolding of the events mentioned in verses 6 - 27. From the beginning of the actual, end-times-impending birth pains to Jesus' return will be less than a generation. The point is that once the events of the end times begin, they will progress very quickly.

Jesus assured that His words will come to pass. It’s more possible that heaven and earth will be destroyed but not His words. All the things in this world are not worthy of our trust. They will be gone. Jesus has warned us, saying, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”[John 12:48]

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