The Barren Fig Tree

Apologetics Press ^ | 2006 | Kyle Butt, M.A.

[CynicalBear]

What part of "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers" do you not understand.

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

we are told Ezekiel 36 pertains to the modern state of Israel.

ok, let’s test that theory:

Israel was formed in 1948, 67 years ago.
when did God sprinkle clean water upon them?
cleanse them from their filthiness?
give them a new heart?
put his spirit in them?
when did they start following his statutes?

all these things described above occur when someone is regenerated, translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son.

none of these things have happened to national Israel ( although individually some Jews have become Christian just like some have always in the last 2,000 years )

the promised land is heaven, dwelling with God forever.

[imardmd1]

It seems here to be a all or nothing thing, rather than a matter of degree. The tree had budding figs, or it did not. It wasn’t a question of it being scanty.

Every Bible passage needs some study to see what it literally means, You should look up fig farming.

Look up "breba" figs. They are the figs growing in the spring on last year's growth. Jesus reasonably was lookig for some "breba" figs to eat from this tree by the second week of Nisan. If there are leaves, the tree's growth is healthy, but if last year's growth does not produce "breba" figs, it didn't produce last year's summer figs either, and then neither will this year's growth produce summer figs. It will produce nothing but leaves. This usually has something to do with disease in the roots.

There's a moral to this story. The fruit of the Spirit is the perfection of Christ's character, spiritual maturity, in the human. But the fruit of the disciple is--year by year as one goes--more disciples (not just religious activity).

===========

Nothing But Leaves

The Master is seeking a harvest
In lives He's redeemed by His blood;
He seeks for the fruit of the Spirit,
And works that will glorify God.

He looks for His likeness reflected
In lives that are yielded and true;
He's looking for zeal in the winning
Of souls He's entrusted to you.

He's yearning for someone to carry
The life-giving word far and near;
He's waiting for hearts that are willing,
For ears that are open to hear.

Chorus:

Nothing but leaves for the Master,
Oh, how His loving heart grieves,
When instead of the fruit He is seeking,
We offer Him nothing but leaves.

--Mrs. H. S. Lehman, 1924

[firebrand]

I like your answer. If you don’t wait for your next paycheck or your next credit card cycle but do it now because Jesus asks it of you, you will live. Generosity that is done solely for Jesus and for no other reason is eternal.

[CynicalBear]

So you are saying that if it hasn't happened by now God isn't going to keep His promise to them?

>>the promised land is heaven, dwelling with God forever.<<

Here is what God said.

"And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers;"

Please show where God said "the land that I gave to your fathers" was heaven.