Sunday, December 16, 2018

When are the Last Days? (UE05)

      'Understanding Endtime'

Brethren, if now, we are still not living in the last days, then please throw away all teachings, writings and theories of Endtime Signs and Prophecies because the understandings and knowledge of Endtime mysteries have been sealed until the last days when our Lord will reveal them to us (Dan 12:4, 9-10)

The Last Generation
Mat 24:32-34 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
    The last generation will consist of the fulfillment of Mat 24:4-5 (false christs), Mat 24:6-7 (World War 3), Mat 24:9-13 (Persecution), Mat 24:14 (Gospel preached to all), Mat 24:15 (Antichrist in temple of God), Mat 24:16-26 (Great tribulation), Mat 24:29 (Great heavenly blackout), and Mat 24:30-31 (Rapture).

The Last Days or End of Age
Mat 24.3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
    The signs of the Last Days (Mat 24:4-31) are the same as that of the Last Generation, therefore the 'Last Days' is also the Last Generation.

Fig Tree with Leaves only
Mat 21:19-21 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."
(Read also Mark 11:12-14, 20-22 where our Lord told His disciples to have 'Faith in God')
    Our Lord Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit though it was healthy and full of leaves.

Fruitful Branch or Tree
John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As *the branch cannot bear fruit of itself*, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
    In order to bear fruits, Christians must abide in Him i.e. Faith in Jesus by obeying and keeping all His words, teachings and commandments.
Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Faithlessness of Israel
John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation."
    The Jewish Priesthood and leaders displayed their greatest Unbelief in Yahweh by crucifying their Messiah, the Son of God for they feared the power and might of the Romans more than Yahweh. To them Yahweh was not the Almighty God but only a myth and the miracles in the OT were just fables.
     The consensus of theologians is that the fig tree represented the faithless Israel, for the Jews were cursed (no longer the people of God) for crucifying their Messiah.

Summary
1. Fig tree - Nation of Israel
2. Fruitful - Full of Faith in God
3. Leaves without Fruit - Full of Unbelief or Faithless.