THE LESSON OF THE FIG TREE
Jesus compared Israel to a fig tree. He said, “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not then cut it down’” Lk. 13:6-8. The fig tree is Israel. The vineyard represents the nations of the world. Israel is not an accident; it was intentionally planted here for the Lord’s purpose. Jesus’ ministry lasted three years. He came looking for spiritual fruit with His chosen people and did not find what He was looking for. So what do you think Jesus did? We will tell you and then look at the amazing future that has been assigned to Israel.
KINGDOM MATTERS
After not finding spiritual fruit in Israel (the fig tree), Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” Mt. 22:43. The kingdom of God was taken from the Jewish people because of their unbelief, and it was given to the Church, but that is not the end of the story. It will be given back to Israel when they receive Jesus as their Messiah. Then they will say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” Mt. 23:39. Then their destiny and calling will be restored.
Paul said, “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater will their fullness bring!…For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Rom. 11:11-12, 15.
Jesus taught about the rejection of the Jews and their restoration that was to come. While walking with his disciples He saw a fig tree in the distance and used it as an illustration for a teaching moment. “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat from you again…In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’ ‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours” Mk. 11: 12-14, 20-24.
The fig tree represents Israel and again, Jesus came looking for fruit and found none. Notice, it was not the season for the figs – we pray for the season of the spiritual figs for Israel. The disciples saw that the tree had withered and commented on it. Jesus immediately responded regarding Israel. He told them to have faith that could move a mountain. He told them to pray without doubting and then they would have it. He was telling them that in order to see Israel restored, it would be like moving a mountain, but with faith-filled prayer, it will be done. In Isaiah 62:6, it tells us that God will see to it that persistent prayer for Israel will cause her to become the praise of the whole earth.
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S WORDS
George Washington, the first president of the United States, welcomed the Jewish people to come and be citizens of America and to find in this country a safe harbor where every person could sit in safety under his own vine or fig tree. He was quoting the Bible. This phase is repeated three times in the Scriptures. In 1 Kgs. 4:25, Zech. 3:10 and in Micah 4:4. First it was given during the time of the building of the first temple; the other two times are in reference to the end-times and the return of the Lord. The reference given in Zechariah says that the Lord will remove the sin of the land of Israel in a single day (Zech. 4:9). The fig tree refers to Israel and I believe the vine represents all people who receive salvation though Jesus. He said in John 15, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will bear much fruit.” The Jewish followers of Jesus sit under the banner of the fig tree and Gentile believers sit under the banner of the vine. Together we are the one-new-man, end-time Church.
NOW LEARN THE LESSON
Jesus told his disciples how the end-time plans of God would unfold. It is recorded in all three of the synoptic Gospels – Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. The teachings in each of these chapters follow the exact pattern and order of events as we read in the book of Revelation. In each we are told to learn the lesson of the fig tree, the lesson of Israel. Jesus said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things will happen” Mt. 24:32-34. (emphasis mine)
These things include all of the details of the Great Tribulation, the return of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead. In other words, Israel is God’s prophetic time clock. When you see Israel’s spiritual restoration and revival (her leaves sprouting once again, through Jesus the Messiah) then within one generation, the Lord will return.
Keep your eyes on Israel. Pray for her revival and bless her. Then, get ready for revival in all the nations of the world. That is the lesson of the fig tree. Israel’s coming back will be like resurrection from the dead for the entire world.
We pray our monthly teaching
devotional empowers & inspires you
to live a supernatural Christian life.
DR. PETER WYNS
Founder & President
Christian for Messiah Ministries
Pastor at Antioch International Church
Instructions in Righteousness is produced by “Christians for Messiah Ministries” (CFM). Dr. Peter Wyns is the President of CFM and the Head Pastor of Antioch International Church. He has served as a pastor for 54 years and ministered in more than 45 nations.
One Comment
Christopher Stacey September 3, 2025
Your Mum and Dad would, and is i’m sure, so proud of how you have come so far and going on strong in the “Lord Jesus Christ” (GOD). I can hear your Dad saying, or rather shouting, as he did all those years ago in the “Fulham Christian Centre”, “STAND ON THE WORD, STAND ON THE WORD”, OH YES! HE (DAD) CERTAINLY HAS BEEN RUBBED OFF ON YOU PETER, HE REALLY HAS. Wonderful sermon, now go give it to the nations Peter. Would you be interested in coming to England to speak at a conference next year Peter, please do let me know what it would cost me please. It would be in honor to your late Dad Irvine and Magdallin and of course, your Grandad Derek Prince.