(12/21/2016) A Rebellious Fig Tree?

Today, points are shared on the account in Scripture of Jesus cursing a barren fig tree.  In addition to the operations of divine authority, faith, and sovereign will, the account speaks to false appearances and deception, the readiness of Israel to receive the Messiah at his Advent, the completeness and finality of coming judgment, sin as failure to respond to divine will, and the character of obedience as a demand upon all that exists, not merely all the living.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Canada)” using the ID “Violation Nation!!” (Level 5 with 8,513 points, a member since November 08, 2014) posted the following:

Why did the Fig Tree choose to disobey Jesus' orders? Didn't the Tree know that Jesus is the son of God?

Trees are not like us; they have no free will to disobey. This tree had no right and deserved the LORD's punishment.

I believe in this you guys?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?  When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,  And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,  And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further:  and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?  Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;  That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?  (Job 38:  4-13, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Divine not Demonic Process? (11/02/2014); The Barren Tree? (12/06/2013); Fruits From a Barren Tree? (12/07/2013); On Testing GOD (06/20/2013); GOD Grants License? (06/21/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Destroyed in Noah’s Flood? (04/28/2013); Both Born Holy? (04/29/2013)

“Violation Nation!!”, there are many points of instruction through the account of the barren fig tree.  Christian believers often acknowledge the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree as being a spiritual object lesson and parable that focuses on Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the one sent to reign as Christ and Messiah.  At the time of the Savior’s birth, multiple prophets and kings already had been sent to prepare the nation as GOD’s covenant partner and instrument to establish a divine ruler on the earth at his coming.  In the incident, Jesus was on his way to the temple, was hungry, and approached the fig tree seeing it from a distance as healthy and sound.  The fig tree appeared abundant and full, yet was barren.  Even so, his expectation of being fed was not grounded in “natural law” and the flesh so much as in his authority as the Son of GOD, the maker and owner of the fig tree, who was requiring there be a response to his sovereign will.  Also, Jesus is the Son of Man correcting the response of the pair in Eden, who were deceived and misled regarding a tree and its fruit.  The recognition of Christ was to be on the basis of containing aspects of the Savior’s inborn Spirit.  Thus, Satan appeared, yet, did not recognize Christ upon the earth as the Son who commanded in heaven, and even offered Jesus an earthly kingdom as a reward for worship.  While the operations of sin see the domination of awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures, sin is a condition and an effect that goes beyond iniquity and willful disobedience.  Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law (i.e., the will of GOD expressed), GOD as the Law Giver, and all Creation that relies on sacred law for divine order.  The fig tree may have had no self-awareness and personal power as an angel or a man, yet, was no less to respond to preeminent divinity.  Sin corrupts (i.e., introduces decay, rot, uncleanness), makes unfit to serve GOD, and removes spiritual purity.  Thus, judgment and the flood of Noah came against the entire earth, not just the people on it; and a final judgment will be followed by the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually apprehended.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/06/2013) The Barren Tree?

The account of Jesus cursing a fig tree, and more on grieving the Holy Spirit are topics, today.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers Malaysia” using the ID “Fahad” (Level 2 with 366 points, a member since November 24, 2013) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers Canada:


Christians, why didn't Jesus know beforehand the fig tree had no fruit?

Mark tells us as follows: “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.” (Mark 11:12-13).

First, Jesus did not know that the tree had no fruit until he came to it. Second, he did not know that it was not the right season to expect figs on trees.
What does that tell you? Jesus was limited in knowledge?


THE BATTLE AXE:  To Grieve the Sprit? (12/05/2013)—To grieve the Holy Spirit is not a reference to bereavement and mourning as when a loved one dies.  Rather, to grieve is to discourage, displease, interfere with, and oppose the workings of the Spirit as he serves Christ and the Father.  Thereby, divine order and sacred purpose are contested and resisted.  The Holy Spirit is to be understood as endowed with person, in humans an aspect of being expressed through feeling and thought.  Moreover, the Spirit may operate projecting the image and person of Christ (see Philippians 2:  5-7, KJV).  While the Spirit indwells those who are carnal, material, physical and social, the Spirit himself is not driven by appetite (such as hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), by sense (such as hearing, tasting, touching), or by mind (such as imagination, intellect, recall).  The Scriptures declare that, as a full partner in divine salvation with the other persons of the GODhead, the Spirit makes intercession on behalf of created beings and living creatures with “groanings which cannot be uttered.”  The Spirit is spoken of as “fire,” and so there are commands that believers walk in his light, and not quench his burning.  See Ephesians 4:  21-32, Romans 8:  26-28, 1st Corinthians 12:  4-11, 1st Thessalonians 5:  18-20, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  (Mark 11:  20-22, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)


“Fahad”, here are a few points many Christian believers apply when reading the account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree:

(1.)  The account is not intended to speak regarding divine foreknowledge, omniscience, or earthly wisdom.  Rather, it speaks to the revealing of divine authority, the power of faith, and the operation of sovereign will.  Jesus was on his way to the Temple the morning after he had engaged the money-changers and sellers, who had no anointing as priests or Levites, yet, nonetheless were regular fixtures upon holy ground, and influenced all as though true agents of GOD.  The Lord elected to end a period of fasting (where fasting is not simply missing several meals; it is taking ones nourishment from the Spirit, from the Word of GOD, and through prayer, not from the flesh).  Jesus knew it was not the season for figs; even so, from a distance, the tree projected a display of leaves and fullness, as if it were ready for harvest.  It was to bear in obedience to his sacred will, not the climate, the weather, or the hour of the day.

(2.)  The account is held to speak of Israel, and their lack of readiness as watchmen in covenant to GOD.  Through the law and the prophets, rather than law, sacrifice, and tradition, all were to be ready to receive Messiah.  While there was much ceremony, display, and even some rejoicing, the Temple was barren, and divine substance to truly nourish the people of GOD was not correctly in abundance.  See Isaiah 55:  20-22, King James Version.

There is far more to be said, reasonably shared, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (3.)  The prophet Moses was provided as a type to prepare the tribes of Jacob.  Moses was used to reveal that Jesus would someday come.  Through commandment (law) and prophecy, a process of GOD was revealed wherein salvation is conditional.  Divine blessing and curses are bound together, and are obtained by choosing, by obedience, by righteousness as well as by application of faith and self-will in submission to GOD.  See again Deuteronomy 11:  26-32, King James Version.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/29/2013) All Flesh is Grass?

Today, continuing the Scriptures on Scripture format, focus is upon human frailty, the brevity of life, and new birth through the Gospel.  At some point in their growth as a Christian, every believer will use Scriptures on Scripture (also identified as “concordance study” and “chain referencing”).  It is a basic tool for learning and sharing that should be helpful even to readers who are not familiar with the Bible and other holy writings.

SOME THOUGHTS ON

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:  because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:  surely the people is grass.

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:  but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  (Isaiah 40:  6-8, KJV)



Job 14:  1-3  (KJV)  1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.  2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down:  he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.  3 And doth thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

Isaiah 24:  3-5 (KJV)  3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled:  for the LORD hath spoken this word.  4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.  5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 64:  4-9 (KJV)  4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.  5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways:  behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned:  in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.  6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.  7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee:  for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.  8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.  9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever:  behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

Jeremiah 8:  12-15 (KJV)  12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush:  therefore shall they fall among them that fall:  in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.  13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD:  there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.  14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there:  for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.  15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

John 3:  1-12 (KJV)  3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God:  for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Titus 3:  3-7 (KJV)  3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1st Peter 1:  22-25 (KJV)  22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

John 6:  53-55 (KJV)  53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father:  so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead:  he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.



There is far more to be said, correctly shared, and spiritually understood.  Again, I ask readers to share Scriptures they feel should be added in the Comments area (see example, below).  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.  Jesus is coming.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC