I had been working on my promised study of Psalm 1 as well as its connection with Psalm 46 when this new topic began to assert itself. As I was searching out all of the Old and New Testament “tree” passages I noticed that there was a precise differentiation to be found in some of the trees: Fig trees were connected to the Old Jewish Covenant and Olive and Grape trees, for the most part, the New Covenant. Understanding this subtle distinction, I believe, sheds light on some other passages.
One such passage that had long puzzled me was Daniel 12:7 which speaks of the “shattering of the power of the holy people”.
This passage fits in well with Revelation 6:13:
“And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts its unripe figs, when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”
When I was a younger Christian I wondered how Christians could be so thoroughly overcome (shattered!). But these people were never Christians. They were holy – provisionally holy – by covenant. And the Covenant was the Old one. These were the 1st century Jews, the “wicked generation” who claimed to still be the people of God but by works have long since denied Him.
In future studies here I want to show from other passages how the fig tree, and figs in general, point to the Old Covenant and Kingdom and how Olive trees (and less often grapes) point to the New Covenant and the eternal Kingdom of God.
More later...
One such passage that had long puzzled me was Daniel 12:7 which speaks of the “shattering of the power of the holy people”.
This passage fits in well with Revelation 6:13:
“And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts its unripe figs, when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”
When I was a younger Christian I wondered how Christians could be so thoroughly overcome (shattered!). But these people were never Christians. They were holy – provisionally holy – by covenant. And the Covenant was the Old one. These were the 1st century Jews, the “wicked generation” who claimed to still be the people of God but by works have long since denied Him.
In future studies here I want to show from other passages how the fig tree, and figs in general, point to the Old Covenant and Kingdom and how Olive trees (and less often grapes) point to the New Covenant and the eternal Kingdom of God.
More later...