When the statement is made that "summer is near" what inference is being made here? Is this an affirmation that Springtime shall birth the Rapture, because Summer will be too late? Or is there some other inference? Perhaps it is a reference to Summer birthing the Rapture?! In any event I've always viewed this as a clue of sorts and found it veiled language and insertion into the narrative as being curious! What say you? TR tr, the way I understand Matthew 24, it doesn't apply to the church. the church and rapture were not taught by Jesus in Matt 24. the church was a mystery, truth about God's redemptive plan also including gentiles was not revealed until in Acts and Paul was commissioned to be the apostle to the gentiles (Gal 2:8). At the Jerusalem meeting (Acts 11), the apostles were still sorting out what to do about gentiles coming to faith. At the time Jesus spoke (Matt 24) they did not even know gentiles were about to be saved, "church" and "rapture/harpazo" were not thought of yet by the disciples. Paul revealed the rapture, "mystery" after Jesus spoke what is recorded in Matt 24, after the crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, after Pentecost in Acts 2- years later the mystery was revealed. 1Thes was written about 51AD and 1Cor 15 about 55AD by dates in a study bible see in Eph 3:1-10 written about 61AD. Paul was called as apostle to the Gentiles, and in Gal 1:15 -2:14 there was 17 years before Paul got much into ministry. 3 years went by that Paul was in Arabia and went to Damascus, and then another 14 years after that he went to Jerusalem to check his understanding of the gospel message with the disciples. So the "church" was not learned when Jesus spoke the account in Matt 24. that "summer is near" i just don't see how it is the rapture time. 1Cor 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. Matthew 24:32-33 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Jesus ready to return, right at the door, waiting for Israel to call upon Him) Consider about the branch being tender and putting forth leaves. when its winter and branches look dead, there are no leaves, leaves come when life/sap starts flowing again and then there is flowering and fruit. in the context of Israel, the way I understand that verse is that Israel now still looks dead spiritually, except for Jews that have believed in Jesus and become part of the church. but in the 70th week of Daniel, in tribulation, they will have hearts of stone become tender and there will be signs of life returning to Israel as Jews come to faith in Jesus, witnessing will happen and there will be a fruitful remnant, both those who become trib saints and also those 1/3 who survive the tribulation and call upon Jesus (upon which He returns). So when the tree becomes tender, the time of fruit bearing (summertime) is near. when Israel becomes tender to the Lord through tribulation times, it is close to time for them to produce what God is looking for, for a harvest of Israel. Jesus will be at the door, ready to return to earth to rule when they call upon Him. Romans 11:26 Israel becomes tender to God when they are afflicted in the tribulation... Matthew 23:37-39 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Hosea 5:15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Zechariah 13:8-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Revelation 20:4 below in Ezekiel is future, Israel has not removed abominations yet, but they will, a remnant will do this when their heart is finally turned to realize who Jesus is. they will also say as Isaiah 53 says. Ezekiel 11:17-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Ezekiel 36:20-27 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Israel to Be Renewed for His Name’s Sake :mail: tr, all that to say Jesus is coming for the church before the trib starts. since we see so much pointing to the trib times, this is why we know the rapture is coming, it comes first. the signs in the bible are for tribulation to see it approaching and signs of how things will be before the second coming. the church may return to its Maker as mysteriously and unexpectedly as it was formed - John 3:7-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Regina, well stated. I also believe that Matthew 24 is for Israel and not discussing the rapture. I’m not sure I could add anything beyond what Regina put - well done! :good: I agree, but might add. In making allowances for the fullness of the Word and the interplay of the prophetic, I can easily see a double entendre to this passage in it's application. Truly, that it technically speaks of Israel in a different scenario other than the Rapture, I can easily accept a veiled and hidden application for the Rapture as well! But that's just me! In any event, it does intimate a completion of sorts and a change of focus noteworthy of highlighting! As such, I keep it on the table of events to watch for. TR Although the book of Amos is mostly a prophecy to the Northern Kingdom, it is little known that Amos was a fig tree farmer. He knew that in order to grow a fig tree you had to spike it to fertilize it to grow better fruit. A fig is known as a summer fruit. Mark 13:28-29 “now learn the lesson of the fig tree: As soon as it’s twigs get tender and it’s leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Amos called for justice because of corruption. Aldo Amos 1: 3-5 discusses a further of God’s levels on the destruction of Damascus. 3:13 is also very interesting in the winter destroying the summer. Chapter 8 talks about the summer fruit being gone. Amos is mainly thought and did prophecy of the earthquakes and captivity that fell on Israel. But there are those layers to unpack. :prayer-hands: :feedback If any choose to accept bible codes, why not a double application of scripture?! TR
Parable of the Fig Tree (i think it becomes tender from tribulation)
32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. 38 Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! 39 For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
8 “It will come about in all the land,”
Declares the Lord,
“That two parts in it will be cut off and perish;
But the third will be left in it.
9 “And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’ 18 When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. 19 And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.
20 When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord; yet they have come out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. 23 I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.24 For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
