What did Jesus mean?

Question

When Jesus was talking about the end of days, He said in Matthew 24:12, "12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved". Can anyone explain this scripture to me?

Then He said in 32-34: 32"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. 33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

How is the fig tree looking to you all? Is it fall, winter, spring, or summer?

When you all see me post something like this, it's usually because I want someone else to see it; someone who might think about this, even if he/she hasn't before.

Naughty and Redeemed, thank you for the indepth analyses. Let's hope that "he who has an ear" will hear.

God bless, you all, and look for this in voting.

Actually, I already have my opinions about Matthew 24. That is why I'm going to leave this to a vote at the end. It's not mine to decide this; this is for those without faith to hear and learn.

Dern, I mixed my paragraphs up by accident...lol.

Answer 1

One thing to remember in studying the bible is to look at the verse in the context it was written in.

Jesus was responding to the question: "...what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matt 24:3b
Jesus goes on to say many things here:
-don't be mislead
-many will try to mislead
-there will be wars and rumors of wars
-this is the "beginning of the end"
-there will be tribulation
-there will be earthquakes and famines in various places
-all nations will hate you because of His name
-many will fall away and betray one another
-many false prophets will arise
-they will mislead many (notice He repeats this warning)
-{then He speaks of what you are asking about} because lawlessness is increased (lawlessness is sin) most people's love will grow cold - this will be a world even more full of hate and malice
-but the one who endures to the end will be saved - (hang in there don't give up hope, or abandon your faith)
-once the gospel is preached in the whole world then the end will come ( Jesus is going to return)

The chapter goes on to explain what wil take place prior and during what is called the tribulation. Cross reference this with 2 Timothy chapter 3. And 2 Peter 3:9-10

the Fig tree question - it could be summer....just be ready and remember:

Matt:32:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone."

Keep reading this chapter for the rest of the story...

Keep it in context. Know His Word. Study it, follow it. Keep asking questions and check answers against His Word.

Answer 2

In one of the books of Timothy, the apostle Paul writes about a great falling away of the church. Paul talks about how men will become lovers of themselves, proud, wicked and would not endure sound doctrine. In the last days, there will be a dividing line between those who love God and those who do not. Sin will abound because people do not seek after God. Where there is sin there is hate and every other wicked work. But to really bring out the point about this passage, if sin abounds then chaos, tribulation, and disaster will follow it. But whoever is born of Christ will be able to stand firm and overcome the trials and tribulations that come upon this world. In addition, as far as the fig tree is concerned, if the world is getting worse, then the leaves on the fig tree are falling off in my opinion. It's fall.

Answer 3

Prophesy is not an easy matter. The increase of wickedness is an ongoing process nowadays, Atheists, Satanists, Sectarians, Religious Extremists, many of them well educated people, some of them, scientists are pulling Christians away from their faith, but those who stand firm for God will be saved.
The fig tree is Israel, the leaves are coming out, the country is flourishing, getting strong, is Spring, people is coming back to Israel from everywhere in the world. We are the generation in the middle of this process, we are the fortunate.

Answer 4

Love of most will grow cold refers to followers of Jesus Christ.

The more that Gods word is taken out of our lives, the less that people will listen and accept and follow this word.

While it feels as if this is happening at a great pace, it really isnt. When prayer was first taken out of the schools, people said the end was here, but it was not. Much more must yet take place before the fig becomes tender.

My human guess is that it is still early winter and we have much more to see and come to pass yet. I could be very wrong, and it could be tonight, that is why I stay ready at all times.

Answer 5

Most Christians have a little trouble with that verse because of the lack of jewish cultural knowledge. In order to figure out what he's saying, lets look at it through Jewish eyes...

"Increase of wickedness" - first he's a Jew, obeying God's word. Torah's definition of wickedness is the willful actions of people disobeying God's commandments. So there's our first hint, the increase in wickedness is when good people witness others doing those things that God prohibits, and not doing what He says to do.

"Love grow cold" - it is human nature that in doing most wickedness, the person no longer cares about various things. So as people continue to do wrong, they will loose the desire to do what is right.

"stand firm, in end saved" - since the comparison is against wickedness, and the opposite of wickedness is obedience to God, then standing firm would be to cling to God's commandments against the opinions of others around. And so, only those who keep God's commandments will be saved.

As for the fig tree, I'd say its late spring, getting ready to heat up.

Answer 6

During the end of times, people are going to fall away from God. There will be greed, hatred, violence, and betrayals. Other people, seeing these things, will grow disallusioned. When everyone around you is wicked, it is hard to love them. Jesus tells us that still we need to do this, "For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" (Mt 5:46). If we continue to love and care for all, we will be saved.

The fig tree just means that as there are signs to tell when figs are getting ripe, so too will there be signs to tell when the Kingdom of God is at hand. I couldn't say for sure, but if I had to guess,the fig tree would be in early Spring.

Answer 7

To me, we are already in the end days. Due to the greed & selfishness of heart, man have failed to follow the commandments of God as they are more inclined towards
their earthly possessions which makes them cold in heart.
But for those who have persevered & followed the Lord's
ways despite of the temptations before them will be saved.

The fig tree represents us. I think it's spring when we are
starting to sprout leaves (i.e. bear fruit) and summer would be the judgement day where we will see the fruits
that we bear or whether we will wilt & die. There is another
verse in the Bible which says "If the fig tree does not bear fruit, He will cut it down"

Answer 8

It is Winter dear and well into it at that The world is winding down to its end. Jesus is warning us that the end of the world is is the end of our lives and that many loose the faith they first had when theyfound Jesus and may believe there will be time for all that later but when you die, that is the end of the world for you and then you are out of time if you want to be saved. No man knows the hour of his death and therefore the End Of The World could come at any moment in time. Are you ready?

Answer 9

A great apostacy will and is taking place stay faithful do not stray.
The fig tree is the reading of the signs of the times.

Answer 10

Well, something will happen in spring as summer approaches.

And people, as a whole, grow cold and wicked.

You are supposed to stand fast and not give into the wickness.