If you wish to read the texts click on the texts: Rev 20:1-4.11 - 21:2; Lk 21:29-33
The parable of the fig tree
found in these verses is the last parable that Jesus tells in the Gospel of
Luke. This parable is found also in Mark 13:28-29 and Matthew 24:32-33, but
whereas Mark and Matthew speak only of the fig tree, Luke speaks of “the fig
tree and all the trees” (21:29). When people can see for themselves that these
trees have come out in leaf they know for themselves that summer is near, so
when they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud (21:27) they will know that the
kingdom is near. Since Luke probably thought that the end would come soon, he
has added the last two sayings about what will not pass away until “these things”
have taken place. They are “this generation” and the “words” of Jesus. These
pronouncements must serve as a reminder of the assurance of redemption for the
believer.
Our job as Christians is not to
bother about when the end will be but to live fully in the present moment. If
we do so then no matter when the end comes we will always be ready.
>Will you live today as if it were your last day on earth?
ReplyDelete- Yes. I kinda do already.
The following is an excerpt of my e-mail to a friend when we discussed dealing with death among those we love.
>>When Daddy died (actually, right from the time he got his stroke when I was 25), I felt good; good that he knew exactly what he meant to me through my actions, not just what I said to him and what I wrote (via snail mail) to him (and Mummy) every week, or scribbled in the touching birthday cards I sent him.
I’ve said this before to you and I say it to anyone when the topic veers in that direction - I will have no regrets, none whatsoever, if I keel over and flat line right now. Actually, I hope I don’t; not RIGHT now, that is! I mean, not until I hit Send because then, I’ll have something to regret. Stupid joke aside, you know what I mean.
Kate