Summary: Cursing the Fig Tree (No. 90Z)

Summary: Cursing the Fig Tree Page 3

Christian Churches of God

No. 90z

Summary:

Cursing the Fig Tree

(Edition 1.0 20020310-20020310)

The cursing of the Fig Tree by Jesus Christ has great significance for the ritual of the Church of God. It falls in the sequence of the Cleansing and Sanctification of the Temple of God.

Christian Churches of God

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA

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(Copyright ã 2002 Wade Cox)

(Summary by Patti Gambier, Ed. Wade Cox)

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Cursing the Fig Tree

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The cursing of the fig tree by Jesus Christ has great significance for the ritual of the Church of God. It falls in the sequence of the Cleansing and Sanctification of the Temple of God. In Matthew 21 we read of the cursing of the fig tree in the sequence following on from Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem and the cleansing of the temple.

Matthew 21:1-11: Jesus comes into Jerusalem.

Verses 12-17: Jesus cleanses the temple.

Verses 18-22: Jesus curses the fig tree.

Verses 23-27: The authority of Jesus challenged.

If we view this in relation to Mark 11 we see that the sequence changes. Thus there is a series of actions taking place that are repeated.

Mark 11:1-11: Jesus comes to Jerusalem.

Verses 12-14: Jesus curses the fig tree.

Verses 15-19: Jesus cleanses the temple.

Verses 20-24: Lesson from the withered fig tree.

Verses 27-33: The authority of Jesus challenged.

This sequence shows that he entered the Temple on consecutive days and cleansed it. He was entering the Temple to ensure it was cleansed from the First of Abib onwards, in accordance with the Law and the sections we see listed in Ezekiel 45:18-25.

There are cross-references to the tests in Genesis 8:13, Exodus 12:18, 29:1-14. In Ezekiel 43:18 we see that the consecration begins with the altar, whereas the consecration of the priests is required by the Levitical priesthood under the Law (Lev. 8:1-10). Thus, here we are dealing with a priesthood already sanctified and commencing the sacrifices of the altar within a new system. In this, the Zadokites are the only Levites to be admitted (Ezek. 40:46, 44:15, cf. Rev. 7). This is the priesthood of Melchisedek. This priesthood preceded Levi and Levi tithed to it in the loins of Abraham. Shem was its high priest from the time of Noah. It was placed at Jerusalem until David occupied Jerusalem. The king there was titled as Adonai-Zedek or Melchisedek on a continual basis as we see from scripture (cf. The paper Melchisedek (No. 128)). This being was not Jesus Christ for a number of sound scriptural reasons (cf. the paper The Angel of YHVH (No. 24)).

The New Moons will be enforced in the Millennial system as non-working days (Ezek. 45ff; Isa. 66:23-24).

The sequence of cleansing is from 1st Abib to the 7th and Jesus took it on to the 10th during which sequence he was hungered. He must have been fasting, as normal day to day hunger is hardly noteworthy.

See the paper Timing of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection (No. 159).

Luke 19:28-48 also records the actions referred to in Matthew 21 and Mark 11. Christ’s teaching and healing in the Temple so angered the chief priests, scribes and elders that in verse 47 we are told they ‘sought to destroy him’. In Luke 22:2 it is plainly stated they ‘sought how they might kill him”.

At the end of 13 Abib, he and the disciples retired to the upper room for the Last or Lord’s Supper and the betrayal, trial of Messiah, and the crucifixion of the Passover Lamb on the afternoon of 14 Abib.

The lesson of the cursing of the fig tree, as it comes in the midst of the preparation for the Passover, also relates to the cleansing process. Those in the Church of God who do not bear fruit are left to wither and die.

In the latter part of the 20th century, the cleansing process was not carried out and the preparation for the Passover was not directed to the sanctification and salvation of Israel and the nations.

The following parables in Matthew and Mark deal with other labourers and were directed at Judah, Levi and ultimately Israel.

Mark 12:1-12 was about the prophets and Christ himself, and the vineyard was the whole house of Israel (Isa. 5:7).

Mark 12:13-17: The parable of rendering to Caesar emphasises the separation of matters of the Church from those of the world in the preparation period.

Mark 12:18-27: Christ dealt with the Sadducees regarding the resurrection, speaking of the Church as the firstborn from the dead; those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.

It is the process of the preparation of the Temple that is undertaken from 1 Abib through to 21 Abib. The fasting month is brought to a seven day close, returning to the normal processes in the omer count to Pentecost and the wheat harvest, which is the harvest of the Church of the firstborn.

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