40 Days of Easter 2011 Devotional

40 Days of Easter - March 25, 2011

Written by: Sheila Dodge
Matthew 24:32-35

The Parable of the Fig Tree
- a spiritual lesson from nature

The fig tree pictures or represents the Nation of Israel. Jesus says we are to "look to the fig tree". The nation of Israel is God's timepiece. Dr. J. Vernon McGee says "God's timepiece is not G-R-U-E-N, B-U-L-O-V-A, nor T-I-M-E-X, but I-S-R-A-E-L." In 1948 Israel became a nation (the fig tree is shooting forth) with its own land ("putting forth new leaves"). The Jews have national existence in their own homeland (this means the Kingdom of God is near), government, currency, stamps, etc. but spiritually the nation is still barren and cold- there is no fruit for God. Nationally we might say that "its branches are green and tender". Israel's emergence as a nation means not only that the beginning of Tribulation is near, but that the Lord Himself is near, at the very doors!

Christ could return at any moment. Things are happening so fast today that it is evident Christ's return is very near. Things like drastic decline of moral standards, violence and civil disobedience, a spirit of lawlessness abounding in our homes, national life and even in our churches, earthquakes, threat of worldwide famines, increasing hostilities among nations, government failures to maintain law and order and suppress terrorism, and the list goes on.

"This Generation", referring to the Jewish race, would survive to see all these things accomplished. Their continued survival despite terrible persecution is a miracle of history, a race that steadfastly refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah. ?"aman was not able to destroy them neither was Pharaoh, nor did Hitler succeed in his attempts, and no dictator in our day will be able to exterminate these- God will see to that."-J.Vernon McGee - an indestructible people, God's Chosen People.

Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not. A new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1) but He will not change His word; it will stand throughout the eternal ages! Now is the time; don't delay. Tell someone about His Good News!

Don't let your guard down. Don't give up. These are great days to live for God. God's business is to reform or change the world. He has asked us to live for Him and to get His Word out. Trust in Him as your Savior, commit all your ways to Him and if we are alive at the time of the rapture, we'll meet Him in the air by the grace of God. In light of His soon return we should lift each other up by teaching, by encouragement, by example and build up one another with the Word of God. In connection with Christ's coming there is a sound to hear, a sight to see, a miracle to feel, a meeting to enjoy, and a comfort to experience. Thoughts of the Lord's coming do not produce terror for the believer. It is a hope that thrills and cheers and comforts.

Prayer thoughts:
Thank you, Lord, for the promise of Your Word, and the hope for every believer. We pray for opportunities every day to be a witness to the world around us and lift up each other up with loving care. Give us a spirit of hope to a lost and dying world. Amen