PAGE 41 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (THE FIG TREE)

When Yeshua, Jesus came to Israel in his first coming, there was a man named Nathanael who became a believer in Yeshua. The scripture says:


"Phillip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' 'Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. 'Come and see,' said Phillip. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!' 'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Phillip called you.'" John 1:45


Yeshua saw Nathanael "under the fig tree" which reveals Nathanael's love of the scriptures and his longing for the promise of the Messiah to come to Israel.


When Yeshua was in Israel at his first coming, he stayed often in Bethany with his followers Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  He also ascended to heaven and gave the promise of the Holy Spirit and blessed the disciples in the town of Bethany.  The name Bethany means "house of figs." Here the fruit bearing fig tree, representing the kingdom of God was flourishing.  


The prophet Jeremiah makes a prophecy about the remnant of the tribe of Judah that will have a heart for God and are called "good figs."  He says:


"'Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land.  I will build them up and not tear them down;  I will plant them and not uproot them.  I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.  They will be my people, and I will be there God, for they will return to me with all their heart.'" Jer 24:5-7


This was partially fulfilled at Yeshua's first coming as symbolized by what happened in Bethany and will ultimately be fulfilled with Yeshua's second coming to Israel.


When Yeshua, the tree of life, returns to Jerusalem to rule and reign, this tree will gloriously be bearing much fruit in Israel. The fruit bearing fig tree represents the kingdom of Yahweh Elohim returning to Israel.


The fruit is the Holy Spirit, that which comes from God and the fruit of the spirit as is said in Galatians 5:22 is :


"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."


The Messiah Yeshua, Jesus, is this fruitbearing tree that refreshes and gives rest to those that believe in him and those that believe in him are his fruit or "figs".


Adam and Eve didn't pick the fruit from this Godly tree to cover themselves but chose leaves from a bad fig tree, which I believe to be the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.