Matthew 24:33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
The parable of the fig tree is not just a message to observers — it’s a summons to the faithful. The fig tree puts out its leaves first, then comes the fruit. Spiritually, that’s a call to live in readiness even before the final harvest arrives. Yeshua (Jesus) tells His disciples, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
In Hebraic thought, readiness is active, not passive. The Hebrew word for “wait” (קוָה – kaw-vah) carries the meaning of hopeful tension, like a watchman on the wall (Isaiah 40:31). It’s not merely waiting — it’s preparing, expecting, anticipating with purposeful action. As the fig tree moves from dormant to fruitful, we too are called to shift into alignment with the coming Kingdom.
Botanically, a fig tree must be pruned and cultivated to yield good fruit. Without care, it can overgrow and produce inedible figs. This mirrors the parable Yeshua told in Luke 13:6–9, where a fig tree had no fruit for three years. The vinedresser asked for one more year to dig and fertilize. Yeshua is the vinedresser, calling for repentance and fruit-bearing readiness in His people.
The wise virgins in Matthew 25 kept oil in their lamps as they waited for the bridegroom. This oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit and ongoing intimacy with God. Readiness is not about storing canned goods—it’s about keeping your heart in a state of holiness, filled with the Spirit, and aligned with God’s Word.
Let the fig tree awaken your spirit. These signs are not meant to debate — it’s a call to action. Stop watching the clock and start preparing your heart. Live as if the King could step through the door at any moment. Be clothed in righteousness. Keep your lamp full. Stay on watch. The hour is late, and the King is not far–He is at the door.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]While Chanukah is not a Biblical feast mentioned in the Old Testament, it is an important one. Chanukah commemorates the story of small group of men with much courage — enough courage to defeat even the greatest of the world’s empires.
As we mentioned a couple of days ago, Chanukah commemorates of the desecration of the holy temple of old, (just another attempt of the enemy to wipe out the Jewish people and the things of God), God’s great grace and the rededication of the temple to Him.
As the world celebrates the end of 2024 and enters into 2025 tonight, it looks toward the conclusion of yet another year. However, God has not been working on his plan according to the Gregorian calendar- rather, according to His own calendar. For example, when Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified and became the Lamb of God slain for the world, it was on the Biblical feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew). When He rose again from the dead, His resurrection was on the feast of first fruits. Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit was poured out during the Hebrew Feast of Shavuot or better known as Pentecost. This marked the beginning of the harvest season, and we’ve been in the midst of the great harvest for the past 2000 years. The fall feasts have yet to be fulfilled prophetically, however we as believers are groaning for the world’s redemption!
This parable in Matthew 25 is a warning to the entire body — be ready with your oil! Each of these virgins was anticipating the Lord’s return; none were atheists, or non-believers. They were all virgins who claimed to be awaiting the Bridegroom’s arrival. But notice carefully that only half of them were truly ready.
In the year 1920, young Oswald Smith stood before the examining board for the selection of missionaries. He had wanted to be a missionary for as long as he could remember, and for all that time had been crying out to God that He might open a door for him to do so. Finally, his time had come. There he stood awaiting his destiny. His long-awaited was about to come…”No.”
When God called Gideon to lead Israel against their enemies, He wanted to show that a small army empowered by God was more effective than the largest armies. But notice how they fought – without weapons that an army would normally use. They fought with shofars and lamps! They fought with weapons that the world would consider ineffective, yet triumphed mightily over their enemies. They shouted as loud as they could, sounded the shofar, and broke the vessels that held the fire so that their lamps burst through with brightness.
Let me tell you a funny little story. An old mountaineer and his wife were sitting by the fireplace one evening, passing the time in silence. After a while, the wife broke the stillness and said, “Jed, I think it’s raining. Go outside and check, will ya?”