[testallthings]

DID YOU CURSE ISRAEL TODAY?

Mat 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
Mat 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mat 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (KJV)



W. Lee on verse 19 says that “the fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel”
(Jer. 24:2, 5, 8). 1
Then commenting on the words, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever”, he writes, “This signifies the curse on the nation of Israel.”2

That W. Lee didn't appreciate the Jews very much, it was clear from the various footnotes we have taken into consideration so far. So it is not a surprise that he considers the words of the Lord as the curse on the nation of Israel. If Lee's interpretation is correct, than Israel is cursed forever! (or for an age). But not many days later (maybe a little more than 50), at Pentecost, 3000 Jews repented. If the Lord was cursing the nation of Israel than He says that we should do the same. “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree...” That this is an absurdity (unless you are a Nazi or an Anti-Semite) is quite clear. And if the fig tree represent Israel what is the meaning of the mountain? Maybe the Roman Empire? Babylon? Russia? U.S.A.?...

Now, that this passage has nothing to do with cursing but with praying is clear from verse 22, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” So let's learn from the Lord to pray without doubt, and we will receive.



Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.



Notes
Lee Witness, footnote 1 and 2 on Matthew 21:19, The New Testament Recovery Version, Revised edition 1991, Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry