In this video, we explore the parable of the fig tree spoken by Jesus in Luke 13:6–9. A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and for three years he came seeking fruit from it but found none. He told the vinedresser to cut it down, asking why it should render the ground useless. The vinedresser pleaded to give it one more year, promising to dig around it and fertilize it. If it bore fruit, it would be spared; if not, it would be cut down. This parable emphasizes God's patience and the call to respond in faith.
We also address the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. Contrary to some interpretations, this event was not the rejection of Israel as a people. Christ Himself prophesied the Temple's destruction in Matthew 24:2 as a response to Israel's rejection of her Messiah. However, the blood mingled with sacrifices and the fall of a tower—described by the historian Josephus—are not prophesied in Luke 13:1–5. While there are similarities between these records, similarity does not equal identity. Josephus mentions priests continuing their sacrifices while blood flowed around the altar, but he does not explicitly say blood was mixed with the sacrifices. Likewise, the event involving a tower in Luke 13:4 has no direct parallel in Josephus’ writings. The Lord’s message in this context is not about physical destruction, but about Israel’s unbelief in Him as the Messiah.
The video further explains the identity and beliefs of Messianic Jews. A Messianic Jew is one who is ethnically Jewish and confesses Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. They affirm the authority and inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments. Messianic Jews believe Jesus (Yeshua) is the promised Messiah, fully God and fully man, whose death and resurrection provide atonement for sin. They uphold doctrines such as the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. While they retain Jewish customs and identity, these practices are not viewed as a means of salvation. In Acts 21:20, we see that many believing Jews in Jerusalem sought to maintain their Jewish identity and connection to the Law, even while believing in Christ.
We then consider the doctrine of regeneration and its relationship to the Church. During Christ’s earthly ministry, no one was regenerated or born again. Jesus spoke of the necessity of a new birth in John 3:3,6 and of a future work of the Spirit in John 7:38–39. Those who believed in Him were promised they would not die into the age. Jesus said the one who drinks of the water He gives will never thirst (John 4:14), and those who eat of the living bread will not die (John 6:50–51, 58). He promised eternal life to His sheep (John 10:28) and declared Himself the resurrection and the life (John 11:26). Yet, the new birth did not occur until the Holy Spirit was given. As John 3:5 indicates, it is the Spirit who gives new birth. This is confirmed in John 7:38 and in Paul’s teaching in Titus 3:5, where the Holy Spirit is said to wash and regenerate.
The video also discusses the end of the dispensation of Law and the beginning of the Church. Christ is the end of the Law for all who believe, as stated in Romans 10:4. He came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). At His death, the veil in the Temple was torn in two (Mark 15:38), signifying access to God apart from the Law. The apostles continued in doctrine (Acts 2:42), marking a transition from the old covenant to the new.
Finally, the beginning of the Church is marked by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter, in Acts 1:4–8. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given, and all those in the upper room received Him (Acts 2:3). This event marked the transition of believing Jews into the Church and the formation of the Body of Christ.
We also address the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. Contrary to some interpretations, this event was not the rejection of Israel as a people. Christ Himself prophesied the Temple's destruction in Matthew 24:2 as a response to Israel's rejection of her Messiah. However, the blood mingled with sacrifices and the fall of a tower—described by the historian Josephus—are not prophesied in Luke 13:1–5. While there are similarities between these records, similarity does not equal identity. Josephus mentions priests continuing their sacrifices while blood flowed around the altar, but he does not explicitly say blood was mixed with the sacrifices. Likewise, the event involving a tower in Luke 13:4 has no direct parallel in Josephus’ writings. The Lord’s message in this context is not about physical destruction, but about Israel’s unbelief in Him as the Messiah.
The video further explains the identity and beliefs of Messianic Jews. A Messianic Jew is one who is ethnically Jewish and confesses Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. They affirm the authority and inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments. Messianic Jews believe Jesus (Yeshua) is the promised Messiah, fully God and fully man, whose death and resurrection provide atonement for sin. They uphold doctrines such as the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. While they retain Jewish customs and identity, these practices are not viewed as a means of salvation. In Acts 21:20, we see that many believing Jews in Jerusalem sought to maintain their Jewish identity and connection to the Law, even while believing in Christ.
We then consider the doctrine of regeneration and its relationship to the Church. During Christ’s earthly ministry, no one was regenerated or born again. Jesus spoke of the necessity of a new birth in John 3:3,6 and of a future work of the Spirit in John 7:38–39. Those who believed in Him were promised they would not die into the age. Jesus said the one who drinks of the water He gives will never thirst (John 4:14), and those who eat of the living bread will not die (John 6:50–51, 58). He promised eternal life to His sheep (John 10:28) and declared Himself the resurrection and the life (John 11:26). Yet, the new birth did not occur until the Holy Spirit was given. As John 3:5 indicates, it is the Spirit who gives new birth. This is confirmed in John 7:38 and in Paul’s teaching in Titus 3:5, where the Holy Spirit is said to wash and regenerate.
The video also discusses the end of the dispensation of Law and the beginning of the Church. Christ is the end of the Law for all who believe, as stated in Romans 10:4. He came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). At His death, the veil in the Temple was torn in two (Mark 15:38), signifying access to God apart from the Law. The apostles continued in doctrine (Acts 2:42), marking a transition from the old covenant to the new.
Finally, the beginning of the Church is marked by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter, in Acts 1:4–8. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given, and all those in the upper room received Him (Acts 2:3). This event marked the transition of believing Jews into the Church and the formation of the Body of Christ.