The day and hour

Originally posted by Copperbod ↑

Wotsup, you are embellishing and adding something that isn't there.
There is no problem with asking disciples to spread the news among all nations .. it simply means all nations they were familiar with. It didn't mean you should wait until printing presses, jet travel and the Internet in 2000 yrs time then off you go. It's a silly argument.

Verse 29 "this" does not refer to the fig tree.
It is a parable. The "this" relates to the questions of the disciples about what would be the signs of Jesus coming etc.
Why on earth would Jesus be answering questions from the disciples about what the signs of his coming would be then suddenly switch to talking about a fig tree sign meant for someone on the distant future.
It is an illustrative parable. He even says it is a learning parable.
There is no other sensible meaning.

I don't understand how you can refuse to accept that the fig tree is illustrative only. When new growth appears you know Summer is near. Likewise when these signs (the ones just given to the disciples), manifest they will know his return was near. Then the added reassurance that it would happen before their generation had passed = simple !!

Apparently this simple and obvious explanation of the meaning of Mark 13 is unbearable for wotsup to admit.
It shows how easily the mind is deceived by preconceived ideas.

Good grief, even MrG understands that the "this" does not refer to the fig tree.

Maybe as you continue to examine some of the traditional meanings and claims and mistranslations in the Bible you will revisit this "Olivet Discourse" and be embarrassed to see how pig headed you were to refuse advice from the wise men of the East intent on helping you pull your head out of the sand.

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Good grief, even MrG understands that the "this" does not refer to the fig tree.
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Thanks Copper, it's not often I'm given credit. What has been missed in the debate is that Jesus was referring to a "sign" of his "presence" that was to occur in "the conclusion of the system of things". This is only mentioned by Matthew.

(Matthew 24:3) While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”

(Mark 13:4) “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are to come to a conclusion?”

(Luke 21:7) Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are to occur?”

If you read the context of these 3 accounts you will see the disciples inquired about the destruction of the temple.History tells us this occurred in the year 70 CE , some 37 years after the question was asked.
The startling aspects of the "sign" of his "presence"Jesus gave will strike fear into the hearts of scoffers.
(Luke 21:25-28) “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. 26 People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”