Jovial, I thoroughly enjoyed both your posts today.  One was on the fig tree NOT being the land of Israel.  I agree.  Included in today's postings was one I sent in with a sermon by John Bunyon from 1688 which clearly spoke of fig trees being believers, or those who profess to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Putting forth leaves and fruit are indications of living "trees" (believers)  who are either on the way to producing fruit (leaves) or have produced fruit that is expected by our Lord.

One reason I do not believe that the fig tree refers to the nation of Israel is from what is said in Luke 21:29-30 (these are "red letter" words indicting that they are interpreted to be the actual words used by Jesus Christ)..."Behold the fig tree, and ALL the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand:...."  IF Jesus had been referring to Israel becom! ing a nation again and then gaining territory, then what about all the other trees?  Does this mean that all the nations which were present at the time of the crucifixion would return to being those nations again?  That never happened.

Trees are symbolic of people (see Mark 8:24).  And it felt so good to read your posting.

I also agree with you about "The Harbinger".  I have the book, and I have read it....and enjoyed it.  But, as you said, it is fiction containing some very thought-provoking points and information.  I am looking forward to what you will have to say concerning America and Babylon.  Nothing anyone has said so far is "written in cement" in my mind on the interpretation of "Mystery, Babylon".  As the Bible says, it is a mystery whose certainty is not yet known.

Jeremiah 50:12-13 seemingly points to America where it says, "Your mother (England) shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be asha! med:  behold, the hindermost of the nations (last nation to become a world power) shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. (13) Because of the wrath of the Lord it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate:  every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues."  This connects to Rev. 17 and 18 in their description of end-time Babylon.

My own thoughts are in parentheses.  Some say that Rome (Vatican religious system) is Babylon, and some have other theories.  I do know that America is a nation set up to be multicultural.  This is exactly why God dispersed all the people after the building of the Tower of Babel.  We were all supposed to stay in our own cultures.  All this mixing and mingling of different races, religions, and cultures has caused nothing but war and strife.  But, I am open to hearing what others have to say.

I look forward to your future postings.....a! nd thanks for the great ones today.

Arlene