THE CURSING BY JESUS of the barren fig tree, with its subsequent destruction, too long has been misunderstood. Those who see in Jesus only the good that can do no harm cannot see how he could destroy anything, even a tree.
Some have believed Jesus made this demonstration to show that since divine law is impersonal, such power can be used in the wrong way; but it is man’s responsibility to use it rightly, or suffer the consequences. Although this is true, it is not the lesson Jesus taught by this act.
Like all of his demonstrations recorded in the Gospels, it was also symbolic. Careful study of the incident shows that Jesus meant to teach us a lesson of utmost importance regarding our consciousness. As with other acts and parables, location in the Gospels and relation to other works of Jesus are significant.
This demonstration is found in Matthew 21:17–22 and in Mark 11:12–14, 20–26. Matthew, as a disciple of Jesus, represents the faculty of will instructed by the Christ. John Mark, referred to by Peter as his son — whether literally or spiritually is not relative to the designation, in its inner meaning — would represent a thought (son or offspring) of the faculty of faith (Peter). We shall see how this might explain the difference in the two accounts as to the time involved in the withering of the tree after the curse.
In each account this act is placed in immediate proximity to the driving out of the merchants and money changers from the temple by Jesus. This act has been interpreted properly as the casting out of the errors of wrong use of our substance and faculties. Thus, the destruction of the fig tree — discussed at the same time as, and actually being interrupted by, the temple scene in Mark — teaches a similar lesson.
First let us consider the time and the place of the incident, and the symbols used in the parable; for it was a parable acted out for us. Jesus encountered the fig tree while returning from Bethany to Jerusalem. The Metaphysical Bible Dictionary (by Charles Fillmore of Unity School of Christianity) gives the meaning of Bethany as: house of figs; house of afflictions; house of distress; house of depression. Jerusalem means: habitation of peace; dwelling place of peace; possession of peace; foundation of peace; constitution of harmony; vision of peace; abode of prosperity.
Thus, returning from Bethany clearly means turning back from thoughts (city) representing affliction, distress and depression; or negative thoughts, in general. Going back to Jerusalem means returning to the abiding consciousness of peace, harmony and prosperity. But your fig tree must be destroyed forever, lest once more you find yourself in Bethany and have to set out for Jerusalem.
The Metaphysical Bible Dictionary tells us that a characteristic of the fig tree is the moaning, wailing, sighing sound of the wind through its foliage. The fig itself exudes drops of gum that resemble tears. Thus, the fig tree and its fruit would ideally represent the source (tree) of negative thoughts producing its fruit of misery (individual figs representing assorted miseries). Jesus showed that the symbolic fig tree could not bring forth its fruit of misery if one did not give them recognition as realities; that is, if he knows they have no reality in truth.
Therefore, when man not only does not partake of negative thoughts but goes further and destroys the source of such thoughts, forbidding it ever again to
bear fruit, he may leave the state of afflictions, distress and depression and forever dwell in harmony, peace and prosperity. But he must make certain that the tree or source is destroyed forever; the roots must be withered.
In the account by Matthew, Jesus said, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever” (King James Version), or “Let no fruit come from you any more to eternity” (New World Translation of Christian Greek Scriptures). By this he indicated that man, by the power of his word (proper realization of truth), must nevermore eat of that tree, must never again partake of such thoughts. The instant withering of the tree indicates that one must not put off destroying the source of negative thoughts, or must not attempt to do it too slowly. It can and should be done immediately and completely.
Then he told his disciples that if they had sufficient faith and entertained no doubt, they not only could eliminate thoughts symbolized by a fig tree but could cause the entire mountain of error to be lifted up and cast into the sea (Divine Mind). The sea (truth) would dissolve the mountain (error).
The account states that Jesus went to the fig tree because he was hungry. The meaning is similar to his being hungry after his temptation in the wilderness. Here the original Greek, according to the Emphatic Diaglott, says that Jesus was returning to the city “early”; it does not say “in the morning.” Thus, being hungry early after leaving Bethany for Jerusalem would mean that when one has left the habitation of despair to return to dwelling in peace, he may feel hungry, or be empty of thoughts.
This emptiness may be in one of two ways: whether because he has cast off the former thoughts (error) on which he had been feeding, and was hungry for thoughts of some kind; or that he was now eager, in his newly found state of peace in truth, to make use of his new lease on life. In either case it would be important that his hunger henceforth be not relieved by the former error thoughts (figs). Therefore, lest he eat of this tree, even unknowingly, the source must be declared incapable of producing any more manifestations in his life.
In the account by John Mark, the curse is given as “Let no one eat of you to the Age” (ED), or “May no one eat fruit from you any more forever” (NWT). The word translated here as “age” or “forever” is the Greek word aionian. It is a word that has no equivalent in English, and which has been translated variously in the New Testament as “forever,” “eternal,” and “end of the world.” Its meaning is: an indefinite period of time, past, present or future. This is clearly emphatic advice that one should never again, throughout his eternal life, indulge in thoughts of despair and misery.
“And his disciples heard him” (ED). Since his disciples represent man’s twelve spiritual faculties, this sentence indicates that the advice is to be impressed on man’s subconscious as well as conscious aspects of mind so no negative thoughts can enter his mind, either over the walls or through the gate.
In this version the fig tree did not wither instantly. This account represents elimination by faith (Mark, son of Peter), by belief that it will be so, but without necessarily implying the degree of faith employed. That is, the faith of one with a higher working knowledge of truth will realize elimination of the negative fig tree sooner than one with a less highly developed consciousness.
The instantaneous demonstration in Matthew’s account indicates that the will trained in and by truth (Matthew the disciple taught by Jesus the Christ) can combine cause and effect immediately, merely by decreeing and realizing. This is the meaning of verses 23 and 24, especially 24: “This is why I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for, have faith that you have practically received, and you will have them” (NWT).
However, Mark was not one of the disciples taught by Jesus, but the son of Peter, representing faith. Thus Mark might well represent one who would not realize answers to prayers as soon, until he had unfolded more fully in consciousness.
Note that it was Peter, representing faith, who called the attention of Jesus to the withering of the tree. Furthermore, the tree had withered from the roots up, meaning that negative thoughts can be destroyed not just individually, one at a time, but all at once and forever, by destroying the very source, the roots of the tree. This also indicates the higher aspect of cause and effect: spiritual cause produces material effect.
Finally, note the kind of faith Jesus specifies here. Improper translation has Jesus telling his disciples, “Have faith in God.” The Emphatic Diaglott and the King James marginal note give it the proper translation, “Have the faith of God.” It makes a big difference in consciousness whether you realize that God has given man — His son, created in His image and likeness — the power of speaking the word, or you think you must merely believe in and have faith in God, taking no responsibility yourself. One recognizes at-onement with God, while the other does not. One is the son, the other a servant or a stranger.
So, heed the advice of the Master. Recognize your “fig tree” and destroy it forever, if you would stop dwelling in despair and return to your spiritual home of peace. Only you can do it, by rising in consciousness to the plane where you, like Jesus, can decree a thing and know, with the faith of God, that it must be established unto you.
El Morya/Mark, cofounder of Mark-Age, wrote this metaphysical interpretation in 1955, six years before Nada-Yolanda channeled a similar explanation (see below).
Cursing of Fig Tree
[Question: What is the meaning of the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree, and its withering?]
“When you are in a state of consciousness that does not bear fruit for you, that is not productive or creative, cast it out from the garden of your being. For you are the gardeners, and your bodies and minds are the gardens of your soul. Do not entertain or clutter up your being with that which is unproductive to you in your growth and evolution. . . .
“The tree, of course, symbolizes ideas. The fruits upon it are the products of those ideas, to feed your soul for further growth and higher evolution. Therefore, cursed be that which taketh up time, energy and blocks out the sun from even the slightest patch of the earth which you are in that garden.”
— John Mark; August 2, 1961
Photos: (1) Jesus Curses the Fig Tree, artist unknown. (2) El Morya/Mark, 1966, Mark-Age Archives. (3) Sananda/Jesus the Christ, Mark-Age Archives.
or to other people especially, that in many of these meditative states where we are contemplating various subjects or doing various inner plane works we are not doing anything, in reality we are doing something very important. In this case we will be receiving the ideas in this broadcast on how to simplify our lives, and then each of us will be working on it in meditations.
So, let us look about us in our lives and in the lives of others in the world, and see how we can simplify our lives and others can simplify their lives. Many of the things we pay attention to daily are not of that much importance.
to do: the will of God. Even then, in most instances, it is the information we have received from those in higher planes, who are much more intuned with what God would want. For they are in the celestial realm, or the etheric or Christ realm, where they are speaking in their high Self, Christ, I Am Self consciousness. We have the same ability here.
hours. As I recall, there was not one voice of support the entire time. I felt as if I were battling legions of dark forces in an apocalyptic struggle. But divine light and power were with me and I was not fazed, but remained strong and spoke truth without wavering.
confrontation. The host and all the callers, whom the host personally selected, viciously and outrageously attacked both the personal integrity and the honor of Phillel and the entire New Age philosophy.
pattern. Yours now is to inoculate the entire race of man with the ideal of Christhood to raise the planetary vibration to mesh with the rest of the solar system.
voice, so that all could hear: “I am of the I Am presence!” An audible gasp issued from the crowd; but the leader, with great menace, renewed his demand.
Looking toward the horizon, I saw menacing, pitch-black storm clouds advancing rapidly across the plain. The huge tornadic storm filled the sky. Instantly alerted, I rushed everyone inside the small, white, wood-framed house. There was no other place to seek shelter in the exposed environment.
Miraculously, the fierce whirlwinds abruptly stopped their onslaught just a few yards from our house . . . and then passed us by. The building was untouched. We had been spared!
spawning several tornadoes, was quickly approaching. Alerted, we immediately took refuge in the concrete, steel-reinforced basement of the installation. We locked the steel door just in time, secure in our storm-proof bunker. Torrential rains and tornadic winds descended upon us, wreaking destruction throughout the area. The station above shuddered from the impact, but we were safe. After the storm passed, we ventured outside to survey the damage.
When the disciples asked Jesus for the signs or the marks of the Latter-Day period, he replied, according to Luke 21:9–11, 25–28, as given in the New English Bible:
For years, themes of mass holocausts have been broadcast over television and in movie theaters. Some light workers have become disturbed with this morbid preoccupation. They consider it an exploitation of fear.
So, there is a need for balance within those with advance information and insight. Otherwise, their conflict dams up the good that can flow from them, that which is part of their spiritual function.
Jesus encouraged us for this time and unified action, by saying, “The things that I do, you shall do, but even greater things.” [John 14:12] He meant that individually as awakened Christed beings we could do what he demonstrated in that incarnation, but collectively we could accomplish even greater global projects.
aligned with spiritual truth, and those mortal thoughts and feelings burrowed in the darkest recesses of our human nature. These latter must finally be judged, cleansed and eliminated in these end days.
challenges. For there are many who will seek and will say, “I am the Christ in action,” and be not that Christ light; but mortal will endeavoring and executed to a higher degree than before known, where there has not been even illumination or desire. That is why your own discernment and discrimination of Christlike action and sources must be most delicate in seeing and in following those who will be so-called Christ light bearers. . . .
Losses and lapses occur when souls are embattled with the personality-level expression during these times of Armageddon, of strife among nations, peoples and astral forces.
evolutionary plan for Earth, the beginnings of the weak versus the strong. The weak are those who smugly, confidently feel that automatic verbal affirmations and acceptable posturing of the light, for the light and by the light automatically put them at the head of the list of those who are true warriors. Already misunderstood is this term warriors, for always it has meant those who fight with, for and by the light of God, which is the laws of the cosmos. War in this sense, even the terms cleansing and purification, do not mean using anything of a negative nature; in other words, opposing the strict rules of cosmic laws and principles.
with love, will bring you further through the veil of mortal incomprehension into heightened awareness of your purposes and responsibilities as sons of God implanted on Earth for the resurrection of light in this Second Coming program. . . .
We work through you and with you to respond energetically to these situations you face in the Battle of Armageddon. It can be precarious, even to those who have long years of practice in Christ-conscious attunement and grounding.
I envision this new foray as a sharing of news and views, personal and planetary, on the Second Coming program, the Federation of Planets, and the evolution of Earthkind into the fourth dimension — all in 140 characters or less!
As part of a vast planetary program, ETs have landed: literally through worldwide sightings for decades; and symbolically through a far-reaching educational plan to raise man’s consciousness for the New Age. Mankind is ready for the next giant step; now is the time to prepare for contact!
The purpose of Operation Landing Light goes beyond promoting physical landings, contacts and exchanges. Also involved is the anchoring of light, or spiritual energies, to uplift mankind into fourth dimensional or cosmic consciousness.
There are a number of ways we can experience psychic or spiritual contact with space visitors; such may occur even at the same time we are having physical contact. To name just a few, these contacts include: clairvoyant visions; materializations; clairaudient information; telepathic impressions or actual messages, called channelings; out-of-body experiences, or pickup, in which our consciousness is transported into spacecraft or to other planets and/or dimensions of existence; space beams, or electromagnetic force fields, which we may feel in various parts of the body for healing or transmutation.
dimensions. No longer can we shut ourselves off from life in our universe.