The Fig Tree

Just days before Jesus’ death, his disciples came to him and asked what the signs would be right before his 2nd Coming to Earth (read chapter 1, God’s Master Time Plan, in my book for a detailed discussion of Biblical prophecies that are clearly setting up for fulfillment right now at the close of 6,000 years of mankind’s history). At the end of his answer, Jesus told an amazing parable (and made a fascinating statement concerning it) that GREATLY helps us pinpoint when his 2nd Advent will occur:

“Now learn a parable of the Fig Tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, KNOW THAT IT IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matthew 24:32-34).

Now in a parable, some physical entity always represents something else. Well, in Scripture, it is clear the FIG TREE always represented the nation of Israel. God told the 8th Century BC prophet Hosea: “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time” (Hosea 9:10). And during Jesus’ 3½ year ministry, he often used a fig tree in parabolic form when communicating things about Israel (See chapter 1, God’s Master Time Plan, for more details).

Long story short, when the nation of Israel amazingly, against-all-odds, came back on the map again in AD 1948 (after almost 1,900 years of non-existence) the Fig Tree in Jesus’ parable above had put forth her leaves! Thus, Jesus was declaring, “The generation of people that sees this happen will not pass (or all die) before my 2nd Coming occurs!”