The Generation of the Fig Tree
Who will witness the Lords return?
Some two thousand years ago on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem’s Old City, Jesus speaks privately with His disciples and gives a detailed account of the end times. The sermon is called the Olivet Discourse and is found in the Synoptic Gospels in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. The Olivet Discourse is significant because it contains Jesus' descriptions of the end times and includes apocalyptic language; But more importantly, the sermon includes the parable of the fig tree. In these verses, Jesus speaks about the rebirth of Israel and a generation who will witness the end times.
Matthew 24:32–35 (KJV)
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
In this parable, Jesus is telling His disciples about a generation who will witness the rebirth of Israel and the end times. A common belief is the fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel. If you read Jeremiah 24:5 and Hosea 9:10 you will see examples where the fig symbolizes the people of Israel.
Jeremiah 24:5 (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
Hosea 9:10 (KJV)
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal–peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
The fig tree is quite unusual because it bears two crops of fruit, the first appearing in spring and the second developing in late summer or early fall. The first crop is usually not edible, but the second crop is the main, edible crop.
If the fig tree represents the nation of Israel we can interpret the blossoming of the fig tree to mean the rebirth of Israel. The Second Jewish Temple was destroyed by the Roman Emperor Titus in 70 A.D. and soon after, the nation of Israel ceased to exist. So when did the fig tree blossom, or simply put, when was Israel reborn? Israel was reborn on May 14th, 1948.
In the next verse (Matthew 24:33) Jesus tells His disciples “when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Notice He used the words ‘all these things’ instead of mentioning the fig tree specifically. So we can assume He means the end times, including the rebirth of Israel. Also, notice the phrase “know that it is near, even at the doors”, this phrase is also used in Mark 13:29.
Matthew 24:33
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mark 13:29
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
The phrase “know that it is near, even at the doors” is used in this context to mean His second coming and the end times. Also, notice the fig tree parable precedes the rapture verses in Matthew but in Luke and Mark Jesus is telling us to be watchful for the Son of Man.
So what generation will witness the rapture? Who will be alive to see the Son of Man? The answer is found in the next verse.
Matthew 24:34
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Now this verse is significant because Jesus speaks about a generation of people who will witness the rebirth of Israel and the end-times. So how long is a generation? Read Psalms 90:10.
Psalms 90:10 (NKJV)
The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalms 90 is believed to be a prayer of Moses, the psalm contrasts God’s eternity with man’s frailty. So based on Psalms 90:10 we know a generation in the bible is seventy years. If we know the length of a generation we can determine the time period of Jesus return.
Israel became a nation on May 14th, 1948, this is the year Israel become a nation. A generation in the bible is 70 years, as defined in Psalm 90:10. If we take the year Israel became a nation (1948) and add 70 years we get 2018. This represents the end of the 70-year generation. Will His return happen within the 70-year generational span?
Notice in Matthew 24:36 Jesus uses the words ‘day’ and ‘hour’ but not the word year.
Matthew 24:36 (KJV)
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Theirs no contradiction with the fig tree parable because the words ‘day’ and ‘hour’ are used. We can know the time frame of His return, maybe even the year, but not the exact moment of His return. Today, we are witnessing the beginning of sorrows, the rise of secularism, and the erosion of biblical morals and the family. Also, the gospel is being preached around the world via the Internet. I believe Jesus Christ is at the door so we need to be sober, watchful, and ready because we don’t know when He will open the door. The Lord never lies and His word will be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Maranatha…
