NOW LEARN A PARABLE (or lesson) OF THE FIG TREE; WHEN HIS BRANCH IS YET TENDER (or begins to sprout), AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES (and leaves appear), YE KNOW THAT SUMMER IS NIGH (or approaching): SO LIKEWISE YE (or in the same way), WHEN YE SHALL SEE ALL THESE THINGS, (you are to) KNOW THAT IT (the time) IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU (the truth), THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS (away), TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED (or happen)-Mt 24:32-34.
NOW LEARN A PARABLE (or this lesson) OF THE FIG TREE; WHEN HER BRANCH IS YET TENDER (or begins to sprout), AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES (or leaves appear), YE KNOW THAT SUMMER IS NEAR (or approaching): SO YE IN LIKE MANNER (or in the same way), WHEN YE SHALL SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, (you are to) KNOW THAT IT IS NIGH (or near), EVEN (right) AT THE DOORS. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS (away), TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE DONE (or have happened)-Mk 13:28-30.
Jesus had just given a list of things to look for culminating with His return. Then He continued, AND WHEN THESE THINGS "BEGIN" (or start) TO COME TO PASS (or happen),THEN LOOK (or stand) UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS (high); FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH (you are about to be liberated-JNT6). AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD (look at) THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH (or as soon as they sprout leaves-JNT7), YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH (or near) AT HAND. SO LIKEWISE (or even so) YE WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, KNOW YE (you are to know) THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH (or near) AT HAND. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION (or people) SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED (or all these things have happened-NIV)-Lk 21:28-32.
THE LORD SHOWED ME, AND, BEHOLD, TWO BASKETS OF FIGS...ONE BASKET HAD VERY GOOD FIGS, EVEN LIKE THE FIGS THAT ARE FIRST RIPE: AND THE OTHER BASKET HAD VERY NAUGHTY FIGS, WHICH COULD NOT BE EATEN, THEY WERE SO BAD. THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO ME, WHAT SEEST THOU, JEREMIAH? AND I SAID, FIGS; THE GOOD FIGS, VERY GOOD; AND THE EVIL, VERY EVIL, THAT CANNOT BE EATEN, THEY ARE SO EVIL. AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME, SAYING, 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. FOR I WILL SET MINE EYES UPON THEM FOR GOOD, AND I WILL BRING THEM AGAIN TO THIS LAND: AND I WILL BUILD THEM, AND NOT PULL THEM DOWN; AND I WILL PLANT THEM, AND NOT PLUCK THEM UP. AND I WILL GIVE THEM A HEART TO KNOW ME, THAT I AM THE LORD: AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD: FOR THEY SHALL RETURN UNTO ME WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART. AND AS THE EVIL FIGS, WHICH CANNOT BE EATEN, THEY ARE SO EVIL-Jere 24:1-8. The word "figs" is used here eight times denoting the Jews.
NOW IN THE MORNING AS HE RETURNED INTO THE CITY, HE HUNGERED. AND WHEN HE SAW A FIG TREE IN THE WAY, HE CAME TO IT, AND FOUND NOTHING THEREON, BUT LEAVES ONLY, AND SAID UNTO IT, LET NO FRUIT GROW ON THEE HENCEFORWARD FOR EVER. AND PRESENTLY THE FIG TREE WITHERED AWAY-Mt 21:18,19; ref Mk 11:12-14,20,21. The fig tree withered away, as it was producing no fruit. It may be noted that the word "fig" here represents Israel, and the word "tree" represents nation.
The nation of Israel did wither and was destroyed. Nevertheless, the nation of Israel was reborn and will fulfill God’s mission during the Tribulation.
THEREFORE HIS HEIGHT WAS EXALTED ABOVE ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD (or nations)…THE CEDARS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD COULD NOT HIDE HIM: THE FIR TREES WERE NOT LIKE HIS BOUGHS, AND THE CHESTNUT TREES WERE NOT LIKE HIS BRANCHES; NOR ANY TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD WAS LIKE UNTO HIM IN HIS BEAUTY. I HAVE MADE HIM FAIR BY THE MULTITUDE OF HIS BRANCHES: SO THAT ALL THE TREES OF EDEN, THAT WERE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD, ENVIED HIM. AND STRANGERS, THE TERRIBLE OF THE NATIONS, HAVE CUT HIM OFF, AND HAVE LEFT HIM…TO THE END THAT NONE OF ALL THE TREES (or nations) BY THE WATERS EXALT THEMSELVES FOR THEIR HEIGHT…AND I CAUSED LEBANON TO MOURN FOR HIM, AND ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD FAINTED FOR HIM. I MADE THE NATIONS TO SHAKE AT THE SOUND OF HIS FALL-Ezek 31:5,8,9,12,14-16. It may be noted, the word "tree" is often used as a symbol for a nation.
The verses, in Lk 21:28-32, can be broken down into four parts. First, your redemption drawing near is referring to the Rapture. It is then followed by the second part, which is seeing and knowing certain things such as the times we are in, when the nation of Israel and other nations shoot forth. (It is interesting to note that the Rapture and the nations shooting forth are both referred to.) All of this is prior to the Tribulation. These nations have now come forth.
The third part is when you see certain other things come to pass to know that the kingdom of God is at hand. The fourth part is showing that the generation of the fig tree shall not pass till all the things Jesus told us about are fulfilled.
AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS (we are to see or look for certain things to come to pass), THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION (or the Rapture) DRAWETH NIGH.
AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE (or a lesson); BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH. (Behold the Israeli nation and all the nations that were to shoot forth.) Thus, the rebirth of the nation of Israel had to take place. In addition, other nations had to also be in place. The primary list of other nations are listed in Ezekiel chapter 38, but there are also others such as Isa chapters 17-19. These nations would include Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and other nations. Every tree (or nation) is now in place. YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND.
AND THE LORD’S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST ISRAEL, AND HE MADE THEM WANDER IN THE WILDERNESS FORTY YEARS, UNTIL ALL THE GENERATION THAT HAD DONE EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, WAS CONSUMED-Num 32:13. It may be noted that "forty years" and "the generation" is mentioned. FORTY YEARS LONG WAS I GRIEVED WITH THIS GENERATION-Ps 95:10.
AND JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE: AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM FOR TO SHOW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE. AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS? VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN-Mt 24:1,2.
AND WHEN THESE THINGS "BEGIN" TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH. AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH, YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND. SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, KNOW YE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH AT HAND. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED-Lk 21:28-32.
In Lk 21:8-27, God has given a picture of the Tribulation and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then, in Lk 21:28-32, it is written, AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN (note the word "begin") TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH. These things are coming to pass. Watch and be ready.
NOW LEARN A PARABLE (or this lesson) OF THE FIG TREE; WHEN HER BRANCH IS YET TENDER (or begins to sprout), AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES (or leaves appear), YE KNOW THAT SUMMER IS NEAR (or approaching): SO YE IN LIKE MANNER (or in the same way), WHEN YE SHALL SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, (you are to) KNOW THAT IT IS NIGH (or near), EVEN (right) AT THE DOORS. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS (away), TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE DONE (or have happened)-Mk 13:28-30.
Jesus had just given a list of things to look for culminating with His return. Then He continued, AND WHEN THESE THINGS "BEGIN" (or start) TO COME TO PASS (or happen),THEN LOOK (or stand) UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS (high); FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH (you are about to be liberated-JNT6). AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD (look at) THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH (or as soon as they sprout leaves-JNT7), YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH (or near) AT HAND. SO LIKEWISE (or even so) YE WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, KNOW YE (you are to know) THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH (or near) AT HAND. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION (or people) SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED (or all these things have happened-NIV)-Lk 21:28-32.
IS ISRAEL THE FIG TREE?
The word "fig" is mentioned in the Scriptures sixty-four times. 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-Jere 24:5. We see the word "figs," being used to represent the Jews that are carried away.
THE LORD SHOWED ME, AND, BEHOLD, TWO BASKETS OF FIGS...ONE BASKET HAD VERY GOOD FIGS, EVEN LIKE THE FIGS THAT ARE FIRST RIPE: AND THE OTHER BASKET HAD VERY NAUGHTY FIGS, WHICH COULD NOT BE EATEN, THEY WERE SO BAD. THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO ME, WHAT SEEST THOU, JEREMIAH? AND I SAID, FIGS; THE GOOD FIGS, VERY GOOD; AND THE EVIL, VERY EVIL, THAT CANNOT BE EATEN, THEY ARE SO EVIL. AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME, SAYING, 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. FOR I WILL SET MINE EYES UPON THEM FOR GOOD, AND I WILL BRING THEM AGAIN TO THIS LAND: AND I WILL BUILD THEM, AND NOT PULL THEM DOWN; AND I WILL PLANT THEM, AND NOT PLUCK THEM UP. AND I WILL GIVE THEM A HEART TO KNOW ME, THAT I AM THE LORD: AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD: FOR THEY SHALL RETURN UNTO ME WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART. AND AS THE EVIL FIGS, WHICH CANNOT BE EATEN, THEY ARE SO EVIL-Jere 24:1-8. The word "figs" is used here eight times denoting the Jews.
NOW IN THE MORNING AS HE RETURNED INTO THE CITY, HE HUNGERED. AND WHEN HE SAW A FIG TREE IN THE WAY, HE CAME TO IT, AND FOUND NOTHING THEREON, BUT LEAVES ONLY, AND SAID UNTO IT, LET NO FRUIT GROW ON THEE HENCEFORWARD FOR EVER. AND PRESENTLY THE FIG TREE WITHERED AWAY-Mt 21:18,19; ref Mk 11:12-14,20,21. The fig tree withered away, as it was producing no fruit. It may be noted that the word "fig" here represents Israel, and the word "tree" represents nation.
The nation of Israel did wither and was destroyed. Nevertheless, the nation of Israel was reborn and will fulfill God’s mission during the Tribulation.
THEREFORE HIS HEIGHT WAS EXALTED ABOVE ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD (or nations)…THE CEDARS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD COULD NOT HIDE HIM: THE FIR TREES WERE NOT LIKE HIS BOUGHS, AND THE CHESTNUT TREES WERE NOT LIKE HIS BRANCHES; NOR ANY TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD WAS LIKE UNTO HIM IN HIS BEAUTY. I HAVE MADE HIM FAIR BY THE MULTITUDE OF HIS BRANCHES: SO THAT ALL THE TREES OF EDEN, THAT WERE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD, ENVIED HIM. AND STRANGERS, THE TERRIBLE OF THE NATIONS, HAVE CUT HIM OFF, AND HAVE LEFT HIM…TO THE END THAT NONE OF ALL THE TREES (or nations) BY THE WATERS EXALT THEMSELVES FOR THEIR HEIGHT…AND I CAUSED LEBANON TO MOURN FOR HIM, AND ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD FAINTED FOR HIM. I MADE THE NATIONS TO SHAKE AT THE SOUND OF HIS FALL-Ezek 31:5,8,9,12,14-16. It may be noted, the word "tree" is often used as a symbol for a nation.
(Scripture with commentary)
NOW LEARN A PARABLE (or a lesson) OF THE FIG TREE (of the Israeli nation). (Note, the Israeli nation had to be reborn. Without this key event being in place, no other prophecy of the latter days meant anything.) WHEN HIS BRANCH IS YET TENDER, AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES (the branch on the tree becomes tender after the long, cold winter. When Israel is yet tender and puts forth leaves—this indicates the spring time), YE KNOW THAT SUMMER IS NIGH. (When one would see the Israeli nation come forth, and his branches tender, and leaves coming forth, you would know summer is near or you would know that certain things are near.) SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SHALL SEE ALL THESE THINGS (the list of things that Jesus just gave in the previous verses), KNOW THAT IT IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS. (Again, we see the command to know that certain events are at the doors and are going to happen almost immediately, as already covered in previous pages.)
VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION (the generation of the fig tree, the generation of the Israeli nation) SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED. ("All these things" includes the rebirth of Israel, the Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the return of Jesus Christ, and the gathering together of the elect. All these things would happen during the period of this generation.)-Mt 24:32-34; ref Mk 13:28-30.
The verses, in Lk 21:28-32, can be broken down into four parts. First, your redemption drawing near is referring to the Rapture. It is then followed by the second part, which is seeing and knowing certain things such as the times we are in, when the nation of Israel and other nations shoot forth. (It is interesting to note that the Rapture and the nations shooting forth are both referred to.) All of this is prior to the Tribulation. These nations have now come forth.
The third part is when you see certain other things come to pass to know that the kingdom of God is at hand. The fourth part is showing that the generation of the fig tree shall not pass till all the things Jesus told us about are fulfilled.
AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS (we are to see or look for certain things to come to pass), THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION (or the Rapture) DRAWETH NIGH.
AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE (or a lesson); BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH. (Behold the Israeli nation and all the nations that were to shoot forth.) Thus, the rebirth of the nation of Israel had to take place. In addition, other nations had to also be in place. The primary list of other nations are listed in Ezekiel chapter 38, but there are also others such as Isa chapters 17-19. These nations would include Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and other nations. Every tree (or nation) is now in place. YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND.
In other words, when you see the Israeli nation and the other nations come forth, you KNOW summer is at hand. You should know the times we are in. There should be no doubt. Note, first the Rapture is mentioned (your redemption), which is connected with the Israeli nation and the other nations shooting forth. By this, know the times we are in, know the Rapture is at hand, and know the next events will follow, which include the Tribulation. We are also reminded when these things "begin" to come to pass. Thus, we can look for some of the events of the Tribulation to begin to come to pass, even as birth pangs of a women.
Then there is the next category of two parts. This includes the list of events Jesus gave, which consists of the Tribulation and His second coming. The gathering of the elect is omitted. And when these come to pass, you know that the kingdom of God is near at hand. Mt 24 and Mk 13, include the elect being gathered, but the kingdom of God is omitted. In Lk 21, the gathering of the elect is omitted, but the kingdom of God is included. The elect are gathered during the time that is referred to as "the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."
SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS (these things are including the long list Jesus had given prior to this parable), KNOW YE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH AT HAND. (Jesus shall reign on the earth.) VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY (the generation of the fig tree, the Israeli nation), TILL ALL BE FULFILLED (which includes the Tribulation and the second coming of Jesus.)
3-A BIBLICAL GENERATION
"Forty years" is mentioned in the Bible forty times. The number "forty" is mentioned in the Bible one hundred and forty-six times.
AND THE LORD’S ANGER WAS KINDLED AGAINST ISRAEL, AND HE MADE THEM WANDER IN THE WILDERNESS FORTY YEARS, UNTIL ALL THE GENERATION THAT HAD DONE EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, WAS CONSUMED-Num 32:13. It may be noted that "forty years" and "the generation" is mentioned. FORTY YEARS LONG WAS I GRIEVED WITH THIS GENERATION-Ps 95:10.
Again, it may be noted, "forty years" and "this generation." HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS, AS IN THE PROVOCATION, IN THE DAY OF TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS: WHEN YOUR FATHERS TEMPTED ME, PROVED ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FORTY YEARS. WHEREFORE I WAS GRIEVED WITH THAT GENERATION-Heb 3:8-10. Again, it can be noted, "forty years" and "that generation."
FOR DAVID, AFTER HE HAD SERVED HIS OWN GENERATION (note the word "generation") BY THE WILL OF GOD, FELL ON SLEEP-Acts 13:36. How long did David serve? It is written, THUS DAVID THE SON OF JESSE REIGNED OVER ALL ISRAEL. AND THE TIME THAT HE (David) REIGNED OVER ISRAEL WAS FORTY YEARS; SEVEN YEARS REIGNED HE IN HEBRON, AND THIRTY AND THREE YEARS REIGNED HE IN JERUSALEM-1 Chr 29:26,27.
AND THE DAYS THAT DAVID REIGNED OVER ISRAEL WERE FORTY YEARS: SEVEN YEARS REIGNED HE IN HEBRON, AND THIRTY AND THREE YEARS REIGNED HE IN JERUSALEM-1 Ki 2:11. Many times we are seeing the term "generation" being associated with "forty years."
AFTER THIS LIVED JOB AN HUNDRED AND FORTY YEARS, AND SAW HIS SONS, AND HIS SONS’ SONS, EVEN FOUR GENERATIONS-Job 42:16. This verse would figure out to thirty-five years. We might consider that a generation is forty years, yet may be as little as thirty-five years.
VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL COME UPON THIS GENERATION. BEHOLD, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATE-Mt 23:36,38.
AND JESUS WENT OUT, AND DEPARTED FROM THE TEMPLE: AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME TO HIM FOR TO SHOW HIM THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE. AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS? VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN-Mt 24:1,2.
The words "this generation," as appear in Mt 23:36, are the same words that appear in "this generation," in Mt 24:34; Mk 13:30; and Lk 21:32. It is written, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED. Jesus had said, "THESE THINGS SHALL COME UPON THIS GENERATION." One of the things was the temple would be destroyed. The question arises, was the temple destroyed within forty years? The answer is yes. The temple was thrown down approximately 70 A.D. Jesus was crucified approximately forty years earlier.
Clearly, we can see that a "Bible generation" is forty years.
4-A BIBLICAL GENERATION CAN (IN SOME CASES) BE FROM THE AGE OF TWENTY TO SIXTY OR LONGER
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-Mt 24:32-34; ref Mk 13:28-30.
AND WHEN THESE THINGS "BEGIN" TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH. AND HE SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD THE FIG TREE, AND ALL THE TREES; WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH, YE SEE AND KNOW OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND. SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS, KNOW YE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH AT HAND. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED-Lk 21:28-32.
In Mt 24:4 to 24:28, events of the Tribulation are described. In Mt 24:29-31, Jesus Christ returns immediately after the TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS, and the elect are gathered. The very next verse, number 32, then gives us the following, NOW LEARN (this comes forth as a command, "learn"). The next words tell us what to learn, A PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE (or the Israeli nation). Thus, the Israeli nation had to be reborn. This rebirth of the fig tree is outlined in Isa 66:8,9.
WHEN HIS BRANCH IS YET TENDER (a new branch, a tender branch, a branch that has just come forth, a branch that has just sprung forth in tenderness after the winter), AND PUTTETH FORTH LEAVES (springs to life, people multiply, leaves come forth on the branches), YE KNOW (note the word "know") THAT SUMMER IS NIGH. You know certain things are going to happen. You know and recognize the times. You know that summer is near. SO LIKEWISE YE (in other words or in the same way), WHEN YE SHALL SEE ALL THESE THINGS.
We may ask, "All what things?" The answer is, all the things that have just been described, which cover from Israel’s rebirth to the Tribulation, the return of Jesus to the earth, and the gathering of the elect. KNOW (again, we see the command to "know," or to recognize, or to be aware) THAT IT IS NEAR, EVEN AT THE DOORS-Mt 24:33. Then in verse 34, it concludes with this, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION. One may ask, "What generation has Jesus just been talking about?" The answer is the generation that would begin with the rebirth of Israel and see all these signs. "This generation" SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED.
In Lk 21:8-27, God has given a picture of the Tribulation and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then, in Lk 21:28-32, it is written, AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN (note the word "begin") TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH. These things are coming to pass. Watch and be ready.
AND HE (Jesus) SPAKE TO THEM A PARABLE; BEHOLD THE FIG TREE (behold, Israel as a nation, behold Israel’s rebirth, which is outlined in Isa 66:8,9), AND ALL THE TREES (and all the nations) (these were covered previously); WHEN THEY NOW SHOOT FORTH (when Israel and the other nations shoot forth), YE SEE AND KNOW (note "we know") OF YOUR OWN SELVES THAT SUMMER IS NOW NIGH AT HAND (you know that certain things lie ahead or you know the times).
SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS COME TO PASS (when you see all the events that have been outlined come to pass), KNOW YE (a command to know) THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH AT HAND (know that the Millennium is near at hand).
As mentioned previously, there are two sets of events to look for. 1-When these things begin to come to pass, we are to know that the Rapture is about to take place. 2-When these things have taken place then the followers of Jesus, which got saved during the Tribulation and survived, are commanded to know that the kingdom of God is near at hand.
Then in verse 32-VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THIS GENERATION (What generation? The generation of "BEHOLD THE FIG TREE" that will see all these events.); THIS GENERATION shall not pass away till all be fulfilled. The last thing to be fulfilled is the gathering of the elect right after the Battle of Armageddon.
Based on these verses, some bring forth a question, "Is it possible the Lord has given us a time period to consider?" Some Bible prophecy scholars do believe the last generation began with Israel’s rebirth on, May 14, l948.
As we look at Scripture and world events unfolding, we should know and understand more deeply as the end draws closer and closer.
This site is "not" attempting to set any exact year. But clearly, we are in the generation of the fig tree: the generation that will see all these things come to pass.