Now learn this lesson...

"...from the fig tree," says Jesus in Matthew 24:32. He continues through verse 35: "As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [or He] is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation [or race] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

This passage is used by many pre-millenial dispensationalists (like the Left Behind books) as support for their view that the fig tree is Israel, the budding of the fig tree represents its return as a physical nation in 1948, and that this generation means that the people - as a whole - who are alive when the fig tree blossoms will see the return of Jesus Christ.

With all due respect to those who love the Lord and hold this position, it really is a bad idea to put so much emphasis on the signs of the times. Jesus Himself did not like signs. Certainly the miracles He performed confirmed His ministry, but the signs of the times were always expected by the unbelieving and corrupt around Him. He refused to give them signs or to perform signs at their will. And so this parable of the fig tree, as told in Matthew 24, is not so clear and specific as most pre-millenial dispensationalists would like it to be.

Notice especially that there are 2 other Gospel accounts that record this parable. And there are some key differences. I've emboldened some critical words in each of the passages, as you might notice above.

Mark 13:28-31 records Jesus slightly differently: "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening (as opposed to "all these things"), you know that it (no possibility of "He") is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation [or race] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

You may notice little difference between Matthew's and Mark's accounts. But check out Luke's, in 21:29-33: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees (Don't just look at the fig tree). When they (that is, all the trees and not just the fig tree) sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening (as opposed to "all these things"), you know that the kingdom of God (not "it" or "He," but the Kingdom of God!) is near. I tell you the truth, this generation [or race] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."

What are we to make of this nuances? I propose, along with most non-pre-millenial dispensationalists (that is, amillenialists, post-millenialists, and historic pre-millenialists), that Jesus was not at all being specific in this particular parable. He loved nature - after all, He created it - and most of His parables dealt with elements of nature.

The fig tree gets specific mention because it is VERY quick to bloom. The other trees are important as well, as they show signs that the dark and gloomy winter is nearing an end and that the spring and summer are very close. But the fig tree, by nature, blooms quickly. The point that Jesus was making is that "in this world, you will have trouble." There will be winters and darkness and gloom and bareness, just as the trees exhibit. And each generation experiences that.

The fig tree does not represent Israel in this parable. It represents a fig tree. And the blossoming of all the trees doesn't represent the return of a physical Israel to the map of the geo-political world. It represents prosperity and warmth and peace on the horizon when we experience so much discomfort and struggle through the long, dreary winters of our lives.

And when we have this peace within us, when we experience the hope and peace of God, there is no doubt that the Kingdom of God is near. Indeed it is at hand and is already here. He is with us - God with us - Immanuel.

And what about "this generation?" It doesn't refer to those who saw the rise of physical Israel in 1948, as dispensationalists claim, nor does it refer to those who saw the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, as many post-mods claim. It refers to each generation (ie, the human race - as the Greek would allow) since the first coming of our Lord and Savior and it will refer to each generation until His second coming.

There are many things that Jesus explains in His "final teachings" in these Gospel accounts, and all of these things will come to pass. Indeed, Heaven and earth will pass away. In this world we will have trouble... but take heart, Jesus Christ has overcome the world. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. The winter, while just about to begin here in Kentucky, will soon pass. When those trees begin to blossom, the spring and summer are at hand. It's still night time, but the day is coming. We mustn't wear the sins of darkness as our clothing. We should put on the armor of light, because the light is near.