Dear all, Mark 13:28 paraphrase: When the fig tree's leaves begin to sprout. . . you can be sure that my return is very near, even at the door. It is usually agreed that Israel is the fig tree and most have thought that in 1967 when Jerusalem was won back, that was the leaves beginning to sprout. But, now there are talks about legal Jewish settlements in Judea and Sumeria (the West Bank) and the Jordan Valley. More leaves? Others say the fig tree began to sprout when Israel was declared a state in one day May 15, 1948. Others say it was the Balfour declaration in November 2, 1917. It depends on who you talk to. I think Jerusalem being declared Israel's capital, the Golan being declared part of Israel, and Judea and Samaria also being declared part of Israel (which hasn't officially happened yet) all add to the events of the end times, not necessarily the beginning of the fig tree sprouting. I agree. Israel is just now becoming whole and I think that is key. Israel is now flourishing (green, lush leaves), he is certainly “even at the door”. My guess is his hand is on the door knob, ready to fling it open as soon as the Father says “Son go get your Bride” ... Dispensation of the church age done, check, we are gone! :prayer-hands: Indeed Tammie. Jesus still submits himself to the Father's will! Before he was incarnated as a man he submitted, after he became the Son of Man he submitted, and after his ascension he is still submitted. There seems to be a valuable model in that. We must now submit to the Lord's times and seasons as we await our departure, as in all things! Truly the prophetic models and teaching we have been given and the knowledge they provided were sealed until the end. I submit that with every day that passes our knowledge and understanding shall also be increased. Even until the time that we hear that trumpet blast, we can only marvel as He unveils His plans! TR A lot of Christians have overlooked a deeper layer when Jesus says "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:". Fig tree can be a symbol for the reestablishment of Israel. But the season of it's budding is equally important. When the tribulation saints see all the events foretold by Jesus, Jesus wants them to pay attention to the fig tree, because when it puts forth leaves, they know that summer is nigh, so does his second coming to earth. Jesus is coming back in the season of summer. "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." After many years of studying this verse, my conclusion is "this generation" is referred to the generation who witness all the tribulation events foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24. They are the tribulation saints and the left behind after the rapture. "Ye know that summer is near, so likewise, know that it is near, even I stand at the doors." I added some words to illustrate my thought better. Jesus' return will be very close to summer because he says "summer is near, even at the doors". On my possible timeline, I have second coming of Jesus on May 16 2027. May 16 is in late spring, and summer is also near. Indeed summer does hint and bring an air of finality in that verse. I believe "this generation" refers to any born after the birth of Israel, for within that single generation much prophecy shall be fulfilled. And the age of grace shall surely end! TR Many Christians believe the generation Jesus has spoken in Matthew 24 begins with rebirth of Israel in 1948. Here's my response. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows. At this time, 7 years tribulation already begins. Many false Christs shall come, and deceive many. Wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom is the second seal judgment, the rider on the red horse, peace shall be taken away from earth. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake For people who comes to Christ during this period, they will be afflicted for their faith. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. This gospel shall be preached to all nations by 144000, two witnesses, before the end shall come. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: This is a mid-trib event, 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. This shall take place in the second half of tribulation. Besides the false prophet who shows great wonders, and signs, many of his followers are capable of obtaining some credit. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. These false prophets, acting as false Christ, shall try to deceive believers that Christ has already returned. But Jesus forth warns his coming shall be like a lightning from sky. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. This wraps up the tribulation by Jesus' returning to earth. From verse 5 to 30, Jesus has spoken the events which shall happen in 7 years tribulation. It doesn't begin with Israel's rebirth in 1948. The generation which sees all these things and events shall not pass away. They are the believers in tribulation and the left behind who witness all the events beginning from verse 5, up to 30. 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. Jesus uses a parable of fig tree, to give us the season of his return, which is, summer is near, so likewise, when you see all these things ( all the tribulation events), know that it is near, even I stand at the doors. His return will be close to summer. 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. The generation as some Christians have suggested beginning with Israel's rebirth in 1948 doesn't go in line with the context. When the disciples asked Jesus the things pertaining to his return, what Jesus gave them are the major events that will happen in tribulation. The generation which sees all these tribulation events shall not pass, until they see all of it. Jesus didn't start Matthew 24 with 1948.
