I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season.
According to Hebrew thought the fig tree is one of the many symbols for the nation of Israel.
Matthew 21:18, 19
Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.
When Jesus withered the fig tree just days before He was to be crucified He was not showing off His supernatural power but rather He was graphically illustrating a prophecy concerning the nation of Israel.
Even though many Jews did believe that Jesus was the Messiah the nation of Israel as a whole did not and they rejected Him.
Luke 17:25
“But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”
In other words - there was no fruit on the fig tree.
In 70 AD the Roman empire destroyed the city of Jerusalem, took the land from the people and sent them into exile. The nation of Israel was no more.
In other words - the fig tree had withered.
Even though the nation of Israel turned it’s back on Jesus, Jesus has not turned His back on the nation of Israel which still has an important role to play in Jesus’ return.
In Matthew 24 the disciples ask Jesus what will be the signs of His return. After telling them many things Jesus says…
Matthew 24:32-34
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
In 1948, after almost 1900 years, there is once again a nation called Israel. In 1967 the city of Jerusalem was returned to the Jewish people. Today many Jews are returning to Israel and in Jerusalem preparations are being made to rebuild the Temple.
In other words - the fig tree is putting forth its leaves.
So…
Are we the generation which will not pass away and all these things take place?
Is Jesus right at the door?
