Episode 13: Israel as the Fig Tree Under the Microscope

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope: Episode 13

Gary discusses a popular interpretation by modern prophecy writers and pastors about Israel being the “fig tree” spoken of by Jesus in the NT.

If Israel is the fig tree in Matthew 24:32, then Israel is the fig tree in 21:18–20 where Jesus says, “‘No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.’ And at once the fig tree withered.” The fig tree of Matthew 24 was a leaves-only tree. There was no fruit on the tree. A tree is known by the type of fruit it produces or it fails to produce (Luke 6:43–45). A fruitless tree is to be cut down (Luke 13:6–9). Israel’s tree was essentially fruitless during Jesus’ ministry. There were those who wanted to destroy Jesus (Matt. 12:14; John 8:59; 10:31; 11:8), and turn Him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified. They rejected Him as their king, and instead chose Caesar as their king (John 19:15).

Jesus used the parable of the fig tree as an analogy. His point was that when leaves begin to appear on the fig tree—or, for that matter, on “all the trees” (Luke 21:29)—it is a sign that summer is near. Similarly, when Jesus’ first-century audience (“this generation”) saw certain signs, they would know that the kingdom of God was near, “right at the door” (Matt. 24:33). Near to what? Near to fulfilling the promise Jesus made about coming within a generation to destroy the temple and the entire Old Covenant system and inaugurate a New Covenant (Matt. 24:1–3). This is the simple and clear meaning of the text. Any other interpretation wildly stretches the Bible beyond its intended meaning.

The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and parallels in Luke 17:22–37 and 21:5–36 (also 13:34–35; 19:41–44)12 are not about restoring Israel as a nation again. They refer to the judgment of Israel that took place in AD 70. You see, Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Chuck Smith, and many other contemporary prophecy writers were right about one thing. A biblical generation is about 40 years in length. They were wrong in their timing. That 40-year generation is long past—from the start of Jesus’ ministry around AD 30 to the destruction of the temple in AD 70.

The Rapture and the Fig Tree Generation

For decades Christians have been enticed with the belief that they would be taken to heaven before a coming tribulation period in an event called the “rapture.” Since the national reestablishment of Israel in 1948, countless books and pamphlets have been written defending the doctrine assuring readers that it could happen at any moment. Some prophecy writers claimed the “rapture” would take place before 1988. We are far removed from that date. Where are we in God’s prophetic timetable?

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Gary discusses a popular interpretation by modern prophecy writers and pastors about Israel being the “fig tree” spoken of by Jesus in the NT. Usually, it is interpreted as Israel “becoming a nation again” in 1948. Unfortunately for them, the math, the biblical data, and Jesus’ own words do not confirm this strained interpretation.

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