Matthew 24:34 (Fig Tree Generation)

[Radius]

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Now was Jesus talking about the regeneration of the Fig tree (Israel becoming a nation again), or was He referring to ALL of those things He is describing in the Tribulation i.e, sun being darkened, the abomination that causes desolation, etc.?

Will they all happen within one generation?

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Now was Jesus talking about the regeneration of the Fig tree (Israel becoming a nation again), or was He referring to ALL of those things He is describing in the Tribulation i.e, sun being darkened, the abomination that causes desolation, etc.?

Will they all happen within one generation?

Where does it say that the regeneration of the fig tree = Israel becoming a nation again? I've heard this before, but I can't find it in the Bible at the moment.

 

[IsaiahA]

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Now was Jesus talking about the regeneration of the Fig tree (Israel becoming a nation again), or was He referring to ALL of those things He is describing in the Tribulation i.e, sun being darkened, the abomination that causes desolation, etc.?

Will they all happen within one generation?

You are really confused on this. Nowhere in the canonical scriptures is Israel called the "fig tree". That is found in the gnostic writings, the heretics! It is in the Apocalypse of Peter - http://www.gnosis.org/library/apocpeter.htm

ALL those things are that which happens in that generation, not some generation thousands of years in the future from Jesus words. For those weak in English grammar and reading comprehension, the easier translations spell it out -

"Truly I tell you: the present generation will live to see it all." (Matt 24:34 REB)

"I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place." (Matt 24:34 Weymouth)

Joseph Benson an 18th century Methodist remarked on this verse -

“It is to me a wonder,” says Bishop Newton, “how any man can refer part of the foregoing discourse to the destruction of Jerusalem, and part to the end of the world, or any other distant event, when it is said so positively here in the conclusion, All these things shall be fulfilled in this generation. And it seems as if our Lord had been aware of some such misapplication of his words, by adding yet greater force and emphasis to his affirmation, Matthew 24:35 -
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/rbc/matthew-24.html

What a perversion of God's word have modernists made of this passage! Seek the old paths folks, don't let modernists mislead you.

 

[Radius]

Where does it say that the regeneration of the fig tree = Israel becoming a nation again? I've heard this before, but I can't find it in the Bible at the moment.

The fig tree as a metaphor for Israel

The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,


“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”


Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when


“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)


Later still, following the minor prophets we can see warnings to the nation of how God would bring destruction and failure of crops as part of his judgement against them, specifying empty fig trees that were stripped bare and fruitless. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai)

It’s almost as if the fig was something of a barometer of the health of the nation – taken away as punishment, and flourishing in times of restoration.

In the New Testament we can also see Yeshua using the symbolic fig tree – firstly in the calling of Nathanael who was “sitting under a fig tree” like a “true Israelite” in John 1:48-50. Later he curses the fruitless fig tree, representing unfruitfulness (Mark 11:12-21), and then uses the fig as a metaphor of how we should recognise the signs of the times (Matthew 24:32). This end-times warning system with the fig analogy is picked up again in Revelation 6:13.

So from Genesis to Revelation, the fig features strongly in scriptural symbolism. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua.

 

[JaumeJ]

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Now was Jesus talking about the regeneration of the Fig tree (Israel becoming a nation again), or was He referring to ALL of those things He is describing in the Tribulation i.e, sun being darkened, the abomination that causes desolation, etc.?

Will they all happen within one generation?

Perhaps, were all to think in terms of the generation called mankind, the understanding of Messiah's declaration would be more easily understood. Perhaps, not, but this is how I have always understood the words mentioned.

 

[Radius]

You are really confused on this. Nowhere in the canonical scriptures is Israel called the "fig tree". That is found in the gnostic writings, the heretics! It is in the Apocalypse of Peter - http://www.gnosis.org/library/apocpeter.htm

ALL those things are that which happens in that generation, not some generation thousands of years in the future from Jesus words. For those weak in English grammar and reading comprehension, the easier translations spell it out -

"Truly I tell you: the present generation will live to see it all." (Matt 24:34 REB)

"I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place." (Matt 24:34 Weymouth)

Joseph Benson an 18th century Methodist remarked on this verse -

“It is to me a wonder,” says Bishop Newton, “how any man can refer part of the foregoing discourse to the destruction of Jerusalem, and part to the end of the world, or any other distant event, when it is said so positively here in the conclusion, All these things shall be fulfilled in this generation. And it seems as if our Lord had been aware of some such misapplication of his words, by adding yet greater force and emphasis to his affirmation, Matthew 24:35 -
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/rbc/matthew-24.html

What a perversion of God's word have modernists made of this passage! Seek the old paths folks, don't let modernists mislead you.

"ALL those things are that which happens in that generation, not some generation thousands of years in the future from Jesus words." So where and when did the AoD occur? The Temple was demolished in 70AD. Are you a preterist?

 

[IsaiahA]

"ALL those things are that which happens in that generation, not some generation thousands of years in the future from Jesus words." So where and when did the AoD occur? The Temple was demolished in 70AD. Are you a preterist?

Drop the military love of acronyms and Facebook slang and write what you mean by "AoD"? I write standard English and expect the same in return with serious biblical discussion. Also, drop the labels and ask a particular question.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

The fig tree as a metaphor for Israel

The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,


“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”


Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when


“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)


Later still, following the minor prophets we can see warnings to the nation of how God would bring destruction and failure of crops as part of his judgement against them, specifying empty fig trees that were stripped bare and fruitless. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai)

It’s almost as if the fig was something of a barometer of the health of the nation – taken away as punishment, and flourishing in times of restoration.

In the New Testament we can also see Yeshua using the symbolic fig tree – firstly in the calling of Nathanael who was “sitting under a fig tree” like a “true Israelite” in John 1:48-50. Later he curses the fruitless fig tree, representing unfruitfulness (Mark 11:12-21), and then uses the fig as a metaphor of how we should recognise the signs of the times (Matthew 24:32). This end-times warning system with the fig analogy is picked up again in Revelation 6:13.

So from Genesis to Revelation, the fig features strongly in scriptural symbolism. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua.

Ah, okay! I took a look around the internet, because I did remember someone linking the fig tree to Israel. It was Hal Lindsey! I read his book "Late Great Planet Earth" around the same time I got saved (February 9, 1985) and that's where I got the concept from.

So, now that I've read the Bible several times over, I don't agree with Hal Lindsey's take. The fig tree is NOT a symbol for the birth of Israel, 1948.

So now, the fig tree stands for something else. I think the Lord Jesus was saying that when the signs start coming to pass, they will come to pass quicker and quicker, much like birth pains so that the generation that starts seeing this thing will see them to completion.

I would like to explore the definition of "generation". Most define it as 40, but the Bible uses other numbers as well. What do you all think when the Lord said that? How many years would that be to you?

Also, what are the first signs? Did they already come to pass? If so, what are they and what is next?

 

[Radius]

Ah, okay! I took a look around the internet, because I did remember someone linking the fig tree to Israel. It was Hal Lindsey! I read his book "Late Great Planet Earth" around the same time I got saved (February 9, 1985) and that's where I got the concept from.

So, now that I've read the Bible several times over, I don't agree with Hal Lindsey's take. The fig tree is NOT a symbol for the birth of Israel, 1948.

So now, the fig tree stands for something else. I think the Lord Jesus was saying that when the signs start coming to pass, they will come to pass quicker and quicker, much like birth pains so that the generation that starts seeing this thing will see them to completion.

I would like to explore the definition of "generation". Most define it as 40, but the Bible uses other numbers as well. What do you all think when the Lord said that? How many years would that be to you?

Also, what are the first signs? Did they already come to pass? If so, what are they and what is next?

the bible says 70 years to man, but by reason of strength, 80.

 

[Radius]

Drop the military love of acronyms and Facebook slang and write what you mean by "AoD"? I write standard English and expect the same in return with serious biblical discussion. Also, drop the labels and ask a particular question.

You seriously don't know? AoD = Abomination of Desolation. Again, are you a preterist?

 

[Magenta]

The fig tree as a metaphor for Israel

The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,


“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.”


Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when


“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:25)


Later still, following the minor prophets we can see warnings to the nation of how God would bring destruction and failure of crops as part of his judgement against them, specifying empty fig trees that were stripped bare and fruitless. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai)

It’s almost as if the fig was something of a barometer of the health of the nation – taken away as punishment, and flourishing in times of restoration.

In the New Testament we can also see Yeshua using the symbolic fig tree – firstly in the calling of Nathanael who was “sitting under a fig tree” like a “true Israelite” in John 1:48-50. Later he curses the fruitless fig tree, representing unfruitfulness (Mark 11:12-21), and then uses the fig as a metaphor of how we should recognise the signs of the times (Matthew 24:32). This end-times warning system with the fig analogy is picked up again in Revelation 6:13.

So from Genesis to Revelation, the fig features strongly in scriptural symbolism. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua.

https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/figs-in-the-bible/

 

[Radius]

https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/figs-in-the-bible/

yep!

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

the bible says 70 years to man, but by reason of strength, 80.

Okay, 75 years have already passed since Israel became a nation. So do you think a lot of prophecy will happen within the next 5 years?

 

[Radius]

Okay, 75 years have already passed since Israel became a nation. So do you think a lot of prophecy will happen within the next 5 years?

Honestly, yes.

 

[Radius]

Okay, 75 years have already passed since Israel became a nation. So do you think a lot of prophecy will happen within the next 5 years?

also, it could refer to those born in 1948...the prophecy could me that the last person still alive from 1948 (which surpasses 70-80) will see these things. I just don't know.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

Honestly, yes.

I think so too, but what are they? Do you know? According to the Bible, I mean?

 

[SACREDWARRIOR]

Where does it say that the regeneration of the fig tree = Israel becoming a nation again? I've heard this before, but I can't find it in the Bible at the moment.

Where does it say that the regeneration of the fig tree = Israel becoming a nation again? I've heard this before, but I can't find it in the Bible at the moment.

ITS NOT IN THE BIBLE...its just a faulty interpretation

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

ITS NOT IN THE BIBLE...its just a faulty interpretation

Yeah, I think Hal Lindsey came up with that. I read about the fig tree = Israel concept in his book, "Late Great Planet Earth".

He's also pre-trib which also I don't subscribe to.

 

[Dino246]

the bible says 70 years to man, but by reason of strength, 80.

That is one of at least two verses that discuss the length of a man's days (birth to death of one person). It isn't a reference to the length of a generation, which is the time between the birth of one person and the birth of that person's child(ren).

 

[ResidentAlien]

Hal Lindsey was the first person I recall saying the fig tree represents the rebirth of Israel as a nation. The idea is that the rebirth of Israel as a nation (the fig tree putting forth leaves) is the final sign. But Lindsey has made many false prophecies so I don't know why anyone would even listen to him anymore. It's been 75 years since Israel became a nation; and many other signs have happened since then.

You have to work pretty hard to make the fig tree represent the rebirth of Israel as a nation. Jesus simply uses the fig tree to illustrate how we can know the time is near.