Matthew - Chapter 24:

When the disciples came to Jesus and
asked: "Tell us when shall these things
be? and what shall be thy sign of thy coming,"


"Jesus answered and said unto them"


Jesus proclaimed the many signs.

See: Matthew - Chapter 24
Mark - Chapter 13
Luke - Chapter 21


Then, Jesus Stated:


Mathew 24: 32-34

" Now learn the parable of the fig
tree; When his branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know
that summer is nigh: So likewise ye,
when ye shall see all these things,
know that it is near, even at the
doors. (In Greek this translates to
("I Command you to know") Verily I
say unto you, *THIS* generation shall
not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."


Luke 21: 29-32

" And he spake to them a parable; Behold
the fig tree, and all of the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of
your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom Of God is nigh at hand. Verily
I say unto you, *THIS* generation shall
not pass away, till all be fulfilled."


Which generation was Jesus speaking to?


What is the fig tree?

The fig tree is Israel. We know this
because Joel 1:7 and Hosea 9:10 tells
us that the fig tree is Israel.


Jesus was speaking to the generation
who would see the Rebirth of the
Nation of Israel.

Prophecy fulfilled - The Declaration
of a Jewish State named Israel -
May 14, 1948


http://www.bibledesk.com - click into hyperlink - Bible Prophecy

http://www.jvim.com - Read Prophecy FAQ

laura:

Joel 1:6 A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness.
1:7 It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white.

Clearly, Joel does not anywhere say israel is the fig tree. He is talking about some nation and the pernicious effects of its attack on israel.

Hosea 9:10 "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved." (NIV)

Again, clearly the fig tree is a simple metaphor, and not a symbol

Michael

God hates figs.

I like this one...
I would like to meet "them" I'm sure they must be around here somewhere, never having tasted death.

I agree with Michael that this fig tree has nothing to do with the restoration of Israel. Joel's fig tree allusion is clearly a reference to what was done to Israel by outside invaders. And how they can relate Hosea to some prophecy about a future Israel, I'll never know. It clearly relates the author's sentiment when coming to Israel as opposed to his sentiment when entering Baal Peor. It doesn't have ANYTHING to do with restoration. When you talk are reading a text, you take the BEST explanation instead of trying to force metaphors in places where they should not fit.

But let's say that the fig tree does refer to Israel. If the fig tree does refer to a restoration of Israel, then the prophecy is even more false! THIS generation refers to Jesus' audience (everytime Jesus uses "this generation" in a direct address it refers to his audience). Since the generation to which Jesus was talking did not see a restoration of Israel, the prophecy is wrong.

Furthermore, the construction of the passage and context makes it more likely that Jesus is referring to his immediate audience as the "generation." *Haute* (this) is the near demonstrative and the wording becomes VERY awkward if it means some other "generation" than Jesus' audience.

And if the generation that saw the restoration of Israel does pass away without the coming of the Son of Man, well, Christians like Laura have quite a bit of egg on their face. Can we say Jehovah's Witnesses?

[This message has been edited by Le pede (edited April 25, 2001).]

For more stuff about end-times prophecies and related matters, see the following threads in the Church-State separation forum:

• The fanatical beliefs of Israeli would-be theocrats
• The Temple Mount (Yikes!)

From Laura
Jesus was speaking to the generation
who would see the Rebirth of the
Nation of Israel.
Prophecy fulfilled - The Declaration
of a Jewish State named Israel -
May 14, 1948
Soooo, given that a few people might live to 110, I guess JC will return no later than May 14, 2058. But if he doesn’t come by then, I guess that Laura’s kids will make up a (another) new story.

So I see Laura's response is just a restatement of her original position. Is this the best Jack Van Impe disciples can do?

This is why you need to learn ALL of the Bible Prophecies.


A leader from the Revived Roman Empire -[European Union]- [Daniel chapters 2 & 7] will sign a 7 year Covenant [Peace Treaty] with Israel.

[Daniel 9:27]

"And he shall 'confirm' the Covenant with many for one week."

' week ' - Hebrew - [ shabua ] - 7 years

The * moment * that this Leader from the Revived Roman Empire [European Union] signs this Covenant [Peace Treaty] with Israel, the Revelation -(final chapter of the Bible) begins. The Revelation lasts for 7 years. This Leader will rule and reign for 7 years.


Jesus returns to earth at the END of the
7 year Revelation to * STOP * the destruction
that has come upon the earth. Note: This is the destruction that MAN has caused.


Bible Prophecy is unfolding before our eyes
in Israel - The Middle East Peace Process.
This is the Treaty that this Leader will
sign with Israel.

Note:
Daniel 9:27

He shall ' confirm ' the Covenant - meaning the Peace Treaty is already in place, he just signs his name to it.


Jesus Speaking:

"Take heed that no man deceive you."