The Parable of the Fig Tree

In the Olivet Discourse Jesus referred to the Parable of the Fig Tree, and said the appearance of the Fig Tree bearing leaves (but not fruit) was the major sign of the end-times, with the 2nd Coming to establish His Kingdom taking place within a man’s lifetime of this event (Matthew 24:32-35, Luke 21:29-32). By studying the origin of the Parable of the Fig-Tree in Luke 13:6-9, Derek shows the Fig Tree is the nation of Israel planted in her land, but because she bore no fruit of faith (leaves only) and rejected Christ when He came to her, she was cut off spiritually in AD 33, 6 months after the Cross (Acts 7), and cut down and removed from her land (AD 70). Later, Jesus acted this out prophetically when He cursed a Fig Tree for not bearing fruit (Mark 11:12-21). The very same day that the disciples witnessed that the Tree had withered up from its roots, and at the very same location (the Mount of Olives), Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse in which He declared that the Fig Tree would rise again in the end-times as the major sign that the 2nd Coming was near (Matthew 24:32-35, Luke 21:29-32), for Israel must be re-established as a Nation in her Land in order for the end-time prophecies to be fulfilled – the stage must be set for the final scene to take place. Moreover, the Parable of the Fig Tree predicts Israel will initially be regathered in unbelief (leaves only), which was fulfilled in 1948, and affirms that this is the necessary prelude to her bearing fruit (faith), for all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26).