Welcome to Prophecy Q & A with Jimmy DeYoung!
In Matthew 24, the fig tree referred to is not Israel. Israel became a nation in 1948, but this nation is not the fig tree.
Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:4-34) is talking about the things that will happen during the Tribulation period which is for the Jewish people. Christians will be in the heavenlies. The rapture takes place before all of this in Matthew 24 starts to unfold when He is talking about the return; He is talking about His second coming in Matthew 24.
He could tarry (Matthew 24:32). He was on the Mount of Olives (It is full of fig trees). Jesus used his natural surroundings in order to teach or enhance His teaching. It was spring because Passover is about to take place. Christ was crucified on Passover. He looked over and saw a fig tree and taught them to learn the parable of the fig tree. Matthew 24:32 says, “When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:” This is the spring. The limbs of the fig tree are putting forth little leaves which means that summer will soon be here. It is the parable of the fig tree. He is not talking about Israel; Israel is not referred to as a fig tree.
Matthew 24:33 says, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” The “things” in this verse refers to deception in verses 4, 5, 11, and 24 such as through signs, wonders, and miracles, wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6,7), famine, pestilence (pandemic disease or death), earthquakes. These are all judgments that happen during the Tribulation period in the sealed judgments (Revelation 6). He was talking to the Jewish people, knowing that it (the second coming) is near.
Matthew 24:34 says, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” He wasn’t talking about the generation that He was talking to at that time or our generation but about those people who will see these things happening which is the time of the Tribulation. He was talking about all of the things in verses 30 and 31 being fulfilled.
Matthew 24:29-31 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
It is not talking about the fig tree but about what those people who are alive during the Tribulation period see. That generation shall not pass away.
Jimmy DeYoung was a prophecy teacher and journalist who travelled the country and the world educating the Body of Christ of the future events foretold in God’s prophetic Word. His goal was to equip Christians with the knowledge and understanding of what God’s Word says will happen someday soon, so that they can make better decisions today. Dr. DeYoung went home to be with his Savior on August 15, 2021.
