Luke 21 29-33

[CTZonEdit]

29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2021:5-38;&version=31;#fen-NIV-25850a)] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.


Questions...

What does the fig tree represent?

What is meant by "this generation"?

[Jessie]

this is a really good indepth question, looking forward to hearing the answers.

I never thought about it like that. more of just it showing a analogy

[CTZonEdit]

Good I am glad because I need some clarification myself.

[CTZonEdit]

What I have gathered so far is that the fig tree represents Israel. Concerning its restoration. I know that there are other places in the bible that refer to Israel as the fig tree, but where is it stated for certain that the fig tree = Israel?

Now about it being summer. What is the significance of that?

This generation I am still not sure about. Generation meaning the ones alive at the time? Generation meaning the race of Jews? Or generation meaning the ones that see the fig sprout leaves?

Verse 31 interrupts the context flow it seems and makes it hard to determing the meaning of generation.

[CoreIssue]

What I have gathered so far is that the fig tree represents Israel. Concerning its restoration. I know that there are other places in the bible that refer to Israel as the fig tree, but where is it stated for certain that the fig tree = Israel?
The context of the passage. It is about the future of Israel.

When asked, Christ used the fig to demonstrate that Israel would enter winter and loose it leaves. But it would bud out again.
Now about it being summer. What is the significance of that?
Summer is when a fig tree bears fruit. To date, Israel has not, as in fulfilling it full role.

This generation I am still not sure about. Generation meaning the ones alive at the time? Generation meaning the race of Jews? Or generation meaning the ones that see the fig sprout leaves?

Generation has several meanings.

One is those who lives within a certain time frame.

Obviously, it is not the generation of then. But the generation that sees the fig tree bud out and the kingdom come.

It is not about a group of people, by nation or genetics. That is the meaning of nation, a people or similar. Not generation.

Generation contains a time element.
Verse 31 interrupts the context flow it seems and makes it hard to determing the meaning of generation.
Not really. It is actually fully within the flow.

It says Israel will become productive, again, and those that see the beginning of the return will also see the Second Coming and his kingdom come to the earth.

By prophecy, for the kingdom to come, Israel must exist.

That is the beginning of their come back. One of the birth pains.

When you examine all that is required for the kingdom to come, what a fruitful Israel means, and such, the meaning is pretty clear.

[CTZonEdit]

The context of the passage. It is about the future of Israel.

When asked, Christ used the fig to demonstrate that Israel would enter winter and loose it leaves. But it would bud out again.

OK. Is there anything special about why the fig tree is often used to represent Israel?


Summer is when a fig tree bears fruit. To date, Israel has not, as in fulfilling it full role.

So summer fruit represents when Israel is fully restored. When will this occur? When the temple is rebuilt or after the Second Coming?


Generation has several meanings.

One is those who lives within a certain time frame.

Obviously, it is not the generation of then. But the generation that sees the fig tree bud out and the kingdom come.

It is not about a group of people, by nation or genetics. That is the meaning of nation, a people or similar. Not generation.

Generation contains a time element.

So to get more specific.

Is Israel "budding" now? If so when did the clock start ticking?
If that is the case and a generation is within a certain timeline then the clock is already ticking.

And how do we determine how long a generation is? People can live no more than 120 years per the bible, correct?

Now I dont want to get into any date setting but if the concensus is that the restoration of Israel began in 1948 what "generation" in 1948 does this apply to? The ones already alive in 1948 or the one started in 1948?

I'm probably going to answer my own question here but by determining right now how many people are alive that were alive in 1948 would this be the "generation"? And when that generation dies out then the Tribulation and Second Coming will be complete and the MK will start?


Not really. It is actually fully within the flow.

It says Israel will become productive, again, and those that see the beginning of the return will also see the Second Coming and his kingdom come to the earth.

By prophecy, for the kingdom to come, Israel must exist.

That is the beginning of their come back. One of the birth pains.

When you examine all that is required for the kingdom to come, what a fruitful Israel means, and such, the meaning is pretty clear.

So how imnportant is the year 1948 in figuring all this out?

[CoreIssue]

The context of the passage. It is about the future of Israel.

When asked, Christ used the fig to demonstrate that Israel would enter winter and loose it leaves. But it would bud out again.

OK. Is there anything special about why the fig tree is often used to represent Israel?
Fig's were an important crop. So they understood the meaning of bearing fruit, as also shown in the grafting in of the Gentiles and burning a tree that no longer bore fruit.

Plus using the root, trunk and branches to show source, division and such was an easy visualization in understanding how God, covenant and tribes were connected.


Summer is when a fig tree bears fruit. To date, Israel has not, as in fulfilling it full role.
So summer fruit represents when Israel is fully restored. When will this occur? When the temple is rebuilt or after the Second Coming?

Right.

Currently, there are just buds. So this is spring.

Trib is the pruning cycle.

MK is the flower and fruiting. Summer.

Summer comes when winter fully ends and the issues or spring are passed.


Generation has several meanings.

One is those who lives within a certain time frame.

Obviously, it is not the generation of then. But the generation that sees the fig tree bud out and the kingdom come.

It is not about a group of people, by nation or genetics. That is the meaning of nation, a people or similar. Not generation.

Generation contains a time element.

So to get more specific.

Is Israel "budding" now? If so when did the clock start ticking?

1948.
If that is the case and a generation is within a certain timeline then the clock is already ticking.
Yep.
And how do we determine how long a generation is? People can live no more than 120 years per the bible, correct?
It is more straightforward than that.

The generation is defined by all alive in 1948. As long as one of them is alive, that generation lives.

Now I dont want to get into any date setting but if the concensus is that the restoration of Israel began in 1948 what "generation" in 1948 does this apply to? The ones already alive in 1948 or the one started in 1948?

Both. Any alive in 1948.

I'm probably going to answer my own question here but by determining right now how many people are alive that were alive in 1948 would this be the "generation"? And when that generation dies out then the Tribulation and Second Coming will be complete and the MK will start?

Actually, at least one of the generation will see the Second Coming.

Not really. It is actually fully within the flow.

It says Israel will become productive, again, and those that see the beginning of the return will also see the Second Coming and his kingdom come to the earth.

By prophecy, for the kingdom to come, Israel must exist.

That is the beginning of their come back. One of the birth pains.

When you examine all that is required for the kingdom to come, what a fruitful Israel means, and such, the meaning is pretty clear.

So how imnportant is the year 1948 in figuring all this out?

It is key.

[CTZonEdit]

Fig's were an important crop. So they understood the meaning of bearing fruit, as also shown in the grafting in of the Gentiles and burning a tree that no longer bore fruit.

Plus using the root, trunk and branches to show source, division and such was an easy visualization in understanding how God, covenant and tribes were connected.

OK this is making more sense now. Shows nothing should be taken for granted in the bible.

Right.

Currently, there are just buds. So this is spring.

Trib is the pruning cycle.

MK is the flower and fruiting. Summer.

Summer comes when winter fully ends and the issues or spring are passed.


So Israel is not fully restored until after the MK? Then all is destroyed in the new heavens and earth? Or is it not fully restored until after the new heavens and earth?


Actually, at least one of the generation will see the Second Coming.


So the last person born in the last seconds of 1948 would be the last of the 'generation'. Understanding that that particular person may have died already but technically that person was the last member.

We could say that if that person was still alive and lived the max. of lets say 119 years. That would leave us with about a 60 year maximum window at this point?

Minus the 7 years for those taken in the Rapture so 53 a year max. window for true believers?

Meaning the Lord could come at any moment between right now and 2060?

[Jessie]

never heard of a person living to 119.

maybe into 105 but no longer.

getting down there.....

great discussion:nod:

[CTZonEdit]

never heard of a person living to 119.

maybe into 105 but no longer.

getting down there.....

great discussion:nod:

Me either but maybe in the next 60 years there will be advancements for aging?

[Jessie]

that too, but all the pestilences, and lack of care I would think the latter
would cause them to go sooner. but only God knows....:scratch:

[cbressler1976]

You know....the devil knows the end is near....a lot of different prophecies(from different cultures) say that the end of the world is between 2060 and 3000..... you freaked me out when you wrote 2060...all of the angels that have been cast out of heaven know around what time....of course no one knows exactly, but God...but i bet they influence these other cultures into knowing around the time....it's just weird how all of the dates seem to be around the same time....

[CoreIssue]

never heard of a person living to 119.

maybe into 105 but no longer.

getting down there.....

great discussion:nod:
Actually, I knew my great grandmother. Helped dig her grave and bury her as a teenager.

No one knew her exact age. But they had proof she was at least 112.

So, someone living to 120 is not inconceivable.

[CoreIssue]

You know....the devil knows the end is near....a lot of different prophecies(from different cultures) say that the end of the world is between 2060 and 3000..... you freaked me out when you wrote 2060...all of the angels that have been cast out of heaven know around what time....of course no one knows exactly, but God...but i bet they influence these other cultures into knowing around the time....it's just weird how all of the dates seem to be around the same time....
Remember the old truth.

The greatest lies begin with a grain of truth.

[Jessie]

never heard of a person living to 119.

maybe into 105 but no longer.

getting down there.....

great discussion:nod:
Actually, I knew my great grandmother. Helped dig her grave and bury her as a teenager.

No one knew her exact age. But they had proof she was at least 112.

So, someone living to 120 is not inconceivable.

:eek: wow!

I agree its not incovceivable. yet to me it seems that no one could make it that far.
but with God its possible. boy thats a long time to live... :aah: