The Lesson of the Fig Tree: The Timing of the Second Coming

In the final days leading up to Judgment Day, Jesus promised to return in the flesh to guide humanity towards the truth of salvation. But when exactly will this happen? The Bible offers a clear answer through the parable of the fig tree.

"Learn the Lesson from the Fig Tree"

Two thousand years ago, Jesus' disciples asked Him about the timing of His second coming (Matthew 24:3). In response, Jesus urged them to learn from the fig tree.

"At that time ... They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door."

Mt 24:30-33

Jesus taught, "Learn this lesson from the fig tree," and added, "When you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door." This indicates that the timing of His second coming can be understood through the parable of the fig tree.

What Does the Fig Tree Represent in the Bible?

The Bible identifies the fig tree as a symbol of Israel (Jeremiah 24:5), a comparison that Jesus also made.

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."

And his disciples heard him say it ... In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

Mk 11:12-14, 20-21

While Jesus and His disciples were leaving Bethany, He noticed a fig tree and approached it, hoping to find some fruit to satisfy His hunger. Despite searching, He found no figs, as it wasn't the right season. Nonetheless, Jesus cursed the fig tree, causing it to wither. The fig tree is one of the most common trees in Israel, and Jesus, being divine, undoubtedly knew the season for figs.

So, why did Jesus curse the fig tree? It wasn't simply an act against the tree itself. Through this incident, Jesus intended to reveal His will. The barren fig tree symbolized Israel's rejection of Him. By cursing the fig tree, Jesus illustrated that the Israelites who turned away from Him and His gospel would face destruction in the future.

Parable of the Fig Tree & Fall of Israel

“Jesus prophesied about the fall of Israel through another parable. Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So, he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

Lk 13:6-9

In the parable, the man who sought fruit on the fig tree for three years represents Jesus. After His baptism at the age of thirty, Jesus preached the gospel in Israel for three years until His crucifixion. This period of ministry is symbolized by the three years of searching for fruit on the fig tree.

In the parable, the man's frustration with the barren fig tree led him to say, "Cut it down." This action parallels Jesus' warning to the people of Israel: because they rejected Him and His gospel, they would face judgment and destruction.

When the man in the parable said, "Leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it," it signified that Jesus would not bring immediate destruction upon Israel after His crucifixion. Instead, He would extend an opportunity for repentance.

Following the Crucifixion, Jesus extended a forty-year period for Israel to repent and embrace the gospel (Ezekiel 4:6). Unfortunately, the people did not accept this opportunity, and in A.D. 70, Israel fell, fulfilling the prophecy, "If not, then cut it down."

Jesus's Prophecy About the Fall of Israel

Jesus explicitly foretold the fall of Israel during a conversation with His disciples.

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations ..."

Lk 21:20-24

As Jesus prophesied, Israel was destroyed by the Roman army under the leadership of Titus in A.D. 70. The walls of Jerusalem and the temple were demolished, leaving no stone unturned (Mark 13:2). The Jewish historian, Josephus, detailed the horrors of Jerusalem's fall, noting that 1.1 million people were killed and 97,000 survivors were taken captive. The prophecy was fulfilled just as Jesus said, "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations."

Restoration of Israel & Second Coming of Christ

Jesus assured that Israel would not remain in ruins forever, but would eventually be restored.

"Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

Lk 21:24

The Bible mentions a specific period during which Jerusalem must be trampled by the Gentiles, indicating that once this period ends, Jerusalem will be restored to the Jews. After A.D. 70, Jerusalem was occupied by Gentiles, and the Israelites remained stateless for about 1,900 years, wandering across the globe. It wasn't until 1948, after World War II, that Israel miraculously returned to their ancestral land and declared independence. Jesus foretold Israel's independence through the lesson of the fig tree in the book of Matthew.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things, you know that it is near, right at the door."

Mt 24:32-33

In winter, trees appear lifeless, with withered twigs and fallen leaves. However, as spring and summer arrive, their twigs become tender, and new leaves sprout. This transformation symbolizes the prophecy that Israel, represented by the fig tree, will be restored when the times of the Gentiles come to an end.

Jesus instructed, "Learn the lesson from the fig tree," and added, "When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." The restoration of Israel serves as a sign that Jesus has returned to this earth.

Remarkably, Israel is the only nation to have regained its lost country after nearly 1,900 years. Historians regard Israel's independence as a miracle unlikely to ever happen again in human history. Those unaware of this prophecy might attribute Israel's independence to the uniqueness of the Israeli people. However, it was actually God's intention to use Israel's independence as a sign of His second coming.

God performed this miraculous act to signal that Jesus would return in 1948, the year the fig tree revived. His purpose in coming again is to reach out to people's hearts and spread the gospel of the Kingdom (Revelation 3:20). Thus, Jesus' second coming and His mission to preach the gospel began in 1948 when Israel declared its independence.

According to this prophecy, Christ was destined to return to Earth, be baptized in 1948—coinciding with Israel's independence—and begin preaching the gospel, specifically the truth of the New Covenant Passover that had long been neglected. Consequently, we must continue to study and identify the Christ of the second coming as testified in the Bible.