PIC: Jesus-is-coming-back. Art by Pete Garcia at rev310.net
– Modified Extract of: Stand tall and lift up your heads in joy, Jesus said
Profecy fulfilled
The completion of the prophecy found in the Parable of the fig tree (Luke 21:29-36) happened in 1948. It was the greatest prophetic fulfillment of our time!
Jesus predicted this event. And it transpired in 1948. The Jews, after over 1900 years of wandering the earth without a nation of it’s own, gathered to form Israel once again. What a total miracle of God!
Countdown has started
This fulfillment of this prophecy started a count-down, also predicted by Jesus. He said:
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees;
30 as soon as they put out leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is near.
31 So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near.
32 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [those living at that definite period of time preceding the second coming] will not pass away until [a]everything takes place.
– Luke 21:29-32
WE are in this period of time which Jesus predicted. This period verse 32 is now — when Jesus will return to rapture us up to be with Him.
The Parable of the fig tree
Luke 21
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put out leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near.
32 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [those living at that definite period of time preceding the second coming] will not pass away until everything takes place [d – I.e. the establishment of God’s kingdom]. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
34 “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
36 But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
Interpreting the Parable
Throughout the Old Testament the “fig tree” usually referred to the nation of Israel. See:
* The Budding of the Fig Tree | Alf & Julie Saunders; 15th December, 2010
* Figs: A Symbol Throughout Jewish History | Yoni Schwartzman of The Israel Bible
** Figs: The Biblical King of Trees
* The Fig Tree Sign and Israel’s Rebirth |
* Clarence Larkin :: Chapter 29. The Trees to Which Israel Is Compared In Scriptures | from Blue Letter Bible.
Jesus had already predicted the demolishment of Israel, in Matthew 24: verses 1-3. This prediction of Jesus (that the Temple would be totally razed) was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD. But it did not fulfill the rest of Jesus’ prophecy.
For more details read about the erroneous belief of the Preterists about this event:
Note to Preterists – Jesus did not return in 70AD. He is coming soon!
Excerpt:
“Preterism is a false claim by self-inspired teachers, a total falsehood (as warned about in Ezekiel 13:1-9). A quick read through the New Testament shows we are urged to “look up” and be ready for the imminent return of Christ.
I’d sooner heed those in the Bible – than listen to a half-baked, mis-interpretation idea which contradicts Jesus.
Are you ready to be snatched up by God?
And here in Luke Jesus is saying that when Israel (the fig tree) once again shows life (with the new leaves) then know “summer is nigh”, i.e. know that the end time events are right around the corner.
How then should we live now…
believing the Rapture is
just around the corner?
When Israel once again became a nation, in 1948, it “put out leaves” verse 30. So, Jesus says, when that happens (and it did in 1948) — then “know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near“.
verse 31 So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near.
The phrase “Kingdom of God is near” refers here to the return of Jesus, the Messiah – coming back “in glory and power” to set up His Kingdom.
See to it, Jesus warned us. Make sure that “that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.”
That Second Coming of the Messiah will come “in glory and power” – and will catch everyone “like a trap” without warning. On the other hand, the Rapture is not for everyone. Only believers get snatched up in the Rapture.
Jesus gave warning after warning: “Be ready!” 1
Ready for the Rapture?
Be ready for the Rapture (which comes before “The Second Coming”). Don’t be left behind!
First is “the Rapture”, then The Tribulation, then comes this particular Return of Christ, called “the Second Coming” – which will be a trap that “will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.”
This fantastic story of God
Now let’s leave Luke 21 and see the rest of HISTORY – “His story“. Man calls it “history” but I pronounce it: HIS story.
Jesus Christ was originally present on earth as Creator God and He walked and talked with Adam and Eve. At this beginning of “time”, He was here as Creator of the universe, and is called “the Word” in John 1.
The Bible refers to three times Jesus comes to earth (after His creation period). The “returns” of Jesus are:
(2) At the Rapture, and finally –
(3) In glory with power, with His saints and angels – as Messiah.
So, remember there are actually three “returns of Christ”. Look at this with a Chronological View of history.
Source: Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
“Starting with His birth as baby Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph, there are three biblical references to Jesus coming to earth – “in the name of Jesus” (as Christ, the Messiah)”.
There are only three instances of being here “in the name of Jesus the Messiah”, starting with His miraculous birth as baby Jesus, in a manger, in poverty. We can look at this as 3 times Jesus returns to earth:
-
- First: When He came into the world as Baby Jesus – He died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins: Luke 2; John 3:16; Luke 23; Luke 24.
- Second: When He comes to Rapture us in the air – so we escape His wrath in the Great Tribulation: 2 Thessalonians 2;verse 2: “…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him.”
- Third: When He Comes in all His glory and power with all His angels to Judge the world – [at the end of] the Great Tribulation: Matthew 25:verses 31-46.
Now let’s get back to Jesus’ account in Luke 21. Read these three verses 34-36 again:
34 “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.
36 But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
If we are “on guard” (forewarned; heeding His forewarning) then we will escape prior to this particular return which “will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth“. The trap of the Second Coming will not be “like a trap” for us, because we will have escaped it before it happens.
If we are “found worthy…” then we will escape from earth before “the trap” hits all peoples on earth. In what is often called The Rapture, those who are “worthy” will be taken off the earth. If we are saved and we know it, and are looking for His return, THEN, we are worthy, and we will be snatched by God, raptured off this planet.
We are to be waiting for it patiently – “in joy” Luke 21:28. Not to worry! He will rescue us “from the wrath to come”.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”
That is why Jesus said “…your redemption is drawing near” Luke 21:28
Read more in detail:
Ready for the Rapture? and
Virgins, Talents, and Judgement and
First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture and
A swift barrage of shattering events will unfold after the Rapture – coming soon.
The Trapping Return of Christ
While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment – unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord].
– 1 Thessalonians 5:3
I like to call this last return of Christ (after the Rapture), The Trapping Return of Christ. This is when He comes in crushing power at Armageddon. It will be worldwide in scope Revelation 3:10. All will see Him. All peoples will be trapped. All will be judged. And all will be sent to their place. 2 And Jesus will setup His new Kingdom on earth.
He promised we will never face His wrath.
Because of this promise of 1 Thessalonians 1:10, our hope in these days is “the great escape”, as I like to call it.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
…and to wait for His Son
from heaven,
whom He raised from the dead,
that is, Jesus
who rescues us
from the wrath to come.
Jesus said this will happen. Jesus said He will Return to rapture us out prior to His “Trapping Return” – “to escape all these things that are going to take place“. Is this your hope? If not – why on earth not?! He said it: “I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial.”
Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.”
Accept Christ as Savior now, before it’s too late, just like it was too late for the virgins – standing befuddled and besmirched, knocking anxiously at the door. Their oil ran out (Matthew 25). Jesus alone is our hope, our friend. He alone is able to save us for all eternity.
Believers: Keep your heart energized
“…be patient; strengthen your hearts
[keep them energized
and firmly committed to God],
because
the coming of the Lord
is near.”
James 5:8
FOR MORE:
The Fig Tree parable (in Luke 21:29-36) is Jesus’ prophecy that points to the rebirth of Israel – fulfilled in 1948. What a miracle that was! And it started a countdown to when Jesus would come back to earth.
__________
us… verse 11
“upon whom
the ends of the ages
have come.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:9-14
30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.
– Mark 13:28-37 verse 30
The Budding of the Fig Tree | Alf & Julie Saunders | 15th December, 2010. | is full of details about the fig tree prophecy. Excerpt:
Israel had been set aside for 2,000 years without signs of life: no leaves, no bud, no sap, no bloom and no real fruit, total barren in man’s sight. But, even though the tree of Israel appears dead outwardly, the living root is still there. Like a dormant volcano, there is life underneath.
Many things point to the fact that the end of the age is nearing, but the dominant sign is the fact that Israel is back in her homeland, as of 1948 and back in the unified City of Jerusalem as of 1967.
However, what God will use as a date to mark off the time of a generation is not known, but the generation that sees the beginning will see the climatic ending of this present age.
We are in that time | WE are in this period of time which Jesus predicted.
Figs: A Symbol Throughout Jewish History | Yoni Schwartzman of The Israel Bible
Figs: The Biblical King of Trees
The Fig Tree Sign and Israel’s Rebirth |
Clarence Larkin :: Chapter 29. The Trees to Which Israel Is Compared In Scriptures | from Blue Letter Bible.
Note to Preterists – Jesus did not return in 70AD. He is coming soon!
Why we are understanding so many prophecies now…Prophecies are becoming headline news – for us.
What we know about the Rapture The Rapture…What it is. The reason we know this….
*See references in one link, or:
– Luke 21
LIST OF REFERENCES TO THE RAPTURE
Site Search. Research with this search of all the articles in our site Topic: Prophets and Prophecy
About the End Times …a series
Jesus Promises an End Time Rapture
How then should we live now… believing the Rapture is just around the corner?
Being wise in a very unwise world during these End Times
Jesus Returns to Earth Twice in the End Times
Why “the end” Jesus foretold is now Excerpt: Today is different from other centuries when Christians mistakenly thought “the end times” had come. These are very different days. Jesus predicted “the end” (Matthew 24), and we are in them. Men of old never saw the prophecies fulfilled and the signs that we are seeing. Never had them, never saw them. It was beyond their ability to know Scripture as we do now… because the events of prophecy were still future.
We are in that time | WE are in this period of time which Jesus predicted:
30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.
– Mark 13:28-37 verse 30
Being tested to know for sure your faithfulness to God
Fast popping time-release capsules of prophetic words
What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?
Matthew 24:Verses 32-36
Why we are understanding so many prophecies now…Prophecies are becoming headline news – for us.
Forecasting prophecies as they growl and thunder over yonder! Excerpt: Men of old, our forefathers and canon makers of old (men who codified canon) never saw the prophecies fulfilled and the signs we are seeing. Never had them, never saw them. It was beyond their ability to know Scripture as we do now… because the events of prophecy were still future.
The prophecies of old, which the ancients merely read about — we are getting to see right in front of our eyes! Prophecies are becoming headline news – for us.
They just read the prophecies. We get to see them being fulfilled! We have new insight because of this. In the news about Israel, we have seen (with our own eyes or recent history books) 1948 (the prophecy of the fig tree came to life – Verses 32-36 of Matthew 24) and 1967 (Jerusalem was put under Israel’s control). And our folks, our grandparents, lived through it!
Why suckling with the mother cat does not make the piglet a kitten
Growing into our natural new life in Christ
Follow Messiah (OneForIsrael.org video series)
Jesus can save your soul for all eternity
Footnotes
- LIST OF REFERENCES TO THE RAPTURE:
36 “But of that [exact] day
and hour
no one knows,
not even the angels of heaven,
nor the Son [in His humanity],
but the Father alone.
– Matthew 24:361 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Luke 21:36, Revelation 3:10-11
Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.”
Luke 21:36…”be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place“
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18…”17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!
2 Thessalonians 2: verses 1-3…verse 2: “…the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him”
This is coming soon: Matthew 24:29-31
Acts 1:9-11…”two men in white clothing suddenly stood beside them, 11 who said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This [same] Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Both Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2) were walking along one day and – suddenly snatched by God!
2 Timothy 3 “Difficult Times Will Come”
Matthew 24:42; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:35; Luke 21:36
Isaiah 11:11-16 “the Lord Will again acquire with His hand a second time- The remnant of His people”.
- There is a place
When this life is over
and we’ve lived it all for self
we’ll have nothing in eternity
but self and self that’s allno good
no joy
no love
no pleasantness againFor God is good
God is joy
God is love
God is why pleasantness existsIf all we have is self
and nothing good from God
If all we have is what we generate
and what’s from God is goneIf God gives all that’s good in life
and now He’s gone for good
What misery we’ll have
and nowhere else to goThere is a place assigned to go
where nowhere else exists but thereIt’s far from
where God’s blessings flow
it’s bad and worse
no good at all.
Leave a Reply