Of the many parables that Jesus gave to His disciples there are two that deal with the fig tree. These two lessons illustrate Jewish history in its relation to the Jewish Messiah. The first of these fig tree lessons is that of the Barren Fig Tree, which was spoken of by Jesus about six months prior to His crucifixion and death; the second lesson was that of the Restored Fig Tree, given in His Olivet discourse in the Passion Week. Notice the chronological sequence of the lessons: BARREN, then RESTORED. The first is recorded in Luke 13:6-9:

"He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."

During the three years of His public ministry to Israel, Jesus sought for spiritual fruit and found only leaves (outward religion) on the fig tree (Israel). This was true regarding the ministry of Jesus that the leaders gave little or no response to His teaching. The dresser pleaded for postponement of judgment upon the fig tree (the nation of Israel). Not only were the leaders given the opportunity to witness the trial and the crucifixion, they were assured of the resurrection of Jesus. Also, they were given the message of repentance by the newly founded Church which was born on the day of Pentecost. Yet God's probation of thirty-eight years bore no fruit so that eventually the fig tree (Israel) was cut down at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

The second lesson is that of the budding or restored fig tree. Jesus taught in this lesson that one day the fig tree (Israel) would again be planted in the Promised Land as a sovereign state once again prior to His second coming to Israel. Matt. 24:32-34 says:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED."

As early as 1871, a few Jews had managed to return to the Land, and about 25,000 had settled there by 1881. Arthur J. Balfour, issued the Balfour Declaration on Nov. 2, 1917. This declaration indicated approval of Israel's goal in the words, "His Majesty's Government views with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for Jewish people, etc." Pressure from the Arab world, which would have no part in establishing a home for Israel, and the desire of Britain to maintain friendship with the Arab nations prevented any fulfillment of this promise. Little progress had been made when World War II broke out in 1939. By that time, however, 400,000 Jews had managed to find their way into the country in spite of severe restrictions on Jewish immigration and laws that did not allow Jews to possess real estate.

World War II, which recorded the terrible destruction of millions of Jews under Nazi tyranny, created a favorable attitude and world-wide sympathy for the Jewish people. Certainly there should be some place where the wandering Jew could have his own home. Although an Arab League was formed 1945 to oppose Jewish expansion, the United Nations created a home for Jews in Palestine after World War II. The UN directive stated that Palestine should be divided into a Jewish state and an Arab state, and 5,000 square miles were assigned to the infant state of Israel.

On May 14, 1948 Israel, for the first time since 70 A.D., became an independent state. The settlement, however, was quite unacceptable to the Arab/Muslim world. Israel was immediately attacked on all sides by Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Israel's defense was heroic, and a truce was arranged on Jan. 7, 1949. The tender fig tree (Israel) began to put forth its leaves. The Arabs were at war again with the Jews in 1956, and in 1967 came the Six-Day War. It was in the Six-Day War that Israel captured the old city of Jerusalem and the site of the soon-to-be-rebuilt Jewish temple. In 1973 came the Yom Kippur War, the Arab oil embargo, and the energy crisis in the U.S.

Indeed; Israel is a tender young branch putting forth leaves in that it has continued to grow in the years of its existence. Jesus said in Matt. 24:33 & 34, "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED."

This generation that has seen Israel again become a political state in the Promised Land on May 14, 1948 will also see the Rapture of the Church and Christ's Second Coming to Israel! WATCH! Israel's "covenant with many" (Dan. 9:27) is now in process! Indeed this is THE NOW GENERATION!