WATCH THE FIG TREE

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. After centuries of dispersion, the Jewish people once again had an independent nation in their ancient homeland. That date deserves the attention of anyone studying Bible prophecy. Jesus told His disciples to learn something from a fig tree. “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.” Matthew 24:32, 33 KJV A tree putting forth leaves tells you the season is changing. Jesus used that familiar sight to teach His disciples to recognize the approach of the events He described. Luke records Him saying, “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees.” Matthew 24:32, 33 and Luke 21:29–31. The connection with Israel comes from reading that passage alongside the prophets. In Hosea 9:10, God compared Israel’s fathers to the first ripe fruit on a fig tree. In Jeremiah 24, He used good figs to represent the captives of Judah whom He promised to bring back into their land. Fig imagery already had a connection with Israel, judgment, and restoration. Then read what God told Ezekiel. “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.” Ezekiel 37:21 KJV The next verse speaks of making them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel. The chapter continues into their cleansing and the reign of their promised King. God’s promise reaches all the way to their restoration under Christ. Isaiah also described a remarkable birth. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8 KJV. Read together, these passages are why I believe Israel’s national rebirth on May 14, 1948, was a major prophetic marker, pictured by the fig tree putting forth leaves. The establishment of the modern state does not exhaust those promises. Ezekiel describes a people cleansed of their sins, living under their King in an everlasting covenant of peace. That fulfillment still lies ahead. Israel’s return to nationhood gives Bible students a serious reason to revisit what God said about that people and that land. Jesus closed the fig tree passage with a promise that has survived every empire since He spoke it. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35 KJV. #MoreJoyMinistries