In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, the apostles ask Jesus when he will establish his kingdom on earth. This is Jesus’ answer “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. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
The fig tree is used to represent the nation of Israel throughout the Bible. And many Christians believe that when Jesus mentions the fig tree blossoming again that he is referring to Israel, when it became a nation again in 1948. Modern day Israel is the “fig tree.” And the “last generation” Jesus mentions are the children born soon after WW II, the “Baby-Boomers.”
Jesus then warns that generation about the things that will happen in those days before he returns to Earth and establishes his kingdom:
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus then warns us again concerning the things that will happen in the last generation before he returns to Earth and establishes his kingdom: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Then Jesus gives some encouragement, Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, 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.
Dear brothers and sisters. we must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when we do not expect him. And He is coming soon!