About 10 years ago I wrote a series of articles on Bible prophecy, and passed them out to friends and relatives to help them find their way to Christ. I wrote extensively about the "Fig Tree Parable" found in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13, in which the present generation will witness the end times. I used 1948, the year Israel (who is the fig tree) became a nation again, as the starting point for the countdown for this generation. Since then, after watching Christian TV and re-reading Luke 21, it looks more like the countdown started in 1967 when Israel reclaimed Jerusalem, and not 1948.
In Luke 21:20-24 Jerusalem is being discussed, and in verse 24 it states "---Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Verse 29 then goes into the Fig Tree Parable, "Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know that without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see the events taking place that I’ve described you can be just as sure that the Kingdom of God is near." And verse 32 states: "Truly I tell you this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place."
Jerusalem has been trampled on by Gentiles and out of Jewish hands for over 2000 years, but in the Six Day War of 1967, the Jews regained Jerusalem, and although there are many Gentiles living in Jerusalem, the city is under Jewish jurisdiction. So the Fig Tree Parable might be referring to the retaking of Jerusalem in 1967, and not the rebirth of Israel in 1948.
Along with others, I now believe the countdown for Christ’s return may have started in 1967, and this present generation will be the ones to witness the end time horrors and the return of Christ.
Now how long does God consider a generation? Some say 40 years, some say 70, but the one most intriguing is the one Jack Van Impe figured out. In Matthew 1:17 there are 42 generations listed between Abraham and the birth of Christ. Some historians place Abraham’s birth at 2160 BC. Divide the 42 generations into 2160 years, and we get 51.4 years.
If the date of Abraham’s birth is correct, then the average generation in the Bible is 51.4 years. Add the 51 years to 1967 and we come to 2018. If 2018 is close to the time Christ will return, then the 7 year Tribulation could very well start in 2011.
I am not date setting here, that would be a mistake, as nobody knows when Christ is coming back. This is just a warning as to what the Fig Tree Parable could mean. We know Christ is definitely coming back, and we know He will be preceded by 7 years of the toughest times in history since the flood. With all the nuclear power and germ warfare the countries of this world have created, plus the aftermath of the recent war with Iraq, it doesn’t seem so difficult to believe that the return of Christ is not far away.
The only question about the Fig Tree Parable, and the wars, pestilence, earthquakes etc., that will take place at some point in the future is: Are you ready to meet Jesus? He could be coming to rapture His saints almost any time. If you start looking for Jesus now, then when He raptures His saints, He will look for you. If you do not look for Jesus, and continue in a "Lukewarm Christian" lifestyle (read the Lukewarm Christian comment on this site), expect to be left behind to endure 7 of the roughest years this world will ever know. A good start in finding Jesus is repeating this prayer in earnestness, and turning your life over to Jesus.
"Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask You to forgive me of every sin I have ever committed throughout my life. I know You are the Son of God, and I need You Jesus, to guide me through my life. Come into my heart Lord Jesus, guide me and make me one of Your own."
If you said this prayer, drop us a line and let us know the good news.
By George Konig
Christian Internet Forum
www.georgekonig.org
June 8, 2003
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