A lesson from the fig tree

“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 these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Mark 13:28-29
It’s a bit hard to learn a lesson from an analogy unless we understand the symbolism behind it. We come across fig trees in a few places in Scripture. In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells another parable about a man who had a fig tree that was not producing fruit. The man wanted to cut it down, but another man encouraged him to give it another couple of years. This was in response to a question He was asked about whether some people were worse sinners than others because they had died an ignoble death (Luke 13:1-5). He concludes, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” The fig tree that was not producing fruit was national Israel. God could choose to cut it off, but He decided to give them more time to repent.
The same symbolism is true here: the fig tree represents Israel. “As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” We have started to see the twigs and leaves of Israel reappearing after nearly 2000 years of exile. Israel is a nation again, in their own land, governing themselves. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” The Greek can also be translated, “you know that he is near, right at the door.” This is a reference to Jesus’ second coming. We need to pay close attention to the times: everything is in place for Jesus to return. Are you ready? Are you waiting for Him?