I HAVE A HANKERING FOR SOME FIGS

There are seven "Feasts of Israel," with the first three occurring during their first month, the month of Nisan.  These three are known as the "Spring Feasts," and they picture the First Advent of Christ (Passover - 1 Cor. 5:7; Unleavened Bread - Jn. 6:35; and First Fruits - 1 Cor. 15:20).  The last three also occur in a single month, the seventh month, Tishrei, and they are known as the "Fall Feasts"; they picture the Second Advent or Coming of Christ (Trumpets - 1 Thes. 4:16; Atonement - Rom. 5:11; and Tabernacles - Rev. 21:22).  The "middle feast," the Feast of Wave Loaves, or Pentecost, represents the time period between Christ's First and Second Advents:  the Church Age.  We are now living in this time between His two Comings.

Because it has been about 2000 years since Christ's Ascension, many, including me, believe Jesus' return is imminent!  In fact, there are far too many signs pointing to His soon return to discuss them all here.  I would like to take a look at one sign, however, and it is the one Jesus spoke of in His Olivet Discourse.  He said, "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" (Mt. 24:32-34).

Most biblical scholars view the fig tree as symbolic of Israel.  I believe the best evidence for that view is found in Joel 1:6-7.  For the entire Church Age, at least from A.D. 70 until A.D. 1948, the prophetic parable made little sense, because there was no Israel.  But today, most students of Bible prophecy, recognizing that the generation living in A.D. 1948 has reached the generational lifespan of Psalm 90:10, believe the time of the Lord's Second Advent is here.   

In addition, I looked up the harvest cycles for Israel, and I found that the wheat harvest coincides with Israel's Spring Feasts, and the time for harvesting figs is during the Fall Feasts.  In fact, they are seven months apart, just as are Nisan and Tishrei!  If Israel is symbolized by the fig tree, and its birth as a nation is the putting forth its leaves, Israel's long, long, dry "summer" is about to end, and Christ's return is very, very close!

Believe what you will; He said He is coming back, and Jesus never lies!