32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so you, too, when you see all [ f ]these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right [ g ]at the door. 34 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Matthew 24:32-35 (AMP) 中文

Signs complete

Jesus has finished detailing the signs of His second coming. The changes of the appearance of the heavens and the gathering of the elect with Him (in the clouds) is now complete. 

Fig tree parable

He now returns to his  “trademark” teaching style of parables. Now Jesus uses a fig tree to express how His followers will know when all this will happen. For this point, He could have used most any tree in the area but He has used fig trees before (Matthew 21:17-22). “In passages like Jeremiah 24:1-10 and Hosea 9:10, figs or fig trees are used as a representation of Israel.” (enduringword.com)

So when they see a fig tree with new branches with leaves on it, it is obvious that summer is near. But note that summer doesn’t begin at a specific time. The point is that summer is about to start. Likewise, when an astute observer sees these signs all happening at the same time as Jesus describes them, they will know the end times is about to start. In fact, it is sooner than you think, “He’s at the door”.

Which generation?

Which generation is Jesus referring to? There are many different ideas. It appears to be the generation of His disciples and tied to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. But have all these signs been fulfilled? “Perhaps Jesus meant that the generation of disciples that saw the future signs would also witness His return. In other words, “this generation” refers to a future eschatological generation. The demonstrative pronoun “this” (Gr. aute) may refer to the generation that Jesus was addressing, but this pronoun could refer to the end times rather than to His present generation.” (Dr. Constable planobiblechapel.org) He prefers this view as do I. The AMP version clearly supports this view as its notes indicate.

Enduring word

One of my go-to sites for commentary is enduringword.com. This is the passage I presume they got their name from. Jesus’ words will not pass away. Is this possible because He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14)? Of course Jesus, being God, is eternal.

RЯeflection

• The message is the same: be ready. Observe the signs and act accordingly. Are you ready? Are you watching? Probably just as important a question is, Are we telling others the Gospel and letting them know to be ready?
• Are events today a sign that the end times are happening now? Look carefully at the signs Jesus describes and see if they match what we see.