I read an article with the headline “French Jews Leaving for Israel in Great Numbers” on the Internet in January, 2016. It says the Jews are leaving France because of religious persecution. We know the Jews have been targeted in many occasions in France. We know socio-economic changes have also taken place as Europe struggles to handle illegal immigration and asylum seekers. It is estimated that over 1,600 migrants were lost at sea in Mediterranean in the year 2021. But is it only because of the religious persecution the Jews are leaving France to settle in Israel, or there is also an invisible force we call prophecy?
Those who study the Bible and understand it knows that the event is just fulfilling prophecy. The Nation of Israel would dwell for many years outside of their country and Promised Land. After this time had elapsed they would return to their ancient possession. The predictions were exact and complete making the nation’s return a supernatural happening of our time. It is a miracle. The 1948 rebirth of Israel was foreseen by Jeremiah 2500 years ago. Israel became a nation again after the nation was force to migrate to different countries after General Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.
They were dispersed for over 1,878 years. Calculating from 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed to 1948 when the UN declared Israel a nation. The Bible prophesied the diaspora of the Jewish people. There are many Bible passages that predicted the return of Israel to the land of Palestine. Here are a few. Hosea 3:4-5; Ezekiel 20:34; Isaiah 11:11-12; Jeremiah 32:44; Isaiah 43:5-6,21; Psalm 107:2-3; Ezekiel 36:11; 24; Matt. 24:32-35). These prophesy about Israel explains why the Jews that were scattered around the world are going back to their Home land.
“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. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away” (Matt. 24:32-35)
This Generation! Which Generation? It is obvious that Jesus was not talking about the people in His days. It is also obvious that the generation of 40 years is not applicable in this parable. It is more than 2000 years since Jesus walk on the earth. He was not talking about a generation of years but a generation of people. Jesus spoke several times in parables and the disciples even asked Him Why He spoke to the people in parables. (Matt. 13:10) His response was that it has been given to you (His disciples) to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (Matt. 13: 11) It means another thing that makes one a true disciple of Jesus is to be given the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. What is a parable? It is a simple story that depicts a hidden truth.
The word Tree is used in the Bible to symbolize different things. It could represent a nation (Luke. 21:29); It could symbolize a man (Mark 8:24); It could symbolize a king (Dan.4:10) and wisdom (Prov.3:1) etc. In this parable the Fig tree represents the nation of Israel. When the Israelites rejected the Messiah the Bible tells us that they were cut off and the gentiles were grafted in. (Rom.11:17-25) It first happened spiritually which caused blindness in part to happen to Israel and physically which brought about the destruction of Jerusalem led by General Titus in 70AD. This led to the scattering of the Jews to different parts of the world.
Israel ceased to exist as a nation and she only came to exist again as nation in 1948. Therefore, 1948 was the budding of the fig tree as Israel became a nation again after 1,878 years. Many Jews have been going back to their Homeland since then and we read or hear about the French Jews leaving for Israel in great numbers. Why? They are going to get ready for the second coming of the Messiah. It is prophesied that the generation that saw the fig tree budding shall not pass until the Messiah returns. (Luke 21:32). There are Bible students who believe 70 years should be the Bible’s definition of a generation based on Psalm 90:10. However, a generation can also be based on the people who witnessed a certain event and not just on some number of years. Therefore, those who were born in Israel in 1948, and who lived in Israel when the prophecy in the parable was fulfilled shall not all pass away before the Lord Jesus return to earth the second time. The youngest of those who were in Israel when the prophesy was fulfilled should now be 74 years based on the simple calculation of subtracting 1948 from 2022. This generation shall not all pass away!
We can see today how the nation Israel has moved from desolation to productivity. The restoration of Israel has not only been for persons but for floras and faunas as well. The rapid development of agriculture, trees and forests of Israel cannot be attributed to hard work alone but also to divine providence. Yes, it is a miracle. Barely about 70 years ago the land was a desolate waste. Today the replanted forests are flourishing and the Israeli agricultural production is one of the great wonders of the world. God’s word can never fail. This tiny country exports quality produce around the world. The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech in New York at the UN conference on the 19th Sept, 2017.
He was proud of Israel achievements and her undeniable position in the world’s stage: Things happening for Israel just according to prophecy. “In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” (Isaiah 26:6)
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy….” (Isaiah 35:1-2)
Israel, a nation that had not really existed as a separate nation for nearly 2,500 years, was declared a new sovereign state by an act of the United Nations on May 14, 1948. The nation was born in a day. (Isaiah 66:8s) It was the budding of the Fig Tree. The fulfillment of this prophecy tells us that the Gospel is about to return to Israel.
