“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—AT THE DOORS! Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY till all these things take place.” (Matt. 24:32-34)
Jesus is speaking about when the Jewish people scattered all over the world, because their homeland was taken away from them, after many millenniums, came back home. May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on the same day.
How long is a generation? “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years…” (Psa. 90:10) 1948 + 80 = 2028. That 80 year period for Israel includes the 7 year tribulation period. So that would be about 2021! Now as Jesus said, “But of that day and hour NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels of heaven, but MY FATHER ONLY. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, SO ALSO WILL THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE.” (Matt. 24:36-39)
-Bill Stockham