The reason for beginning the final life-time generation leading up to the Lord’s return with 1948, and not with other years — such as the beginning of the Zionist movement in 1897 because of rising antisemitism; or, 1917 with the Balfour Declaration as a surprise consequence of WW1; or, 1967 with the capture and “unification” of Jerusalem by Israel in the Six-Day War, and Israel began to blossom, yet is still being trampled by the Gentiles — is because the restoration of the Jewish people as a sovereign nation in the promised land is a visible “miraculous sign to the nations” that YHVH God is still here, and He is going to fulfill His plan of redemption culminating in the glorious return of the Lord, with much travail until then. (Mt 24:32-44; Is 11:12; Ezek 36 – 39) Luke also writes of “all the trees” (21:29-33), which are the Gentile nations round about Israel, corresponding to the kingdoms written about in Daniel, and the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. They have all been rearing their heads, trying to restore their own former glory, within this generation that has seen the fig tree blossom!
These Gentile nations, and the Jewish one, are picking up where our fathers left off, doing the same things now that they were doing way back then. We are the children of our fathers!
It’s not all about Israel, but it is focused upon Israel, God’s covenant nation and land. Simply speaking agriculturally is not a “sign” of the end-times. Fig trees blossom every year before the summer. But in understanding how this speaks of Israel’s miraculous return in the last days, it is a time-marker that the final “life-time” generation has begun during which all these things must be. In popular culture for today, this “last generation” includes, so far, six “generations” from the Baby Boomers, through to Gen Z, even now an Alpha generation. All of these are seeing Israel as a strong and prosperous nation, before the LORD allows things to come to an appointed time of great tribulation.
It’s especially about Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God! The wars of these surrounding nations and kingdoms are a necessary part towards the end, but they are occurring only after Israel as a nation was back in the picture. All of these nations and ‘kingdoms’ began to be restored from around the time of the beginning of the Zionist movement at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. WW1 further delineated these nations with their borders. The Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age, and we see how accurate and relevant they are. The Word of God abides, and all will be fulfilled!
I am looking for, and expecting that Iran will butt its way to get what it wants, and no one can stop it at that time. (Dan 8:1-4, 15-17) But if not, God will still fulfill His word as the Holy Spirit inspired all of the writers to record for us. God knows how to run His marathon, and He will finish in a strong sprint, overtaking all those who thought they had left Him behind! In the meantime, the gospel is the message that we have been given to proclaim until the end of the age to every people group. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
