So if a fig tree is planted in the winter, and they are, and sprout leaves in the spring, which they do, and give fruit in the summer, which they do, then we see the beginnings of an end times timeline taking shape.
In Matthew 24, we see a curious reference to the 'fig tree in leaf' which end times commentators have historically said refers to the nation of Israel, and on that point I agree. Two verses later it talks about 'this generation shall not pass', and the commentators have said that that means the people who see Israel's regathering will also see Jesus return, and this where I disagree with the commentators. A closer look at the meaning of the fig tree will yield you the 'fruit' you're looking for, pun intended.
"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." Matthew 24:32-34 (KJB)
According to the Law of First Mention, the first time that fig leaves appear in your King James Bible is found in Genesis 3:7 (KJB), and it refers to the self-righteousness of our first father and mother, Adam and Eve, who use the fig leaves to cover up for their nakedness after they sin in the Garden. So for Jesus to use the metaphor of fig leaves in Matthew 24, He must be speaking about the self-righteousness of someone rejecting God's covering of the blood of a Lamb, and indeed they are. Israel was "replanted" during the "winter" of the Holocaust, back in the land after 2,000 years, but they rejected God's covering. Israel is a fig tree, planted and sprouting leaves, but yielding no fruit, and Jesus Himself says they will not yield fruit until He comes to redeem them. Just look at Israel in 2022, you'd never know they were God's chosen people if you didn't have a Bible to tell you that. Why, Tel Aviv is the sodomite capital of the world and nearly all Israeli hospitals perform third trimester abortions! They have the 'leaves' of being financially prosperous and militarily powerful, but no fruit towards the LORD of any kind.
"And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!" Matthew 21:19,20 (KJB)
A fig tree develops a ground-based root system when planted in the beginning of the dormant season, winter, and before its leaves appear in spring. After two to three years, fruit will appear in the summer season along with the leaves. Not coincidentally, this is exactly what the Song of Solomon tells us also.
“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Song Of Solomon 2:10-13 (KJV)
So if a fig tree is planted in the winter, and they are, and sprout leaves in the spring, which they do, and give fruit in the summer, which they do, then we see the beginnings of an end times timeline taking shape. For the nation of Israel, it has been 'winter' for 2,000 years, rejected by God and forced out of their own land by His decree, leading to the 'winter' of the Holocaust which not unironically caused them to be regathered in accordance to Bible prophecy. Back in the land these past nearly 74 years, it's now springtime and there are leaves on the fig tree, but sadly they are the leaves of self-righteousness, and because of that there is no fruit. The 'fig tree' of Israel will bear no fruit until Jesus returns for them as the Bible promises He will. And those Tribulation Saints waiting for Him at Selah Petra will absolutely be looking for His soon return!
"Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured." Proverbs 27:18 (KJB)
"And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." Luke 12:36 (KJB)
Back to the Song of Solomon, we see the Rapture of the Church takes place between winter and summer, in the spring, during a time when Israel has leaves but no fruit. Jesus in Matthew 24 shows us a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, clearly showing us that the time of Jacob's trouble begins in the spring. Solomon shows us that fruit on the fig tree will come, but the Bride is called to 'rise up and come away' before the fruit appears. Now let's take a look at 'this generation shall not pass'.
"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." Matthew 24:33,34 (KJB)
In the context, what are we seeing? In Matthew 24, we see the prophecies of Joel 3:14-17 (KJB) taking place, we see Revelation 19:11-21 (KJB) taking place, we are watching the great Tribulation come upon all the earth. But people living in the Church Age will see no such thing! In that context, rightly divided, Jesus says that the generation that sees that will know of a certainty they are the 'last generation' and their generation will not end until Shiloh come. This cannot possibly be a reference to the generation that watched Israel be regathered on May 14, 1948, it makes no sense in the context. For one, most of the people alive during that time who witnessed it are now dead or dying, having been born in the 1920's or earlier. For perspective, 16,000,000 Americans served in WWII, and as of this writing, barely 240,000 of them are still alive. The generation that saw Israel be regathered are just about gone.
The Pretribulation Rapture of the Church does not appear anywhere in Matthew 24, so in the context the 'this generation' must be referring to Tribulation Saints who, watching the literal, visible and physical end times judgments falling from the sky, now know they are the ones who will see King Jesus return. I understand that this goes against the 'historical position' of most commentators, including Scofield, Larkin and Ruckman, but the historical position is not scripture, and the 'this generation' cannot possibly be the people who witnessed Israel be regathered.
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