There is a remarkable prophecy given by Jesus in Mark 13:28-30. Commonly known as the “Fig Tree Prophecy,” it teaches that just as the green shoots on the fig tree indicate that summer is approaching, so will Israel and Judah’s return to their homeland in Palestine, after their diaspora among the world nations, serve as evidence that the end of the world is nearing. How near? Proponents of the prophetic theory focus on Mark 13:30. It reads, “I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these events have taken place [notably, Christ’s second coming].” Some interpret it to mean the generation of people living who saw the Jews return to their homeland in 1948 will also witness the second return of Christ. Assuming 1948 is the correct starting date to enter in to this prophetic equation, we are now some 70- plus years past that time as of this book’s publication. Others dispute over exactly what amount of time constitutes a “generation.” Perhaps a more pragmatic approach to understanding what Jesus meant by “this generation” is that this cycle of Jews returning to the land of Israel will be the last one. They are now there to stay even though the forces of darkness will again try to remove them. The Bible does not predict a third diaspora of the Hebrews. In other words, it will be this generation of God’s chosen people who will remain in Jerusalem to witness the Parousia of the Hebrew Messiah. In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus gave His listeners an illustration of a barren fig tree. “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s taking up space we can use for something else.’ The gardener answered, ‘Give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, you can cut it down.’” In another place He sternly warned the leaders of His chosen people, “’You brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed. ‘Who warned you to flee from God’s coming judgment? Prove by the way you live that you really have turned from your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe – we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7-10). In time Christ’s warnings saw their fulfillment as the Romans cut down the fig tree of Israel to a stump in A.D. 70. But Isaiah had predicted it as part of Israel’s purification process. The Lord instructed him to bring a rebuke to Israel, thus hardening their hearts. When he asked how long he should do this, God replied, “Until their cities are destroyed, with no one left in them. Until their houses are deserted and the whole country is an utter wasteland. Do not stop until the Lord has sent everyone away to distant lands and the entire land of Israel lies deserted” (Isaiah 6:11, 12). Then the Lord predicted something truly amazing. He said, “Israel will remain a stump, like a tree that is cut down, but the stump will be a holy seed that will grow again” (verse 13). Not only have the Jewish people again taken root in the land of Israel, they are now shooting forth verdant greenery. Today, the nation of Israel is a living and vibrant society as it pertains to the physical world. If anyone doubts its rejuvenation, just take a vacation to the modern city of Tel Aviv, Israel’s second most populated city. The Bible never mentions Tel Aviv, because it wasn’t founded until 1909. Now the man who owns the garden (God) is waiting in great expectation for Israel’s spiritual figs to produce!