Until now we studied Christ's discourse on the last things. We saw what signs would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and, eventually, the end of the world. Christ now concludes the first part of His discourse. In verses 32 to 35 we have an application of all that has been said before in this chapter.

First of all, our Lord makes a comparison between the signs of the times and the order in nature. "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" (vss. 32, 33). What Christ is saying here is not a parable in a strict sense. You could also read "lesson" for parable. Learn this lesson from it!

The fig tree is a well-known tree in Israel. The tree is found wild and cultivated, in vineyards and gardens, and along the roads. It is possible that this accounts for the reason why Jesus chooses this tree as an example. In Luke 21:29 we find a reference to other trees as well: "Behold the fig tree, and all the trees." In the spring the branches of the tree become tender from the influence of the sun and the motion of the sap inside the tree. During the winter months the branches are hard and contracted. It seems as if they are dead. The sap inside the tree is congealed. When in the spring the branches become tender, they burst open and put forth new twigs, leaves and green figs. All this is a sign that the winter is past, the spring has come, and summer is near (see also Song of Solomon 2:11 and 13). Everyone can observe this order in nature and conclude that the summer is coming.

So what do the signs of the times teach us? What should we conclude when we observe them? Christ gives the answer: "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near even at the doors" (vs.33). At first glance, these words are a bit obscure. What is meant with "all these things"? What is near at the doors? Obviously, "all these things" point to all that was said before: the disturbances in nature, the movement among the nations, the afflictions of God's people, the spreading of the Gospel, the rise of false prophets, etc.

When these signs appear, it is near, that is, the kingdom of God (Lk. 21:31), or Christ Himself. In the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in AD 70 Christ Himself was near to take vengeance. He stood at the doors to inflict His judgment upon the Jews. Then again, what is equally true, the kingdom of God was near in the sense that it was at the point of being more powerfully spread among all nations. This is the kingdom of God's grace as it appears in the preaching of the Gospel. All this awaits a further and final fulfilment at the end of the days, when Christ shall be revealed in His full power and glory. Then the kingdom of glory shall be fully manifested.

The Second Coming of Christ will be a summer of joy and comfort for the saints. Christ will appear most lovely to them, He will be glorified in them, and they will enjoy full salvation. The winter of sorrows, afflictions, and persecutions will be over. The light of the sun will not be needed anymore, because the Lord shall be the everlasting Light of His redeemed.

Others explain the words of verse 33 this way: as little as the frost and snow can prevent the trees to put forth leaves in the spring, so little do tribulation and troubles hinder the coming of Christ's kingdom. Tribulation and troubles prepared the world for the kingdom of grace in its beginning; they will in the end prepare the world for the kingdom of glory in its completion.

Having made a comparison, Christ now points to the closeness of these events. The disciples were anx­ious to know when these things were going to happen. Christ answers this question this way: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (vs. 34). "Verily I say unto you…" These words indicate a solemn declaration requiring special attention. The question is who are meant with "this generation"? "Generation" has sometimes the meaning of race or kind in Scripture. Read for instance Acts 2:40 and Philippians 2:15 ("nation" stands for "generation"). The meaning of the text is then that this generation, namely of the Jews, shall not pass, until all these things will be fulfilled. There will always be Jews until the end of the world. Or, "generation" points to the believers or to mankind in general. There will always be true Christians, or there will always be a human race.

But is that what Christ is saying here? The point of Christ's words is not that there will always be a certain kind of people in the world until the end. Rather, He is saying that the fulfilment of all His predictions is very close. Therefore, the meaning of "this generation" is simply this genera­tion now living. Before a single generation has passed, they will learn by experience the truth of what He has said. Of course, that does not imply that every single person will still be alive. But before this generation-the one living at Jesus' time has passed away, it will happen. Consequently, within forty years the city was destroyed, the temple razed and the Jewish state terminated.

Some people are quick to point out that on the basis of this text all that is said before precludes any fulfilment in a remote future. They restrict the fulfilment of Christ's discourse to that time only. Does He not say that "all these things shall be fulfilled" within the span of that generation? Yes, but that does not mean that coming generations will not experience the same thing. As a matter of fact, the same evils have happened without interruption throughout all succeeding ages. With Calvin we say that "while our Lord heaps upon a single generation all kinds of calamities, He does not by any means exempt future ages from the same kind of sufferings, but only commands the disciples to be prepared for enduring them with all firmness."

Having made a comparison, and having pointed out the closeness of the fulfilment of His predictions, Christ further confirms the certainty of them. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (vs. 35). Heaven and earth shall pass away! The heavens shall be dissolved, the earth shall be burned up, the elements shall melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10-13). But Christ's words shall not pass away. They shall not prove to be vain and empty words. This goes for any word that came from the lips of our Saviour. But this applies particu­larly to what He had just said concerning the last things.

Verse 35 can also be taken as a comparative expression. Thus: it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than it is for My words to fall to the ground, as stated in Isaiah 54:10 and Luke 16:17. Heaven and earth are the most stable and abiding things. Yet, sooner shall they pass away than that one of Christ's words shall remain unaccomplished. We may build with more assurance upon the word of Christ than we can upon the pillars of heaven or upon the strong foundations of the earth! The expression used by Christ shows the certainty, the unalterable and sure accomplishment of all that He had spoken before. They are also the strongest possible expression of the divine authority with which our Lord spoke.

None of the prophets or apostles, not even Moses, the lawgiver of the Old Testament, ever said anything like this. Such language would be utterly unsuitable for any merely human mouth.

Questions for Discussion⤒🔗

1. Read Matthew 16:2 and 3, and discuss why it is so difficult for us to discern the signs of the times.
2. Does the prophecy of 2 Peter 3:10-13 mean that heaven and earth shall be completely destroyed, or that they shall be purified? (If this is a difficult question, look up some commentaries.)
3. Read 2 Peter 3:3 and 4. In what way do people today mock the coming of the Lord?
4. Why was it necessary for Christ to emphasize the certainty of His words (vs.35)?
5. What place does His Word have in your life?