Fig Tree Date Speculation And Standing Firm...

So if the church isn’t gone, then what?

In the video the speaker spends much of his time contrasting his teaching on the subject to others teachings. I have learned that prophecy has multiple applications some of which are elementary nevertheless often equally valuable. Thus, his interpretation is not necessarily more valuable in contrast to the teachings of others. So I would have preferred that he focus upon his interpretation rather than focusing upon debunking others. That is, just because an interpretation appears to be absolutely correct, it may not be the absolute end of interpretations for that prophecy.

The speaker uses the terms "Israel" and "Jews" interchangeably. This is often an error when speaking about the southern tribes Judah and Benjamin that are present day "the nation of Israel" as well as other Jews throughout the world in contrast to the northern tribes that are also Israel but not from Judah/Benjamin but Ephraim that is comprised to the 10 northern tribes. Thus, Judah is Israel only in certain contexts. This kills me that seemingly the entire Christian movement does not understand this technical distinction. Most of the time in scripture the term Israel includes all the tribes and not exclusively Judah; as in "the house of Israel" that means all 12 tribes in contrast to "the house of Judah" that is exclusively the Jews. For example the speaker states "the Jew at the end of the tribulation period" when he more correctly should state "Israel at the end of the tribulation period." By stipulating Judah that includes Benjamin then he excludes Ephraim that includes the 10 northern tribes. This particular reference pertains to the separation of a group of people at the end of the tribulation that are not exclusively Jewish but a larger group of people and therefore Israel. To say that it is exclusively Judah then what happens to Israel? That is my point. It is not Judah but all 12 tribes of Israel that everyone seems to think are Jews. Another example is wherein the speaker states  in reference to one of the parables "The purpose of the tribulation period is to turn Israel into a believing nation." And later states that Jesus is saying in the parable that "You need to be a Jew at the end of the tribulation period in faith." Please notice that he is using "Israel" and "Jew" interchangeably. So, is he speaking about the southern kingdom of Judah or is he speaking about the entire house of Israel? In the context it appears that he is speaking about Judah. Thus, he is saying "The purpose of the tribulation period is to turn Judah into a believing nation." Although this may be true but it also applies to the entire house of Israel. Thus, the addressee in prophetic scripture is important and it is either Israel as in the house of Israel or Judah as in the house of Judah. For me it seems to be more correct to say Israel and only say Judah when excluding Ephraim.

Nevertheless, my two diatribes not withstanding, I loved the video.

There's a few points that I think are significant, which are missing from the dialogue. One being that people here and elsewhere are mixing different fig accounts that are not the same story.

In the Gospels, there are multiple accounts of Christ turning loaves into fishes. This is not simply three different writers giving their unique perspective on the same event, but totally separate events, which involved fish being multiplied.

The same is true of the Figs.
People are mixing the story of Christ and the fig tree, and the parable of the Fig Tree told by Christ and mixing the main points / teaching Christ was making, to different audiences, at different times. 
This is adding lots of extra confusion because people are weaving in different elements of the real narrative and the parable of the Fig Tree, the context is different, the writer is different and the truths are different. Totally separate events and different audiences, Jewish writer to Jewish Audience and Gentile writer with non-Jewish worldview.

Guys, I challenge you to go back and re-read the story of the Fig, and re-read the Parable of the Fig Tree and look at the writers, and look at the context.   
In Matthew 21:18-22, this is NOT the parable of the Fig tree, but rather the true account of Christ actually being hungry and he saw a real fig tree by the real, literal road, and it had real literal leaves.  All the points made about Jews and Christians not having fruit and or the result and being cursed, [being barren, or having no fruit when there should be fruit are important in our lives, but totally irrelevant to this thread. 
- It was not part of the Olivette discourse, which is Christ's teaching on end times, and there was no mention of anything connected to the rapture or second coming in Matthew 21.   
- Also, there is No mention in this story of any other trees.  It's not even a parable, and the point of this teaching was about having faith. 
Also, notice that there is no mention in this real narrative of Christ saying this generation will not pass away.
It's just like the scenario of Day of Christ vs Day of the Lord -- People incorrectly assume they are the same, but they couldn't be more different - the result is a lot of confusion. No other writer anywhere in scripture uses the term Day of Christ except Paul and he only uses this writing to Churches, about the rapture. No mention whatsoever of the sun turning black or the moon to blood, or terror, or judgement.   When you mix two different passages with different goals and different audiences, you get confusion and flawed applications - [and sometimes even false doctrine- but I'm not saying that for this case. ]

Now, the Parable of the Fig Tree is in the Olivette Discourse in Matthew 24.   
Matthew is written by a Jew, to an exclusively Jewish audience, and specifically about the signs of the end times.  
 - Nothing in this passage about any other trees, and nothing about the fig tree not having fruit or being cursed- and no teaching about being barren, or how any group of people should have fruit but didn't.    

Then, in Luke 21:29-33, we also have the Parable of the Fig tree, but the writer is an uncircumcised gentile, who is addressing a larger audience.  There is one blurb about other trees, but it's not just a parable about fruit trees. 
There's a reason it's not known as or referred to anywhere, in any commentary or Bible as the Luke's Parable of the Fruit Trees.  It's the Parable of the Fig Tree because It specifically mentions the Fig Tree, and the fig tree is unique from all others in that the fruit appears at the same time that the leaves appear, and it also has multiple harvests in the same year.    
Israel is compared to olive trees and grape vines, but the most frequent and most explicit link is to the Fig Tree, and this is so widely understood, that there are even special Hebrew idioms that are about prosperity which are about figs. Not apples, not grapes, not olives.    
Israel is not exclusively linked to the Fig tree, but the frequency and the special connection made by prophets was well-known and can not be understated.  

Israel's prominent place in end-times scripture and prophecy is also huge. 
Jerusalem and Israel are not only central to prophecy, but it's the hub.  Take away Jerusalem, or replace Israel with the church and end-times prophecy falls apart. 

The other huge and very common mistake is reading into this passage something that is neither stated or implied [eisegesis].  In the passage in Psalms [about a generation being average of 70 years an 80 years if by strength] there is no hint, nor anywhere else - that this is the maximum lifespan, and that people disintegrate or vaporize at their 80 th birthday.   We all know people who are well into their upper 80's  - and it's at all unheard of for people to live into their mid and upper 90's. 
80 years is an average, and by the same token, - so many Christians erroneously, take the same flawed view that 80 years is the maximum upper limit for the return of Christ after Israel became a nation.   
I am solidly of the belief that the Fig Tree Parable does in fact refer to Israel and this generation that was born around 1948, but just as I don't think my mom will instantly die at age 80, but also the verse is giving an average - some live less than 80, some live longer- it's just that, an average.   
Lots of different views on end times, but the overwhelming majority all agree on the fact that we are seeing a great convergence of signs -- increase in both frequency and intensity - just like labor pains do, all pointing to the same thing.      
 

D4L, please go back and re-read all of my posts.
I made the same point you are trying to make (or made) but more.

It is what you said, but not only what you said. There is more to the literal story as it has a spiritual application.

The story is about faith, which is not physical, but spiritual. Jesus will literally set His foot in literal Jerusalem. He is the King of kings and we will be like Him. That my dear friend is not physical or perhaps not exclusively physical. I dont really know what we would desrcibe it as other than resurrection to life. Praise the Lord!

Will be happy to review this on May 15,2028 with you all
In 7.5 years

Natalie disciple4life venge  Gary
I know that many do not like when videos are posted but I came across this teaching about the Fig tree and felt it appropriate for this thread. Please take about 20 minutes and check what Mike Winger says about it from 23 to 40.

• Judges 9:10-11 - Descendants of Gideon are 'figs', descendants of Abimelech are 'bramble' - both descendants of Abraham
• 1 Kings 4:25 - sitting under his vine and under his fig tree - representing prosperity. Mike says like we have homes with a nice lawn and nice car.
• Prov 27:18 - represents a mans master, not Israel
• Song of Solomon 2:13 - time for love has arrived (figs put out by tree) - lovers are able to be together now.
• Isaiah 34:4 - global catastrophe
• Hosea 9:10 - loose connection to Israel being a fig tree

Mike is someone whom I've listened to a bit over the last year or so and find him to be very sound. You may not agree but I think its worth listening to this as I do believe we have been told incorrectly about Israel = fig tree.