This is not date setting question. It can mean that someone is questioning whether the promise; or the prophecy; is even true. It also could be that one wants to know what signs tells ahead of time when He is returning. Our text for today…
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: so ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.”
Mark 13:28-31
We must understand that no one knows the day or the hour, however we can see signs that His second coming is near. There is a disappearance of all who are Christians, and there are no signs that happening, so we must remain ready to go at any time. That itself will be a sign that His return is very near.
Jesus says, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree” (Mark 11:12,) and the thoughts of the disciples must have brought to mind the fig tree Jesus pronounced death upon in Mark chapter 11 and verses 12 through 14 and 20 through 24. That fig tree had wilted immediately; it was not noticed by the writer of this Gospel until the next day, as they walked by.
The lesson of the fig tree is most likely the rising up of the Nation of Israel again, The fig tree in many instances of Scripture show the prophets and Jesus using the fig tree as an illustration of the nation – a leafed out fig tree with no fruit, and then found dead.
Just to remind the reader, the land of Israel was recognized as a nation by the United Nations on May 14, 1948. That is one of the first signs for this generation.
Jesus stands on His word. The word of God will stand forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away;but My word shall not pass away.” If He said it, and He did, then His word will come to pass. Not one word will fail. The question now is are you ready to meet Him?
Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, He was buried to take our sins away casting them as far away as the east is from the west – leaving them there, and then He rose up from the grave giving us eternal life and proving every word He had spoken.