Matthew 24 (along with the parallel chapters of Mark 13 and Luke 21) is one of the very important portions of Scripture dealing with the “last days” where Jesus tells us conditions and things that would be happening on earth just before and leading up to His return. He begins by predicting the destruction of the Jewish Temple which historically took place in A.D. 70. Then in response to their question He begins enumerating various things that would signal His return and the end of the age, some of which would begin soon after He spoke them and continue until the end. He said there would be wars and international conflicts, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, Christian persecution, “the love of the great body of people will grow cold” verse 12 Amplified Bible, and in spite of all the gloom and darkness the gospel would be proclaimed worldwide. Then in verses 32-35 He gives us the sign of the fig tree (Luke adds “and all the trees”) when it buds out you know that summer is not far behind; so when these things happen you know that His coming again and the “end of the age” is not far behind either! Yes as we said these things would begin to appear soon after He spoke about them; to date He has not returned, but I believe key verses to this are Matthew 24:33-34 saying in the Amplified Bible, “So also when you see these signs all taken together coming to pass…He is near at the very doors…this generation – that is, the whole multitude of people living at the same time, in a definite given period – will not pass away till all these things taken together take place ” It is only in very recent years, during our generation, that we have seen these things intensifying, increasing, and becoming more simultaneous or closer together. The time of His return is now upon us; remember that if you are not ready “now is the accepted time…now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.
The trees
By Rose Hill
Jesus is coming we’ve heard it for years,
Troubles all around and many in tears.
Be not sad or even doubt,
For He is coming with a shout.
The sign of the trees say Jesus is near.
So we must be looking for Him to appear.
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co used by permission