Commentaries:
A parable is a story drawn from human experience that has a higher spiritual meaning. This is its principal purpose, just as a psalm is primarily intended to praise God. This does not exclude its use for other ends. God creates most things with multiple functions, and the various parts of His Word are not exceptions.
The Parable of the Fig Tree is a good example. It both teaches a universal principle and prophesies of the coming Kingdom of God. As further proof of this parable's prophetic nature, Jesus gives it in the midst of the Olivet Prophecy! He has just listed several signs of His second coming, and He presents this parable to key us in on their time element. Notice He says, "when they are already budding," meaning that the events that signal His return will be happening—in motion—before we realize how close we are to the end!
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Parables and Prophecy
What Does Jesus Mean by the Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32)?
Some have thought—incorrectly—that Jesus is saying that the seasons are indistinguishable except by the budding of trees. Notice what Jesus actually says in Matthew 24:32: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near." He is simply using the budding of the fig tree to illustrate a point about His second coming.
When spring comes and the trees put out new leaves, we know that summer is not far off. In the same way, we will know Christ's return is near when we see the events He mentions earlier in the chapter begin to occur. Verse 33 provides the key to His parable: "So you also, when you see all these things [described in verses 4-29], know that it [Christ's second coming] is near, at the very doors."
Nevertheless, Jesus warns that we will only know the approximate time of His return, that is, that it is close. He says in verse 36: "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." We believe that time is quickly approaching, but we have no idea how soon it will be. The best approach is contained in the apostle Paul's admonition to the Romans: "And do this [live godly], knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." If we live as if Christ will come tomorrow, we will always be striving to be prepared for it.
Additional Reading:
This Generation Shall Not Pass
Why Isn't Harold Camping Right?
Is the Kingdom of God Within You?
It's Worth the Wait
The Unknown Deadline
The Unknown Deadline
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