END TIMES: SUMMER

The “End Times” or “Eschatological” prophecies, based on passages from the Book of Gospels, outline several key signs that will precede the end of the world and the return of Christ, such as:

Beginning of the End Times.
The rise and manifestation of False Messiahs and False Prophets
The Great Tribulation
Distress is marked by the darkening of the sun and the moon failing to give light.
Appearance of the Sign of the Son of Man.
The Generation.
The Lesson of Fig Tree Twigs with Fresh Budding and the Nearer of Summer
Mark 13:37.

TWO GREAT SIGNPOSTS
Worth highlighting that in these Synoptic Gospels, Jesus outlines two major signs of impending tribulations and the onset of the End Times:

1) In answering His disciples, Jesus foretells the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem as a sign marking the beginning of the End Times and a period of tribulation (Matthew 24:1-3, Mark 13:1-4, and Luke 21:5-8).
2) Jesus also uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate this event. In this metaphor, the budding of the fig tree symbolizes the approach of the End Times, akin to the arrival of summer (Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28-29, and Luke 21:2-31).

Indeed, the Second Temple was destroyed in AD 70, just as Jesus had predicted.

Hence, these passages foretell the tribulation will commence with the destruction of the second temple and the “Twigs of the Fig Tree” in summer. This tribulation will continue until the return of the Son of Man, who will come to rescue His followers after they have faced significant suffering.

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 vividly describe a period of great tribulation, characterized by trials, famines, wars, pestilences, and earthquakes that believers will endure before the coming of Christ. The imminent event of Christ’s coming is “the sun darkening, the moon losing its light, and the stars falling from the sky” (Matthew 24:29-31) a sign of Christ’s coming.

THE OPENING OF SIXTH SEAL
In some translations, this is depicted as happening “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven” (Matthew 24:29 NKJV).

The Bible uses the word “Tribulation” in describing these events. This prophecy echoes the message from Hebrews 12:26-27 and Haggai 2:6, which reminds believers that “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

Many prophetic verses describe events such as “the sun darkening and the moon losing its light.” A parallel can be found in Revelation 6:12-14:

12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake; the sun turned black like coarse cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 13 The stars fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken from a tree by a strong wind. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place (GNT).

This passage is part of the opening of the sixth seal, a significant and distressing event in John’s apocalyptic vision. It highlights that believers will experience the tribulations associated with the first six seals (Revelation 6:12-14). Therefore, those who adhere to a pre-tribulation theology might face difficulties reconciling this perspective with the events described. However, this post does not suggest that believers are experiencing the ‘Post Tribulation.’ That topic will be addressed in a separate post at End Times: Daniel’s 70.

In Revelation 6:12-14, the falling of stars is akin to the falling of unripe figs blown by a strong mighty wind. If the interpretation of the “fig tree twigs” as a symbol for Israel, in Matthew 24:32 as referring to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 or the Six-Day War in 1967, then Revelation 6:12-14 might be seen as prophesying the fall of Israel, likened to unripe fruit.

However, the text specifically mentions the falling of the fruit, not the tree itself. This suggests that the prophecy is actually about the downfall of unspiritual or false believers during the tribulation, characterized by the intense trials and upheavals described under the first six seals.

Whether considering the first or second coming of Christ, God’s plan does not include establishing an earthly Israel as His Kingdom. Thus, distinctively, the metaphor of the “fig tree twigs” should not be interpreted as referring to the modern State of Israel. Instead, the bud of the Fig Tree should represent Christianity or the Body of Christ. The “Bud with new leaves” is the birth of the Church. Thus, the fall of the Second Temple coincided with the emergence of the Church Age, marked by these “twigs.”

Besides, Ephesians 2:14-22 underscores that a church or body of Christ consists of Jews and Gentiles. If the year 1948 or the 6 days of war in 1967 were the mark of “Fig Tree Twigs” in Matthew 24:32, then God’s Kingdom would be represented by Israel alone (Without Gentile Christians).

Furthermore, on one hand, Jesus was indicating that the fall of the second temple signifies the beginning of the End Times, but on the other hand also suggested that the “Twigs” refer to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 as the beginning of the end, that would imply a gap of 1948 years for the beginning of end times. A significant discrepancy in the timeline.

In considering the above, the “Fig Tree Twigs” can only be referring to the “Birth of Church (or Church Age)

SUMMER IS NEAR
Next, it’s helpful to consider a significant verse that reads:

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” (Mark 13:28, Matthew 24:32, and Luke 21:30)

As explained above, this metaphor is commonly interpreted as another metaphor used by Jesus to indicate the signs of the approaching end times.

However, what catches believers’ eyes should be the second part of Matthew 24:32 “YOU KNOW THAT SUMMER IS NEAR” as of now.

Typically, the Fig Tree in Israel experiences distinct growth and fruit-bearing stages throughout the year. During the “Dormant Stage” in winter, the tree rests and produces very little fruit. As early spring arrives, the Fig Tree begins to bud and leaf out, entering the “Early Fruit” phase. By late spring or summer, the tree will produce a new set of leaves and twigs, leading to a second, more abundant fruiting period known as “Later Fruit” before entering its winter rest again.

Essentially, the Old Covenant would represent the “Early Fruit,” which yielded less fruit, while the New Covenant, or the church age, symbolizes the “Later Fruit,” anticipated to produce much more.

SUMMER AS SCORCHING HEAT
King David described that should he not confess his sins, God should punish him. His strength was completely drained, as moisture was dried up by the “SUMMER HEAT” (Psalm 32: 3-5). That means summer in Israel is extremely hot.

By the way, King David counted himself “Blessed” and sins not being imputed to him was because he confessed his sins. (Psalm 32). It contradicts modern teaching that advocates King David was living by grace.

ANTS STORING FOR WINTER
In Proverbs 6:7-9, ants, even without leaders, instinctively gather and store food during the summer to prepare for the winter. When applied to the birth of the Church or the metaphor of the “Fig Tree Twigs,” the prophecy indicating that “SUMMER IS NEAR” might hint at an impending period of intense difficulty, conflict, and persecution.

It symbolizes a time for preparation and accumulation (Food Storage) for the harsher winter, adversities, and scarcity. The beginning of the Church age in summer could be the metaphor seen as a call for “HEAT“—spiritual readiness and vigilance during times of hardship.

While some modern interpretations see the “Fig Tree Twigs” as a sign of imminent and glorious redemption or rapture for believers, the biblical parable of the fig tree offers a different perspective. It suggests that the budding of new leaves, or the beginning of the Church Age, is marked by a period of “Summer Heat” or an intense challenge.

Scriptural, “Later Fruit” symbolizes that believers will first endure intense trials, like summer’s heat, before receiving divine deliverance and salvation. This reflects Jesus’ prophecies in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, which describe severe tribulations before His return. Jesus warns that without divine intervention, survival would be impossible, but for the elect’s sake, these days will be shortened (Matthew 24:22, Mark 13:20).

CURRENT WORLD EVENTS
Given the current world events, Israel and the believers are facing an unparalleled level of conflict, wars, and persecution. The scale of these occurrences is unprecedented and exceeds anything recorded in the Old Testament, such as in Genesis, Exodus, etc.

As Jesus said in Matthew 24:21, “THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS, UNEQUALED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD.” Therefore, it’s important for believers not to draw direct comparisons and figurative between current events and those described in earlier scriptures. The reality is that none of the past events can be equated with the trials of the end times; this level of distress is truly unprecedented.

SUMMARY
In summary, Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the Second Temple (Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6) and the “Bud of the New Fig leaves,” as the birth of the Church Age in summer signifies the onset of the end times and the beginning of a period of great tribulation. This prophecy also foretells the rise of many false messiahs and prophets.

This period calls for spiritual readiness and purification among believers. The term “Generation” in this context refers to the Church Age or the era of tribulation, rather than to people born in or after 1948.

Finally, in Mark 13:37, Jesus commands: “What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch!” This indicates that the End Times events described in the Synoptic gospels are meant not just for the Old Israelite, but for all current believers. The word “Watch” includes “watch up for false messiahs and prophets that perform many miracles, signs, and wonders that deceive many (Matthew 24:24, and Mark 13:21-22). Amenbible

To recap, the apocalyptic and eschatology timeline according to Gospel Books and Revelation 6 is as below:-