June 12 2025

Thursday June 12

Luke 21:29-38 – Jesus Always Keeps His Word

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

We are looking at Luke chapter 21, where we read the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' prophetic message from the Mount of Olives to His disciples concerning end-time events. Today, we will be focusing on verses 29-38. Jesus finishes this prophetic discourse with a parable about the “fig tree, and all the trees”.

First, let's summarize what we've learned. This message primarily applies to the Jewish nation, and deals with the events that will take place in the Seven-Year Tribulation, but it has many practical applications for each believer today as we near the end of the age. The church age has been ongoing for 2,000 years since Jesus ascension into heaven and the Day of Pentecost.

My understanding of prophecy and this passage, though Bible scholars may offer different viewpoints, is that the next event on God's agenda is the rapture of the church. Jesus comes in the air for His bride, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1 Corinthians 15. Also, in Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus has John write the seven letters to the seven churches in Asia, which appear to picture the characteristics of the different periods of the church age.

Then in Revelation 4, John hears a voice like the sound of a trumpet say, "Come up here," which we believe pictures the catching away, the rapture, of the church. Then, the seven-year tribulation begins when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel, as mentioned in Daniel 9, marking the start of Daniel's 70th week, which is also called the time of Jacob's trouble in the Old Testament.

Only believers are raptured to heaven, leaving no believers on earth immediately after. Both believing Gentiles and Jews will be raptured. The Seven-Year Tribulation begins with no believers anywhere on planet earth. However, Jesus sends His two witnesses to preach the gospel (Revelation 11), and 144,000 Jews—12,000 from each tribe—are sealed (Revelation 7), respond to their message and get saved and they begin proclaiming the gospel throughout the rest of the Tribulation. Millions upon millions of people will be saved during the Tribulation. But if they don’t take the “mark of the beast” they won’t be able to buy or sell and will be hunted down like animals and be killed. (Revelation 13:16-18).

I personally believe that this passage in Luke 21:29-38 applies primarily to the believers in that period. In Scripture, the fig tree usually represents Israel (Hosea 9:10), and here Jesus indicates that it comes back to life. Some students interpret this parable to mean that the emergence of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948 was the "sign" that the Lord would soon return. Surely it is a significant thing that Israel is now a free nation after so many centuries of political bondage. But Luke added "and all the trees" (Luke 21:29), suggesting that more than one nation is involved. Perhaps Jesus was saying that the rise of nationalism around the world is the thing to watch. In recent years we have certainly seen the growth of nationalism and the emerging of new nations, and this may be a "sign" that the coming of the Lord is near.

However, the basic idea here is that of knowing what is going on. As the budding of the trees indicates that summer is near, so the occurring of these signs indicates that the Lord's return is near (see Luke 12:54-57 for a similar passage). The important thing is that the believer knows that God is keeping His promises and that His Word will not fail (Josh. 23:14).The term "this generation" may refer to the nation or race of Israel, which Satan has always sought to destroy. The Jews are the greatest witness that the Bible is God's Word, that Jesus is the Messiah, and that God keeps His promises.

During the tribulation, especially the last three and a half years, Jesus is encouraging all believers both Jews and Gentiles that they should keep looking up and avoid the temptations of the world (vv. 33-36). Jesus is coming with great power to set up His kingdom.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but His Word will not (v 33). Trust this, and don’t get confused trying to figure it all out. Just keep looking up, as Jesus is coming soon.

God bless!