Many people who have studied biblical prophecy for any time are familiar with the answer to this question. The fig tree represents the nation of Israel. In Matthew 24, Luke 21 and in Mark 13 this same parable is nestled in there as Jesus pointing out to the disciples when they see the nation of Israel “sprouting leaves” (but not fruit) it will be a prophetic marker for the nearing of the end of days. Jeremiah 24 is a core teaching of this concept. There are also other references to the fig tree in the synoptic Gospel accounts. Given that there are a lot of other solid teachings available on this subject I won’t bother to try to duplicate them.
One thing that I will include here as it has to do with the timing of the fruition of the fig tree. If Israel was formed as a nation in mid 1948 as many agree then when Jesus says in Matt 24:34 (KJV) “…this generation will not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” the question is how long is a generation. Referring back to Psalm 90:10 (KJV) “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years…”
Well, lets add it together. 1948 + 80 = 2028. If the church leaves 7 years prior then we should have been gone in 2021. I’m editing this section in November 2025 and that’s certainly not the case. Haven’t even seen a 3rd temple yet. If we go to Genesis 6 for a clue using the maximum designated life span then we could go as far as 120 years after 1948 giving 2068 but given the trajectory that appears to be unfolding now I can’t imagine what the world would look like then. Paul’s letters or really any other of the epistles don’t make reference to the fig tree. Maybe that’s by the Lord’s design. Is the Israeli fig tree a puzzle piece that fits? Only the Lord knows for sure.