Second Coming Christ Standing at the Door
The Bible testifies that Jesus will come a second time to give us salvation in the last days (Heb 9:28). In addition to sharing His purpose, the Bible also includes details about when this second coming is to take place. Even the disciples 2,000 years ago asked Jesus about the sign of His second coming. In response, He told them to learn the lesson from the fig tree.
“‘... when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds ... 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. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [He] is near, right at the door.’”
Matthew 24:30–33
Jesus Christ let us know that when we see the sign shown through the parable of the fig tree, we can know the time of Jesus’ second coming. Then what parable concerning a fig tree did Christ give?
“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard him say it.”
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.’”
Why would Jesus curse a fig tree for not producing any fruit? His actions were the parable and a prophecy about what would happen to the fig tree—which represents Israel (Jer 24:3–5)—that did not produce any fruit, meaning repentance (Mt 3:8).
Jesus cursed the fig tree to wither and die to show that Israel would be judged and destroyed for rejecting Him and refusing to accept the gospel. Christ’s words were fulfilled in A.D. 70 when Rome conquered and destroyed Israel. However, the nation of Israel would not remain dead forever.
“‘They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.’”
In other words, once the prophesied time is complete, the nation of Israel, the fig tree, will be restored – come to life again. Israel regained its statehood in 1948; this took place to signal the second coming of Christ. Therefore, Second Coming Jesus must start gathering His people in 1948 (Mt 24:30).
Christ Ahnsahnghong fulfilled this prophecy—He was baptized in 1948, beginning His gospel ministry.
