Page 6 - April 2025 - Truth & Tidings

his article concludes our study of The fig tree is sometimes used as a
the Olivet Discourse in Mark. In symbol for Israel (e.g., 11:12-14), but here
Tkeeping with Mark’s Gospel, there the Lord employs it simply as an illustra-
is an emphasis on the practical application tion. As William Lane notes, “The Mount
of prophecy to servants (vv33-37). of Olives was famous for its fig trees,
The Lord’s teaching about the Great which sometimes attained a height of 20
Tribulation and His coming as the Son or 30 feet. Assuming that Jesus gave this
of man must be kept in mind (vv14-27). instruction just before the Passover, the fig
Dark days of dreadful affliction (v19) will tree would be in the condition described
give way to the “Son of man coming in the in the parable, its branches tender, its
2
clouds with great power and glory” (v26). leaves sprouting.” We can imagine the
1
In this concluding section, the Lord uses Lord pointing to the trees to illustrate His
two illustrations to emphasise the comfort message. The fig tree, which lost its leaves
and challenge of that coming. during the winter months, only sprouted
again in springtime. When the dry bark
The Parables of Anticipation softened and leaves appeared, summer
(vv28-37) was near.
Likewise, when believers see the signs
The Lord makes no mention of the mentioned by the Lord (vv14,19,22,24-25),
Rapture in this discourse because the they can be assured that “he is near, at the
Church, as such, is not His subject. He very gates” (v29 ESV).
speaks concerning believers who will be Note, then, the Imminence of His Coming:
on earth when the events of the Great “Verily I say unto you, that this generation
Tribulation unfold. However, present-day shall not pass, till all these things be done”
believers, while not the direct subject of (v30). If “generation” is understood in its
His instruction, can surely find practical usual sense of contemporaries living at
guidance here. the same time, then the Lord indicates that
Notice first the Indications of His Coming: the same generation who will witness the
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When signs will also witness the event to which
her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth the signs point. This stresses the immi-
leaves, ye know that summer is near: So nence of the event for those alive at that
ye in like manner, when ye shall see these time. This coming is not imminent now
things come to pass, know that it is nigh, because much has to be fulfilled before
even at the doors” (vv28-29).
2 William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1974),
unless otherwise noted. 479.

102 TRUTH kTidings April 2025