Matthew 24:32-34: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

The above is about the restoration of Israel.

Matthew 21:19: “And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.”

Jesus says the tree is cursed FOREVER. However, note that Jesus said “thee.” He wasn’t speaking to the future fig tree that will be redeemed, but to the current, sinful generation in Israel.

If the fig tree of the nation of Israel, how are we going to explain the “contradiction” here? Is Israel cursed forever, or will it flourish and bloom once again?

Revelation 6:13: “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” 

Revelation 6 is the opposite of Matthew 24 which was about blossoming. The fig tree is not blossoming but rather casting off its figs!

Jeremiah 24:5-6: “Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.” 

Israel was gathered back together in 1947-1948. This prophecy has come true in modern times! God’s plans for Israel are already set back in motion. Biblical prophecy is colliding with our modern world, yet even though it is so obvious, we are still oblivious to it.

Does Jeremiah 24 or Revelation 6 match up better with Matthew 24?

Jeremiah 24!

Romans 11:12: “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?”

Romans 11:1: “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” 

Paul is a physical Jew, but a spiritual Christian. He makes obvious the reality that these two things can coexist.

Romans 11:15: “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” 

Our faith is centered around the resurrection of Christ and new life. When then do we so blatantly oppose the idea that God will bring a similar revival to His chosen people of Israel?

Romans 11:19-23: “Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

The natural branches are the Jews. They will be grafted into their own olive tree! The current branches, the Jewish generation of Jesus’ time will be cursed forever. But in the future, at the restoration of Israel, the Jews will be grafted back in!

Romans 11 shows us that God can graft in a new tree. There is no contradiction between Matthew 24 and Matthew 21. On the contrary, God uses these truths to lead us to a deeper meaning.