Matthew 24:3 says,

As He [Yeshua] was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

The three questions asked:

1. When will these things happen
2. What will be the sign of Your coming
3. What will be the sign of the end of the age

Yeshua answers these questions in Matthew 24:32-41 which says,

32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; [Answer to question 1…when will these things happen?  Let’s consider first and ask, why did Yeshua in Mark 11:12-14 curse the fig tree when it wasn’t the season for figs? The reason is the fig tree, which loses its leaves in the winter, will put on its leaves and have what is called “pre-fruit”.  This pre-fruit lets one know that the fig tree will have fruit come summer.  When Yeshua came through and saw leaves only He knew there would not be any figs on it when the season came. While there are MANY avenues that can be taught from this one Scripture, for us today, suffice it to say that we will understand when these things will happen as we see the leaves come on, as well as the pre-fruit, in the lives of His disciples.  This could be related to us being obedient to the laws and commandments of YHVH while in exile and the full fruit will be had when He gathers us back to Himself in Jerusalem…the garden of Elohim.  Interesting to note that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together in order to “cover” themselves after the fall, which proved not to be sufficient and the reversal of that is the fig tree being used as a figurative sign for the Messiah’s return to bring us “back to the garden” with Him.

33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize [Understand] that He is near, right at the door. [The understanding is that In that Day when we see the leaves and the pre-fruit of the fig tree, in other words, many coming back to keeping the laws and commandments of YHVH and have salvation through Yeshua, then He is near and right at the door.  This is happening “in our generation” so to speak!! HalleluYah!!!]

34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. [Verses 34-36 gives the Answer to question 2…Many have these verses speaking of the generation that He was presently talking too, yet we know He didn’t return and that all things were not fulfilled at that time.  However, when one understands the feasts and what they represent we can better understand the context of Yeshua’s discourse to His disciples.  So what generation and what day and hour is Yeshua speaking of?  The generation and the day and hour that the culmination of all things happen after the shofar sounds.  Read Matthew 24:29-31 to get the context and notice how it ties into the Feast of Trumpets.  We will know, according to Yeshua in these verses, the season or the feast in which these things will happen, but we don’t know which year this will happen.  Therefore, He gives us these signs of His coming through the fig tree in order to know how to be prepared.

37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. [This goes back to question 1…when will these things happen?  When we are like they were in the days of Noah.  I believe we’re already there.]

38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. [Verses 38-41 gives the Answer to question 3…this is the sign and the fulfillment of the end of the age. Notice who was taken in the flood.  The wicked.  Who inherited the earth?  The righteous, Noah and his family.  Here’s a short list of the many verses that speak of this pattern where the righteous inherit the earth and the wicked are taken:

1. Matthew 5:5
2. Psalm 37:10, 11, 18, 29
3. Proverbs 2:21-22
4. Proverbs 10:30
5. Psalm 52:5
6. Deuteronomy 28:63
7. Psalm 104:35
8. Zephaniah 3:11-13

Many of us were taught exactly backwards about Matthew 24:40-41. But as we began to understand the very patterns that Yeshua gave in His Word for the signs of His return, our eyes could better see the meaning of these verses.  To make this change in our understanding caused the rest of the Bible to now harmonize without conflict concerning this subject.  I would venture to say that nearly everything we are to understand about the end times, and the preparation for it, is found in the keeping of His feasts.  May we continue to study and seek Him and His Word and trust that as we need to know He will make it known.

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a