“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” (Matthew 24:32-34).

Israel became a nation in May 1948 and took Jerusalem as its capital in 1967.

Before this, the nation of Israel was scattered to the ends of the earth and then it was restored.

Most of the time, the fig tree in the Bible is a picture of Israel.

Hosea 9:10: “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your father as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as thy lived.”

This is the key to Bible prophecy for our generation. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament prophesied these events.

The purpose of prophecy is not to entertain the curious but to encourage the consecrated.

The Bible tells us, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

In Matthew 24:32-34, Jesus said the generation that saw the fig tree (Israel) become a nation would be the last generation and they would see his return.

The budding of the tree tells me that fall is near. The beginning of these signs shows us that the Lord’s Coming could be near. The generation that is alive on the earth at that time will see these events take place. Our generation has seen the foreshadowing of these signs. I don’t look for signs as such I look for the Savior.

Consider Philippians 3:20: “For our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” That means He can come any day!

In the last 57 years, Israel has turned from a scorched desert to the most fertile land in the Middle East. Israel provides most of the fruits and vegetables to Europe and the United States.

The Roman Empire simply fell apart. It lives on still today in many nations of Europe. Europe has united into the European Union. These are the same countries that formed the old Roman Empire.

This is one of the most important descriptive prophecies of the end time. According to the prophecies of the Roman Empire, which is fulfilled in part of the time of Christ, then it spans the centuries between and picks up again in the days just before the Second Coming.

There is a vision of the Roman Empire in Daniel 7:7: “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feel of it: and it was devours from all the beast that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

European Union and the League of Arab Nations!

Back in Daniel, the vision of this fourth beast is made further important to us because it is yet unfulfilled. I believe, as do others, that we are living in those end times as Daniel says. The reason is, the three beasts has been fulfilled. “What are you saying?” Three-fourths of this prophecy has been fulfilled. So, what remains is the time of the “horns.” We have 10 nations and the Word of God says this will be the time of the coming of the Antichrist.

Next week we will look at that horn, the 10 horns and who they are.