³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

   ³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

The fig tree is significant in the Bible, especially in light of Bible prophecy. The illustration of the fig
tree is refered to as a "parable".  It is clear in scripture that the literal nation of Israel is symbolic
of the fig tree. God used the fig tree to illustrate the nation of Israel and her spiritual condition.
 The fig tree fruit generally appears in February, followed by leaves, which are not formed until
late spring. In Matthew 21: 19 Jesus came upon the barren fig tree, he used the incident to show
fully Israel desperate condition, she is fruitless. Cursing of the fig tree by Jesus shows Israel
can never be fruitful apart from the Messiah, the Son of God.  Why is there somewhat a negative
connotation with the fig tree.  Even though I can't be dogmatic, but I'm about 95 % sure that the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden, was a fig tree. I say that because
the moment Adam and Eve sinned, they went to the very tree God told them not to eat, and covered
their nakedness. What kind a tree was it?  Genesis 3:7
 
 ⁷And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons

I believe, (and this is just my sanctified speculation) that it was a fig tree that was the tree of
knowledge of good and evil. No wonder Jesus cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21:19, I believe
there is a connection.  The Jewish prophet Habakkuk wrote in 3:17
¹⁷Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Just as the fig tree has not blossomed, neither is it bearing any fruit, Israel as a nation hasn't
blossomed, neither is she bearing fruit because of her rejection of the Messiah. Luke tells us
of Israel's spiritual condition in 13:6-9
⁶He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

   ⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

   ⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

   ⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Jesus begins his ministry at the age of thirty, (Luke 3:23), his ministry last three years. Jesus
finds Israel in a deplorable spiritual condition. The parable in Luke 13:7 is that the Lord ministers
to Israel for three years, and they reject him.  The judgement of cursings must come upon the
nation of Israel, this results in the Temple being destroyed, and the Jews scattered to the four
corners of the earth (Duet 28:15-68).  This should come as no suprise as the Jews were evicted
out of the land on three occasions, and brought back on three occasions.  Just as Jesus pronounced judgement on the fig tree, Israel must also, though back in the land, go through a
time of judgment, the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan 9:24-27). In Deuteronomy 4:30, God
told Moses;

³⁰When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

We find various forms of God's judgemnts on Israel in the Old Testament because of disobedience,
Consider Hosea 9:10


¹⁰I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers 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 they loved


And also consider Joel 1:7;

⁷He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white

Joel 1:12 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men

Haggai 2:19
¹⁹Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you

Even though Israel bears no fruit now, one day she will when Jesus Christ returns to this earth
to establish his Kingdom.   What's interesting about the fig tree is that it was a Jew's favorite
place to sit under for meditation. Yet we find in John 1:48-49;



⁴⁸Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

   ⁴⁹Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.


Nathanael must have been meditating under that fig tree and praying for the coming of the Messiah.
This would explain his response to Jesus in verse 49 concerning his deity and his Messiahship.
Jesus also uses the illustration of the fig tree concerning the signs of the times. He uses the
weather, and seasonal change and applies it to his return. We find this in Luke 21: 29-31;

²⁹And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

   ³⁰When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

   ³¹So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.


Jesus Christ will return at his second coming, after Daniel's 70th weeks of prophecy, (tribulation)
to rescue and defend Israel. At this time all Israel will acknowledge him as their long awaited
Messiah. The Jewish prophet Zechariah tells us 12:10;


¹⁰And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.


The Jewish Apostle in Revelation 1:7
⁷Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen


The Jewish Rabbi from Tarsus, Paul the Apostle in Romans 11:25-26;

²⁵For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

   ²⁶And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:


Yes indeed, the fig tree will once again blossom at Christ's return to this earth to establish the
Davidic Throne (Luke 1:32-33).  Israel will embrace Yeshua, (Jesus) as their Messiah, Saviour,
and Lord.  Israel's current blindness is only temporary, not permanant.  God's covenant with
Israel cannot be broken or abrogated. There's no fruit on the tree now, the curse of Deuteronomy
28 is still in effect. But remember, the Jews are back in the land according to God's promise. But,
there back in unbelief and surrounded by troubles on everyside.  Only the coming of Jesus Christ
will break the cursing of the fig tree, and bring Israel to fruition.  Jesus tells Israel, the next time
you see me, you won't reject me, but you will say

                                                           BARUCH HABA BESHEM ADONAI
                                      BLESSED IS HE THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
                                                                             Matthew 23: 39