"When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand." Luke 21:30
During winter, the leaves of the tree wither, but as winter begins to end, the trees begin again to bud, this indicates that summer is at hand. In AD 70, Israel, as a nation, entered her long winter season with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and subsequently, the exile of the nation to other nations. During this time, Israel ceased to be a nation in a geographical location. It became a people scattered across the world. But in 1948, her winter season, in a manner of speaking, began to come to an end culminating in the rebirth of the nation Israel as a geographical expression. This marked the beginning of a long summer intermingled with wars with its neighbours.
"So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Luke 21:31
Jesus spoke about the generation that will see this transition from winter to summer, and said that in that generation, it should be known that the kingdom of God is near at hand. This is the generation in which, according to Jesus, when the prophecy of the end of age shall be fulfilled.
"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." Luke 21:32
Toni
