I saw this short little documentary recently about two women who raised up a fig tree from Jesus time. I'll link it down below.
I always grew up hearing about the fig tree being a prophecy, but when I looked it up I didn't see that.
…Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.30 When they are sprouting leaves already, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So in like manner, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.” Luke 21:29-32
I'm still thinking about it but it sounds like an example.
The message being you can see things happening that are signs of the Kingdom of God being near, like when you know summer is coming soon, because of the signs on the tree- not that the fig tree itself symbolizes anything.
The similar example of signs given in nature also shows up in Matthew 16:3
And in the morning, if the sky is dark and red, you say that it will be a rainy day. These are signs of the weather. You see these signs in the sky and know what they mean. In the same way, you see the things that are happening now. These are also signs, but you don’t know their meaning.
I think if you can understand the way a speaker communicates, and patterns of speech, you would understand what he is saying.
BUT WHAT SIGNS..?
Not the tree. All of the signs from Luke 21:7 and onward that he was describing after the disciples asked " Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"
Verse 29-32 comes after.
The generation of fig tree and the 10 kings
Do you know what John the Baptist said for the generation of the fig tree?
John the Baptist prophesied to the multitude
(to the generation of fig tree) that came forth to be baptized of him, saying unto them:
O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the WRATH to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And JESUS said unto the generation of fig tree: Matthew 23:v.33 to 36
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
The generation of fig tree is divided in two kingdoms: The Kingdom of Judah, two tribes, and the kingdom of Israel-10 tribes, the 10 tribes that rebelled against the house of David, so they have nothing to do with the house of David. By the way, It is hard to say, but it is the truth: JESUS, the true Messiah, is of the house of David, however, the generation of vipers or generation of the fig tree crucified Him. JESUS already knew would be crucified by them beforehand.
Mark 11:v.11 to 14 and 20-22
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. - JESUS KNEW OF THAT, COURSE -
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (Why???)