The Return of Christ

Many Christians speculate on the second coming of Christ. There is something about the idea of Christs' return that excites us. I for one love to read Matthew 24, and Luke 21 because of it. I enjoy discussions with people about the signs, and if we are the generation that will see these events.

I have compiled a theory (surprise!) to throw my name into the hat. I may not be the first to develop this, but it is something I came up with after looking over my own research. I would like to remind everyone of Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." That being said, I shall continue.

Throughout the Bible, Israel is talked about as a fig tree. Hosea 9 speaks of a punishment for Israel, "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree". In Joel 1, the words of our Lord describe a nation that invaded "my land"(verse 6) and "It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. " (verse 7). So it is I believe that in Matthew 24, Christ is also speaking about Israel.

Israel is an amazing nation. For nearly two thousand years the nation survived without being a nation. Israel was conquered by the Babylonians, Persians, Greek and finally the Romans. Even though there was no land for this nation, it has survived. In 1948 Israel, a nation scattered, became a nation once more, as Ezekeil mentioned in chapter 11 verse 17.

Following through Matthew 24, we have identified the "fig tree" stated in verse 32.

The next step to cover is Matthew 24: 33 & 34. "Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

This verse can mean a couple of things: That the generation that sees the start, will see the finish, or that things will happen rapidly. I believe both. The generation that saw the fig tree come into bloom will be the same generation that sees the signs listed in earlier verses of Matthew 24.

I belong to generation X (1980-1990), because I was born in the early 1980's. Thats not to say that my generation is over because a new one has started though. I am alive and well, and I am still considered to be a part of generation X. In Genesis 6:3 it says: "Then the LORD said, 'My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.'" I believe a generation to be 120 years max.

If Israel became a nation in 1948, and one generation is 120 years, then the dilemma is, when did the generation start? I mean, do we start generation at 1948 or 1940 or 1900? Well generation X, which I believe has no relevance other than a tool of measurement, started in 1980 and goes until 1990. Lets assuming that the generation that saw Israel become a nation started in 1940. If we calculate the sum from the length of a generation and the start of the generation that saw Israel become a nation (120+1940) we get 2060.

There are many variables in this calculation, however I believe this shows that we are living in the times of Christs' second coming. Again, no one knows when that amazing day will be, nor do we truly understand how it will happen. This starts an entirely different argument over issues which I may go into another time.