Matthew 24:32-35 – The importance of observing the signs of the time

In these verses, Jesus was still responding to the disciples’ three questions: When will the temple be destroyed? When will He take His position as Messiah-King? When will this present age end?

Having narrated the impending dangers and hostility, He illustrated with a parable on the fig tree, to show the importance of observing carefully, the signs that point to their accomplishment. The fig tree is an appropriate illustration because like any Palestinian tree, it would shed its leave during winter and sprouts new leaves in late spring. This budding would indicate that summer is near. All those things that Jesus had described would be like the budding of a fig tree, indicating the looming fall of Jerusalem. The disciples were told to be discerning and carefully observe all those signs as they would point to the disaster that awaited Jerusalem. 

In verse 34, Jesus specifically emphasized that all those things would happen within that generation. He was talking more about the impending happening as a compelling proof of the presence of God’s Sovereign rule. And though heaven and earth will pass away, His words have permanent value and would last. They remain constant and abiding. He put His stake on the reliability and truthfulness on the fulfilment of the prediction.

Today as always, we are thankful that God is in Sovereign control of all the events of the world. Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s Word abides forever. We are thankful that Jesus has been enthroned for time and eternity, as we await the consummation of the ages.