Christ will come in our generation?

Many teachers in the pre-tribulation rapture camp, such as Hal Lindsey, have told us that we are definitely the generation that will see Christ return, and that this is a scriptural fact. They come to this conclusion because they believe Israel is referred to as the "fig tree" in certain passages, and because Matthew 24 says:

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [Christ’s coming] is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened (Matt. 24:32-34).

It is concluded by some that the fig tree in this passage is Israel. The phrase "As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out" is said to be referring to Israel becoming a nation. So, with this conclusion, it is understandable that they would think that we will see Christ return in our generation because Israel became a nation in 1948.

But a parallel passage says, "Look at the fig tree AND ALL THE TREES (Luke 21:29)." If the fig tree is Israel becoming a nation, then, according to pre-trib’s way of interpreting scripture, "all the trees" must be referring to all the other lost nations becoming nations once again too! Of course, they do not say this, but it must be the conclusion if they are to be consistent in their interpreting method.

Clearly, this the fig tree in this passage is not referring to the nation Israel. The PARABLE, as it is called in Luke 21:29, is simply telling us that the signs are indicators that His return is near—just as we know that summer is near when the leaves come out on the trees. And remember, there is absolutely no reason to conclude that every time a fig tree is mentioned that it has to be speaking of Israel.

I certainly would not be one to say that Christ will not return in our generation, because I think that He may, but this is just one more example of why we need to study the Bible for ourselves rather than listen to what men tell us.