Examining Prophecies--The Fig Tree

A continuing look at the prophecies the World Mission Society Church of God uses to prove Ahnsahngong as God, the second coming Christ. Remember, the goal is to see if the prophecies point to Ahnsahnghong as the unique one to fulfill them....

When Christ returns for the second time
He will appear when the nation of Israel is restored (1948).
According to the parable of the fig tree, which is symbolic for Israel:
Matt. 24:32-33; Luke 13:6-7; Isa. 5:7; Jer. 24:5

I've been unable to get details about Ahnsahnghong’s baptism, but for the purpose here, let’s accept the church’s statement that he was baptized in 1948, the same year Israel was restored. Yes, Ahnsahnghong would then fulfill this prophecy…but what about everyone else baptized in 1948? Or what about those born in 1948? Plus, this prophecy can be interpreted to be “any time after Israel’s restoration,” since Matt. 24:32-33 says that when these things happen we know the end is “near--at the doors” because “when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ” There are several verses in the Bible talking about Jesus coming “soon” (look in the book of Revelation), and Peter said “The end of all things is at hand [near]” (1 Pet. 4:7). Well, it’s been almost 2000 years—obviously God has a different idea of “soon” and “near” than we do. Therefore, we need not look only to the year 1948, but anytime after as well. This prophecy then rules out anyone who died before 1948. But everyone alive in or after 1948 fulfills this prophecy.

The re-establishment of the country of Israel is very significant in Bible prophecy. But look at Luke 21:29 (a parallel to Matt. 24:32), "Then He spoke to them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.'" It's entirely possible that Jesus was NOT using the fig tree as a symbol for Israel, since He says to look at ALL the trees. The fig tree is among a number of trees that lose its leaves in winter, and it's cycle of fruit and leaves is very noticeable, so it could easily be that Jesus was just using it as a visual example.