I am reading a book on prophecy by Tim LaHaye. He states that there is no substantiation that the fig tree in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 represents Israel. He further points out that Luke 21:29 refers to “the fig tree and all the trees.” And thus, the fig tree cannot be Israel. What are your thoughts?
I’ve been saying the same thing for years. The fig tree is often used as a symbol of Israel, but that’s not the case in the Olivet Discourse. Jesus was explaining how we’ll be able to tell when the End of the Age is near by using an analogy. He said when the fig tree and all the trees (Luke 21:29) begin to get their leaves you know that summer is near. Just so, when you see all the things He’s been describing begin to happen you will know the end of the age is near.
You don’t need the fig tree analogy to show that the re-birth of Israel was a major end times sign. Ezekiel 36-37 explain it very nicely.