24:32Matthew 24:32

As the tender branch putting forth leaves shows summer is near, so the appearing of all the foretold things shows the coming of the Son of man is near, even at the doors.ST Oct 6, 1898+2 This lesson belongs to Christ's answer about the sign of His coming and the end of the world, which joins the destruction of Jerusalem as a type to His coming at the end of the world for those living in the final scenes.DA 627.1–3+2 The first appointed signs were to follow the tribulation of the great papal persecution in the darkened sun, the light-withholding moon, and falling stars, with trouble among the nations marking the last generation.DA 841.6+2 Earthquakes, floods, disasters by sea and land, the ruin of great cities, with intemperance, crime, and moral depravity, show the same nearness, and the generation seeing them will live to see all fulfilled though the day and hour remain unknown.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5+4 The signs were given to be read and not ignored, so that faith grows stronger and sleepers awake to watch, prepare, warn the perishing, and give the last message of mercy before it is too late.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+4

The saying belongs to the answer given to the disciples' question about the sign of coming and the end of the world, joining together the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming at the end of the world.DA 627.1–3+1 It is part of the prophecy of events preceding the coming of the Son of man, in which the destruction of Jerusalem is set forth as a type of the world's final destruction by fire.Ms 77, 1899, par. 4–5 The surrounding teaching describes the moral depravity that will exist just before coming in the clouds, and it speaks to those living in the final scenes of earth's history.DA 627.1–3+1

The great prophecy sketches the history of the present dispensation down to the complete restitution of all things, with special attention to the thrilling closing scenes of this world's history.GC88 bC.1 It enters into sympathy with the church in her warfare and sufferings on to promised redemption, to the final triumph of God's people, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, the total extirpation of evil, and the renovation of the earth as the everlasting inheritance of the saints.GC88 bC.1 It outlines events to come upon the world, including the perils of the last days and calamities upon wicked cities as God withdraws His Spirit to punish rejection of His commandments and warnings, and the fig-tree illustration belongs to that outline.Lt 90, 1902, par. 5–9+1

Its plain sense is that as a branch yet tender putting forth leaves and buds shows summer is nigh, so when all the things foretold are seen it is known that coming and the revelation of the Son of man is near, even at the doors.ST Oct 6, 1898+4 Signs of the times thus make the approach knowable while the exact day and hour remain unknown, calling for preparation.GC 359.1–360.1+1 The generation that sees those signs will not pass till all is fulfilled and will live to see the events fulfilled, with heaven and earth passing away but the words not passing away.ST Oct 6, 1898+2

The fig tree is also a moral symbol of Jerusalem, whose leafy appearance without fruit represents spiritual barrenness, pride, and apostasy.ST Feb 15, 1899 The withering of the cursed tree points to the nation's final doom, after which the disciples ask for the meaning of the fig-tree parable.ST Feb 15, 1899

The first appointed signs were fixed to appear immediately after the tribulation at the close of the great papal persecution, with the sun darkened and the moon withholding its light, followed by the stars falling from heaven.DA 841.6+1 Signs in the sun, moon, and stars, together with trouble among the nations, were given for recognizing that the end is near and the Lord is at the door.DA 631.2–632.3+1 As tender branches and new leaves prove summer is near, so these appointed signs prove Christ's coming is near, even at the doors, and they are specific signs to the last generation living on earth before Christ comes.DA 841.6+1 Since these signs have appeared, His coming is at hand, yet they do not reveal the day and hour of His coming.DA 841.6+1

As a tender branch putting forth leaves means summer is nigh, so seeing all these things means His coming is near, even at the doors, and present disasters speak with a loud voice that the end of all things is at hand.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5+1 Earthquakes, ships going down with great loss of life, destructive floods, accidents, and the burning of immense costly buildings pronounced fireproof but consumed when touched by the finger of God are admonitions that we are living in the last days, in the closing period of this earth's history.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5+2 Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are like new growth on a fig tree marking approaching summer, showing what will come upon the whole earth and telling that the coming of the Son of man is near, even at the doors.CH 270.2–3+1 Large cities will in a little while be terribly shaken and swept away by the judgments of God, and no matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire have been provided, when God touches them they lie in ruins within minutes or hours.CH 270.2–3+1

In the same way, intemperance, extravagant dress, increasing crime, accidents, and disasters are given as visible events showing that the coming of the Son of man is near.Ms 50, 1902, par. 42+1 Intemperance, extravagance, rising crime, and calamities affecting cities are presented as such indications, and the moral depravity that will exist just before His coming in the clouds is the condition of the time described.Ms 50, 1902, par. 42+2

Just as budding branches and new leaves show that summer is near, the signs described show that His coming is near, and the generation that sees those signs will not pass away till all the foretold things are fulfilled but will live to see the events fulfilled.DA 841.6+2 Though no one knows the day or hour, nearness can be known and the approach recognized, and believers are now living amid the perils of the last days.Lt 90, 1902, par. 5–9+2 With threefold assurance heaven and earth will pass away but His words will not pass away, making this nearness certain.DA 841.6+2

The prediction is being fulfilled today, and its unmistakable fulfillment shows that Christ's coming is at hand and calls the church to arouse to questions of eternal importance.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12 Signs can be recognized as showing that the appointed event is near, just as new leaves show that summer is near, and the signs of the times warn that the final crisis and judgment are approaching.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+1 The decree enforcing the papal Sabbath is identified among those warnings to leave the cities.5T 464.3–465.1

Jesus gave the parable beforehand so that those who would believe afterward in this age of the world could discern the signs of the times and prepare for the great conflict, and discerning them belongs to reaching a higher standard in the face of danger.STB 362.1–2 As new leaves on the fig tree show summer is near, the signs that precede His return warn that the revelation of the Son of man is approaching, and they are not to be ignored but call believers to remain watchful and prepared.AA 259.4–260.2 Observable indications that the end is near require watchfulness and readiness for the Master's return at any time, while waiting with hope and trust.ST May 2, 1878 The fulfillment of the signs of the times is joined to waking from inaction and taking up the work God has given.Ms 147, 1902, par. 1

Prophetic signs can be recognized, and their fulfillment gives faith a tangible basis.HSFM 93.5–6 The signs of the times are fulfilling and the people need to know it, with the sure word of prophecy to be read in the light of the living oracles.7T 158.1 More time is to be given to publishing and circulating books containing present truth, calling attention to books dwelling on practical faith and godliness and to books treating the prophetic word, so the people are educated to recognize the fulfillment.7T 158.1 These signs should not be disregarded, for those who have not sought salvation will lament when it is too late.ST Jan 25, 1910 As the signs are fulfilled, faith should grow stronger, and people should be ready and waiting for Christ's appearing.Lt 94, 1903, par. 2

The prophecies of Matthew 24 are to be studied and brought to the attention of all, believers and unbelievers, by ministers and teachers who leave matters of lesser consequence to present truths that decide eternal destiny.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12 Their unmistakable fulfillment today shows that Christ's coming is at hand and calls the church to arouse to questions of eternal importance.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12 As a tender branch putting forth leaves means summer is nigh, so seeing all these things means His coming is near, even at the doors.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5 Present disasters — earthquakes, ships going down with great loss of life, destructive floods, and the burning of immense costly buildings pronounced fireproof but consumed when touched by the finger of God — speak with a loud voice that the end of all things is at hand.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5 They are admonitions that we are living in the last days, in the closing period of this earth's history, and they call for awakening from listless indifference to a realization of dangerous condition.Lt 49, 1902, par. 2–5

The fulfillment of the signs of the times shows plainly that the end is near, with warning to recognize those signs and seek salvation before it is too late.8T 252.3 Signs rapidly coming to fulfillment show that the appointed time is near, and they call for urgency in preparing people to stand amid the perils of the last days.RH Oct 4, 1906 Those perishing in sin must be warned, and means must be invested in giving the world the last message of mercy instead of being spent in self-gratification and worldly gain, for believers are now living amid the perils of the last days and this nearness is certain because this generation shall not pass till all these things are fulfilled and heaven and earth shall pass away but Christ's words shall not pass away.Lt 90, 1902, par. 5–9 Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are like new growth on a fig tree marking approaching summer, showing what will come upon the whole earth and telling that the coming of the Son of man is near, even at the doors.CH 270.2–3+1 Large cities will in a little while be terribly shaken and swept away by the judgments of God, and no matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire have been provided, when God touches them they lie in ruins within minutes or hours.CH 270.2–3+1 The signs of the times warn that the final crisis and judgment are approaching, with the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath identified as a warning to leave the cities.5T 464.3–465.1