24:32 fig tree. At these words, the disciples were bound to think of the fig tree, which they had seen wither away just the day before, and they knew that Christ was showing them what would happen to Israel. But now He was suggesting it would grow again, though still only with leaves, and that this also would be a sign that His coming was near. The return of Israel to her land, still in unbelief, is one of the amazing phenomena of these latter days.

24:33 all these things. The sign which the disciples requested is thus a complex of many signs, all of which would be taking place during this last generation. Although we cannot determine the date of His return (Matthew 24:36), we are commanded to know when it is near, by seeing all these things happening. And if the signs are forecasting His coming in glory, then His coming in the air for His saints, for which no signs are given, must be at least seven years sooner!

24:34 This generation. The word “this” is the demonstrative adjective, and could better be translated “that generation.” That is, the generation which sees all these signs (probably starting with World War I) shall not have completely died away until all these things have taken place.