Mark Photos - 13:28-31 - Gate
The Lesson of the Fig Tree “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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Very near...at the very gates...Jesus has just opened the gate a little bit and is waiting to open it fully, whether that's to come out himself or to bring in those waiting beyond. The way I hear this passage, I think of the gate just being barely opened - its not wide enough to go in or go out, but there's a clear sense that something is about to happen. What that might be - too early to tell, but soon.