Gray-Haired Perspective

The Fig Tree in Song of Solomon


The chapter The Olivet Solution discussed the symbolism of the fig tree in Matthew 24. The leaves of the fig tree represent tribulation events rather than Israel's becoming a nation in 1948.

But for a long time the fig tree in Song of Solomon puzzled me. Song of Solomon 2:8–13 seems to portray the rapture in symbolic language:


The speed of the roe pictures the speed of His coming. The lattice, half revealing, half concealing, reminds me of His coming with clouds. The words "Rise up, my love" sounds like something He would say at the rapture.

This passage has similarities and differences compared with Matthew 24:32–33:


Similarities are 1) the fig tree is a symbol related to His coming, and 2) the fig tree indicates a season.

Differences are 1) Matthew's fig tree puts forth leaves while Solomon's fig tree puts forth green figs, and 2) the saints observe Matthew's fig tree before Christ comes, while the bride is directed to look at Solomon's fig tree after her beloved appears. No mention of leaves, no warning.

I know the Bible harmonizes, but I just couldn't put the pieces together. If the rapture comes first, and if Solomon's passage depicts the rapture, then why figs instead of leaves? Don't leaves come first, then figs? Why does the tribulation symbol appear to happen chronologically before the rapture symbol? That was my puzzle.

It all fit into place when I realized that the symbols were not intended to be interpreted together. Each symbol is adapted to fit its own situation. One symbol fits a scheduled event; the other fits a surprise event. The one provides a clue; the other provides confirmation. If the leaves mean His coming is near, then figs mean He's here.

The Christian Counter
The Christian Counter