Kosovo and Budding Trees

Kosovo has proclaimed its independence from Serbia. While the U.S. and some European nations have supported its cause and recognized it, Kosovo’s independence lights a fuse of spreading secession unrest that focuses prophetic truth. Russia is particularly grieved as a friend of Serbia, and suppressing similar departures among its own border areas is now more difficult. Spain is chilled at the thought of Basque nationalists following suit. Students of Islam see a Muslim power infusion as more Balkan areas become harbors of radicalism.

Apart from the political reactions, a prophetic trend is accelerated. We might call it "end times nationalism." Luke 21:29-33 seems to predict a national proliferation. "‘Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.’"

Most literalist Bible students associate the "fig tree…budding" with a rebirth of national Israel, rightly so since figs are directly linked with Israel as Jeremiah 24 outlines. In that passage, good and bad figs are associated with all of contemporary Israel. The good will return, "For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land…" (Jer. 24:6).

In the Luke passage, Christ also spoke of "all the trees" budding concurrently with Israel. Most Middle East countries are modern nations with ancient names that "budded" in the 1940s—Israel in 1948, Jordan and Syria in 1946, and Lebanon in 1943. (Modern Egypt was established in 1922 and Iraq in 1932.) As the Cold War faded, the old Soviet Union split into 15 individual countries. Czechoslovakia divided two ways, and Yugoslavia split six ways. Now, independent Kosovo makes another new nation. It’s a time of "all the trees" budding.

Christ declared that the generation seeing this unique proliferation would be the one to see the coming of His Kingdom. While the time frame is never precisely known, it is reasonable to conclude that someone alive in the 1940s is likely to be alive when Christ returns.

The context of Luke 21:28 is a thrilling encouragement. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Dave Virkler