S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

This concept is usually drawn from Matthew 24:34, "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." The previous verses, Matthew 24:1-33, de...

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July 01 2013 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lynda Hickman Supporter Homemaker, plumber, carpenter, all around gearhead

While the word "generation" can mean a great number of people living at the same time, it also means people of the same family, of the same father, i.e., Abraham, Isaac & Jacob (the Jewish people.)
Since we have not seen "heaven & earth" pass away (Matt 24:35) then it can't be a "generation", that is, those living at the same time, that was referred to. 

Israel will never "pass away" for the Jewish people are the "chosen" of GOD (Deut 7:6 & 14:2; Josh 24:22 & 1 Kings 3:7-9)
Israel & the Jewish people are the "apple of His eye" (the gate of His eye)
Zech 2:7-8 tells us that "the LORD of hosts, that is the LORD GOD Jehovah will come & spoil those who have touched Zion (Israel & Jerusalem).
Whoever has touched His chosen people have literally "poked Him in the eye" (MacArthur)

I wouldn't mind watching from a far distance as GOD's wrath is poured out on those who have touched His chosen, poking Him in the eye, but I certainly do not want to be watching "close up & personal"!

His promise to Israel is eternal. Whatever politicians & the media have to say is just empty rhetoric!

Many have claimed to have "inside information" about His return, many still do.
But the truth is, even those who have within them the Holy Spirit, those who are born again, as it says in 1 Cor 2:10-12, those who have received His Spirit know some of "the things of GOD" but not ALL things. There are some things that remain a mystery, the deep things of GOD.

We can discuss & even debate what is meant by all of Matt 24, we can look at the history of Israel, we can discuss the wars, the rumors of wars, the famines, the pestilence, the earthquakes in various places & the technology that allows instant news feeds, even the present day politics, but the bottom line is what Jesus Himself said in Matt 24:36, "But of that day & hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." 

Gosh, if the angels who are there in heaven, who are constantly in His presence, looking on Him & the Father, are not privileged to know, how on earth can any human think for one minute that they know?

And if we can't know the day or the hour, how could we possibly know the year of the century?

The one sure thing is what Jesus said in Matt 24:44, "Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
And the "Therefore" is there to make us look at Matt 24:37-43!

As my daddy used to say, "don't get caught in your unawares!"

July 29 2015 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

JD Abshire Supporter

The word "generation" is also used in the Bible to mean: 

fathered, birth, nativity
that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
metaph. A group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
esp. In a bad sense, a perverse nation
the whole multitude of men living at the same time
an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 years

In the context of Matthew 24, verse 3 states "the disciples came privately saying"(asking).
I believe Christ was stating to the disciples (privately) that their progeny, the Jews, Israel would not pass away until all these things be fulfilled.

December 09 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Billy P Eldred Supporter

I was taught many years ago that because Jesus mentioned the fig tree and that since the fig tree was symbolic of Israel, then someone alive at the time Jerusalem became a nation again would still be living when Jesus returned.

I no longer believe that is what was meant by Matthew chapter 24, though it is still certainly possible. When we look at what happens daily in the world it seems that those times are at the door. But the Bible tells us though we may know the season, we will not know the day. 

It is interesting to note that according to Strong's Concordance the Greek word translated as generation could also mean age or even nation. I now believe that the correct translation of this verse should have been: Truly I tell you, this (age) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Jesus was telling his disciples that there was much more that much take place before verse 35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." 

In the book of Revelation we read of the events when this will happen. Near the end of Revelation that time comes Revelation 21:1 
[1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 

I have also learned that the AMAZING Word of God can mean more than one thing at the same time. All of the answers given in this question could be correct. Jesus could have been saying this generation (those living when Israel become a nation again), this nation (Israel), this age (the current order of things) or all the above. 

What we do know is that he was telling his disciples and us to be ready because verse 36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." 

Then verse 42: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Jesus continues this discourse in the next chapter with 3 parables all warnings to stay ready. The first of the 3 ends with these words Matt 25 10-23:

[The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. [11] “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ [12] “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ [13] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

Peter picks up on this warning in 2Peter 3 3-4:
[3] Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Then continues verses 8-12 
[8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. [11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives!"

There will be an end. Be ready! Stay yoked to Jesus! Love others and help them be ready.

14 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report