"THIS GENERATION" DEFINED


Matthew 24:32-35 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

Note: Amillennialists proclaim that "this generation" refers to the generation of Jesus Christ.


THE ISRAEL OF GOD IN PROPHECY - Hans K. LaRondelle

Page 200: If the three Synoptic Gospels describe one and the same event regarding Jerusalem - the approaching desolation of the city and the sanctuary - then Christ placed the fulfillment of Daniel 9:26, 27 in A.D. 70, within His own generation (cf. Matthew 24:34; 23:36; Luke 21:32, 22). Luke's emphatic declaration that the destruction of Jerusalem (by Titus in A.D. 70) was "the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written" (Luke 21:22) is the sealing confirmation that Daniel's "seventieth week" has been completely fulfilled by Christ's mission to Israel and Jerusalem's horrible destruction by the Romans.

 

THE LAST DAYS ACCORDING TO JESUS - R.C. SPROUL

Pages 52-53: The phrase "this generation will by no means pass away" (Matt. 24:34) is repeated in almost identical language in the accounts of Mark and Luke. First we notice that Jesus made this statement to his disciples who were alive and present with him at the time. They were the primary audience Jesus was addressing. Indeed subsequent generations of Christians are included by way of extension in the audience of all of Jesus' words. But it is dangerous either to exclude from consideration the original audience or to relegate them to a level of secondary importance.

Page 55: The importance of this consideration is its relationship to our understanding of the disputed time-frame reference in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:34) regarding the passing of a generation. If Jesus had in mind a time-frame of roughly forty years, it could also be said that during this time-frame some of his disciples would not taste death.

 

Amillennialists in their effort to proclaim complete fulfillment of Matthew chapter 24 will interpret some verses literally yet others allegorical. Inconsistent interpretation is dangerous as Jesus Christ proclaimed all events He described (verses 5 through 31) would be witnessed by one generation as recorded in Matthew 24:34. This unique generation would witness all of these events: (5) false messiahs; (6) wars and rumors of wars; (7) ethnic conflicts, wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes; (9) Christians killed for the name of Jesus; (10) hate abounding; (11) false prophets; (12) the love of many growing cold; (13) endurance is salvation; (14) the gospel will be preached in all nations; (15) desecration of the holy of holies within the temple; (21) the greatest tribulation the earth has ever seen; (24) false messiahs and prophets performing miracles; (26) false directions to the messiah; (29) the sun, moon, and stars not giving light; (30) the return of Jesus Christ in power and great glory; (31) the elect are gathered together. No generation has yet witnessed all of these events be it the generation of Jesus or the current generation. Thus, "this generation" may be my generation or a later generation. Scripture is truly dynamic since portions of Matthew chapter 24 have been fulfilled in every generation thereby making the Holy Bible relevant to all generations.

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