"What did Jesus mean when He said, 'this generation will not pass'?"

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Nov 22, 2017
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Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?[/FONT]
 

NayborBear

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
#2
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
He means "generation" of flesh man. Like from Adam, until Jesus comes back, and we are all changed.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#3
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?[/FONT]
I keep on repeating it over, and over, and over again on this forum.... Let Scripture interpret Scripture. But, we refuse to do it.

We resist going back to Scripture to find out what was said centuries earlier, in several incidents, about "the sun going dark, the moon failing, God coming on a cloud", etc.

There is no point in us trying to make words that directly relate to existing Scripture, suddenly mean something different than they did when they were spoken in those cases.
 
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Feb 7, 2015
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#4
And I will repeat this: We do not understand these things simply because we honestly DO NOT know our Bibles anywhere near as well as the people to whom those letters were written.
 
Sep 6, 2017
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#5
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Are you sure you are quoting the right verses, I haven't read that Luke 21:23 says that?
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,162
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#6
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Greetings MichaelDanielson,

This is one of my pet peeves, so to speak in that, people try to force "this generation" as referring to the generation that Jesus was speaking from. In Matt.24, after Jesus told them "not one stone would be left upon another" Jesus' disciples as him "when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age." Jesus then proceeds to list all of the signs preceding his return leading up to the end of the age.

Then the Lord gives a comparison:

Trees blossoming = Summer is near

Signs taking place = End of the age is near

Then the Lord says, I tell you the truth, "this generation will not pass away until all of things have happened."

Since all of those signs taking place is the proof of the end of the age, then "this generation" would have to be the one which begins to experience those signs.

As previously stated, there are those who distort the scripture by claiming that "this generation" is referring to Jesus' generation, the one he was speaking from. This interpretation would not only be grammatically incorrect, but those who hold to this interpretation have to force the fulfillment of all of those signs into Jesus' generation of which there has been no fulfillment. To paraphrase, the verse should read as the following:

"Truly I tell you, this generation, the one where all of these signs begin to appear, will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

In short, the generation in question is the one where those signs begin to take place and not the generation that Jesus was speaking from. Interpreting the generation as being the one that Christ spoke from would take the focus off of the need for those signs.
 
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Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
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#8
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
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Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

He then states when his coming would be:

Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Jerusalem has been surrounded ("compassed") by armies a number of times since the war of 66-70AD, the only one that fits Jesus' statements is the Roman war of the 1st century AD
 
Sep 6, 2017
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#9
He obviously meant Luke 21:29-33
Yes it seems indeed, and I agree with what you said, in Mark tells about that generation right after the parable of the fig tree in Mark

Mark 13

32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
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#10
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?

Lk 21:29-32
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
KJV

Mt 24:32-34
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
KJV


In both Mat 24 and Luk 21 Jesus reveals the signs of the end times.

In the parable of the Fig tree, the sprouting of the Fig tree is a figure of the promised restoration of national Israel.

Isa 66:8
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
KJV

The nation is modern Israel. The day is 11/17/1947 when the U N mandate giving Britain control of Palestine was revolked, and Israel was given self government.

The answer to your question is that at least 1 person who was alive on 11/17/1947 will live to see the Lord's return.

IMO the rapture will occur earlier.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,417
3,468
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#11
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Before this verse Jesus went through the series of signs that would herald His return.. In context Jesus is talking about the Generation that would be seeing those end times signs.. So ""This Generation" is in reference to the generation that will be on earth during the times just before the return of Jesus..

Peter stated.. In context

2 Peter 3: KJV
1 "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: {2} That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: {3} Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, {4} And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. {5} For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: {6} Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: {7} But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. {8} But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
 
Jun 1, 2016
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#12
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?

if you look at this along side mathew 24, and mark 13, a bit fuller of an understanding is to be had. Jesus is teaching about both what is coming to jerusalem in the immediate future, and He is also teaching about the end of the World. we have 3 different accounts of this prophetic sermon and each account hold a different angle or detail.


it definatley involves the whole earth. its definatley a warning.


And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and
so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

it definately applies to the destruction of jerusalem in 70 ad...and the end of the World, the second coming of Jesus Christ.

matthew 24 :
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."


2 questions when would jerusalem be destroyed, and what were the signs of the end of the World.


destruction of jerusalem that happened in thier generation

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

this happened under nero and titus in ad 67-70. the seige of Jerusalem left not one stone upon another of the temple it was literally flattened because gold melted between the stones. then He is also speaking of the end of the World, and the ongoing tribulation that leads to His return


matthew 24 "
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."



v 13 -14 "
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."


there are two things being addressed, the end of the World, and the destruction of Jerusalem. all three accounts help show it clearly God Bless.




 

birdie

Senior Member
Sep 16, 2014
505
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#13
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Jesus is referring to 'this evil generation', 'this wicked and adulterous generation'. 'Generation' does not mean the time of a person's lifespan, but rather is referring to a type of person, typified by the Pharisees and those who follow them, who were religious but who rejected Jesus. Jesus is letting his disciples know that this type of religious person who denies Jesus would continue all the way up til the end. They are not going to disappear as an entity until then.

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."

"the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."

"And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation"

Notice that the only sign given to the wicked generation was a picture of Christ on the cross and him being resurrected (Jonas).
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
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#14
Lk 21:29-32
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
KJV

Mt 24:32-34
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
KJV


In both Mat 24 and Luk 21 Jesus reveals the signs of the end times.

In the parable of the Fig tree, the sprouting of the Fig tree is a figure of the promised restoration of national Israel.
This is one the weakest eisegesis arguments presented by the dispensationalists.

The fig tree does not represent "Israel" in the passage, he's comparing all the signs to the sprouting of leaves of most tress "Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;"

The sign starting the series of "signs" is Jerusalem compassed with armies conveniently left out in the above quote:

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Ye Olde Protestants were much more educated on the bible, the dispensationalists have been totally out to lunch since Darby.

Adam Clarke's commentary:

Matt 24:32

Learn a parable of the fig-tree - That is, These signs which I have given you will be as infallible a proof of the approaching ruin of the Jewish state as the budding of the trees is a proof of the coming summer


 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
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#15
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Jesus was speaking of two things not one- The building in Jerusalem that one stone will not be left on another, and of the end of the world. “This generation” literally means the people hearing Him say this would not grow old and die before God’s wrath comes upon physical Jerusalem for crucifying His Son.

He had the Gentiles physically attack the city of Jerusalem, and Jews/Israelites lost their birthright (to be God’s people by physicality). This was not the end of the world, but it was punishment. “He came to His own people but His own people received Him not. But to others who would receive Him (Gentiles), He gave the right to become children of God, not by natural decent (not by being a physical defendant of Abraham).



 
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Jun 6, 2015
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#16
Luke 21:23, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The things that Jesus had been speaking of the rise of the Antichrist, the desolation of the holy place and the darkening of the sun did not happen during the lifespan of people alive in Jesus’ day. Obviously, Jesus must have meant something different when He spoke of “this generation.” What did he mean?
Jesus said learn the parable of the fig tree. most people didn't learn it, here is a video that teaches it better then I can explain it, watch part one and two then you will know which generation he was talking about. God bless

Parable of the Fig Tree - Part 1 - Shepherd's Chapel Parable of the Fig Tree
 
Jun 6, 2015
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#17
And I will repeat this: We do not understand these things simply because we honestly DO NOT know our Bibles anywhere near as well as the people to whom those letters were written.
Just because you do not understand does not mean nobody understand, Jesus would not teach something that nobody understands, watch the video in the previous letter and understand. if you don't understand that does not qualify you to say who is right. God bless
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
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#18
Hello MarcR,

In the parable of the Fig tree, the sprouting of the Fig tree is a figure of the promised restoration of national Israel.
At the expense of getting off topic, I have never been one who ascribed to the popular belief that the fig tree in the verse as referring to Israel. For one, a fig tree being used in any given scripture is not always symbolic for Israel, as it should be determined by the context.

And two, here in Luke's version the scripture says "when you see the fig tree and all the trees." If the symbolism of the fig tree is representing the restoration of Israel, then "all the trees" would also have to symbolic representing the other nations. The mention of other trees would remove the idea of the fig tree being a prophecy regarding Israel.

Personally and according to the scripture, I have always believed that the blossoming of the fig tree and all the trees as being a comparison demonstrating that summer is near and nothing more.
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,162
2,380
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#19
Jesus was speaking of two things not one- The building in Jerusalem that one stone will not be left on another, and of the end of the world. “This generation” literally means the people hearing Him say this would not grow old and die before God’s wrath comes upon physical Jerusalem for crucifying His Son.

He had the Gentiles physically attack the city of Jerusalem, and Jews/Israelites lost their birthright (to be God’s people by physicality). This was not the end of the world, but it was punishment. “He came to His own people but His own people received Him not. But to others who would receive Him (Gentiles), He gave the right to become children of God, not by natural decent (not by being a physical defendant of Abraham).



Hello OneFaith,

The problem with this view is that the signs that Jesus spoke of would include all of those signs that he mentioned, including the sun and moon being darkened, etc., and every eye seeing him return to the earth. I would also include all of the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments and all of the events of Rev.19:11-21, none of which the world has seen. And it would have to be done in that last generation.

The question was "when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age." Jesus does not mention anything more regarding the temple, because before they asked the question he had already told them that "not one stone would be left on another." The Lord focuses on the signs of that last generation leading up to His return to end the age. Luke is the only version that mixes the destruction of Jerusalem with those signs of the future.
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,162
2,380
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#20