Was Jesus planning to return within a generation?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Oct 13, 2019
42
5
8
#1
"Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Matthew 10:23

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,585
3,616
113
#2
Matthew 10. 23 .. Jesus the Holy Spirit and the Father are One.. The kingdom of holy Spirit indwelled Christians started on the Day of Penticost and the Apostles had not reached all the towns of Israel by that time..

Matthew 16 :28 .. Again the Day of Penticost is when the Kingdom was established.. A Kingdom cannot come into being without having it's first subjects/ citizens.. And the Apostles because the first citizens of the Kingdom on the day of penticost..

Matthew 24:34 That generation is the generation that would be seeing the signs Jesus had just given.. Jesus was not talking about the generation He was revealing the prophecy too He was talking about the future generation that would be seeing the signs He prophecised..

Luke 21: KJV
28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#3
"Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Matthew 10:23

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
Old Testament prophesy about the Tribulation and the 2nd coming.

The grace dispensation, plus the fact it is lasting so long now, almost 2000 years, was a mystery
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#4
I would offer..

The word generations (beginnings) are used two ways. One to represent the generation of Adam as the generation of natural unconverted man. And also called the evil generation as those who have no faith. . . that could come by hearing God. They must walk after what the eyes see . .And the other beginning in respect to the born again the generation of Christ the second Adam those who do have faith .

Genesis 5:1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Matthew 12:39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (the last sign as a wonder source of faith)

The old testament book of the generations of Adam are in respect to all of those born into the world .

Mathew now that the geanalolgy of the seed of Christ was fulfilled in the coming of the Son of Man Jesus .The generation of Christ represent all of those born again under the seed.... Christ. it would represent the Lambs book of life slain from the foundation of the world. those two books will be compared on the last day .All whose name that are not found in the lambs book of life .they will not rise to new life on the last day

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

The generation of Christ in Genesis 6 again fulfilled in Mathew

Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

The verse in Mathew 24 is speaking of the generation of Adam natural unconverted man .In other words not one Jot or tittle will be removed from the letter of the law (the killer) until the last day. No signs as a wonder . We walk by the faith of Christ as the new generation.

"Truly I tell you, this generation (of Adam) will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
#5
No..........and the one verse was indicative of his transfiguration on the mount and his disciples seeing him in his glorified state....the latter two were directed at the generation of believers alive when he does come......
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#6
No..........and the one verse was indicative of his transfiguration on the mount and his disciples seeing him in his glorified state....the latter two were directed at the generation of believers alive when he does come......
What glorified state is that seeing God is not a man as us? We see the glory of God in face of God or the revealed knowledge of our invisible God. The one time outward demonstration of the work of the unseen Spirit is over. No sign as a wonder source of faith that looks ahead is given. Just as in Noah a sign of the times. things carrying on business as usual

He will come as a thief in the night just as in the days of Noah.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#7
"Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Matthew 10:23

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
"Some standing here" has reference to that present generation. The kingdom is Christ's church in which he is king and also the husband of his bride, the church.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,487
13,792
113
#8
I would offer..

The word generations (beginnings) are used two ways. One to represent the generation of Adam as the generation of natural unconverted man. And also called the evil generation as those who have no faith. . . that could come by hearing God. They must walk after what the eyes see . .And the other beginning in respect to the born again the generation of Christ the second Adam those who do have faith .

Genesis 5:1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Matthew 12:39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (the last sign as a wonder source of faith)

The old testament book of the generations of Adam are in respect to all of those born into the world .

Mathew now that the geanalolgy of the seed of Christ was fulfilled in the coming of the Son of Man Jesus .The generation of Christ represent all of those born again under the seed.... Christ. it would represent the Lambs book of life slain from the foundation of the world. those two books will be compared on the last day .All whose name that are not found in the lambs book of life .they will not rise to new life on the last day

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

The generation of Christ in Genesis 6 again fulfilled in Mathew

Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

The verse in Mathew 24 is speaking of the generation of Adam natural unconverted man .In other words not one Jot or tittle will be removed from the letter of the law (the killer) until the last day. No signs as a wonder . We walk by the faith of Christ as the new generation.

"Truly I tell you, this generation (of Adam) will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
Your position would make sense if the examples you cite were the only such uses of "generations" or "generation". In the Genesis case, the word also appears in Genesis 2:4, 6:9, 10:1, 11:27, and other places. In the Matthew case, the word "generation" is a different word in a different language, and appears many times, several of which can only mean 'father to son' time or family.

The OP's question comes down to one issue: did Jesus mean "race", or did He mean 'father-to-son period'?
 
Oct 13, 2019
42
5
8
#9
Matthew 10. 23 .. Jesus the Holy Spirit and the Father are One.. The kingdom of holy Spirit indwelled Christians started on the Day of Penticost and the Apostles had not reached all the towns of Israel by that time..

Matthew 16 :28 .. Again the Day of Penticost is when the Kingdom was established.. A Kingdom cannot come into being without having it's first subjects/ citizens.. And the Apostles because the first citizens of the Kingdom on the day of penticost..

Matthew 24:34 That generation is the generation that would be seeing the signs Jesus had just given.. Jesus was not talking about the generation He was revealing the prophecy too He was talking about the future generation that would be seeing the signs He prophecised..

Luke 21: KJV
28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
Then why in the verse right before Jesus says, "some standing shall not taste death...", does it say, "For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done."

This means when the Son of Man comes, there will be judgement and angels with Jesus. Which there wasn't.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#10
Your position would make sense if the examples you cite were the only such uses of "generations" or "generation". In the Genesis case, the word also appears in Genesis 2:4, 6:9, 10:1, 11:27, and other places. In the Matthew case, the word "generation" is a different word in a different language, and appears many times, several of which can only mean 'father to son' time or family.

The OP's question comes down to one issue: did Jesus mean "race", or did He mean 'father-to-son period'?
Race as in? Running or flesh )

He meant beginnings, (genesis's ).The generation of Adam, the evil generation , or the generation of Christ, the born again righteous generation .

The generation of Adam will not pass away until the law is fulfilled.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,595
17,062
113
69
Tennessee
#11
No, Jesus was not planning to return after a generation, in fact, He made no plans to return at all. Only the Father knows the time when Jesus will return, not even Jesus knows when this will be.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,487
13,792
113
#12
He meant beginnings, (genesis's ).The generation of Adam, the evil generation , or the generation of Christ, the born again righteous generation .

The generation of Adam will not pass away until the law is fulfilled.
Your opinion about the meaning of a word does not constitute evidence as to its actual meaning.

In its context, the word "generation" in Matthew 24:34 cannot mean "beginnings".

In its context, the word "generations" in Genesis 5:1 also cannot mean "beginnings".
 

Whispered

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2019
4,551
2,230
113
www.christiancourier.com
#13
"Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Matthew 10:23

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
A generation is typically that of a 40 year span. Some say it is why the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years in a journey that should have taken but days from Egypt unto what is now their holy land Israel.
However, I would suggest also that the kingdom appearance did occur as Jesus promised. First He appeared before His kingdom on Earth as the propitiation for the sins of the world on the cross. And at His resurrection wherein after He walked among the people for 40 days before ascending away from what will be His kingdom that the Revelation prophecy says He shall rule at the end of days. And secondly, that very return appearance in the clouds, which is yet to come.
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
113
#14
"Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." Matthew 10:23

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34
Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And 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.

Mat 24:3 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?

Matthew 24:34 is in the future, and 24:1-2 is the overthrow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the rest is of the future at the end time which is now for the disciples said tell us of the end of the world which we know the end of the world was not back then, which the end of the world is when the wicked is put down and Jesus rules on earth.

Pro 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Pro 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Pro 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Eph 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

This is the attitude of the world at the last generation which nowhere in the history of mankind has children been more rebellious as now for this is on a nationwide scale in America, and before America this attitude did not take place for the children today will feed off each other, which they have support with one another in great number.

Also children honoring their father and mother is the first commandment with promise for they learn to be humble and obedient to authority which they will be more likely to accept God, and His truth, and to obey Him.

Fathers provoke your children not to wrath for children have to obey their parents, but parents have a responsibility too so it is a 2 way street.

Which after the counterculture movement happened morals went down, and they grew up and had children with less morals than before, and then the morals slipped more, so today there is many parents that do not act right and then tell their children to act right, which the children will think you do not even act right and you want to tell me to act right, and also their lower morals lets the children get away with more.

Which many parents are in to drugs, alcohol, cutting down the neighbors, stealing, going to jail, drinking and driving, breaking the law all the while telling the children to act right when they do not want to listen to the law.

Children will only act according to how the parents and government allow them to act, so whose fault is it.

The last generation will devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men, which can only happen with advanced technology for it caused money and material things to flow like a raging river, and then they can reach out to more people to make money, which we know today that millions of dollars and billions of dollars is not enough for them and they keep heaping and heaping.

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Dan 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Daniel had a vision of the end time but did not understand, but was told to go his way for he could not understand it.

But when they get to the end time the book will be unsealed and they would be able to understand it.

Why, for many shall run to and fro, advanced travel, and knowledge shall be increased, advanced technology, which the saints can see, hear, and know of the things going on in the earth on a world wide level, where Daniel had a limited view of his world, and the saints will know how it is possible for the world to come together for they can communicate with each other, and travel to each other in which the will rebel against God favoring evolution as religion, and no personal God.

Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The saints would be in the same position as Daniel having a limited view of their world, and no broadcast of what is going on as today, so how can the saints hear of wars, and rumors of wars, and nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, that shall happen in different places on earth.

But today we can know these things, and we know of WW1 and WW2, and of the things that go on in the earth.

Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Also how can the saints be hated of all nations back then, but in the future they can be when the world embraces the new age movement as their religion.

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Also this could of not happened back then, but today it can happen.

Why, because iniquity is selfishness, arrogance, and self exaltation.

Because of technology increasing it caused money and material things to flow like a raging river, so it brought out the selfishness, and arrogance of people to a level never seen before as they try to get as much of it as possible.

Also it caused worldliness to increase to enjoy, fleshy pleasures to spend money on and enjoy.

So it caused people to be highly selfish and arrogant to where they cannot get enough.

After that attitude goes on for a while the attitude will be people basically care about themselves with little regard for anybody else, so you do not care about me, I do not care about you, and they get worse in caring about other people which causes their selfishness, and arrogance to increase more, and they care less for the feelings of other people.

Then the attitude is get all you can get and forget everybody else.

People are not going to like each other that much in an environment like that which we see in America.

The nature of people has always been there but technology increased it, which as long as people do not have anything to cling on to to exalt themselves people will basically be on the same level, and people will get along great, and look at people as basically decent, and kind, and good.

But technology changed that for it gave people something to cling unto to exalt themselves, and be selfish and arrogant, and people are not on the same level anymore, so people do not like each other as much, and look at people as dogs, trust no one to where it affects the marriage, or lack of marriage now.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

The end is when the Son delivers up the kingdom to the Father, and at that time all rule, authority, and power will be put down.

We know the resurrection has not happened yet, and we know that governments, and ruler ship still goes on so Jesus has not delivered the kingdom up to the Father yet.

When the Gospel is preached in to all the world as a witness to all nations then comes the end when the resurrection shall happen, which could of not happened back then for governments still operate, and could of not happened for there is no way the Gospel could of been preached to all nations back then.

So it is future, and the scriptures after these ones is speaking of the future.

Continued,
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
113
#15
Continued,

Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Joh 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
This is also in the future.

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The kingdom of God comes without observation for they will not see a physical kingdom back then, and they shall not say here it is, or there it is, for the kingdom of God is within you and that is when you receive the Holy Spirit, which the saints show the kingdom of God's ways on earth.

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Joh 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Jesus was with them in human form and when He resurrected to heaven He came back to them by His Spirit and dwelt with them.

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The kingdom of God is within you which is the Son's kingdom, and He would come back to the saints by His Spirit, so at the day of Pentecost when they received the Spirit the kingdom of the Son had come, and some did not die physically until they experienced that and seen it happen.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,402
113
#16
What glorified state is that seeing God is not a man as us? We see the glory of God in face of God or the revealed knowledge of our invisible God. The one time outward demonstration of the work of the unseen Spirit is over. No sign as a wonder source of faith that looks ahead is given. Just as in Noah a sign of the times. things carrying on business as usual

He will come as a thief in the night just as in the days of Noah.
The above last sentence is why you miss the mark on many things....you conflate numerous stand alone out of context truths into one massive error......But YOU BRETHERN ARE NOT IN DARKNESS THAT THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF.....dude, you must do way better than that if you want to even come close to the truth radar.........
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#17
The above last sentence is why you miss the mark on many things....you conflate numerous stand alone out of context truths into one massive error......But YOU BRETHERN ARE NOT IN DARKNESS THAT THAT DAY SHOULD OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF.....dude, you must do way better than that if you want to even come close to the truth radar.........
Like Noah we are warned and can watch but that does not take away the sudden destruction as a thief in the night. The day, year, hour or minute no man knows.

Again what glorified state seeing God is not made after the rudiments of this world ?
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#18
Like Noah we are warned and can watch but that does not take away the sudden destruction as a thief in the night. The day, year, hour or minute no man knows.

Again what glorified state seeing God is not made after the rudiments of this world ?
The rapture of the body of Christ will be a secret that only the Father knows, but the 2nd coming of Christ will not be. There will be enough warning signs to make it obvious, 2 witnesses with their miracles, their death and resurrection for example.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#19
The rapture of the body of Christ will be a secret that only the Father knows, but the 2nd coming of Christ will not be. There will be enough warning signs to make it obvious, 2 witnesses with their miracles, their death and resurrection for example.
No sign as a wonder (source of faith is given) Its a evil generation natural unconverted mankind that seeks after one .

One resurrection. . one judgment . The ressurection gates were opened when Christ said it is finished .They remain open up until the last day . The same time the letter of the law death will be cast into the fire. Never to rise and condemn another creation .

When Christ comes on the last day .Its judgement day for those who believe not and the day the saints will received their promised new incorruptible bodies.

What we are as sons of God is not what we will be in any way shape or form . We know we will be like the angels as his eternal bride. Not multiplying. Neither male nor female Jew nor gentile .

Its when men try and split the difference. A thousand literal years here and another there as if God works differently from one day to the next . A thousand years is like one day. A thousand literal years is, a thousand literal years. .

John 6:39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

The last trump is blown.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

The two witnesses is simply the law and the prophet (sola scriptura) The tongue of God the miracle worker .


 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#20
No sign as a wonder (source of faith is given) Its a evil generation natural unconverted mankind that seeks after one .

One resurrection. . one judgment . The ressurection gates were opened when Christ said it is finished .They remain open up until the last day . The same time the letter of the law death will be cast into the fire. Never to rise and condemn another creation .

When Christ comes on the last day .Its judgement day for those who believe not and the day the saints will received their promised new incorruptible bodies.

What we are as sons of God is not what we will be in any way shape or form . We know we will be like the angels as his eternal bride. Not multiplying. Neither male nor female Jew nor gentile .

Its when men try and split the difference. A thousand literal years here and another there as if God works differently from one day to the next . A thousand years is like one day. A thousand literal years is, a thousand literal years. .

John 6:39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

The last trump is blown.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

The two witnesses is simply the law and the prophet (sola scriptura) The tongue of God the miracle worker .
Are you aware that, the way you write, readers cannot tell whether you are agreeing or disagreeing?