I'm new to Christianity and am still exploring the gospels. According to the gospel of Luke, verse 21:32, Jesus says that "this generation shall not pass until all these things have taken place." Doesn't that mean that all the things mentioned in the bible including the coming of the kingdom should've already happened by now (in that generation)? What are we waiting for?
Luke 21:32 and the coming of the kingdom
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[quoting William Kelly's Commentary on Luke 21; source: BibleHub]
"But, this is not the only point of interest in this appendix to the prophecy. For the Lord has given us the positive proof, by the way in which verse 32 stands here, that "this generation" cannot mean a mere chronological space of thirty or even one hundred years, for it is brought in after the running out of Gentile times and the coming of the Son of man with power and glory, events still unfulfilled. Its force is moral; not exactly the nation of Israel but that Christ-rejecting race which then refused their Messiah as they do still. This will go on till all these solemn threats of judgment are accomplished. It is profitable to remark that here, not in doctrine or in practice only, but in these unfoldings of the future, the Lord pledges the impossibility of failing in His words. The Lord does not say that this generation "shall not pass away till the temple is destroyed or the city taken," but till all be fulfilled. Now, He had [JUST (in v.24)] introduced the subsequent treading down of Jerusalem to the end of Israel's trials at His appearing, and He declares that this generation shall not pass away till then; as indeed it is only then grace will form a new [future] generation, the generation [yet] to come. The more we hold fast the continuity of the stream of the prophecy, as distinguished from the crisis in Matthew and Mark, the greater will be seen to be the importance of this remark."
--William Kelly, Luke 21 Commentary
[end quoting; bold, underline, and brackets mine]
Hope this helps clarify the passage to you.
[note: the phrase "the TIMES of the Gentiles" refers to that which started in 606/605bc, and represents "Gentile domination over Israel"; think" Neb's "dream/statue/image" with Neb as "head of gold"; which will conclude at the END of the future 7-yr trib, at the time of Christ's Second Coming to the earth, in Rev19 (see Rev11:2); distinct from the phrase "the FULNESS of the Gentiles"]
"But, this is not the only point of interest in this appendix to the prophecy. For the Lord has given us the positive proof, by the way in which verse 32 stands here, that "this generation" cannot mean a mere chronological space of thirty or even one hundred years, for it is brought in after the running out of Gentile times and the coming of the Son of man with power and glory, events still unfulfilled. Its force is moral; not exactly the nation of Israel but that Christ-rejecting race which then refused their Messiah as they do still. This will go on till all these solemn threats of judgment are accomplished. It is profitable to remark that here, not in doctrine or in practice only, but in these unfoldings of the future, the Lord pledges the impossibility of failing in His words. The Lord does not say that this generation "shall not pass away till the temple is destroyed or the city taken," but till all be fulfilled. Now, He had [JUST (in v.24)] introduced the subsequent treading down of Jerusalem to the end of Israel's trials at His appearing, and He declares that this generation shall not pass away till then; as indeed it is only then grace will form a new [future] generation, the generation [yet] to come. The more we hold fast the continuity of the stream of the prophecy, as distinguished from the crisis in Matthew and Mark, the greater will be seen to be the importance of this remark."
--William Kelly, Luke 21 Commentary
[end quoting; bold, underline, and brackets mine]
Hope this helps clarify the passage to you.
[note: the phrase "the TIMES of the Gentiles" refers to that which started in 606/605bc, and represents "Gentile domination over Israel"; think" Neb's "dream/statue/image" with Neb as "head of gold"; which will conclude at the END of the future 7-yr trib, at the time of Christ's Second Coming to the earth, in Rev19 (see Rev11:2); distinct from the phrase "the FULNESS of the Gentiles"]
Welcome to CC, and welcome to the family of God!
The most common view taught today is that the word "generation" refers to "humankind" generally. That view holds that Jesus was speaking of events in the far future (at the time of His speaking).
There is another view, that He meant a literal generation; approximately 40 years. That view is consistent with other uses of the Greek word translated "generation". It also lines up with historical events. In 70 AD, Roman armies surrounded and eventually destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. Levitical Judaism was ended. God's wrath was poured out on the Jewish people for rejecting their Messiah.
You will likely get some strongly-worded comments. Take them with a grain of salt, do your own homework, and ask Jesus to teach you His truth.
The most common view taught today is that the word "generation" refers to "humankind" generally. That view holds that Jesus was speaking of events in the far future (at the time of His speaking).
There is another view, that He meant a literal generation; approximately 40 years. That view is consistent with other uses of the Greek word translated "generation". It also lines up with historical events. In 70 AD, Roman armies surrounded and eventually destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. Levitical Judaism was ended. God's wrath was poured out on the Jewish people for rejecting their Messiah.
You will likely get some strongly-worded comments. Take them with a grain of salt, do your own homework, and ask Jesus to teach you His truth.
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Jesus meant exactly what He said to the people He was talking to, and exactly what He said all happen exactly as He said it would in 70 ad when the end of the AGE came and the covenant breakers were judged and the very Jews that screamed "crucify Him", and "we have no king but Caesar, His blood be on our heads, and the heads of our children".
This also gives new insight, to me anyway, to one of the only things Jesus said on the way to the cross to the women, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
God always told us that He was bringing salvation and judgement, and He did EVERYTHING He said He would, and is seated at the right hand right now as KING above all kings, and LORD above all lords, with all authority in heaven AND on earth and will reign until all enemies have been made a footstool for His feet!!! Strait up. When He said "this generation", He meant the generation He was talking to, to try to put ANY other meaning to it is to add to the text. When Jesus says "this generation" to those people He did not mean a far future generation that they'd never have anything to do with. That makes no sense, and honestly makes Jesus a liar. The kingdom is here, I'm in it and it's not something you point to and say "there it is", it's not of the flesh, this was what all the Jews thought it would be, and still do. I know this will ruffle some feathers, but honestly is no different than what the pre-tribbers are waiting for now. Jesus to bring an earthly kingdom they can see and point to, when it's already here and been transforming the world for 2,000 years, PRAISE His Holy Name!!!!
This also gives new insight, to me anyway, to one of the only things Jesus said on the way to the cross to the women, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."
God always told us that He was bringing salvation and judgement, and He did EVERYTHING He said He would, and is seated at the right hand right now as KING above all kings, and LORD above all lords, with all authority in heaven AND on earth and will reign until all enemies have been made a footstool for His feet!!! Strait up. When He said "this generation", He meant the generation He was talking to, to try to put ANY other meaning to it is to add to the text. When Jesus says "this generation" to those people He did not mean a far future generation that they'd never have anything to do with. That makes no sense, and honestly makes Jesus a liar. The kingdom is here, I'm in it and it's not something you point to and say "there it is", it's not of the flesh, this was what all the Jews thought it would be, and still do. I know this will ruffle some feathers, but honestly is no different than what the pre-tribbers are waiting for now. Jesus to bring an earthly kingdom they can see and point to, when it's already here and been transforming the world for 2,000 years, PRAISE His Holy Name!!!!
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If I may clarify my earlier post... I believe the only part of Luke 21 which is referring to the "70ad events" are found in Luke 21:12-24a (with 24b following on and unfolding from there), where verse 12 starts out with "But BEFORE all these" (i.e. "But BEFORE ALL THESE [beginning of birth pangs JUST LISTED in vv.8-11 which are parallel to Matt24:4-8 and Mk13:5-8], which events are all "far-future" to when written); IOW, the SEQUENCE is: BEFORE ALL of the beginning of birth pangs, the 70ad events must take place (vv.12-24a)... and then "they shall be led away captive into all the nations"... and then [far-future] "the beginning of birth pangs [vv.8-11]" will commence, which things LEAD UP TO His Second Coming to the earth (those having [/will have] taken place within a relatively short period of time [and which "BoBPs" are equivalent to the SEALS of Rev6]).
We can be sure that scripture is telling the exact truth. All scripture has meaning on many levels at once, both spiritual and also physical accuracy.
Jesus refers to this generation in three places, in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32. Each time it is very clear He is speaking prophecy about the destruction of the temple and by this generation Christ is speaking of the generation of and OT age.
In Matthew 24 we read on further: 1: Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, xwhen will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
In Matthew 24 we read on further:
Jesus refers to this generation in three places, in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32. Each time it is very clear He is speaking prophecy about the destruction of the temple and by this generation Christ is speaking of the generation of and OT age.
In Matthew 24 we read on further: 1: Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, xwhen will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
In Matthew 24 we read on further:
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Jesus is speaking of the generation that heard him. If we look further on in Luke:
(Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.)
(Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.)
(Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.)
(Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.)
Jesus when being led to His crucifixion tells the women that the days would come in their life times that they would be weeping for themselves and their children.
We see John using Jesus' words in the time of the six seal.
John's usage of the "rocks fall on us" motif indicates to his contemporary readers that the time of the six seal would be during the time that the same women in Luke 23:38 were living. The seventh seal would be shortly after.
(Rev 6:12 KJV) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood )
(Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb).
(Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? )
John tells his contemporary audience that the time was at hand and what he saw in his visions would shortly come to pass:
(Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John )
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(Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand )
(Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.)
(Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.)
(Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.)
(Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.)
Jesus when being led to His crucifixion tells the women that the days would come in their life times that they would be weeping for themselves and their children.
We see John using Jesus' words in the time of the six seal.
John's usage of the "rocks fall on us" motif indicates to his contemporary readers that the time of the six seal would be during the time that the same women in Luke 23:38 were living. The seventh seal would be shortly after.
(Rev 6:12 KJV) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood )
(Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb).
(Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? )
John tells his contemporary audience that the time was at hand and what he saw in his visions would shortly come to pass:
(Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John )
.
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(Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand )
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Hi Blik , Some folks think ''this generation'' is the generation that is alive when Israel became a nation again in May 1948, some think when Israel recaptured Jerusalem in 1967 .. Some think it was the generation that Jesus actually walked the Earth 2000 yrs ago ..
The bible says a man is given 70 yrs, 80 if he's strong and after that his days are full of trouble so many count a generation as 70 yrs .. It gets confusing but keep you interested , me anyway ..
The bible says a man is given 70 yrs, 80 if he's strong and after that his days are full of trouble so many count a generation as 70 yrs .. It gets confusing but keep you interested , me anyway ..
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