This Generation
Written in April, 2010
The next thing the Lord said was, “Verily I say unto
you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Right here the Lord predicted that all of the things predicted will occur in
one specific generation, and will be “fulfilled” before all of those living in
that generation “pass away” [die off]. Wow! Glory to God!
What “generation”? Those teaching Preterits’
theology claim that the Lord was referring to the generation living at the time
He gave this prophecy, and that all of Matthew 24 has already been fulfilled
(except the Lord’s actual Return). Is that so? No it is not so! Such a false
interpretation is impossible, for “all these things” in the preceding 31 verses
includes “the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with Power and Great
Glory” [24:30]. The last time I checked, the Lord hadn’t returned yet. Folks, “all
these things” is an ongoing process taking place during “this generation,” and
they haven’t “all” been concluded yet. Before “all these things” are finally
fulfilled, the Lord will have returned! The Preterist claim is a perversion of
God’s Word and a false claim. Let’s examine this statement for ourselves and
see the Truth…..
In Matthew 24:34 the word “generation” is translated
from the Greek word, “genea.” This word literally means, “a begetting; that
which has been begotten, men of the same stock; a family; the several ranks in
a natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy; a race of men; the
whole multitude of men living at the same time: Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke
21:32.
This word is used numerous times in the New
Testament. A “generation” is a specified length of time from the birth of a
child until the birth of that child’s children. In God’s Word a “generation”
involves a specified length of time and is associated with a person or people
or event that occurs within that particular period of time.
The Lord didn’t leave us in the dark on this
subject. The length of a “generation” is clearly defined in God’s Word for
those who are willing to “search the Scriptures.” I have heard many “guesses”
and various claims as to how long a “generation” is in the Word of God. Instead
of guessing or estimating or assuming, why not just let God’s Word define it for
us? God’s Word is the final Authority!
I have personally looked up and studied every single
place in the Bible where the word, “generation,” is used, both in the Old Testament
and the New Testament. The Hebrew and Greek words which are translated as
“generation” and “generations,” occur 172 times in the Old Testament, and 77
times in the New Testament, for a total of 249 times. The word “generation” is
translated from 3 different Hebrew words in the Old Testament and 6 different
Greek words in the New Testament.
In carefully studying every one of these Scripture
passages, I determined that God’s inspired Word defines the length of a
“generation” as being 33 years minimum and 42 years maximum.
If this doesn’t fit any reader’s theory on the
length of a Bible “generation,” then I would suggest that you carefully read
again Acts 17:24-29, noting especially the statement in verse 26, “ …and hath
determined the times before appointed…” Folks, there are time periods in God’s
Plan of the Ages which are not limited to a Biblical generation. I acknowledge
these time periods in God’s Word and His use of them in His great Plan of the Ages.
In the Olivet Discourse the Lord was answering
questions asked by four Jews, Mark 13:3-4. They came to the Lord asking Jewish
questions about Jewish concerns. The Lord answered them by speaking of things
which would be of particular concern to the Jews during this present
dispensation, and on to the end of the Tribulation. The entire discourse was
then given to the Jews, was primarily for the Jews and concerned with the Jews.
Since the discourse primarily concerns the Jews, then I have to believe that
the “generation” under consideration in Matthew 24:34 is a 42 year period of
testing for the Jews.
I think it is worthy of note that from the time the
Lord gave the Olivet Discourse to these four Jews, it was then 40 years later
that their Temple was destroyed. Now here at the end of this present
dispensation, there has been another period of testing for the Jews. This
present period of testing has now reached 42 years, and is proceeding towards
completing 43 years. “This generation” is then a period of 42 years.
And the Lord Himself said that…..
“This generation shall not pass, till all these
things be fulfilled.” This does not mean that everything the Lord predicted in
the first 31 verses of the chapter will be fulfilled within the bounds of “this
generation.” What it does mean is that all of the “generation” of people living
at the time that “the tender branch” [Israel] “putteth forth leaves” [expanded
their territory, regaining their beloved Jerusalem] will not “die off” before
“the Kingdom of God” is established upon this Earth. Some of them will still be
alive when that glorious event occurs. Glory!
Folks, I was 14 years of age in 1948, the year
Israel was re-established as a nation. I was 33 years old when the “Six Day
War” was fought, restoring to Israel her capital City, the Temple Mount, the
Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank. So I was alive when “this generation”
began. I have lived during the time of “this generation.” I am a part of “this
generation.” I count myself blessed of the Lord to be one of those living in
“this generation.” I have been able to watch many of the great End-Time
prophecies of His Word being fulfilled before my very eyes. I am now 76 years
of age, and if it is in accordance with the Lord’s Plan for my life [His Will
be done, not mine], I fully expect to be one of those of God’s people “…..which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord…..” which will be “…..caught up
together with them [the resurrected saints] to meet the Lord in the air:….”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
Glory! Hallelujah!
The Time Element…..Since “this generation” is a
period of 42 years, then when did it begin? I’m glad you asked!
The Lord told us exactly when “this generation”
would begin when He said, “…..When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves…..” Folks, Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948, but
for 19 years there was no expansion of Israel’s territory. It was not until the
1967 Six Day War that Israel recovered their beloved capital City of Jerusalem
and other areas, expanding their territory. 1967 was the year that the “…tender
branch…..putteth forth leaves…..” The 42 years of “this generation”
then began June 5th – 10th, 1967. Now you know!