Matthew 24:34 and "This Generation"

[po18guy]

No, it hasn’t happened yet but Jesus said it would happen to “This Generation.” And after what you quoted, Jesus says:

31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

See how those being gathered will be those of the generation Jesus was speaking to? As well as many other generations.

But, that shoots down the “those standing here today” theory, right?

 

[dronald]

But, that shoots down the “those standing here today” theory, right?

You don’t believe those standing before Jesus will one day be judged?

 

[po18guy]

You don’t believe those standing before Jesus will one day be judged?

Of course. I thought we were talking about whether or not those physically standing in Christ’s presence as He spoke would see all of these things come to pass.

 

[dronald]

Of course. I thought we were talking about whether or not those physically standing in Christ’s presence as He spoke would see all of these things come to pass.

What I’m saying is that the people standing in Christ’s presence (and their generation) will not pass away until all things come to pass. The reason this is true is that their generation has not yet passed away, nor has any generation. Their generation will officially pass away after Jesus comes back and judges them. (The second death)

Although, this Prophecy has a physical meaning as well, that being the destruction of the second temple. Their physical generation did not pass away before the temple was destroyed and their generation has not passed away spiritually yet, and thus all these things will come to pass and then their generation will pass away.

 

[po18guy]

What I’m saying is that the people standing in Christ’s presence (and their generation) will not pass away until all things come to pass. The reason this is true is that their generation has not yet passed away, nor has any generation. Their generation will officially pass away after Jesus comes back and judges them. (The second death)

Although, this Prophecy has a physical meaning as well, that being the destruction of the second temple. Their physical generation did not pass away before the temple was destroyed and their generation has not passed away spiritually yet, and thus all these things will come to pass and then their generation will pass away.

Generation is equivalent to “race” in this usage, rather than generation as we know it.

 

[Mike_from_NJ]

There is a video here which lists several NT passages that indicate that the followers of Jesus expected him to return in their lifetime, many of which don’t hinge on how “generation” is defined.

… this generation shall not pass…

Matthew 24:34
Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Mark 13:30
Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.

Luke 21:32
Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled.

Matthew 23:36
Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.

… shall not taste death…

Matthew 16:28
Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Mark 9:1
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Luke 9:27
But I tell you of a truth: There are some standing here that shall not taste death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Caiphas, the high priest, shall see the return of Jesus in the clouds.

Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:62
And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

Individual examples

Matthew 10:23
And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.
(The author of the video points out that with a such a small area as Israel, that going to each city could be done very quickly.)

1 Corinthians 7:29
This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none;

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers.

James 5:8-9
Be you therefore also patient, and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you may not be judged. Behold the judge standeth before the door.

This may be a reference to this passage in Mark 13:29
So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.

Assuaging fears that Jesus has not returned
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.

The author of the video also pointed out that the Bible says to ignore anyone whose prophecy does not come true, as it’s not from God:
Deuteronomy 18:22
Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him.

If anyone is interested in seeing the whole series, here’s part 1 which is a summary of the argument. Part 2 is the one I linked to above. Part 3 is here. Part 4, which includes arguments against preterism, is here. The final part, which argues against futurism as well as against defining “generation” as “people” or “nation” is here.

 

[dronald]

There is a video here which lists several NT passages that indicate that the followers of Jesus expected him to return in their lifetime, many of which don’t hinge on how “generation” is defined.

… this generation shall not pass…

Matthew 24:34
Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Mark 13:30
Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, until all these things be done.

Luke 21:32
Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled.

Thanks for posting all of these passages! I’ll certainly address each one, but these three here have already been explained by myself earlier. The generation standing before Jesus will in fact see these things come to pass before their second death.

Matthew 23:36
Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation.

I don’t think this one fits in, but i’ll address it:

Matthew 16:28
Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Mark 9:1
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Luke 9:27
But I tell you of a truth: There are some standing here that shall not taste death, till they see the kingdom of God.

This one is simple, look what both authors show immediately follow:

Mark9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Luke 9:27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.

Peter himself makes this clear in his letter:

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”** 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.**

[/QUOTE]

 

[dronald]

Caiphas, the high priest, shall see the return of Jesus in the clouds.

Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:62
And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

He most certainly will!

Individual examples

Matthew 10:23
And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.
(The author of the video points out that with a such a small area as Israel, that going to each city could be done very quickly.)

Notice that Jesus sent them out and then made this promise:

10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

And He did come very quickly!

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

It’s doubtful at this point the Disciples would have understood the concept of a “second coming” and as 1st Century Jews would have understood Christ’s words as a triumphant entry.

1 Corinthians 7:29
This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none;

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers.

James 5:8-9
Be you therefore also patient, and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Grudge not, brethren, one against another, that you may not be judged. Behold the judge standeth before the door.

This may be a reference to this passage in Mark 13:29
So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know ye that it is very nigh, even at the doors.

We still believe that the dead in Christ will rise first, then those who are living will join. And the time is near, and has always been near.

Assuaging fears that Jesus has not returned
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.

The author of the video also pointed out that the Bible says to ignore anyone whose prophecy does not come true, as it’s not from God:
Deuteronomy 18:22
Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him.

If anyone is interested in seeing the whole series, here’s part 1 which is a summary of the argument. Part 2 is the one I linked to above. Part 3 is here. Part 4, which includes arguments against preterism, is here. The final part, which argues against futurism as well as against defining “generation” as “people” or “nation” is here.

Thanks for the link!