In Matthew 24:34 Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32 Jesus said, “This generation shall not pass away.” Which generation was He talking about?
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I don’t think another word in Scripture has caused as much confusion as “generation” in the below verses:
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Matthew 24:32-34; see also Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33
The most famous misunderstanding might be Edgar C. Whisenant’s book 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. 4.5 million copies were sold and another 300,000 were mailed free of charge to church leaders across the nation. Although Whisenant had 88 reasons for his conclusion, the strongest came from the word “generation.” The logic is:
- Israel is the fig tree.
- The words, “When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” refer to Israel becoming a nation in 1948.
- A generation is 40 years.
- Jesus said the generation that sees Israel become a nation will not pass away.
Therefore, Jesus must return by 1988.
The problem is the Rapture didn’t occur in 1988 or on any of the other dates Whisenhant predicted (1989, 1993, 1994) before his death in 2001. Some pastors still quote this verse saying, “The generation that sees Israel become a nation will not pass away!” They conclude a generation isn’t 40 years. So the generation of people that saw Israel become a nation will not pass away before Jesus’ return.
This video from Dr. Michael Kruger answers a similar question: “Did Jesus say He would return in the 1st century A.D.?”
What did Jesus mean when He said, “This generation shall not pass away?”
Jesus said, “when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” What things? Everything Jesus discussed in the previous verses:
- Mark 13:1-2 & Matthew 24:1-2 & Luke 21:5-6 – The destruction of the temple
- Mark 13:3-13 & Matthew 24:3-14 & Luke 21:7-19 – The signs of the times and the end of the age
- Luke 21:20-24 – The destruction of Jerusalem
- Mark 13:14-23 & Matthew 24:15-28 – The Great Tribulation
- Mark 13:24-27 & Matthew 24:29-31 & Luke 21:25-28 – Jesus’ Second Coming
What is “it” when Jesus says “it is near”? In the parallel account in Luke 21:31 Jesus said, “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” “It” is the Kingdom of God that Jesus will establish when He returns. In other words, when you see the things Jesus described, the Second Coming is close.
The generation Jesus was addressing?
A few years ago at a pastor’s conference I stayed up late talking with two pastors who were convinced Jesus’ Second Coming took place spiritually (as opposed to physically) in 70AD when Rome conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. One of the main reasons they (as well as others) hold this view (known as Preterism) is based on the word “generation.”
Preterists believe the generation is the people Jesus was speaking to that day. They “[would] by no means pass away till all these things take place.” 70AD was approximately 40 years later, so Preterists believe Jesus’ words were fulfilled when Rome conquered Jerusalem in 70AD.
There are numerous reasons this view is wrong, but for simplicity’s sake, let’s only discuss one: in 70AD Jesus didn’t return like He described He would:
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Matthew 24:30
So which generation?
If Jesus isn’t talking about the “generation” of people living at the time, what “generation” is in view?
The generation of people who see the signs – the trials: final, hard labor pains – described in the previous verses that we know as the Tribulation. That “generation will by no means pass away till all [the things Jesus just discussed] take place.” Everything Jesus prophesied of in the chapter will occur within one generation.
34 Responses
That would be awesome to be Raptured. Unless it’s God’s will that I live to 68.
Ann,
Nice to hear from you. Yes, it would. Assuming you make it to 68, happy birthday ahead of time!
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only
Did you know that Israel is turning 100 years in 2048?
Our Gregorian calendar is incorrect (4 years missing)
Let’s just assume a generation is 100, 2048-7 (tribulation) = 2041
2041-4 (years missing) = 2037
2037-2023 = 14 years remaining to the rapture
Benny,
Nice to hear from you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Can you let me know using Scripture why you believe that the rapture occurs one hundred years after Israel became a nation again? Also, I don’t think I would word it this way: “It’s real is turning one hundred years in 2048.” Israel has been a nation for thousands of years.
Israel became a nation on May 17, 1948. It has NOT been a nation for hundreds or thousands of years. When the three angels came to Abram (99) and Sari (90), before going on to Sodom and Gomorrah, they said Abram would be a father of nations and Sari the mother. She laughed for they had no children. The angels said they would call their son Isaac, meaning laughter, and in one year he would be born. Hence, generational length is100 years: the age Abraham was when Isaac was born. Before the angels left they changed both their names.
Stephen,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about a generation’s length. God bless!
It’s so cool to hear what other people think about this subject! I think Jesus is going to come and get us anytime between now and 2068.
Angela,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Can you explain why you believe Jesus is coming back before that date?
I agree with Angela’s perspective. Although we will not know the day or the hour, we will know the signs of the times just as we know when the seasons change.
Jesus says,“I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.”
Matthew 24:34 NLT
Scripture says, “Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.””
Genesis 6:3 NLT
I believe that “this generation will not pass from the scene” to mean that as long as one person is still alive that was alive on the day that Israel became a nation then that generation has not passed. However, man’s lifespan has been limited to 120 years meaning that man could still live to be 120 years old. Although the oldest living person today is 117 years and 264 days old.
Most everyone agrees this is in relation to Israel becoming a nation. Israel became a nation in 1948.
If my interpretation is correct then ”all these things take place” sometime between now and 2068 as 1948 + 120 = 2068.
Hello Joshua,
I also agree that yes, we will not know the day or hour, but we can watch the times.
I definitely think that Israel becoming a nation again is huge. But I also know that many people have become false prophets by adding years to that date and claiming that it identifies Christ return. Maybe your dating with one hundred twenty years will be different.
Jesus mentioned that a great falling away must first take place. What happens if the rapture does not take place before the tribulation???
The Anti-christ must come out of the Jewish ✡️ nation in order to be a false messiah. Selah!
Ado,
You asked what happens if the rapture does not take place before the tribulation. Then the church would enter the tribulation. Is that what you mean?
It is 14 generations from the birth of Abraham to the birth of David. It rounds off to 80 years.
Hello Curtis,
Thank you for sharing this with Benny and the rest of us. Can you help me understand the point behind your comment? I appreciate it, but what application does it have to the topic? Thanks ahead of time for explaining.
I was thinking the same 100 years from 1948, because we know and calculate easy that from Adam to Abraham the father of Jacob/Israel is 1948 years, and 100 years more until Jacob is born. Hmmm.
Hi Darius,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
There is a strong case as we see the days unfold. We are watching a convergence of things that are making us shake our heads and wonder. Every day there is a spirit that has taken over the whole earth if we’re paying attention. It will not come as a surprise to those who are looking up. Come Jesus Come. He is coming quickly.
Hello Anne,
Nice to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you that many things are happening and we need to pay attention to what is going on around us. As Jesus taught in His parables, those remaining faithful will not be surprised and overtaken by that day.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36). The return of Jesus Christ is near, even at the door, like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). 1948, begins of the generation who will witness the second coming of Christ.
Could Putin be the antichrist?
Kara,
I understand why you are asking this question. Putin is not the first and he will not be the last evil leader. There would have to be quite a few more signs before I would begin to think that he was the antichrist.
With that said, I don’t think he is, because I believe the antichrist will be Jewish. I don’t see how the Jews could receive an individual as their Messiah who is not one of their brethren.
He will come like the prince of peace and will perform miracles, but he will deceive many. The one world government hasn’t come neither.
Mike,
Yes, the antichrist will come preaching peace. The white horse he rides on represents his claim to be a man of peace (Revelation 6:2). Also, yes, the one world government has not yet occurred.
The anti-whatever is not Jewish. The individual will be of French or Spanish origin. Why must he be related to the Roman empire ruler? It was the only country never defeated in war, but still fell. European charter is based on the Roman Empire. Please read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation. The first four are the Books of the Prophets. Everyone understands the last book, Revelation, the mirror of the future. Enjoy!
Stephen,
Why do you think you will be of French or Spanish origin?
So by your interpretation the answer to what generation is simply the generation that sees the beginnings of the trials, the final hard labor pains? Isn’t the beginnings of the trails somewhat subjective? There have been trials throughout history and certainly as described by Jesus in Matthew 24:6-8. How do you distinguish those from the ones associated with the end of the age?
Just so I am clear, you are not including Israel becoming a nation again in your interpretation?
I am personally not sure what to believe here as I hear many pastors make that claim (about the generation that saw Israel become a nation, seeing the second coming) and claim that it is still a very real possibility. If it’s a generation that shall not pass away, how long does it take for a generation to pass away? Psalm 90:10 would seem to suggest 70 years, or 80 at the longest. Still time for that generation to see the end, but not much time.
1948 + 80 = 2028.
And if you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church that could be very close, 2028 – 7 = 2021!
Again, numbers based on the Israel thing, but I don’t want to fall into the same trap as Whisenant, but I do find it all very interesting and exciting to think we could well be that generation!
Exciting stuff.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Todd,
Yes, that is correct.
Yes, it is somewhat subjective. I don’t know how to determine whether they are the trials that have occurred throughout history or are those associated with the end times. More than likely those associated with the end times will be worse, but we have seen some severe winds throughout history. So again, yes, it would be difficult to determine.
No, I am not including Israel becoming a nation again in my interpretation. If that was the case I would expect the trials to begin 40 to 80 years after 1948. Like you said.
I do think Israel becoming a nation again is very significant. But I’m not comfortable saying that the generation must be within 80 years of 1948.
I think every generation should live as though the rapture could occur in their lifetimes. This is what we mean by imminency; nothing must occur first.
Thank you for your thoughts as well!
Nowhere does it state a length of time in scripture. His statement is this generation will not pass away before His return. It could quite plausibly be 100+ years. How long can a generation of people last? With our medical science in 21 century it could even be 120 years, we don’t know. Only God/Jesus knows the hour and the day.
Hi Danny,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I agree the Bible doesn’t spell it out, so it isn’t directly defined, but it is indirectly defined. Here’s a good, concise discussion of the word generation in the Bible.
Hello Todd,
You are correct on Psalms 90:10. Just think, we are in 2023 and if the rapture is to occur in 2028 or before we are only 4 1/2 years away. Wonderful to consider.
Joey
Hello Joey,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You can see my response to Todd for my view of his comment.
Interesting, Scott! This is one of those verses in the Bible that I just kind of read over because I didn’t understand it. Thanks for shedding some light on it for me!
You’re welcome Beka. Glad the post helped you!
Hi my Pastor,
You’ve made a strong case for 70 years as a generation in earlier Bible studies. Also, we certainly have a front row seat re folks calling evil good and good, evil these days.
Thanks Steve.
Yes, that would be exciting if we Were the last generation!