"THIS GENERATION" in Bible

Which "generation" and what people is Jesus referring to in Olivet Discourse

  • Just the Gentiles in 1st century

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I am not sure but am willing to learn

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    26

BABerean2

Newbie
Supporter
May 21, 2014
20,614
7,484
North Carolina
✟893,665.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Why would you not put the Jews of the Tribulation (70th week) period as an option ? Its the only option needed really.

Because based on Matthew 10:5-7, and Romans 1:16, and Galatians 1:14-18, the Gospel was taken "first" to the Jews for about 7 years before Paul began his ministry to the Gentiles.

Based on Luke 21:24-28, and Romans 11:25, we are in the times of the Gentiles now, which will continue until the Second Coming of Christ.

Since the New Covenant is "everlasting" in Hebrews 13:20, the "Church Age" cannot come to an end before the Second Coming of Christ.


.
 
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
Because based on Matthew 10:5-7, and Romans 1:16, and Galatians 1:14-18, the Gospel was taken "first" to the Jews for about 7 years before Paul began his ministry to the Gentiles.

Based on Luke 21:24-28, and Romans 11:25, we are in the times of the Gentiles now, which will continue until the Second Coming of Christ.

Since the New Covenant is "everlasting" in Hebrews 13:20, the "Church Age" cannot come to an end before the Second Coming of Christ.
So what happens after the 2nd coming and end of the church age?
Since the New Covenant is "everlasting" in Hebrews 13:20, the "Church Age" cannot come to an end before the Second Coming of Christ.
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joyshirley
Upvote 0

BABerean2

Newbie
Supporter
May 21, 2014
20,614
7,484
North Carolina
✟893,665.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
So what happens after the 2nd coming and end of the church age?

2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.


2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

.
 
Upvote 0

TribulationSigns

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Dec 19, 2017
3,485
1,045
Colorado
✟414,458.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Others
Let go to Matthew 23...

Matthew 23:34-35 KJV
[34] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
[35] That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.​

The verses preceding these two gives the context and qualifies these passages that we understand He is referring to them as the offspring or children of Satan. In other words, they are of the same family, the generation of evil. They aren't any different, despite their protests to the contrary. Sound familiar?

Matthew 23:29-33 KJV
[29] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
[30] And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
[31] Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
[32] Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
[33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

These are the verses that lead up to what I quoted. They illustrate that though these people believe that they are children of God, they are actually of the very same family of Satan that killed the Prophets. Christ is here talking to the unfaithful congregation of His day, declaring them the generation (family) of evil that kills God's prophets. In other words, Satan was their father, and his deeds are what they do, as contrasted with the offspring or children of God. And as the Generation or family of evil, they are the exact same generation that killed Abel and the prophets of old. They are thus measured the same as that generation, because they are that generation that killed/kills God's prophets. They are the fruit of children of their father. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Let go to Revelation and find out with Babylon the Great:

Revelation 18:24 KJV
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

How will she be responsible for all slain, including unsaved world, upon the earth?

Because it was the generation of evil that were/are/will be responsible for the blood of God's prophets. It was this generation, the fruit or offspring of Satan, who killed them. Who's responsible for the blood of the Prophets? Satan, and all those ruled over by him. And the end-time Church is that same generation or family of Satan, and thus the same family that killed Abel, Jesus and Stephen. Again, see the context of the verse I quoted:

Matthew 23:30-32
  • "And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
  • Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
  • Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers."
Those people were not literally alive when their family killed the prophets, but God makes it perfectly clear that though they (like many today) protest that they are the Good God-fearing congregation, in reality they are the children of Satan. They are the same spiritual offspring of those who killed the prophets, and are measured the same as those who killed them. Who killed them? The generation of Evil, the same generation they are. Selah.

Matthew 23:35-36
  • " That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
  • Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation."
What Generation? Certainly not the 1st Century Generation of Matthew, Mark Luke and John of that Physical/literal Generation. But the Generation of evil, of which these in unbelief were. They were of that same kindred that killed the prophets, and thus will be judged the same for killing the prophets. That word translated generation is [genea] from the root [genos] meaning kindred or family. It's used to designate nations, because they are of one family or common ancestry.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: yeshuasavedme
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
I would like to primarily focus on the phrase "this generation" that is used in the Bible.

I want to post verses just from the Olivet Discourse and discuss them 1st.

The phrase uses 3 greek words instead of 2:


"the generation, this-one"
h genea auth

Here are the verses using the transliterated greek:


Matthew 24:34
Amen I am saying to ye, not no may be passing-away the generation, this-one, till ever all these may be becoming.
amhn legw umin ou mh parelqh h genea auth
ewV an panta tauta genhtai

Mark 13:30
Amen I am saying to ye not no may be passing-away the generation, this-one unto of which any these all may be becoming
amhn legw umin oti ou mh parelqh h genea auth
mecriV ou panta tauta genhtai

Luke 21:32
“Amen I am saying to ye, not no may be passing-away the generation , this-one, till ever all things may be becoming.
amhn legw umin oti ou mh parelqh h genea auth
ewV an panta genhtai
 
  • Like
Reactions: joyshirley
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
Let go to Matthew 23...

Matthew 23:34-35 KJV
[34] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
[35] That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.​

The verses preceding these two gives the context and qualifies these passages that we understand He is referring to them as the offspring or children of Satan. In other words, they are of the same family, the generation of evil. They aren't any different, despite their protests to the contrary. Sound familiar?

Matthew 23:29-33 KJV
[29] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
[30] And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
[31] Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
[32] Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
[33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

These are the verses that lead up to what I quoted. They illustrate that though these people believe that they are children of God, they are actually of the very same family of Satan that killed the Prophets. Christ is here talking to the unfaithful congregation of His day, declaring them the generation (family) of evil that kills God's prophets. In other words, Satan was their father, and his deeds are what they do, as contrasted with the offspring or children of God. And as the Generation or family of evil, they are the exact same generation that killed Abel and the prophets of old. They are thus measured the same as that generation, because they are that generation that killed/kills God's prophets. They are the fruit of children of their father. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Let go to Revelation and find out with Babylon the Great:

Revelation 18:24 KJV
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

How will she be responsible for all slain, including unsaved world, upon the earth?

Because it was the generation of evil that were/are/will be responsible for the blood of God's prophets. It was this generation, the fruit or offspring of Satan, who killed them. Who's responsible for the blood of the Prophets? Satan, and all those ruled over by him. And the end-time Church is that same generation or family of Satan, and thus the same family that killed Abel, Jesus and Stephen. Again, see the context of the verse I quoted:

Matthew 23:30-32
  • "And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
  • Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
  • Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers."
Those people were not literally alive when their family killed the prophets, but God makes it perfectly clear that though they (like many today) protest that they are the Good God-fearing congregation, in reality they are the children of Satan. They are the same spiritual offspring of those who killed the prophets, and are measured the same as those who killed them. Who killed them? The generation of Evil, the same generation they are. Selah.

Matthew 23:35-36
  • " That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
  • Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation."
What Generation? Certainly not the 1st Century Generation of Matthew, Mark Luke and John of that Physical/literal Generation. But the Generation of evil, of which these in unbelief were. They were of that same kindred that killed the prophets, and thus will be judged the same for killing the prophets. That word translated generation is [genea] from the root [genos] meaning kindred or family. It's used to designate nations, because they are of one family or common ancestry.
One thing I have noticed about Luke's Gospel is that Jesus repeats a lot of the same things in it as Matthew, but they are scattered in different chapters/places and makes harmonizing a little more difficult.

For instance, Matthew 23:37 is the exact same wording as is in Luke 13:34:

Matthew 23:37

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

I love the way Jesus calls Herod a fox...........


Luke 13:34
31 On that very day[fn] some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.
32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’
32 “Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
35 “See! Your house is left to you desolate;..........


,
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: joyshirley
Upvote 0

Mark51

Newbie
Supporter
Nov 11, 2014
495
97
72
✟89,056.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Jesus is addressing two events. The destruction of the temple and Jerusalem that this generation would live to see, and, the end time tribulation that would be fully witnessed by that generation. His comments go back and forth between the two, almost cryptically.

My take on "this generation" seems to pertain to the Jewish nation (possibly Gentile too) in the first century CE, but before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Considering a second event, I do not get the sense of that. However, it may be.
 
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
OldWiseGuy said:
Jesus is addressing two events. The destruction of the temple and Jerusalem that this generation would live to see,
and, the end time tribulation that would be fully witnessed by that generation.
His comments go back and forth between the two, almost cryptically.
Cryptically? This generation and that generation? Not sure I understand



.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Cryptically? This generation and that generation? Not sure I understand



.

If you read the whole chapter of Matthew 24, called the "Olivet Prophecy" you will see that Jesus speaks mainly of the end time and of his return. When he uses the terms "you" (ye) he is speaking to the end time church, not specifically to those disciples that surrounded him. For example he says "you" will be hated of all nations, for his name sake, but at that time few outside of Judea had even heard of him. So the "you" he referred to could not be those listening to him at that moment.

In regard to "this generation" he means that all these events would occur within a single generation or less. A generation is generally thought to be the average lifespan of a person in that culture. Today it would be 70-80 years in the developed (read Christian) world.
 
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
For example he says "you" will be hated of all nations, for his name sake, but at that time few outside of Judea had even heard of him.

The gospel reached all of the then known world prior to 70 AD.

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 16:26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Colossians 1
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
The word "this," or, in the Greek "auth," as you transliterated it, simply means the thing being referred to. So the words "this generation" can mean the generation that was in place at the time the statement was made, and can mean the generation that is under discussion at the moment.

Preterists and Historicists can howl and complain, but they simply cannot escape the logic of this unquestionable fact.

Both meanings are fully legitimate, and in the New Testament, this exact combination of Greek words is used both ways. In some cases it was used in regard to the generation that was in existence at the time the words were spoken. But in the Olivet discourse, it was used of the generation that would "see all these things begin to come to pass."
 
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
The word "this," or, in the Greek "auth," as you transliterated it, simply means the thing being referred to. So the words "this generation" can mean the generation that was in place at the time the statement was made, and can mean the generation that is under discussion at the moment.

Preterists and Historicists can howl and complain, but they simply cannot escape the logic of this unquestionable fact.

Both meanings are fully legitimate, and in the New Testament, this exact combination of Greek words is used both ways. In some cases it was used in regard to the generation that was in existence at the time the words were spoken. But in the Olivet discourse, it was used of the generation that would "see all these things begin to come to pass."

We howl.
Others w(h)imper.
 
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
You can howl all day long. But that has zero effect on the unquestionable fact I stated.

Your unquestionable fact is invited to attempt to disprove any of the historical evidence provided.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: BABerean2
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
Your unquestionable fact is invited to attempt to disprove any of the historical evidence provided.

What I stated is indeed not "invented," but unquestionable fact:

"The word "this," or, in the Greek 'auth,' as you transliterated it, simply means the thing being referred to. So the words 'this generation' can mean the generation that was in place at the time the statement was made, and can mean the generation that is under discussion at the moment."

To even question this statement is totally irrational.

You pretend that the historical accounts back up your claims. But for most of the events which you claim to be fulfillments of various prophecies, most of the details contained in the prophecy in question do not match the details of the historical records which you pretend show that it has been fulfilled. That is why, and expressly why, I said (in another thread) that Historicism requires an assumption that the pronouncements of Bible prophecy do not mean what they actually say.
 
Last edited:
  • Informative
Reactions: Ronald
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
What I stated is indeed not "invented," but unquestionable fact:

"The word "this," or, in the Greek 'auth,' as you transliterated it, simply means the thing being referred to. So the words 'this generation' can mean the generation that was in place at the time the statement was made, and can mean the generation that is under discussion at the moment."

To even question this statement is totally irrational.

You pretend that the historical accounts back up your claims. But for most of the events which you claim to be fulfillments of various prophecies, most of the details contained in the prophecy in question do not match the details of the historical records which you pretend show that it has been fulfilled. That is why, and expressly why, I said (in another thread) that Historicism requires an assumption that the pronouncements of Bible prophecy do not mean what they actually say.

Your unquestionable fact is invited to attempt to disprove any of the historical evidence provided.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
Your unquestionable fact is invited to attempt to disprove any of the historical evidence provided.
The alleged historical evidence totally fails to establish what is being claimed. For in most of the cases where historical fulfillments are claimed, the details of the historical accounts fail to match up with most of the details of the prophecy whose fulfillment is being alleged. Such historical evidence is actually evidence that the prophecies in question were not fulfilled in the historical events being cited.
 
Upvote 0

jgr

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 25, 2008
9,692
5,007
✟783,467.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
The alleged historical evidence totally fails to establish what is being claimed. For in most of the cases where historical fulfillments are claimed, the details of the historical accounts fail to match up with most of the details of the prophecy whose fulfillment is being alleged. Such historical evidence is actually evidence that the prophecies in question were not fulfilled in the historical events being cited.

The choice:

1. Historical evidence affirmed by both Christian and secular historians
2. Speculation, imagination, and hallucination conjured by armchair futurites

Easy decision.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Biblewriter

Senior Member
Supporter
May 15, 2005
11,937
1,498
Ocala, Florida
Visit site
✟531,725.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Conservatives
The choice:

1. Historical evidence affirmed by both Christian and secular historians
2. Speculation, imagination, and hallucination conjured by armchair futurites

Easy decision.
Historical evidence that flatly contradicts the prophecies in question is not evidence that they have been fulfilled.

And simply believing what the Bible explicitly says is neither speculation, imagination, or hallucination.
 
Upvote 0