Someone posted this question on another site, where he's trying to figure out the meaning of Matthew 24:34, where Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened", without delving into preterism. This line comes from the end of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus is talking about how the disciples will recognize the coming of the end of the age. My take is that Jesus was referring to the generation that would be present at the end of the Time of the Gentiles (which Jesus mentions in the Luke version of the Discourse). Since the line is spoken at the end, I'm thinking Jesus was referring to the generation that would be alive at the beginning of the signs. The end of the Time of the Gentiles is generally believed by biblical scholars to have occurred in 1967, when for the first time since 70AD Jerusalem was completely under Jewish rule. If this is the case, then the only question left is, how long is a generation? There are three possible answers, all backed by Scripture. The first is 35 years, which some researchers came up with by doing some math with the genealogies in Scripture. The second is 40 years, which is the length of time nations were generally kept as slaves by conquerors. After 40 years, the ones responsible for passing along a cultural memory usually died. This would leave the conquered people with no solid cultural memory of their times before, and so would become peaceful taxpayers when returned to their old homes. In the case of Israel, G_D kept them wandering in the desert for 40 years so that only a select group (ones who didn't lie -- see Numbers 13:1-33) were still alive and permitted to enter the Promised Land. The third is the length of time allotted a man's life, which is 70 years (Psalm 90:10). If so, then this generation will end in 2037 (1967 + 70) So to get back to my original question, what do YOU think Jesus meant when He talked about "this generation"?
In simplistic terms: He is talking about the "generation" in the end times. Quick example: "this generation" as in will be; forthcoming. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. Matthew 24:21 Douay-Rheims God Bless!
Muzhik, Of the three, I would tend to go with the 70-year prediction. One dating pattern was assembled by a 13th c. Jewish rabbi who believed he was visited by the prophet Elijah. He was lining up the Jewish sabbatical years (every 50th year) which he said included the years 1967 and 2017. And what was he told about these two dates? 1967 was the date that the Jews would regain control of Jerusalem, and by 2017 the Messianic Age would be manifested. Interesting! Now I just have to find the link. http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/12th-century-rabbi-predicted-israels-future/ Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Interesting might just be a slight understatement! One thing caught my attention in this article: Ben Samuel was often called “Light of Israel.” Even bishops came to him for advice. If anyone asked him where his wisdom came from he would answer, “The prophet Elijah, who will precede the Messiah, appeared to me and revealed many things to me and emphasized that the precondition for answered prayer is that it is fueled by enthusiasm and joy for the greatness and holiness of God.”
