“This Generation Will Not Pass Away…” – What Did Jesus Mean?

by Ester yusufu | 17 July 2018 08:46 pm07

(Matthew 24:34)

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

These words from Jesus were part of His response to His disciples when they asked Him about the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). He had just given them a detailed prophecy of what would happen before His return. This message was not only for His immediate audience, but for all believers, especially in the last days. It is a call to spiritual alertness and a reminder that God’s Word never fails (Isaiah 55:11).


1. The Signs of the End Times: Birth Pains Before the Return

Matthew 24:6–8:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars… For nation will rise against nation… and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Jesus described these global events as “birth pains” (Greek: ōdinōn), meaning they will increase in frequency and intensity as the end approaches—just like labor pains before a birth. This teaches us that history is moving toward a divinely appointed climax—the return of Christ and the full establishment of His Kingdom (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15).


2. Apostasy and Cold Love: A Spiritual Decline

Matthew 24:10–12:

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another… Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

The moral and spiritual decay described here reflects the great falling away (apostasy) mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This decline will affect even believers who are not rooted in the truth. The Greek word for “love” here is agapē—divine love—which implies even those in the Church may grow cold unless they remain in Christ (John 15:5-6).


3. The Destruction of Jerusalem: A Historical Fulfillment

Luke 21:20–24:

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near…”

This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when Roman forces destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41–44) because it missed its day of visitation. This was also a partial fulfillment of Daniel 9:26–27, which pointed to judgment and dispersion because of unbelief.


4. The Restoration of Israel: The Fig Tree Blossoms Again

Matthew 24:32–33:

“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.”

Biblically, Israel is symbolized by the fig tree (Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 24:5–7). The blossoming of the fig tree in this parable is widely understood as a prophetic picture of Israel becoming a nation again, which happened miraculously in 1948 after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion—fulfilling Ezekiel 36:24–28 and Isaiah 66:8.


5. “This Generation Will Not Pass…” – What Generation?

Matthew 24:34:

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

The Greek word used for “generation” is genea, which can refer to:

When read in context with the fig tree parable, it points to the generation that sees Israel restored—meaning those alive in or after 1948. According to Psalm 90:10:

“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years…”

So Jesus is saying the final events will unfold within the lifetime of that generation—a powerful indicator that we are very near the return of Christ.


6. “Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away…” – But His Word Endures

Matthew 24:35:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

Jesus emphasizes the absolute certainty of His prophecy. This echoes Isaiah 40:8, where it says:

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

This reassures believers: even when the world changes or crumbles, God’s Word is eternal and trustworthy.


7. The Call to Watchfulness and Prayer

Luke 21:34–36:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life… Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things…”

This is a warning against spiritual slumber (Romans 13:11–14). Jesus urges us not to be distracted by worldly things, but to live in constant readiness. The only way to escape coming judgment is through true faith, holiness, and abiding in Him (1 John 2:28).


8. The Need for the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:9:

“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

The wise virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 had oil (a symbol of the Holy Spirit), while the foolish did not. Only those filled with the Holy Spirit will be ready when the Bridegroom comes. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).


9. Denominations Don’t Save – Jesus Does

Jesus is not returning for a denomination, but for a holy bride (Revelation 19:7–8). Salvation is not about religious labels; it’s about being born again (John 3:3–6), abiding in Christ (John 15:4), and walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16–25).


10. “Come Out of Her, My People” – Separation from Babylon

Revelation 18:4:

“Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”

God calls His people to separate from spiritual Babylon—a symbol of false religion, corruption, and worldliness. This is a call to purity, holiness, and truth (2 Corinthians 6:17–18).


We Are the Final Generation

Everything Jesus spoke about is unfolding in our generation—from Israel’s restoration to the increase in wickedness, natural disasters, and spiritual deception. These are not coincidences—they are prophetic fulfillments. The time is short.

Are you ready for His return?

Now is the time to:

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

DOWNLOAD PDF
WhatsApp

Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2018/07/17/this-generation-will-not-pass-away-what-did-jesus-mean/