Quiet Earth Fellowservants of Christ

ajmh;n levgw uJmi'n o&ti ouj mh; parevlqh/ hJ genea; au&th e&wß a^n pavnta tau'ta gevnhtai.

The original Greek Word for generation is: geneav, Strong's #1074. Now let's pause for a minute here because this is where we come to a huge fork in the road, and to understanding the chapter. You see, the word "generation" in the original Greek can be used in more than one sense; it can be used:

1.) to denote a particular lifespan, normally 30 years or so or of all those living on the earth at the same time.
OR
2.) From Strong's Concordance: that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family; the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy; metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character; esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation.

So now the question arises, to which of the ways is the correct one to understand how "generation" is to be used, and this without saying is very important to understanding the chapter.

The answer lies in the context of the scripture in which it is found. When reading Matthew 24, I believe the chapter to be highly parabolic, so lets look at the surrounding context.

Matthew 24:32-51 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Christ here is without a doubt speaking about the last day, so going back to the word generation, we know it must be #2. In other words, this evil generation of mankind will not be totally destroyed until Christ has entirely fulfilled His good plans for the world.

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