A Promise to “This Generation” v. 34 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matthew 24:34). There are two likely ways to interpret “this generation” and both of them may be correct. The first view suggests that “this generation” refers to the generation alive when the events prophesied in Mathew 24 begin to unfold. That generation will not pass away until Jesus himself returns to the earth. In this view Jesus is saying that when the final drama begins to unfold, the chain of events leading to the Second Coming will happen quickly—within a generation. The second view points out that the Greek word translated “generation” can sometimes mean “race” or “ethnic group.” In the context of Matthew 23 & Matthew 24, the meaning would be something like this, “This unbelieving race of people, the nation of Israel, will not pass away, but will be preserved by God across the centuries (even in unbelief) until all of God’s purposes for them are finally fulfilled.” C. A Guarantee to Every Generation v. 35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Here is a wonderful promise and a guarantee to every generation. We learn two important truths from this verse: 1) This universe is not eternal. Contrary to the speculations of certain scientists and philosophers, the universe had a definite beginning and will have a definite ending. It exists because God called it into being and it will pass away whenever God says the word. His Word will stand. Every jot and every tittle will be fulfilled. He will return, just as he promised. The story is told of a businessman who, having an errand to run at his office, took his young son along with him. He asked the boy to wait on the steps while he went inside to do his work. Soon he became so engrossed with his business that he forgot about his son waiting outside. Leaving the building by a different door, he went home alone. Several hours later the family sat down to dinner but the son was not present. His mother became anxious and wondered where he might be. Then the father remembered where he left his son. Hurrying back to his place of work, he found his son, tired and hungry, waiting as he had been instructed to do. “I knew that you would come, father,” he said, “you said you would.” Two thousand years have passed since Jesus went to heaven, and some of God’s children feel tired and hungry. We wonder why Jesus hasn’t come back yet. Perhaps he has forgotten us. Perhaps he made other plans. If you feel like that little boy, take heart. It’s been a long time from our point of view, but he’s only been gone for two days from heaven’s perspective (cf. II Peter 3:8). He said he would come back—and he will. Better to doubt the laws of nature than the word of the Risen Christ. Better to believe that the sun and moon have fallen from the sky than to doubt his word. Few believed in the promise of his first coming; few believe he is coming again. But whether many believe or few believe of even if no one believes, Jesus is coming again. He hasn’t forgotten you. Soon Christ will return for his own. With this hope we lay our loved ones to rest in the sacred soil of death. Here is the application of this great truth. Jesus is coming. That much is certain. The precise time is hidden in the heart of God. It may be soon. It may not be for a 100 years. But one of these days, the sky will split open, there will a loud shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God. Then the dead in Christ will rise first. That starts the chain of events that leads eventually to the return of Christ to the earth. When Jesus came the first time, the Jews rejected him, but this time when Christ says his foot down on the Mount Olivet, every eye will see him. 25:31 in the son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” There are many things that God has planned for us that we cannot understand that our present time. They are too much for our limited understanding to grasp. When Jesus returns in all of his glory, the millennial kingdom that he sets up will be one of those things On occasion when Jesus was speaking to his disciples about his departure, he gave them these words, “occupy till I come.” That is our Lord’s desire for us today. He wants us to transform our environment so the environment of heaven will be present on earth. Since no one knows when Jesus is coming, our job as believers is very clear: Believe in his coming. Pray for his coming. Love his coming. Preach his coming. Watch for his coming. Wait for his coming. Expect his coming. Look for his coming. Live as if it might be today and one day you won’t be disappointed. Please like and share
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 11:00:00 +0000
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