SCRIPTURE
STANDS FOREVER
LUKE 21:29-33
(See
also Matt. 24:32–36; Mark 13:29–32)
Luke
21:29-31 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the
trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that
summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to
pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Susie: When
the leaves begin to sprout on the trees, it is obvious that summer is getting
nearer. I know in Texas, the redbuds and Bradford pears blossom in the early
spring and as summer nears, the blossoms drop off and the leaves come out.
Jesus indicated that if they could read the seasons by the status of the trees,
they could see for themselves that the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God was
near. All they needed to do was to look for the signs He had described in the
preceding verses.
Susan: Remember
that Jesus prophesied concerning a near future event and the eventual end of
the age when He returns. They themselves would see the signs of Jerusalem’s
impending destruction and that of the Temple as she was surrounded by the Roman
army in 70 AD. We still watch of His eminent return to judge the world and set
up His millennial kingdom.
Luke
21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation1074 shall not pass
away, till all be fulfilled.
Susan: The time
of the destruction of the Temple that Jesus had described as having not one
stone left upon another was the disciples’ original question. That first
fulfillment of Jesus’s prophesy did occur within some of their lifetimes since
it was approximately 40 years later. However, this verse states that “all”
shall be fulfilled before this generation has ended. This deserves a second
look.
Susie: We
looked up the word translated “generation” for a better understanding since the
generation of the Apostles has passed away before “all” has been fulfilled.
1074 gӗnӗa
– from (a presumed der. of)1085; a generation; by impl. An age (the period or
the persons): age, generation, nation, time.
1085 gӗnŏs
– born, country (-man), diversity, generation, kind (-red), nation, offspring,
stock.
Susie: If
this word could be translated “nation” instead of “generation,” Jesus could
mean that the nation of Israel would not cease to exist until His return when
all nations will be united in His kingdom.
Susan: We
will live in harmony, truly one nation under God, until the end of the 1000
years when Satan will be released and try to rally one more battle. He will be
summarily defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire. However, we won’t open
this can of worms any bigger.
Susie: John
MacArthur has a good explanation for “this generation shall not pass away” as
well:
MacArthur
Study Bible note:
Matthew
24:34 this generation. This cannot refer to the generation living at
that time of Christ, for “all these things”—the abomination of desolation (v.
15), the persecutions and judgments (vv. 17–22), the false prophets (vv.
23–26), the signs in the heavens (vv. 27–29), Christ’s final return (v. 30),
and the gathering of the elect (v. 31)—did not “take place” in their lifetime.
It seems best to interpret Christ’s words as a reference to the generation
alive at the time when those final hard labor pains begin (see note on v. 14).
This would fit with the lesson of the fig tree, which stresses the short span
of time in which these things will occur (see note on v. 32).
Susan: We
read another good article on the subject online here:
Luke
21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Susie: I knew
earth would be destroyed, but I thought we were going to Heaven. I thought,
“What’s up with that?” until we studied it a bit more.
Susan: The
heavens and the earth as we are living in it today will be completely
obliterated. However, the Lord, in Scripture has promised us a new Heaven and a
new earth where justice reigns and Jesus rules.
2
Peter 3:10-13 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. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 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? Nevertheless
we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness.
Susie: Even
though the heavens and earth shall be dissolved, the Lord’s promises, God’s
word is true and lives forever. The Apostle Peter quoted the following from
Isaiah 40:6-8:
1
Peter 1:24-25 (NIV) For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is
like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the
word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to
you.
Susan: I know
exactly where we who have trusted and surrendered to Jesus will be when all
this destruction of heavens and earth happens, safe in our Father’s hands (John
10:28-29).
Susie: Reminds
me of a song I grew up singing at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Ft. Worth.
Here’s link to it on YouTube:
Ponder
this and Apply it: Jesus will return. That is certain. No one
knows the day or hour. Therefore, we would be wise to be prepared at all times.
Are you ready? Do you know that you are safe in Father God’s hands? If not,
please talk to your pastor, Sunday school teacher, Christian friend, or contact
us via our website or Facebook page. We would love to introduce you to our
Savior, Jesus Christ.
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