Re: Calculating the start of the 7 year tribulation....
YEMM -
I've spent a good deal of time recently studying the variety of meanings and application of the Greek word "genea".
The Olivet Discourse post #30 (Sean Osborne) “In the context of Matthew 24:34 the Greek word genea (G1074) means begotten of, fathered by, or native to one lineage of people, one nation: Israel.”
The Olivet Discourse post #11 (Mattfivefour)
“Of γενεά (genea, pronounced ghen-eh-AH) Moulton & Millligan note that "The collective sense of the word—involved in its historic relation to γένος (genos, pronounced GHEN-oss and commonly used in the papyri in reference to a 'species' or a 'class of things')—is normal throughout, and survives in the Modern Greek γενιά (genia, pronounced ghen-ee-AH) which means 'race' or 'lineage'."
Vine says γενεά is "connected to γίνομαι (ginomai, pronounced GHIN-oh-my), 'to become', primarily signifies 'a begetting', or 'a birth'; hence γενεά means that which has been begotten, a family, or successive members of a genealogy (as in Matthew 1:17), or of a race of people, possessed of similar characteristics, pursuits, etc., (of a bad character)." He then adds "Or, of the whole multitude of men living at the same time, and especially those of the Jewish race living at the same period. Transferred from people to the time in which they lived, the word came to mean 'an age'."
Earle agrees with that latter (ie: 'an age') comment for he quotes Buechsel who wrote "It has the sense of 'age' or 'period'", and is so quoted in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
Richards says γενεά through its plural γενεῶν "may indicate the distant past (Colossians 1:26) or endless future (Luke1:50), or it may identify a specific historic time (Acts 13:36; Hebrews 3:10). The most common NT use of γενεά is in the phrase 'this generation'. Jesus described his generation as adulterous, wicked, unbelieving, perverse, and sinful. Paul speaks of his own life among 'a crooked and depraved generation' (Philippians 2:15). This is clearly a metaphorical use, intended to characterize and classify those who heard Jesus' message and rejected Him. 'This generation' is that group of people whose hearts remained hardened to God. It is a type of people, not the totality of those alive in Jesus' day or at any other particular time."
Dr. Richards then goes on to say "Two interpretations (of Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32) seem possible, given the way the phrase is used in the Gospels and in Acts: 1) 'This generation' in the Gospels is unbelieving Israel, Jesus' own people, who did not receive Him (John 1:11). so Jesus may be promising the preservation of the Jews as a distinct people until the time of the end foretold by the OT prophets. 2) 'This generation' as a class is unbelieving and perverse. Jesus may have been speaking of the persistence of unbelief throughout human history, until unbelief is shattered and the rebellious are judged at Jesus' appearing. Either view seems justified linguistically, theologically, and by the witness of history."
All of those authorities are among the most respected in the world in theological circles and among those who are expert in Biblical Greek. Take your pick. Or, better yet, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the words in your life. I note that none of them relates the verse about "this generation" to the one that sees the return of Israel to its historic land and its repossession of the holy city. This is an interpretation that is derived from the study of a number of scriptures in the prophets combined with what Jesus says here. I have always hewed to this belief ... but I must be honest and admit that it is largely because the Lindseys and LaHayes and all of those popular eschatologists all teach that. I am beginning to wonder, though, whether that might be eisegesis. I do not think so. I think we are seeing the signs. But I am going to prayerfully study this entire matter again. I don't want to be wrong ... or, at least, I do not want to teach wrong.
Having said all of the above, I can safely say that Jesus will come when the Father sends Him and our job is to be so looking for his imminent arrival that we continually work faithfully in whatever field He has placed us until such time as He comes for us. It is the one who is faithful to His Master's command who will be rewarded. The unfaithful will be punished. Surely that is the clear and incontrovertible teaching of Matthew 24:42-51!
And what was His command? Proclaim the gospel and feed the sheep. In other words, be witnesses of Him (which must be in our lives not just our words) and build one another up.
Let's keep our focus where it should be.”
Mat 24:32-35
(32) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.
(33) So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
(34) Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
(35) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
E. The Parable of the Fig Tree (24:32-35) [W. MacDonald Beliver’s Bible Commentary]
24:32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree.” Again our Lord draws a spiritual lesson from nature. When the branches of the fig tree become green and tender, you know that summer is near. We have seen that the fig tree pictures the nation of Israel (21:18-22). For hundreds of years Israel has been dormant, with no government of its own, no land, no temple, no priesthood—no sign of national life. The people have been scattered throughout the world.
Then, in 1948, Israel became a nation with its own land, government, currency, stamps, etc. Spiritually, the nation is still barren and cold; there is no fruit for God. But nationally, we might say that its branches are green and tender.
24:33 “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors!” Israel's emergence as a nation means not only that the beginning of the Tribulation is near, but that the Lord Himself is near, at the very doors!
If Christ's coming to reign is so near, how much more imminent is the Rapture of the church? If we already see shadows of events that must precede His appearing in glory, how much closer are we to the first phase of His Parousia, or Advent (1Th_4:13-18)?
24:34 After referring to the fig tree, Jesus added, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” “This generation” could not mean the people living when Christ was on earth; they have all passed away, yet the events of chapter 24 have not taken place. What then did our Lord mean by “this generation”? There are two plausible explanations.
F. W. Grant and others believe the thought is: “the very generation that sees the beginning of these things will see the end.” The same people who see the rise of Israel as a nation (or who see the beginning of the Tribulation), will see the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven to reign.
The other explanation is that “generation” should be understood as race. This is a legitimate translation of the Greek word; it means men of the same stock, breed, or family (Mat_12:45; Mat_23:35-36). So Jesus was predicting that the Jewish race would survive to see all these things accomplished. {I agree this is the most sensible rendering} Their continued survival, despite atrocious persecution, is a miracle of history. But I think there is an added thought. In Jesus' day, “this generation” was a race that steadfastly refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah. I think He was predicting that national Israel would continue in its Christ-rejecting condition till His Second Coming. Then all rebellion will be crushed, and only those who willingly submit to His rule will be spared to enter the Millennium.
24:35 To emphasize the unfailing character of His predictions, Jesus added that heaven and earth would pass away but His words would by no means pass away. In speaking of heaven passing away, He was referring to the stellar and atmospheric heavens—the blue firmament above us—not to that heaven which is the dwelling place of God (2Co_12:2-4). The dissolution of the heaven and the earth is described in 2Pe_3:10-13 and mentioned again in Rev_20:11.
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My thought is much has been made of the term “generation” used in Matt 23:36 and 24:34. It seems there is something that compels us to try and solve the unsolvable.
I have become convinced this preoccupation with the Rapture/70th Week date/event is not productive and may even draw us into sin. If we are told in scripture no one knows the day or hour but the Father why do we obsess?
Consider the words of Omar M. Ahmad, founder of CAIR: "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant." ... "The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America , and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth."
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Originally Posted by Juliebeth
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