This generation will not pass away until all these things take place
Mon, 31 July, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “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. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Today’s passage in Mark (and the parallel passages in Matthew and Luke) are an amazing validation that Jesus Christ is who He said He is, and that His death accomplished what He said it would. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem within the lifetime of people who heard the prophecy, and it did occur, just as He said.
What do we learn from this?
People get so caught up in the apocalyptic language of this prophecy (sun darkened, stars falling, etc.) that they miss what Jesus is saying. He tells His disciples that Jerusalem will be completely destroyed and the temple will be razed to the ground during the lifetime of that generation.
The Romans destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 in the horrific war described by Josephus, fulfilling the word of Jesus.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Who could have predicted such a thing as this terrible destruction of Jerusalem? Only God. And if Jesus can bring God’s word in this area, He also brings God’s word when He tells us that salvation is found in trusting in Him.
