Is Matthew 24:34 Referring to a Present or a Future Generation?

Eli Kittim

Evidence for the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ at the consummation of the ages

The New Testament epistles tell us that Jesus will be born in the end-times (Gal. 4:4; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 12:5). Jesus is said to die "once in the end of the world" (Heb. 9:26 KJV), which is attested in Zeph. 1:7 as a sacrifice that occurs during "the day of the Lord"! Scripture also informs us that the Lord (Messiah) will be resurrected in the last days (Isa. 2:19; Dan. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:22-24). British theologian James Dunn agrees with this eschatological timeline because he claims that Jesus probably meant that he would be resurrected in the end-times. In fact, Jesus is said to appear once "at the final point of time" (1 Pet. 1:20 NJB) and that he will speak to humanity in the "last days" (Heb. 1:2; cf. Acts 3:20-21). Even Luke 17:30 tells us that the Son of Man has not yet been revealed! First Peter 1:10-11 reveals that the New Testament account of Jesus is prophetic, not historical. Revelation 19:10 also tells us that the testimony to Jesus is prophetic. Thus, a historical Jesus would contradict Gal. 4:4; Eph. 1:10; Heb. 9:26; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 12:5, and so on.

Our basic misunderstanding stems from the fact that we have spent thousands of years gleaning the theological gospels for information, even though they rely heavily on Old Testament stories (i.e. intertextuality). By contrast, the New Testament epistles are the more didactic and explicit portions of Scripture. They are written in expository style which is straightforward and aims to inform. So, it's the New Testament epistles that give us the real Jesus, and they place the timeline of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection in eschatological categories! The New Testament is an apocalypse, not a history (cf. Isa. 46:10)! It is a collection of futurist books that are written in advance. The New Testament is not a history book, or a treatise on history. It's a Book of Faith:

"Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3 NASB).

Is Matthew 24:34 referring to a present or a future generation?

Here's another piece of evidence which proves that Jesus comes "once in the end of the world" (Heb. 9:26 KJV)! According to most liberal theologians, Jesus meant that the end-time events would occur in his own lifetime. And, since these events never happened, they think that Jesus is a false prophet. However, many Christian writers agree with me that Matthew 24:34 refers to a future generation when it says:

"this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened" (Matt. 24:34).

This verse is obviously related to Bible prophecy because it is mentioned in the context of end-time events, such as the appearance of the Antichrist, the abomination of desolation, and celestial darkness——events which did not take place during Jesus' supposed lifetime. So, it's not difficult to see that Matthew 24:34 is referring to the consummation of the ages when it refers to "this generation." And this is the mainstream view in evangelical Christianity!

Well, if the generation that will not pass away until all these things have happened is a future generation——and if Jesus refers to it as "this generation," meaning his own generation, or the one that occurs during his own lifetime——then the text is obviously referring to a future coming, not a historical one!

But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation" (Luke 17:25)

The timeline of the Matthean 24:34 generation is similar to that of the Lucan 17:25 generation! Here is a case in point. Luke talks about a future generation in connection with Christ's sufferings. He writes:

"For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day" (Lk 17:24).

And then, surprisingly, Luke adds: