'This Generation' — Mark 13:30
[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place."
Key Thought
There are many ways this statement has been interpreted:
Some understand this verse to mean that all of Mark 13 is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem — which occurred in the Jewish war with Rome in A.D. 66-70.
Others see it to mean that all these events happened in the first generation of believers and that we have been on the edge of Jesus' return ever since.
Some even declare that Jesus was wrong and that this promise wasn't fulfilled.
Others even claim that Jesus returned and many Christians missed him.
While I believe the second is the more probable (and the third and fourth seem unrealistic to me because of my faith), the point is that Jesus' own word, his assurance, stands behind his promised return. He has triumphed over death once through his resurrection. He will triumph a second and final time completely, when he returns and destroys death and brings immortality to life. And the unfolding of this promise will begin at any moment!
Today's Prayer
Father, give me faith to believe that your Son's return is always imminent! In his name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Romans 1:3-5
Revelation 1:3, 7
2 Peter 3:3-10
[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place."
Key Thought
There are many ways this statement has been interpreted:
Some understand this verse to mean that all of Mark 13 is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem — which occurred in the Jewish war with Rome in A.D. 66-70.
Others see it to mean that all these events happened in the first generation of believers and that we have been on the edge of Jesus' return ever since.
Some even declare that Jesus was wrong and that this promise wasn't fulfilled.
Others even claim that Jesus returned and many Christians missed him.
While I believe the second is the more probable (and the third and fourth seem unrealistic to me because of my faith), the point is that Jesus' own word, his assurance, stands behind his promised return. He has triumphed over death once through his resurrection. He will triumph a second and final time completely, when he returns and destroys death and brings immortality to life. And the unfolding of this promise will begin at any moment!
Today's Prayer
Father, give me faith to believe that your Son's return is always imminent! In his name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Romans 1:3-5
Revelation 1:3, 7
2 Peter 3:3-10
Comments
Be the first to add a comment
Log in to comment