Matthew 24:34–36

When does the phrase "this generation" come in? After the Son of Man has already come in power and glory — not when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies. That is an important point in deciding its true meaning. If "this generation" really meant a man's lifetime, such a place in the prophecy would be out of keeping. The common notion might have been reasonable if the phrase came in right at the surrounding of Jerusalem with armies. But it makes no sense once the times of the Gentiles are finished. What then is its true force? It means what it often means in Scripture — this Christ-rejecting race of Israel, and not a mere period of time.

Many have taken this to mean that the prophecy was to be fulfilled in the lifetime of persons then present in the world. This mistaken idea has produced two further errors. Rationalists have used it to claim that the prophecy has broken down. Others have forced a strained meaning on the words to reconcile the apparent contradiction. It has been said, by way of explanation, that the coming of the Son of Man in the chapter was nothing more than death — an idea that will not stand examination... But even if that were true, the difficulty would remain. Before that generation passes, the Son of Man must come, and "all" the things foretold in the prophecy must happen too.

The meaning here is moral, not a matter of dates. Take Psalm 12:7: "You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever." The word "forever" proves that the term has a long reach. The passage means that Jehovah will preserve the godly from their lawless oppressors, "from this generation forever." That clearly and conclusively refutes those who would limit the phrase to the short span of a man's lifetime. Deuteronomy 32:5, 20 uses "generation" the same way — not to mark a period of time, but to express the moral character of Israel.

Notice the phrase "all these things." It runs from the first troubles down to the last, and takes in the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Clearly "this generation" here cannot mean a mere period of thirty years, or a man's life... So the same generation that crucified the Lord of glory is going on still, and will, until He comes again in the clouds of heaven.

Verse 34 has a much wider sense, and one that fits it better. Unbelieving Jews would exist, as such, until all was accomplished. Compare Deuteronomy 32:5, 20, where this judgment on Israel is especially in view. God hides His face from them until He sees what their end will be, for they are a very stubborn generation, children with no faith. This has happened. They are a distinct people to this day. That generation exists in the same condition — a monument to the lasting certainty of God's dealings and of the Lord's words.

That race shall not pass away till all shall be fulfilled... Israel remains still distinct, not reckoned among the nations.

It is not correct to make this phrase mean "this race." The race of Israel is not to pass away when all these things are fulfilled. On the contrary, Israel will then reach its full blessing and glory as a people here below. The true force is "this Christ-rejecting, unbelieving generation of Israel." It does not mean only the people alive then. It means all who bear the same moral fruit as those who refused the Messiah. So they have continued, and will, until after the last deceptions and the judgment of the antichrist... and grace has converted a new generation — "the generation to come."

Christ has attached an unusually solemn warning to this prophecy: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." No doubt this is true of all His words. But He spoke it of this prophecy in particular (v. 35). So let us read it with full regard for the warning the Lord has placed around this special scripture. The globe we walk on will pass away. The heavens will pass away like a rolled-up scroll. But not a syllable of these sayings of the Lord Jesus will fall to the ground unfulfilled.

Verse 33 goes far beyond the kingdom to the passing away of heaven and earth. That comes at the time of the Great White Throne, some 1000 years later (Rev. 20:11). The words of the Lord Jesus will never pass away.

Before creation, God had planned a work in and by the Son, a work that could never fail. This is the mystery the Lord has in mind here. Creation could be removed. Redemption — the work of the Word — cannot be moved, because the living God has joined Himself with it. And so all things that are made may be shaken (Heb. 12:27), for God Himself is not joined to them; He is not their foundation. But the Word was with God, and was God, and became flesh.

He who made all things will lay aside, like a garment, what is perishable and has grown old... Who but the Almighty could fold up and lay aside this vast universe and yet remain Himself, infinite and unchanging? He said it truly while He lived here as a man: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." What man, what angel, what creature could truthfully speak such an authoritative sentence?

Every word of His lips has something in it, something to be fulfilled. Every word is more stable than the heavens and the earth. So verse 33 gives us the striking thought that the words of His lips are more enduring than the works of His fingers.

We are told that the "words" He spoke, He received from the Father. He was so perfect as Man in His dependence on the Father that He said, "The Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak." Again, we read, "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God." So nothing could be more truly of God, and from God, than the words He spoke. It is no wonder, then, that He should say that His words will not pass away.

This much the Lord Jesus surely meant by these words. The saying is meant to bring great comfort to our hearts, since it is the word of the Son of God Himself. And the written word is surely equal in authority to His spoken word.

How very sweet this is for us to think about! The child of God knows he has a foundation for his faith more stable than heaven or earth... However much men may try to take away from the word of God, may we by His grace hold fast to all God has given us.