Question for other Christians?

Question

What are your thoughts on Luke 21:32 ?
Obviously, some of those things didn't happen before the disciples died. He still hasn't "come back in a cloud with power and great glory"(Luke 21:27). Is Jesus wrong? Luke wrong? Am I reading this wrong? Help please.

It says THIS generation, not generations to come.

Answer 1

I believe that the scriptures just proceeding these mark the end of the 7 years of tribulation. Verse 27 Is Christ's return to the earth after the curse has been lifted to establish His thousand year reign (kingdom) dealing with the Jews. The Gentiles time has closed with the calling out of the church age believers ( Gospel of Grace). We are back to the Gospel of the Kingdom which was for the Jews.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Answer 2

Not so obviously those things did happen and still to this day are happening. But it is not as you might think. The bible is a very spiritual book and when one reads it as literal, contradictions come forth and it becomes very confusing. It also says in
Heb.9
[28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

It says that he will appear to those who look for him. What about my great great grandpa. I know that he looked for him, diligently he looked for him. Then is this scripture also in error? It says he will appear to those who look for him. It is either true or not true, no half truths allowed. That is a big problem with most interpretations of the bible, they are only half true, not 100% true. So how can these things be true and the scriptures still accurate, yet Jesus has not come back, as you see it?

So I ask another question before I get to answers. What is a cloud?

It says in Rom.1
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (we are to use the things of the world to understand the invisible things of God)

A cloud is a vapor of water that is formed by evaporation of water. The sun (light of the world, Christ) warms the sea (humans as a whole), until they vibrate at a higher frequency and become a "cloud" (enlighten or "born again" (living in the spiritual)).

A cloud is only a physical thing that is made to help us understand the really important things of God, the invisible things of God.

We are the clouds, once we truly let Christ shine on us. The war that happens in heaven is within us. Christ in us, fights our ego minds to surrender to him. The things spoken of that are to happen in Luke, happen everyday in all sorts of people.

If any of this makes sense at all to you, read some of my other answers to other questions. But here are some more scriptures to support what I say.

Col.1
[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

2Cor.3
[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Rom.8
[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

1Thes.5
[2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

So he comes on a cloud and as a thief in the night, wow, how does one explain this. Well, how do you know that a thief has come in the night????? Well, you wake up to find out. So allow the light to shine on you and make you a cloud that is "awake from sleep"

Eph.5
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Answer 3

I have not exegeted this passage personally. But two observations I would make are: 1) how should the Greek word translated "generation" be translated and what does it mean (note: it can mean: race, stock, people, descendent, kind, generation, contemporary); 2) what does "all things" mean (note: it does not say "all THESE things").

I would also recommend consulting Darrel Bock's 2 volume commentary on the Gospel of Luke.

Answer 4

In this instance, Jesus was answering a question regarding the desolation of Jerusalem and its temple as well as regarding the sign of his presence and of the conclusion of the system of things. Before his reference to “this generation,” however, he had focused his remarks specifically on his “coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” and the nearness of the Kingdom of God. Immediately afterward, he continued with references to his “presence.” Jesus was using the word “generation” with reference to humans whose lives would in some way be associated with the foretold events.—Mt 24.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, according to the record, “a cloud caught him up from their vision.” (Ac 1:9) The disciples did not see Jesus riding away on a cloud, but rather, the cloud obscured their vision of him. This helps us to understand Jesus’ words concerning his presence: “They will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory,” and Revelation’s statement: “He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” (Lu 21:27; Mt 24:30; Re 1:7) In past cases clouds represented invisible presence; but observers could “see” the meaning with their mental “eyes.” In this case the physical occurrences that are visible would cause the one looking to “see” or realize that Christ is invisibly present.—See also Mt 24; Mr 13; Re 14:14.

Answer 5

When Jesus said the power of the kingdom, he was both eluding to the coming of the Holy Spirit as well as his 2nd coming. The attachment of the generation would obviously go to coming of the HS since the apostles were indeed alive back then.

Same goes for the whole going back for your cloak thing in matthew. How can one go back for their cloak and escape Gods wrath? It was talking about the 70 AD destruction of the temple.

Answer 6

You have to remember that the rapture of the church is not the second coming. Jesus is talking about the people that will be during the tribulation wich comes after the rapture. There is no sign for the rapture, only for the second coming which after the rapture. The rapture will last for seven years, so when the generation that Jesus is talking about sees theses things, they will see the second coming of Christ. This is also recorded in Matthew 24.

Answer 7

In the NIV version there is a footnote about other meanings of 'generation' and it says that it may mean 'race' as in race of people. So although I'm not positive I think that it may mean that Christ will come back to earth before the Jewish race is gone.

I hope that helps you more than confusing you!

God Bless!

Answer 8

I checked www.biblegateway.com and the verse has a footnote that says "or race." So, what Jesus was saying reiterates what God promised Abraham so long ago that his people will be as numerous as the sand on the sea and not fade away till the very end.

Answer 9

"generation" was the only world they could translate to when passed down from generation to generation. When this was said and in that time period it had a diffrnet meaning of generation of man...we will be here until all is seen. Not just the life time of the people in question.

Answer 10

I guess it depends on what is meant by generation. Perhaps it means that the Church will not pass away until the end times.