Christians: What do you think of this...?

Question

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-times-of-the-gentiles

Is that really what Matthew 24:34 means?

Answer 1

2037, eh? Well even Jesus Himself said that He did not know the day or the time....so how could any one of us? Please.....throw that website away...... Peace. Also, believers/followers of the Lord Jesus Christ act and live like everyday is their last on earth.....WE ARE SAVED, remember that.

Answer 2

I don't believe they have the facts exaclty correct. The Times of the Gentiles are complete when everybody who will be saved HAS been saved. Nobody -- not one person, including Jesus while on earth, knew that date and hour, as you specified in Matthew 24:34.

However, if you go back a few verses, you will see that Jesus DID say we would know "the season". I believe that Israel's becoming a nation was HUGE, but it happened by proclomation of the UN in 1948 -- not in 1967. The Bible says that the Rapture of saints would take place when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled whenever that is). But the LATEST that can happen is when the Antichrist confirms a seven year covenant with Israel. The reason I say that's the latest it can happen is because at that point, we know there will be 7 years until Jesus comes again -- so it takes the "surprise" factor out of the equation.

NOW, in order for the Antichrist to confirm a covenant with Israel -- there would have to be an ISRAEL. Such has not been the case from 70 AD until 1948. There would also have to be a temple that the antichrist messes with halfway through the 7 year period. No temple yet. The blueprints are there. Robes have been made. No temple.

Prophecy also indicates that under the Antichrist, there will be a one world government and one world religion -- so anything which looks like the planet is consolidating (Arab League, NATO, EU, etc) is a step in the direction of the end times. Ten kings will ultimately come from that one world government, and I see the entities I mentioned above as the beginnings of this. Also, according to Revelation 13 and 17 there will be a false prophet over one world religion, so any sign that "any belief is OK if it is sincere" is a step towards that religion.

The wars and rumors of wars... are all birth signs, but the end has not come. Birth signs (contractions) come more and more often and get more and more intense. As that happens, we are approaching the season.

That's what I think of Matthew 24:32-37.

Answer 3

In some religions they believe that this is the 5th cycle of life on this earth. That we have started over again many times. Will the earth pass away? Eventually. Old stars go nova and explode. Will it happen in our lifetime? I don't think so. But when it says "this generation shall not pass" I think that the term applies to the lifetime of mankind. Not just our generation. The bible should not be taken literally, but more in generalities.
Suppose you brought a portable T.V. (although you'd have to bring a generator as well, lol) and met up with a culture that had never seen or heard of television. When you turned on the T.V. it would seem a miracle to them. Likewise, if you were to explain how it is in your culture, you would have to speak in generalities or they wouldn't understand. It would be like baby-speak. (Christ tries to get the people to understand thru parables.)
And if you are a Christian, don't doubt your beliefs or question who God is. Just accept it. Whoever He may be, a higher being, something we just don't understand, what does it matter? He is God. And don't worry about the end of the world. If it would come, tomorrow, what could you do about it? Nothing! Why worry? Don't make yourself sick thinking about it.
Go to church, pray, make yourself a better person instead of worrying yourself to death.

Answer 4

Matt. 24:34; This generation. This cannot refer to the generation living at the time of Christ, for " all these things " ----- the abomination of desolation ( v. 15 ), the persecutions of judgements ( vv. 17-22 ), the false prophets ( vv. 23-26 ), the signs in the heavens ( vv. 27-29 ), Christ's final return ( v. 30 ), and the gathering of the elect ( v31 ) ----- did not take place in their lifetime. It seems best to interpret Christ words as a reference to the generation alive at the time when those final hard labour pains begin. This would fit with the lesson of the fig tree, which stresses the short span of time in which these things will occur.


As for the generation starting in 1967 ----- most prophecy experts believe the generation started in 1948, when Israel became a nation for the first time in over 2000 years. also this geneation has no bibical ending, one person from this generation living to be over one hundred years old, whould be enough to bring the end of this generation to over one hundred years. " as you see these things take place, know that the time is near, " I see these things taking place, and I believe Jesus is just waiting for God the Father to say, go ...... and bring Our children home.


God is with you little one,
Reverend William M. Butler, St. Luke Ministries

Answer 5

This may be a loose reference to the second coming but not specific. I find it unreasonable that the scriptures would narrow the date then inform us in verse 36 that the day and hour are unknown to all but God. It is probably a reference to the fall of Jerusalem that came about later in the first century. This understanding also supports the fact that the modern nation of Israel is not the chosen people. Christians everywhere, by adoption, make up the new Jerusalem; Israel; Christ's church.

Answer 6

The parable of the fig tree illustrates the certainty of the second advent, for the fulfillment of the signs that are to be given in the Tribulation will announce Messiah's coming as certainly as new shoots on the fig tree announce the approach of summer.

Answer 7

So far I can agree with it.
Part I don't go for is that we are to know the season. Even Jesus admitted that He did not know the time. People have been trying to predict the exact date if His return to no avail.
The reason is to sin and repent the day before He comes.
But we are to be like the five wise virgins. We are to continually ready for His return.

Answer 8

Only problem with this is that Yahshua speaks of a GENERATION, not a LIFETIME. A generation is 40 years, just as it was in the wilderness.
The sign of the son of man was given in 2002(most people were not watching), so it is very close now.

Answer 9

Jesus said no one knows when He will return, not even He does. Only the Father knows. The bible teacher who wrote that sounds real smart, but anyone can sound smart, doesn't mean that they are right.

Answer 10

Thanks Egyptdisciple for posting this!

I believe the generation that saw Jerusalem freed from the gentiles will not pass away until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Yes, we may not know the exact day and the hour, its like if someone is 9 months pregnant, we know that the baby is due anytime, we may not know the exact hour or minute. :)