Important Signs indicate our Lord Jesus Christ is Returning Soon
The Two Generations referred to by the Lord Jesus Christ
"Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Mt. 24:1-2)
There are two questions that the Disciples asked the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Mt. 24: 3)
The first question concerns when the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed. The second question concerns the sign of the Lord's Second Coming.
In the whole discourse in Matthew chapter 24 the Lord Jesus Christ gave answers that apply to the two generations. The First Generation refers to the one that existed during the first advent of the Lord Jesus Christ about two thousand years ago. The Last Generation refers to the one in the End Time.
The First Generation had already experienced the "Great Tribulation" in a minor way that is limited to the Jews and the Christians in the First Century.
The Last Generation, also consisting of Jews and Christians, will not only experience the "Great Tribulation", but in a major way that will affect "all those who dwell on the face of the earth" during the End Time. (Lk. 21:35; Rev. 3:10)
The First Generation
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“Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Mt. 24:1-2)
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The Lord Jesus Christ prophesied the Second Temple that King Herod built would be destroyed. History records the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. by the Roman army under General Titus.
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Earlier the Lord had prophesied, “Assuredly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” (Mt. 23:36)
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The generation during the time that the Lord Jesus Christ was on the earth, which we shall call the First Generation, is seventy (70) years.
The Last Generation
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The Lord Jesus Christ prophesied: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mt. 24:32-35)
Interpretation of the Parable of the Fig Tree
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The “fig tree” represents the nation of Israel (Jer. 24:5-7).
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“When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves,” means the time when Israel was established as a nation again.
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“you know that summer is near.” Jesus explained that “Summer” is the time of harvest and it represents “the end of the age” (Mt. 13:39; Pro. 10:5).
Prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ
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“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” The Lord Jesus Christ prophesied that from the time of Israel being established as a nation to the time of His Second Coming would be within one generation.
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According to the Bible one generation is about seventy years. (Psm. 90:10; ref. Dan. 9:2)
Fulfillment of the Lord's Prophecy
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On May 14, 1948 Israel became a nation that is officially recognized by the United Nations.
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If we add 70 years to 1948 we have the year 2018. If this theoretical interpretation and calculation is correct, then we should expect our Lord to return soon.
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We cannot predict the exact time of Jesus' Second Coming, but we should prepare for the Great Tribulation that lasts about three and half years which could occur any time soon. (Jas. 5:17; Rev. 12:14)
The Final Warning to leave the Wicked Cities
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When the disciples of Christ asked the Lord Jesus Christ when the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed and also the signs of His Second Coming He also gave them the Last Warning to leave Judaea before the destruction of the city and the temple. This is also the Final Warning for the Christians to leave the wicked cities in the world during the End Time.
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"Therefore when you see the "abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),” (Mt. 24:15)
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The Greek βδέλυγμα bdelygma τῆς of ἐρήμωσις erēmōsis translated into English as " The abomination of Desolation "that is mentioned in Daniel 11:31 refers to the defiling of God's temple.