This Generation | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 22, 1906

“This Generation”

WE have followed with interest a study of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew in the editorial columns of The Signs of the Times, and note with satisfaction the clear position taken concerning the application of the expression “this generation” in the thirty-fourth verse. We quote three paragraphs from the article printed in the Signs of February 7:—

Note the use of the term, not “generation,” but “this generation,” in other scriptures: God said to Noah, “Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation” (Gen. 7:1); that is, among the people who lived at that time. Of those who started out from Egypt, the Lord said, “There shall not one of these men of this evil generation see the good land, . . . save Caleb,” etc. This certainly means the men who left Egypt with Caleb. Also, “unto this generation” (Ps. 71:18); “whereunto shall I liken this generation?” (Matt. 11:16), those before Jesus as he spoke. See also Mark 8:12; Luke 7:31. The latter text has evident reference to a period of time. One more, Ps. 95:10: “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation.” What generation?—That of the wilderness wandering.

“How long is a generation?” We do not know. Some, from Genesis 15, have said one hundred years; from Israel’s experience, forty years; from Noah’s time, one hundred and twenty years; from Psalm 90, seventy years; from Matthew 1, about forty-two years; from the average of human life, about thirty to thirty-five years. All these are vain speculations. What is the meaning, then, of Matt. 24:34? Just this: That some, at least, of the people who see in the light of God’s Word these signs included in this discourse which Jesus gave, shall not pass from among earth’s living till Christ shall come again.

Where does this generation begin? It seems evident to us that it is synchronous with the last great threefold message of Rev. 14:6-14, the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom in its fullest sense. This generation, witness of God’s tokens, bearer of his message, shall not pass till Christ shall come. Yes, we are in that generation, and the Master still tarries. But his chariot is near. The various events foretokening his coming are the rumbling of his chariot wheels, and soon he will come. In a little while his message of warning shall be given to every nation of the world, and those who will not have him reign over them will have allied themselves with iniquity forever, and then the Master will come, take his children home, and enter upon the eternal reign of peace.