Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
The saying answers the question when the temple would be destroyed and the foretold signs fulfilled, joining the fall of Jerusalem and the coming together in one description. It follows the illustration of the fig tree, in which tender branches and fresh leaves announce that summer is close, so the emergence of the predicted signs announces that the end is near, even at the doors. The generation in view is the people who witness those signs, who will continue to live until every predicted thing is accomplished. That assurance is unbreakable, for even though heaven and earth will pass away, those words will never pass away.
Since the precise day and hour are known to the Father alone, all are to remain watchful and prayerful. The discourse is spoken directly to those who live in the closing scenes of earth's history. Its warning reaches to coming ruin of cities by earthquake and by fire and by flood, proving that riches, structures, and human schemes cannot stand before divine authority.
The saying answers the question when the temple would be destroyed and the foretold signs fulfilled, joining the fall of Jerusalem and the coming together in one description. It follows the illustration of the fig tree, in which tender branches and fresh leaves announce that summer is close, so the emergence of the predicted signs announces that the end is near, even at the doors. The generation in view is the people who witness those signs, who will continue to live until every predicted thing is accomplished. That assurance is unbreakable, for even though heaven and earth will pass away, those words will never pass away.
Since the precise day and hour are known to the Father alone, all are to remain watchful and prayerful. The discourse is spoken directly to those who live in the closing scenes of earth's history. Its warning reaches to coming ruin of cities by earthquake and by fire and by flood, proving that riches, structures, and human schemes cannot stand before divine authority.