This is the 5th in a series of classes on the end times by R.C. Sproul. Critics have argued that Jesus did not return when He predicted. In this message on the last days, Dr. Sproul examines this supposedly unfulfilled prophecy and defends the Bible’s credibility.
If we look at other instances of “this generation” in Scripture, we see a clear pattern emerge:
Genesis 7:1
“And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.”
(Refers to that generation.)
Psalm 12:7
“Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
(Refers to that generation.)
Psalm 71:18
“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”
(Refers to that generation.)
Psalm 95:10
“Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:”
(Refers to that generation.)
Matthew 11:16
“But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Matthew 12:41
“The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Matthew 12:42
“The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Matthew 23:36
“Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Mark 8:12
“And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 7:31
“And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:29
“And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:30
“For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:31
“The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:32
“The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:50
“That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 11:51
“From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
Luke 17:25
“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.”
(Refers to that generation, first century.)
But, for some reason, there is a strong desire by some well-meaning folks, to try and separate “this generation” in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32 by 2,000 years so it can mean our current generation. This is abusing the text.
Matthew 24:34
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Mark 13:30
“Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.”
Luke 21:32
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.”