MyLordsServant

The more I search, the less I seem to find. People stick to the idea that Son of Man coming means: Holy Spirit coming or transfiguration. However verse after verse like these point the other direction. "The heavenly bodies will be shaken" (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24; Luke 21:25, 26).* Only then will appear "the sign of the Son of Man" in the sky: "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory" (Matt. 24:30) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats" Every verse Jesus uses "this generation" applies to the contemporary generation. "A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away." “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you?" "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation, and condemn it" (Matt. 12:41). "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38). "And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation." "You will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'" (Matt. 23:39). Mark 14:62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen" (Rev. 1:7). "For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again." Matthew 24:21 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will" Daniel 12:1 “Immediately after the distress of those days “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Matthew 24:29

The Pharisees believed the kingdom of God would come by a messiah, who would restore peace on earth. That's why Jesus said it can't be observed, because the kingdom of God, is the Holy Spirit in the 'temple'. But there's a difference between kingdom of God, and Son of Man coming in His kingdom. If you can't find a distinguishing line between these terms, then you'll interchange the meaning whenever it's convenient. Jesus will come like a thief in the night... “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be”. To me that sounds like it can't be observed. (Keep in mind, this verse in context was prophesying the end times). Whenever Jesus referred to "coming of the Son of Man", He always referred to His 2nd coming.

I get that, and saying it over and over, doesn't change that Jesus said his coming, involves angels and judgment.

That's the problem with your interpretation. You think "Son of Man coming in his kingdom" means the outpouring of the Spirit. Then what words would Jesus use to refer to his second coming? Read the verse before "some standing wont taste...". Jesus says, he will come with angels to judge. Within 2 verses Jesus says he will come, and yet both are saying one thing. You divide them to say 2 completely different things.

This is a common verse that many assume refers to transfiguration, because they can't find anything else that fits. It's the same way preterists try to explain "this generation" verse. In the same verse you underlined, read it in context, especially the verse right before. He says something that doesn't fit with transfiguration. Which is, coming with angels and then judging the world. (All before that generation - the people standing their die). Not only that, but no where in the chapter does Jesus appear to refer to any sort of transfiguration. When Jesus did transfigure, they couldn't believe their eyes, they weren't expecting it. So why weren't they expecting it? because Jesus never told them it would happen. If He did, then He wouldn't have said, "Don't tell anyone what you have just seen". Because they would have already known. Also in the transfiguration, standing and talking with prophets while glowing, would be a poor depiction of "coming in His kingdom". This is obviously the answer people have to give, because they have to find some event, that would have happened within 50-70 years. Which would entail Jesus coming. When I read this verse plainly. It plainly says, "I will come again, before you die or the first born of this generation." Also another similar verse, Jesus says "Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." So what could that mean, "the Son of Man comes", when he's already there? Or will you apply an answer like, Son of Man comes to regroup with them again. Then maybe Jesus has come over 1000 times, being every time He came into a new house, city or regrouped with a disciple. When ever it refers to Jesus coming, it refers to his second coming. So you can't give 10 different options for 1 statement.

I'm not mixing the answers together. Read my first post.

Then Jesus had bad grammar is what you're saying, or the author/translator. Or it would have said, "that generation", not "this". Also that view isn't supported by this verse: "For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Where clearly Jesus is saying, the people standing there, meaning that generation.

My question is, what did Jesus mean by "this generation".

Jesus said, "ALL" these things will happen first. Meaning everything He said. First He said what would happen at the temple destruction. Then He said when His coming would be...after which to that He says, "this generation".

No, otherwise Jesus is saying, "you won't die until you die". Also Jesus answered both questions with 1 answer. Temple destruction and His return. Meaning, that generation would have to witness both events including temple destruction.

Except Jesus says, no one knows the day or hour. 6,000 years is assuming the day or at least month. Also I'm sure we can agree there is little hope that this earth will last another x,xxx - 4,000 years. I think we're right at the end times. James 5:8,9: "You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" Jesus said when these things happen, He will be standing at the door. Has He been standing for 2,000 years? We know it's possible if you interpret it as 2 days. Then Jesus would have said He's standing at the door 24/7 for 5,999 years. If James is already saying He's at the door. Hebrews 10:27 “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”

Many people here have 'options' for answers, that fit if you twist it just right. I'm looking for a solid answer. This is the verse Jesus was telling of his return: "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30) Looks to me like that hasn't happened, nor is it referring to his ascension, crucifixion, transfiguration, glorification, none of which has already happened. When scripture says "Son of Man coming in His Kingdom". It's always referring to the 2nd coming. I mean come on... the entire chapter is about the end times, and people still say it has to do with the Holy Spirit or kingdom within us. Jesus says, "all these things would happen". Which includes temple of destruction and second coming. "Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." There's a reason all of the disciples, including Paul, believed that Jesus would come again within their time. As I see it, either Jesus meant race (Which still doesn't make sense), or translators chose the wrong word, or disciples incorrectly recorded what Jesus said, or Jesus was wrong. I'm not going to fall for and have weak faith, behind a random option that barely fits. This is such an important verse, there is no room to play on words.

What I mean is, it sounds like Jesus is saying, "I will return before the first born of this generation dies". Meaning Jesus would have been wrong if that's what he meant.

It's interesting clearly conflicting verses like this, no one can answer without giving multiple options for answers, showing they don't know but rather hope one of these fits. Which only makes people doubt more. This is the full verse in context. "For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Jesus didn't come with his angels and he hadn't judged(re-payed) anyone. Which puts in context what Jesus meant when he said, "Son of Man coming in His kingdom". He meant coming with angels and judgment. -Hasn't happened. Jesus wasn't referencing a transfiguration. Whenever it references to "the coming of the Son of Man". It refers to the end times/judgement. Not an event like Jesus ascending or transfiguring. In fact it says, "coming" not "going"(ascending). Also another verse, Jesus says "So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." In context, the disciples came privately asking Jesus what will the signs be of the temple destruction, also the sign of Jesus' return. Jesus explained the events to come before the temple destruction and his return. First Jesus answered 2 questions with one answer. He said when those things happen, you will know He is right at the door(meaning the Son of Man returning). Second, he says "...will not pass until ALL" the things he listed will happen. So when Jesus refers to "THIS GENERATION", if he indeed meant that generation, then it's a contradiction?. Because many obvious things have not happened, like Jesus coming and judging. Assuming Jesus meant "race", it would not be in line with other verses using that term or implication. Why wouldn't Jesus just have said "race" instead of generation? Those are clearly distinct significant terms. Why wouldn't Jesus have said, "that generation" instead of "this"? Why say "this generation" at all? It makes no sense for Jesus to say, "your race will not die until all these things happen". A verse later Jesus says, no one knows the day or the hour, not even Him. Then how would Jesus predict such a short time frame, meanwhile it's been 2k years? So in verses like this. Is Jesus predicting his return within a single generation (0-100 years?).

That's assuming most or all were saying to crucify him. That's also an irrelevant point to make, as I never said all were saved. Thousands followed Jesus. There was at least over 100k people who heard of Jesus. Those who cried "crucify him", included the chiefs, priests, and a crowd. We can't assume how big the crowd was, nor who was in the crowd(gentiles?). "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds" Jesus did say, he found little faith in Israel, and no prophet is accepted in his hometown. So who's to say he was preaching to the them? Jesus spent little time preaching there, from what I understand. Asides from these points. The message of Jesus was clearly for those who were saved. If you read near the start of that chapter, Jesus was talking to his disciples.

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I would agree to the point where Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners". But when he came to call the sinners, and they repented. Those who followed and believed him, were then saved. Luke 21 was right before the point of Jesus death, so we can assume he was speaking to the saved. Especially if you read the verses prior to verse 36. Those words wouldn't be spoken to the unsaved. His message had no mention of repentance or belief. But what the saved should expect in the end of times. "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth hislife shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

No, that's before the parable of the return of the son of man. Read verse 27 in Luke. Then read verse 35 in Luke, right before 36. "For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth". That's obviously not talking about Israel fleeing to the mountains.

If Jesus was talking to unbelievers, then he's saying they have a way out, other than grace through faith. He would be saying, they have to be worthy in order to get saved. Worthy in what way? Being worthy doesn't involve grace through faith. Worthy is a tricky word. It means there is no definitive answer between: condemned and saved.

John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

Proverbs 10:8 The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

"They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge'. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Such nobility and character. It's hard to forgive people who simply look at us the wrong way. Meanwhile Stephen begs the Lord in sincerity, to forgive those who were stoning him without a cause. Then Jesus takes his spirit from his body, to relieve him from the pain of stoning.

Seek first for the kingdom of God, and all things will be added unto you. If your job is causing you to sin, CUT IT OFF AND CAST IT INTO THE SEA! A horrible job that gives you no pleasure, furthers you from God, grieves the Spirit, is a job that needs to be quit right away. The greatest matter in life is God! If your daily life/actions do not revolve around God, then reconsider your life! Not one of these obstacles against the narrow way, are worth falling over! Even if you made $500k a year, and had your dream job, but it caused you to sin. CUT IT OFF!

Girls don't buy these clothes for comfort. They do so because the sinners of this world have fashion-ized it. They are following the blind sheep of the world, to fit in. They do so to stimulate their ego and pride. That they know they are getting looks from others. Some to make others envious. In other words, no good can come from these things; ungodly attire.

More than a worthy thread! But it will be good to describe in detail, some of these evil deceptions of this world. Some which Christians still partake in today. Of which include: types of music, movies, games, t.v., friends, medications, activities, etc, etc, etc. Many of these are laced in evil. Do you go to the movies to watch partial nudity, extreme violence, blaspheme, etc? When you buy and/or watch these, you are a partaker of this sin and a supporter of it. Does the music you listen to, have occult ties, provocative language, hateful, sexual, etc? When you buy this music, and/or enjoy it, you are a partaker of this sin and a supporter of it. When you laugh with non believer friends, about their sinful words and deeds, you are a partaker of their sin. This same principal of heart, goes for all things. That which you buy and/or enjoy: you are a supporter of. What does Jesus say, did you murder someone? No? Well if you so much as hated your brother, you are a murderer at heart. If you don't commit to these worldly things, but you do as some of the examples of above state, you ARE a partaker of sin at heart! As 4LdKH referenced, "Test all things; hold fast what is good". Your sin may not be a direct law. "thou shall not have tattoos or do drugs". But it is of this world and laced in evil; not of the spirit. Where is your discernment? Those who reap of the flesh, will of the flesh reap corruption!