By Bill SalusQ. - Dear Bill - the 2nd to the last sentence in your article dealing with the 40-year Egyptian Deportation, creates a nagging question in my mind that I need your help with. You make the following statement: "I could easily see humanity existing several more decades." How does that fit in with the commonly held belief that Israel’s rebirth was the fulfillment of Matthew 24:32 and that Matthew 24:34 states that generation that sees all the things of the preceding 32 verses of Matthew 24, including Israel’s rebirth, will not pass away before Yeshua returns - 2nd Coming.
A. Dear Brother Mark thank you for your question– Yes, I did conclude the article by writing; "I could easily see humanity existing several more decades. However with that said, I believe Christians should be fervently watching for the Rapture and Psalm 83 to occur very soon."
First let me state that I’m not sure of the expiration date of this present earth. All prophetic signs indicate the end is extremely near. However, many biblical prophecies are still forthcoming and they will require time to find final fulfillment. One event builds upon another like birth pangs with each subsequent event appearing to overshadow the prior.
Secondly, I believe you answered your “nagging question” with your own quote; "Matthew 24:34 states that generation that sees all the things of the preceding 32 verses of Matthew 24...will not pass away before Yeshua returns…"
This includes the "beginning of sorrows" (Matt. 24:7-8), the reestablishment of the nation Israel, the "fig tree" (Matt. 24:32) the rise of the Antichrist to perform the "abomination of desolation" (Matt. 24:15), the fleeing of the faithful Jewish remnant "to the mountains" of Bozrah/Petra (Matt. 24:16-20) the "great tribulation" period (Matt. 24:21) the deceptive "great signs and wonders" probably akin to 2 Thessalonians. 2:9 & Revelation 13:13 (Matt. 24:24).
Many attempt to interpret Matthew 24:34 by attaching the length of a biblical generation to the fig tree prophecy of Matthew 24:32. I wonder what they are going to say if 2049 rolls around and the 40-year, 70-year, and 100-year generational interpretations no longer apply? Assuming that by then, "all these things take place," which is actually what the NKJV text says.
I believe Matthew 24:34 is an event sensitive, rather than time sensitive, prophecy. The generation that can truthfully say the historical fulfillment of "all these things" above has "taken place," will be the generation that "will by no means pass away." This is because they are the generation that lives in Daniel's 70th week and they are those who will witness the Second Coming of Yeshua.
Matthew 24:22 declares; “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened…” During Daniel’s 70th week there will be divine “Trumpet and Bowl” judgments unleashed upon mankind, and probably nuclear warfare occurring within mankind. No flesh would survive if those days were prolonged. However, we know they will be limited to 7-years, which in the scheme of things is a very “shortened” time span.
