So, is this all still future, or has it been fulfilled? I think that it’s important to note that Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in AD 70. It was a time of immense tragedy, captured by Josephus in his writings:
“(404) But when they went in numbers into the lanes of the city, with their swords drawn, they slew those whom they overtook, without mercy, and set fire to the houses wither the Jews were fled, and burnt every soul in them, and laid waste a great many of the rest; (405) and when they were come to the houses to plunder them, they found in them entire families of dead men, and the upper rooms full of dead corpses, that is of such as died by the famine; they then stood in a horror at this sight, and went out without touching anything. (406) But although they had this commiseration for such as were destroyed in that manner, yet had they not the same for those that were still alive, but they ran every one through whom they met with, and obstructed the very lanes with their dead bodies, and made the whole city run down with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fire of many of the houses was quenched with these men’s blood.” (Wars of the Jews 6.404–406)
The destruction that happened in AD 70 is why some people believe that these prophecies have already been fulfilled. But I think that there are some things here that don’t easily fit into that understanding, and that the disciples’ questions may help us out. It’s possible that all this may be future and we’re still waiting for it. But it’s also possible that Jesus may be answering two questions here: 1) when will these things happen (the temple being destroyed), and 2) what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age. That would explain why some things fit so well with what happened then, and why some things don’t.
And that may help us understand the phrase “this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished,” as well. Those who believe that everything Jesus describes here has already happened don’t have a problem with it. The generation didn’t pass away! They saw it all happen with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This understanding assumes that the description of the Son of Man coming on clouds is a description of judgment and that it’s not meant to be taken literally (24:29-31). However, those who believe all of this is still future think that Jesus meant the generation who will be alive when all these things begin to happen. So, it will all happen relatively quickly, especially on the cosmic timetable, and Jesus will literally and visibly return. But most of the time when “generation” is used the way Jesus uses it here it refers to those who are being addressed, i.e. the generation currently living. If that is the case, then the best way to understand it may be that Jesus is answering both when the temple will be destroyed and when the end of the age will happen (24:3). The temple and Jerusalem being destroyed and much of the turmoil being described will all happen before that current generation passes away. However, the signs of His coming and the end of the age happen later.
When it comes to passages like these the temptation is to believe that we have the right interpretation, and that anyone who believes differently is wrong and maybe even heretical! But the end times have generally been regarded as something that we can agree to disagree on. I don’t think that these are the types of things that we should be dogmatic about. The most important issue regarding the end times is whether or not we believe that Jesus is coming again!
Thought for the day: We need to live in such a way that we are ready for His return, which means we must work while we wait!
Luke 19:13 (WEB) “He called ten servants of his and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ “
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