Gray-Haired Perspective

More Light on "This Generation"

 

In the book I argued that "this generation" in Matthew 24:34 refers to the people of Israel rather than to a span of years. Now as I was tracing Matthew–Isaiah cross references for another gray-haired perspective, I stumbled upon another jewel.

 

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. (Isaiah 66:22) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:34–35)

 

These parallel passages state the same truth in opposite ways. Isaiah states it positively; Matthew states it negatively. But it's the same truth. It's as if you described a door before entering it, and then described the scene from the other side.

Observe the parallel. We see heaven and earth in both passages—that's obvious. Now notice the other parallel—notice that "this generation" parallels "your seed and your name." What seed? Well, read Isaiah. It's the seed of Israel.

If Jesus had Isaiah in mind when He spoke these words, then shouldn't we also have Isaiah in mind when we interpret His words?