DID JESUS LIE?

DID JESUS LIE? “This generation shall not pass away until…”

 780 words                                                                                       ——     Mary A. LaClair

The Parable of the Fig Tree                  

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that^]it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”  NKJV

This Scripture “This generation shall not pass away….” originated in the first century A.D. since they are the words of Our Lord spoken  while here on earth.

The King James Version of the Bible was taken from the Geneva Bible which was first printed in 1560 with the King James Version printed in 1611.

The only term known for generation at that time was to define family lineage.

The electric generator was first invented in 1831 by Michael Faraday

In 1949, General Electric installed the first gas turbine built in the U.S. for the purpose of generating power.

The word ‘generation’ can be an action, a process of coming or bringing into being (generation of income), or a noun referring to people or things of a certain time period.  (a class of objects developed from an earlier type or age i.e.  the stone age or, if you will, the age of Aquarius)

Therefore, when the Bible was compiled, the word generation could only be translated as lineage; and would necessarily be the prevalent interpretation of earlier versions.

Matt 24:32-34 speaks of the renewal of life the fig tree – – though it dies will come back to life. Then he says this generation will not pass away. He’s speaking about the generation of New Life coming from what appears to be dead. It is a parable for our own regeneration, and of His resurrection, with new life following the old.

Like bookends, this is confirmed in the Old Testament if you have eyes to see.

Isa 53:8-9
 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
 And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

And they made His grave with the wicked —
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.  NKJV

Many verses following the passage containing generation in Isaiah 53:8 also refer to renewal of life – as being cut off from the land of the living and who will declare his generation, who will declare his renewal of life and his life-giving renewing power to regenerate His own Life through Resurrection from the dead; and life-giving renewing power to usward in being born again now spiritually through the renewing power of the Holy Spirit; and, still again of our eventual new life after death.  The energy of generation, is what shall not pass.

This may not be understood by the unregenerate. If you are ‘born-again,’ or know someone who is, then you are better able to understand this process of new life coming forth from an old life.

Is 53:10  …He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand….11: After His anguish, He will see light and be satisfied. By His knowledge, my righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will carry their iniquities.” CSB

Jesus did not lie when He said:  ‘this generation shall not pass away until’, His eyes saw the process of new life coming forth from death, both in the tree, in Himself – and in us!  

The Holy Scriptures are meant to last an eternity both here and in heaven. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

The word ‘generation’ as used in Matthew 34:24 and Isaiah 53:8-9 is not limited to one lifespan, but may be applied to an era, His Resurrection, by a process of renewal of life.

Jesus cannot lie. The Holy Scriptures remain trustworthy to this day.

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NOTE

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NOUN   all of the people born and living at about the same time, collectively

1. VERB    the production of something:   renewal of energy,  renewal of an initial set
2.  “methods of electricity generation” · “the generation of wealth”
3. MATHEMATICS
4. LINGUISTICS
5. produce (a set or sequence of items) by performing specified mathematical or logical operations on an initial set. SIMILAR:   creation   causing

To GENERATE means to renew power; a generator causes generation, starts a renewal process.  Just as birth creates the renewal of life, be it tree, be it birth, be it sowing and reaping, be it renewing power of anything. Jesus makes all things new.  And this renewing power, this ongoing process of generation and giving new life shall not cease until….

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