The Parable Of The Fig Tree As A Sign Series

The other explanation is that "generation" should be understood as race. This is a legitimate translation of the Greek word; it means men of the same stock, breed, or family (Matt. 12:45; 23:35, 36). So Jesus was predicting that the Jewish race would survive to see all these things accomplished. Their continued survival, despite atrocious persecution, is a miracle of history.

Mathew Henry’s commentary on this verse has this explanation: "But I think there is an added thought. In Jesus’ day, "this generation" was a race that steadfastly refused to acknowledge Him as Messiah. I think He was predicting that national Israel would continue in its Christ-rejecting condition till His Second Coming. Then all rebellion will be crushed, and only those who willingly submit to His rule will be spared to enter the Millennium."

My personal belief is that Matthew Henry has the best explanation: the generation that shall not pass away is the generation in whose lifetime all these signs occur and it is that generation that will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. While some have attempted to relate "generation" to the race of the Jews, indicating that their race will survive until Christ’s return, this seems somewhat excessive to me. Some Bible scholars prefer "age" or "period of time." In other words, the previously listed signs will continue to multiply throughout the Church Age and reach their ultimate climax at the end of the age in the generation of those who will live to see the entire matter fulfilled in their lifetime. However, no one knows when Christ will return so that all may anticipate the imminent return of the Master. Those who object, and say that the "last days" began at Pentecost should also see II Timothy 3:1, where "last days" are yet to come (shall come) in the future. On the one hand, the final age began with the manifestation of the church and continues today. On the other hand, though, the final aspect of this age will be a last day of perilous times which will occur at the end of the age. Most Bible scholars agree that Matthew certainly understood Jesus to be saying that "all these things" referred to the end of history in the distant future.

35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

"Heaven and earth will pass away. To emphasize the unfailing character of His predictions, Jesus added that heaven and earth would pass away but His words would by no means pass away. Heaven and earth continue to this day, but they will not last forever ( Ps. 102:25, 26; [1]2 Pet. 3:10). In speaking of heaven passing away, He was referring to the stellar and atmospheric heavens—the blue firmament above us—not to that heaven which is the dwelling place of God (2 C. 12:2–4). The dissolution of the heaven and the earth is described in [2]2 Peter 3:10–13 and mentioned again in Revelation 20:11.

But My words will by no means pass away. The word of God can not be stopped or done away with, according to God’s edict. Note, The word of Christ is more sure and lasting than heaven and earth. Hath he spoken? And shall he not do it? We may build with more assurance upon the word of Christ than we can upon the pillars of heaven, or the strong foundations of the earth; for, when they cease to exist, the word of Christ shall remain, and be in full force. ([3]1 Pet. 1:24-25).