What Is The Generation Jesus Will Return?

The word “generation” (Gk: ‘genea’) can refer to the age or period of the members of a family as determined by the average span of life (Genesis 31:3; Matthew 1:17, 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41, 16:8; Acts 2:40), as well as all the people of a given period (Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, Luke 1:48, 21:32, Philippians 2:15), and the period covered by the lifetime of a generation (Acts 14:16; 15:21, Ephesians 3:5, Colossians 1:20). If the word is repeated twice or with another time word, it indicates an infinity of time. God was very intentional in not giving a direct answer regarding the length of a generation and the length of a biblical life span. The length of a generation varies depending on the historical period.

Some Scholars say the term “generation” means an average life span and refers either to the generations in which Jesus lived while on Earth or to the generation living when the end time signs begin to occur. Others say it is not a physical generation but a wicked one that continues today.

According to the Jewish calendar, the year 5780 is the year of creation. Abraham was born in 2167 BC. He was “ninety-nine years old” in 2068 BC (Genesis 17:1). David was crowned King in 1010 BC, the southern kingdom of Judah was deported to Babylon in 586 BC, From Jeconiah, born about 616 BC, to Jesus, born between 6 to 3 BC, 14 generations have passed. The numbers appear to be linked to the following verses, which state that seventy weeks of years, or 490 years, would pass between the restoration of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah. Since generations were commonly placed at 35 years, this equates to 14 generations.

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks, it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week, he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:24-27 ESV)

These verses are based on the foundation for promoting a future seven-year tribulation period. The word “strong” in verse 27 is translated from the Hebrew “gabar,” which primarily conveys the idea of strength, might, or prevailing over something or someone. It is often used in a context where physical, moral, or spiritual strength is demonstrated. It does not mean to make something strong or firm. The term can imply overcoming obstacles, gaining victory, or exhibiting superior power. The word “week” in Hebrew is ‘shabuwa` which primarily refers to a period of seven days and is important to the Jewish understanding of time, such as the Creation week (Genesis 2:1-3). It can also denote a period of seven years in prophetic contexts.

The verse is part of Daniel's prophecy of 70 weeks (490 years) concerning the future of Israel and Jerusalem. Some early church fathers understood it as referring to Jesus confirming the covenant and fulfilling God's prophetic promises and interpreting the seven years as the period surrounding the ministry of Jesus, which lasted 3.5 years at the most. However, some argue for shorter lengths of time, with His death coming in the middle. Others interpret it as pointing directly to Jesus's atoning work and His kingdom's inauguration. No matter what the actual correct interpretation is, the fact remains that His sacrificial death on the Cross brought an end to Temple sacrifices and fulfilled their purpose.

Many Theologians, and not just Dispensationalists, interpret these verses as referring to the antichrist who will make a peace treaty with Israel and then break it halfway through the seven years, which then leads to the great Tribulation. That interpretation required inserting a 1,000-year gap between the 69th and 70th weeks, which is not clearly stated in the text. It became the foundation for the idea of a seven-year tribulation period, a rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem, a future Antichrist figure, and a pre-Tribulation “rapture.”