Many prophecy writers try to get around the biblical meaning of genea by translating it as “race” when it should be translated as “generation” since this is what the word means in the genealogy in Matthew 1:17 where it’s used four times and cannot mean “race.” There weren’t 42 races, but there were 42 generations.
Wars and Rumors of Wars
Skeptics read the Olivet Discourse in the right way, but come to the wrong conclusion. Christian futurists read it the wrong way and come to a different wrong conclusion. Jesus predicted that He would return within the time period of that generation alone. Unfortunately, too many Christians are giving the wrong answer when skeptics claim Jesus was mistaken. Everything Jesus said would happen before that generation passed away did happen.
Buy NowTranslating “this generation” as “this race of people” gained popularity through the notes of the Scofield Reference Bible, first published in 1909. The New Scofield Reference Bible (1967) retains a modified version of the note of the first edition. Since millions of Bible students have used the Scofield notes in their study of the Bible, it is necessary that we make a thorough study of the position. Following Scofield’s lead, the text would read, “nation or family of Israel will be preserved ‘till all these things be fulfilled.’”
On today’s podcast, Gary discusses a video that seeks to reinterpret (again) the Greek word used for “generation” in Matthew 24. This tactic has been used by Bible commentators, pastors, and authors for years to avoid the plain meaning of the Olivet Discourse. The events described were fulfilled in the first century and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, they are not for our day or our future.