Simple Question Re 1914

by Slidin Fast 540 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Jammer

  Vanderhoven7 said,

  Hi Jammer,
  Are you saying that the temple was not fully destroyed so that nothing in Matthew 24 applies to Christ's generation?
  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
  So what generation do you believe Jesus was referring in Matthew 24:34?
  a. the 1914 generation exclusively?
  b. the 21st century generation exclusively?
  c. other?

  The text is clear and so is the fig tree illustration. When a fig tree begins to bud - we know summer is near. The generation that sees all the events pass that Jesus mentions in Mathew 24 - that's the generation that will witness his return.

  NO, I did NOT say the temple was NOT fully destroyed. Jesus was talking about the entire temple site which included many buildings. That's why he said, "See ye not ALL these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
• 

  Fisherman

  Hi Van

  The context of the fleeing is not symbolic

  Fleeing is not symbolic. However, the 2nd seige of Jerusalem occurred in the Spring. The first siege by Gallus also applied to everybody inside Jerusalem at thevdame time and season so how could winter and Sabbath apply to everybody at the same time. The focus here is: the individual, his flight and prayer to God.
  
  
• 

  Vanderhoven7

  Hi Jammer,

  I have run into those that say the temple's destruction was not complete because the retaining wall is still there; so this is still future. Glad you are not one of them.

  So can you identify the generation you believe Jesus was referring in Matthew 24:34?
  

  a. the 1914 generation exclusively

  b. both the 1914 generation and Jesus' generation

  c. solely Jesus' generation

  d, other, please identify
• 

  waton

  e) the anointed generation

  f) the overlapping group generation
• 

  Vanderhoven7

  @Waton

  e) the anointed generation (I don't think this is still an option)

  f) the overlapping generation (but still the 1914 generation)

  Interestingly, every time Jesus specified (hutos genea) this generation in all 4 gospels, it always referred to his own unbelieving generation.
• 

  Fisherman

  Hi Van

  The context of the fleeing is not symbolic

  Fleeing is not symbolic. However, the 2nd seige of Jerusalem occurred in the Spring. The first siege by Gallus also applied to everybody inside Jerusalem at the same time and season so how could winter and Sabbath apply to only one The focus here is: the individual, his flight and prayer to God.
  
• 

  Vanderhoven7

  Scholar

  Van: And are you praying that your flight will not occur in winter or on a Sabbath day?

  Scholar: No

  So Scholar...are you saying that Jesus was warning people in his generation exclusively to pray that their flight not be in winter or on a Sabbath Day?
• 

  scholar

  Vanmderhoven 7

  So Scholar...are you saying that Jesus was warning people in his generation exclusively to pray that their flight not be in winter or on a Sabbath Day?

  Correct

  scholar JW
  
  
• 

  Vanderhoven7

  Scholar

  Good... you agree with me that Jesus was warning people in his generation exclusively to pray that their flight not be in winter or on a Sabbath Day? Now, look at the context of these specific prayers.

  Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

  Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

  The reason they were to pray these things was because the great tribulation was coming and these things would hamper their escape to regions beyond Judaea.

  So what you are admitting is that the Great Tribulation took place in the first century.

  You can't have it both ways.
• 

  scholar

  Vanderhoven7

  The reason they were to pray these things was because the great tribulation was coming and these things would hamper their escape to regions beyond Judaea.

  So what you are admitting is that a great tribulation took place in the first century with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE as foretold in Matthew 24:21.--

  ---

  Absolutely, a 'great tribulation (without the definite article) would foreshadow 'the Great Tribulation described in the next pericope, vss.. 29-31 and 'the great tribulation' in Rev. 7:13, 14.

  So you can have it both ways as confirmed by proper exegesis.

  scholar JW