Speaking of the second time zone. This verse refers to the afternoon, when they grind at the mill for food for
the night.
Luke 17:34 gives us the last time zone which is night time, ―two shall be in one bed; the one shall be
taken, and the other shall be left.‖
From this, we can clearly see from Y‘shua‘s explanation of the ̳last days‘ events, there is indeed a rapture
before the tribulation. But because it was not meant for the disciples and their generation, it was not
mentioned directly. It is meant for the ̳final generation‘ (Luke 21:32) – our generation that will benefit by it!
(See the 16 proofs of a pre-tribulation rapture in my book, ̳Verse by Verse Explanation of the Revelation‘).
This study proves that what Y‘shua foretold in Matthew chapter 24, does indeed compare with the writings of
John on the revelation of Y‘shua the Messiah. By reading Matthew 24, you are actually reading ̳the
Revelation.‘ The word is easy and simple that even a child can understand it; let‘s not make it complicated.
Scripture must interpret Scripture, or else we follow a false doctrine.
24:32-35 Now learn a parable of the fig tree―(32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know
that summer is nigh (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the
doors. (34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (35) Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.‖ (Matt 24:32-35)
The Key GenerationBefore we continue, let us first read Luke 21:29-32:
―(29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot
forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye
see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you,
This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.‖
Now we are ready to examine the key to the most important sign as it relates to the time of Y‘shua‘s
coming, in answer to the disciples‘ question: ―When shall these things be?‖ The key is found in
verse 32 of Luke chapter 21. Y‘shua said, ―This generation shall not pass, till all these things be
fulfilled.‖ The crucial issue, then, concerns the meaning of ―this generation‖, because whatever
generation He had in mind would not pass until the Second Coming occurs.
There seems to be only two generations from which to choose:
The disciples‘ generation – but nothing like that happened historically during their lifetime, and their
generation has passed and obviously Y‘shua has not come – so it does not seem possible he had their
generation in mind.
The generation that saw Israel officially becomes a nation in 1948 ―Fig tree blossoming!‖ (which will be
explained in detail later), is the generation that was old enough to ―see‖ the pictures via television or
newsreel of the United Nations officially recognising Israel as a nation and to understand what was going on.
Assuming that meant children ±16 years of age in 1948, which generation was born in ±1932 – give or take 5
or 10 years. In Greek, the demonstrative pronoun haute (this) always refers to the person or thing mentioned
before it. The thing mentioned just before ―generation‖ involves those who see the sign of Israel becoming a
nation.
Carefully putting all this together, we can now deduce that this strategic generation is the generation that
―sees‖ the events of 1948. We must be careful here not to become dogmatic, but it would seem that these
people are witnesses to the events but not necessarily participants in them. That would suggest that they
were at least old enough to understand the events of 1948 and would be ±68 years of age in the year 2000.
I believe it is our generation of which Y‘shua said, ―...will not pass away till all these things be fulfilled.‖
How long is a generation?We may logically inquire next, ―How long is a generation‖? Psalm 90:10 provides insight into this subject.
―The days of our years are three score years and ten and if, by reason of strength, they be four score years,
yet is their strength labour and sorrow....‖