What generation shall not pass away?

After our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the blossoming of the fig tree, he added that:

“34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Matthew 24

The meaning of generation in that context is ‘Those who are alive as I speak’ will not die completely until all these things are fulfilled. Although this chapter may be applied to 70 Ad destruction of the temple, we note that it says “all these things take place”. Since the second coming never happened in 70Ad, it has a future application to a future blossoming of the fig tree.

The fig tree, which is the House of Israel, blossomed in 1947/1948. On 29^th November 1947, the United Nations passed a resolution for the creation of an independent Jewish state in the land of Israel alongside another independent Arab state. On 14^th May 1948, after about 6 months war, the Jewish People’s Council declared the independent Jewish State to be known as the State of Israel! These fulfilled several ancient prophecies about Israel. Jeremiah had written:

“10“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ 11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.” Jeremiah 31.

So, if Jesus Christ meant that the generation that sees Israel blossom in 1947/48 will not die out completely, then we can do another simple calculation. If we take 80 years to be the mean life of those that lived to an old age:

1947/48 + 80 years = 2027/2028.

We arrive at the same date with this simple calculation. If Jesus died in 30AD as believed, 2027 will be exactly 3 years before his 2000 years resurrection and absence anniversary. 2023 will be 7 years before his 2000^th anniversary.

Should we look forward to the appearing of our dear Lord around or from 2023/2027, Once again, I am no prophet and my interpretation can be wrong, but I think it’s correct, especially considering the remarkable ways the other numbers revealed by God to us in the scriptures fit in to the most historic events connected with Israel and Jerusalem. Even if the termination of the 1335 days will not herald the resurrection morning when Daniel and the saints will rise again, I believe something very historic and not ordinary will happen in Israel/Jerusalem around 2023 to 2027 that will give a lot of hope to Israel. What can that be except the appearing of the Redeemer of Israel? I say around because our interpretation cannot accommodate a hastening of the time or further delay which is solely according to God’s wish. There may be transition period too if it’s in God’s plan.

But will God do such great thing as sending His son without revealing the infallible signs to His saints through the scripture? This is the same question the angels of God asked when they were about to destroy Sodom:

“17And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” Genesis 18:17.

It is true that human eyes may not have seen what God prepared for those that love Him as it is written, but Paul in the following verse revealed to us that these deep secrets are now revealed to the saints who in turn wrote parts of it in the Bible:

9 “But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

    nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.

 I can only pray that our interpretation is true but only God knows.

The 1335 days can also be the time when Israel’s enemies are finally defeated in the Armageddon. There is a pointer to this. God indeed works in mysterious ways. 1260 years from 638AD when Jerusalem surrendered to Arabs is 1898 which is the birth of Zionism. Also 1335 years later is 1973 which is around Yom Kippur war which I think was a type of the Armageddon where Israel will be defeated but later helped by the messiah. Had Israel destroyed the Dome in 1967 when Jerusalem was in their hands, the world would have been so outraged that the Yom Kippur war would consume Israel except the Lord comes down to help them.

If the 1335 days is the Armageddon or coming day of the LORD of Zechariah 14:1-4, then we should expect the return of our Lord Jesus Christ anytime from today even before 2027! The second coming, resurrection and judgement will occur before the Armageddon.

No one knows the day nor the hour!

It is indeed true that no one can actually predict the day or the hour of his return. But it appears we can determine the year but not with full certainty, since no one indeed knows. Those who will see that year of his return will always look back and see the right interpretation from the scripture. He will come as a thief in the night and like in the days of Noah. Which means he will come at a time of great prosperity, peace and security, when he is least expected, but the wise will indeed understand the signs.

But we are no prophets and we only pray that God will indeed help us interpret this climax correctly in other to remain watchful when we should naturally sleep. What God actually require from us is to watch, pray and get ready at all times.

But the Lord is almighty. He is all knowing. He has not revealed more than is written. Just as Israel slavery in Egypt lasted 430 years (Exodus 12:40) instead of 400years Abraham was told (Genesis 15:3), the LORD alone in His Omnipotence can delay or shorten the time of the end, to Him be all glory. We are only mortals trying to understand the times as revealed.

God can decide to lengthen the day even after the 1335 days expires. He can also decide to shorten it before the days (Mark 13:20). He is indeed almighty. Let’s watch and pray.