When Jesus was giving His famous Olivet Prophecy about the signs of His return and the destruction of the Jewish Temple, He also made this statement, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke:

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

For those Christians who believe all of the things foretold in the Olivet Prophecy happened by 70 A.D., this Scripture fits perfectly and poses absolutely no problems.

But, for Christians who think this prophecy has a future fulfillment, how would Jesus’ words apply now, about “this generation” not passing away?

There are a number of different valid interpretation options open to you. They are:

• “This Generation” simply refers to all Christians in the churches, who have replaced the nation of Israel as God’s “chosen race.” Jesus was saying there would always be some faithful Christians on earth. (Matthew 28:20; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 16:18)
• “This Generation” could start with the outbreak of the Great Tribulation. In this case, Jesus was just reassuring His disciples that the Tribulation wouldn’t last for many decades or centuries. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)
• “This Generation” possibly refers to wicked religious leaders/clergy such as the Pharisees. Jesus was saying unfortunately bad religious leaders would always be with us until the Tribulation. (Acts 20:29; Matthew 23:35-36)
• “This Generation” might refer to the foundation of the “Disgusting Thing” (revived Roman Empire / European Union / United Nations / future kingdom of Antichrist).
• “This Generation” perhaps was referring to the Jewish people. As part of God’s unconditional promise to Abraham, God feels obligated to keep some Jews alive at all times so they have the opportunity to hear the Good News and be saved. (Romans 11)
• Finally, one popular interpretation, at least in America, is that “this Generation” began when Israel became a nation again in 1948, or when Israel took control of Jerusalem in 1967.