"First, however, he must undergo many sufferings

and BE REJECTED by this generation."

(Luke 17:25; Matthew 24:34 New World Translation)

We know questions are always the sign of interest in a topic. Therefore, we have a most pertinent question for you, concerning the ministry of the "Messiah" or "Son of Man" of the first century.

But before we ask this vital question, let's first consider two (2) very unique verses found in Luke 17:25 and Matthew 24:34. Luke 17:25 states:

"First, however, he must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by this generation." -- New World Translation

Now, let compare this verse with Matthew 24:34 which says:

"Truly I say to YOU that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (New World Translation)

We notice in both verses, Jesus says: “...This generation.” Accordingly, some have wondered, which “generation” exactly was Jesus referring to, the current “generation” he had preached to, or to another distant one, years and years in the future -- which? This now leads us to the big question we, of the YORWW Congregation ask of you,

Does not the above presented bible citations prove:

        a) The Messiah's entire ministry (of 3 1/2 years)

        b) The full rejection of the Messiah's ministry by the nation

        c) The "days of the Son of Man" being compared to the "Days of Noah" [attitude of people]

        d) The "days of the Son of Man" being compared to the "Days of Lot" [attitude of people]

        e) And, all of the things or events described in Matthew 24 and Luke 17:20-37
        ...occurred within ONE GENERATION, just as Luke 17:25, Matthew 24:34 (and Mark                   13:30) plainly says?

Additionally, this question also leads us to another thought ... why are we (especially all Jehovah’s Witnesses) separating the above events of Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24 with a 2,000-year period of time, in our explanation of this particular prophecy?

For example, Jehovah's Witnesses say the rejection of the "Son of Man" occurs in the first century, and is separated from many of the foretold events of this prophecy (like the "Sign of the Son of Man" Matt. 24:30) by some 2,000 years. In this instance, Jehovah’s Witnesses are saying some of these things happened in Jesus' day (in the first century), and some of the events happen within our modern day or 2,000 years later, thus NOT within "ONE GENERATION" as Jesus plainly said?

Someone once said:

One of the views of this Prophecy is that Jesus, when he says THIS GENERATION, is referring NOT to the generation that he is speaking to but the generation that will witness the coming of "the son of Man".

Which of course means, we are now dealing with TWO "GENERATIONS," instead of one. One [generation] in the first century, the one Jesus was originally talking to, and also one [generation] in the distant future...perhaps separated by some 2,000 years that sees the actual fulfillment of his original 1st century prophecy.

However, when we look at Luke 17:25, the YORWW Congregation does not believe or teach Jesus was referring to two "generations," or we could say two "generations" is the answer, or even possible, actually. Why do we say this???

Well, Jesus specifically said “the generation" that "rejected" the Son of Man and his message, would experience certain coming wrath from God (Matthew 23:35, 36). He did this by tying in the "days of Noah" and the "days of Lot" saying they were comparable to obstreperous individuals of his day, his "generation" that he preached to. Jesus stated “this generation” would ultimately ‘pay the price’ for NOT … NOT “discerning the time of their inspection,” an official “inspection” done only … only by Jesus, yes during the 1st century, is that not so??? -- See Luke 19:41-44 New World Translation.

 

Additionally we must say, within Jesus’ words in this prophecy of Matthew 24, there was no hint of any 2,000-year separation, wait or lengthy delay in God handing out Judgment to these infidels who did not listen to the "Son of Man," was there? None is indicated in verse. -- See Luke 17:25-30.

So then, Jesus was actually referring to ONE "generation," the particular "generation" of the "Son of Man." Jesus was just talking about one "generation," the same one the "Son of Man" existed in, and preached to, and was thoroughly "rejected" by.

...Just one "generation," the "generation" of the "Son of Man," that thoroughly "rejected" him. -- Luke 17:25 New World Translation

Holy Scripture emphatically tell us, Jesus would "come quickly." (Rev. 2:16; 3:11) And this is what Jesus' first century disciples expected. Then too, bible prophecy tells us the same ones of this "generation" that "pierced" him, would actually "see" his return. (Rev. 1:7)

This is an awfully powerful viewpoint on this discussion, that needs to be considered carefully. For instance, Revelation 1:7 clearly suggests the idea about those individuals that "pierced" the "Son of Man," would also be alive to see his "return." The verse says:

“ Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 New World Translation)

Also, first century believers expected Jesus to "come quickly," did they not? (Rev. 2:16; 3:11)

Therefore, if the "Son of Man" returns "quickly" as he promised his disciples, then we would not expect this to be a 2,000-year trip for him, would we? This does not seem to be a “reasonable” viewpoint. (Romans 12:1 NWT) And yet, this is what the religionists of our time expect us to reasonably believe.

Then too, we find the same thought emphasized for us at Matthew 26:64 when Jesus promised the religious leaders of his time.

“...Yet I say to YOU men, From henceforth YOU will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Again, this statement indicates all of these things would occur within their life spans. So this is yet another reference that indicates his "return" was to be in the first century, as these men would be alive to witness it. These examples are strong evidences, indicating the return of Christ could very possibly have happened in the first century.

These verses provide us the real scriptural basis to confidently say everything did happened in ONE "GENERATION," the Son of Man's, just as Jesus plainly indicated at Matthew 24:34. That way, we don't have to twist, or stretch Jesus' original words found in Matthew chapter 24, like we see so many churches and religions doing in our day.

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THE DILEMMA

Naturally, what we at the YORWW Congregation, would propose as a "solution" to this question or dilemma (Messiah's return) would be considered by most religionists of our time, a greater "insanity" than ever before spoken. We realize this. However, our views as a "solution," we feel are NOT without valid, scriptural basis. (See links below for details)

Therefore, we (YORWW Congregation) propose the real solution lies in the distinct possibility there are actually "two (2) Messiahs" in God's plans. A first century one, and a modern-day one. (An unthinkable idea for most modern-day religionists, we know.) If this were true, then we could conclusively say this would fit the "unutterable words" Paul referred to that were considered "unlawful to speak" among any Jehovah's Witness or so-called Christian religion during our time. -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 New World Translation

Of course, most bible believers of our time we know, are looking for a "Messiah" that does great miracles, like Jesus did in the first century. However in our defense we say, what if the sole duty of the coming modern day "Messiah" was to merely present God's message to a nation that was supposed to have faith, namely "Israel." (Romans 10:14, 16) Then John 12:48 would tell the means by which all of Israel would be judged, namely by their response to the word, spoken to them in "the last day." What if that were the case, we ask? John 12:48 tells us:

 “He that disregards me and does not receive my sayings has one to judge him. The word that I have spoken is what will judge him in the last day;” (John 12:48)

See links below:

Identifying The Modern Day Messiah!

The Second "Parousia" of Christ -- Re-Examined!

To be sure, we believe the Bible citation of Luke 17:25 holds certain insights into our understanding of the role and ministry of the mysterious "Son of Man," and the "generation" he preached to in the first century. So with that thought in mind, let's proceed in our discussion.

Here is the key verse again:

“First, however, he must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by this generation.” -- Luke 17:25 New World Translation

The YORWW Congregation believes this scripture can help us a lot in our whole understanding of Matthew 24th chapter. For instance verse 26 of Luke 17, begins a discussion of just how a "generation" of people, the Son of Man's "generation," were said to be comparable to the wicked contemporaries of Noah, by Jesus himself. Jesus introduced the thought, and Jesus makes the all-important comparison. And it is Jesus who tells us the end result of the people, the "generation" who refused the Divine Message from the "Son of Man." Without exception, they all perish. Almighty God takes care of the matter, because the message from the "Son of Man" is really from God Almighty Himself. Which means, this "generation" of the "Son of Man" was actually IGNORING GOD, not man. That was the heinous crime that they had committed. That particular "generation" was evidently ignoring a message of Divine of Truth, as well as God's Special "Messenger of the Covenant," the "Son of Man," who was delivering the message to them. -- See Luke 10:16; Malachi 3:1 & 5.

Therefore, we believe it would be prudent to say, verse 25 of Luke 17 tells us exactly how these people (Messiah's "generation"), had responded to the actual ministry of the "Son of Man" of the first century, as well as where this was all leading, the finale. So the question could be raised at this point of our discussion:

Could an entire generation of people (Israel) be judged by the ministry of the "Son of Man"? Is that what Jesus is telling us here?

Jesus promised us:

 

“¹³ However, when that one arrives, the Spirit of the Truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming. ¹⁴ That one will glorify me, because HE WILL RECEIVE FROM WHAT IS MINE and will declare it to YOU.” (John 16:13-14)

Well that is a very good question. For if a whole, entire "generation" was to be judged and destroyed for ignoring this particular message, then we would reasonably expect that special message to at least be free of error, one that was very accurate, one that could be trusted, a message to be relied upon. So, this Divine Message then could, no would not, contain any false teachings like the rebuffed teaching of 1914, or a ridiculous invisible "parousia" concept which cannot be scripturally proved, nor some asinine "overlapping" generations-garbage doctrine that insults ones intelligence, that is recently being embraced and espoused by unwitting Jehovah's Witnesses the world over. No, but again this message would have to be a real message from God, one that the people or "generation" preached to, could not ignore without Divine Retribution. -- Matthew 16:27; Luke 10:16

So what all of this namely means, is this:

                               Step 1 --> Messiah Preaches...

 

                  Step 2 --> Generation Ignores Message

 

  Step 3 --> Generation Gets Dealt With By  Almighty God!

                                                That's the formula.

For instance, we are told in scripture Noah preached a valid message, a distinct message or warning from Jehovah to his "generation." And of course, the people or "generation" of his time did not listen and was, as we would expect, dealt with by God himself. That's the formula God uses.

Another example, Malachi 3:1 which tells us God sends his "messenger of the covenant," before He righteously deals with the naysayers of His Will, among His Covenanted People. (See also verse 5)

Therefore we find upon examination, Luke 17:25 matches Matthew 24:34 which tells us about a disobedient "generation," that consistently refuses to listen to God (by way of His messenger), and must now be dealt with by the Almighty Himself.

If this is the case, if this is the Divine Formula, then we must ask ourselves this important question:

Why are we saying a "generation" born 2,000 years after Jesus, a "generation" that never, ever heard the voice of the "Son of Man," ... why are we saying that particular "generation" is the one that Jehovah God is righteously punishing with destruction?

Does this fit the biblical formula, we ask?

Yes, when Matthew 24:34 speaks of this "generation" that does NOT get the chance to "pass away" or die off, this is true only because they (the "generation") get "Dealt With" by God for disobedience! Yes, Jehovah interrupts their normal life spans in 70 c.e., when 1.1 million of the Jewish Nation die for NOT listening to, the one we call the "Son of Man," of the first century.

Indeed, Luke 17:25 is a very important verse for consideration, in understanding Matthew 24:34. It helps to appreciate why Jesus had planned all along, to send us in our modern times in the "last days," a special "helper" who would be recognized, finally as the "Spirit of Truth" in this world. (John 15:26) Did you know this?

We know this is true when we consider John 16:13, 14 which says:

"However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things coming. That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to you."

To be sure, these words assure us of a coming of "messiah" or "son of man" in our day and time. (Which means, Jesus would be the first century "Son of Man" preaching to his "generation," which ended in foretold "calamity," like the “generation” of Daniel’s day. -- See Daniel 9:13.) Accordingly, the modern-day "Son of Man" (the "Spirit of Truth" sent by Jesus) or the foretold Coming “Elijah” would "preach" an authorized message from Jehovah God to the last "generation" before the “Great and Fear-Inspiring Day of Jehovah,” the horrific Armageddon/Calamity happens. -- Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10, 11; Revelation 16:16.

 

Think about it!

 

                 

            Praise Jah!

 

 

Written By:

 

Donald C. Burney

 

Spokesperson For YORWW Congregation

Why are Jehovah's Witnesses saying these particular people of our time, a "generation" some 2,000 years after Jesus, is to be charged with sin, and should be dealt with as though they have heard and ignored a PERFECT MESSAGE, a message worthy of the "Son of Man," ... a message that is free of mistake and error, a message that was given from the very mouth of the "Son of Man," the "messenger of the covenant" himself, and should accordingly be DEALT WITH by Jehovah God?

 

...Does that make sense to you?

©  1994 - 2024  Donald C. Burney

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(See John 16:13-16)