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Commentaries
English
Mark
  
8. God Will not Consume Men in Spite of His Judgments
(Mark 13:28-30)
28“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has alreadalready become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.29So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near - at the doors!30Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”


Do you expect the next coming of Jesus Christ? Then you have drawn your attention from earthly things towards the Lord who is Spirit.
Jesus did not give his disciples a schedule of the progression of the last time events, and his advent, but he urged them on spiritual watchfulness. Therefore, let us examine the signs through the developments of history that we may recognize where we have come to, and how the end is near.
One of the signs of the last days is the fig tree, which is a symbol of those of the old covenant. Jesus spoke of it several times, for his name is Jesus who saves his people from their sins. Yet, they did not allow the Lord to save them as a nation, but they crucified their Savior, though he was the true High Priest. He prayed for them as he was put on the divine altar, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
The spiritual eye of Jesus looked at evidences, which show the salvation of the hardhearted Jews. We read in the New Testament that after preaching the world and the entrance of the nations into the kingdom of the power of Christ, the Lord will, once again, give chance for the repentance of the people of the old covenant at the last glance. Then the dead fig tree, which stands as a ghost in the course of the world history, will bring forth the leaves of the life of grace, which indicate promising fruits, which also suggest the forthcoming hot summer, which carries the furnace of the last woes.
Jesus said strictly, “When you see these things happening, you will know the time of my coming is near. Behold, I stand at the door of the universe and knock.” This recognition requires our will to be willing to know the spiritual developments, and preparedness for forgiveness of all the peoples that the coming Lord may find us united in love, purity, and truth.
Jesus said, “This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” And there are different interpretations of the expression “this generation”.
It may signify that some of those around him would live until the destruction of Jerusalem (in 70 A.D.) Christ said that in 33 A.D.
The expression “this generation” may include all men. We shall be greatly comforted for humanity will not be able to consume itself, in spite of all the nuclear bombs, world wars, and persecutions of the believers. Some will remain to see the day of the Lord, which is sure to come.
This expression may mean those of the old covenant. Accordingly, the Lord gave the grace in the midst of the judgments on the disobedient, offering them a place for repentance, and immortality in death.
The three different meanings of this expression, altogether, may indicate the grace of accomplishment of the promises of immortality of the elect, in spite of the consuming judgments. He who takes hold of this grace offered to us worships thankfully to his Lord.

Question
What is the meaning of the statement “This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place”?