What is a generation in the eyes of the Lord?
A generation to me is about 20-40 years. When those years have passed, children have been born and a new generation starts. But the Lord tells us "truly I say to you this generation will not pass away until...."
And I feel confused.
What DOES the Lord mean by a generation?
Because
1. I know that he doesn't lie.
2. the bible CAN BE taken literally
So it leaves me wonder, what is truly meant here?
In the day that Jesus lived, many bad things happen, but it wasn't the time of tribulation, or perhaps it was the START of the tribulation (I don't know and I don't really follow it all) but that generation DID pass away and the Lord has still not returned. Hence my confusion.
According to this source generation should not be taken literally but figuratively. it means the Jewish people. So the passage really means that the Jewish people shall not all perish before the Lord returns.
OR according to this source, it simply means the upcoming generation that will be seeing the various signs of the end times, that THEY won't pass away until they see the Lord return.
Either way, once things start getting particularly tough, once it starts, it won't stop until the generation or people enduring it, see it through to the end.
What we are to do then is be alert. Watch for the signs that the Lord's return is nigh. Be prepared. Don't be fooled. Be alert and watchful. Know that once it all begins it will be done with in a generation. Just as a fig tree is proof positive that summer is on the way, just as crocuses coming up show that spring is here, so when we see fear in the eyes of moms and pregnant women, when we know it is not safe to leave our homes, when we see persecution and beatings and family betrayals, when we see the sun dark and the stars fade and the moon not shine... know that the Lord will return. So be alert and pay attention. The Lord will return.