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Author
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Topic: Meaning of "Generation" in prophecy
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SoftTouch
Advanced Member
Member # 2316
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posted
I used the NT Greek Lexicon on Crosswalk to look this up:
http://www.biblestudytools.net/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1074&version=kjv
Original word: geneav
Transliterated word: Genea (Phonetic Spelling: ghen-eh-ah' )
According to the Lexicon there are several Greek words (4 different) but that this particular word is used in Luke 21:32
Definitions:
1. fathered, birth, nativity
2. that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
a. the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
b. metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
1. esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation
3. the whole multitude of men living at the same time
4. an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 years
It appears that definition number 2 would fit the above interpretation.
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Psalm 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Posts: 3465 | Registered: Nov 2003
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SoftTouch
Advanced Member
Member # 2316
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posted
Keep 'em coming Sis! They're good thoughts and make folks think ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
I'm going to pop over to another site where I can look up the Original Greek word that was translated into Generation and see what I can find. This is very interesting!
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Psalm 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Posts: 3465 | Registered: Nov 2003
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LaurieFL
Advanced Member
Member # 3794
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posted
I find myself making lots of posts in this area lately, mainly because I have been studying a lot, but also because I visit the rapture ready board but cannot participate in discussions there as I only have "free" e-mail accounts and am not allowed to register. Thus, you guys get to hear my thoughts.
Posts: 700 | Registered: Aug 2004
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LaurieFL
Advanced Member
Member # 3794
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posted
Luke 21:31-33 (words of Christ)
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Several interpretations have been placed to this word "generation" in this context. One explanation is that Christ was referring to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 40 years later in 70 A.D. Another is that the generation alive when certain signs and requirements are met shall not perish before the return of Christ. Some believe it to mean both things, that Jesus was prophesying about two different times of tribulation - the persecution of the Jews and Christians by the Roman empire and the end times tribulation prior to the establishment of the millenial kingdom.
The reason I am making this post is because recently I saw another explanation of this, one which I had never seen before. This scholar said that the word translated in our texts as "generation" was actually more accurately translated as "people" or "race" and that Christ was making a promise that the people of Israel would not perish as a whole but would remain as a distinct group of people until the time of His return.
I thought this was interesting and that it would change perspective a lot, when many of us (myself included) currently believe that since we are alive after Israel was reformed as a nation, that we are the generation who will see Christ's return in person.
Posts: 700 | Registered: Aug 2004
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