In the ongoing debate between Futurist and Fulfilled Eschatology, numerous objections are brought up that need to be dealt with by the opposing sides, for a clearer understanding, if not even in acceptance of their explanations.
In reference to part of the disciple’s question in the beginning of the Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:3
“When will these things be, what will be the sign of your presence, and of the end of the age”
We fulfilled believers are often asked
"How do you determine the end of the age"
Short answer?
We don't, but we do allow scripture to define itself.
The Disciples asked
“When will these things be, what will be the sign of your presence, and of the end of the age”
Once anyone splits this into multiple questions; and then arbitrarily inserts invisible dividing lines in the text, they're no longer using exegesis, but are inserting inference, arbitrary gaps, private interpretation, and eisegesis.
Christ goes on in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21), and gives them MANY things/signs to look for.
He even provides a direct and emphatic answer, but Futurists deny its plain reading, rendering, and meaning........
Matthew 24:32-34
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, YOU know that summer is nigh: So likewise YOU, when YOU shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto YOU, THIS generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled.
Notice:
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till many of these things are fulfilled.
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till most of these things are fulfilled.
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till some of these things are fulfilled.
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till a lot of these things are fulfilled.
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till a bunch of these things are fulfilled.
Christ does not say
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till a few of these things are fulfilled.
Christ DOES SAY (Which Futurists HAVE TO deny)
Verily I say unto YOU, THIS generation shall not pass, till ALL THESE THINGS are fulfilled.
The 1st question here should be; who is the YOU Christ said this to? It was TO the 4 Disciples in that private meeting on the Mount of Olives? He even told them a parable, and said "So LIKEWISE, when YOU shall see all these things"
All these things?
That was part of the question the disciples asked him in verse 3
"Tell US, when shall all these things be" and we see this phrase referenced by Christ again in verses 6, 33, and 34.
The "all these things" refers to all the things discussed up to that point.
But there is a HUGE disconnect even here, in Futurist study.
There are so many finer points to point out in this Olivet Discourse, so it's easy to get off-track.
As to the
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled.
One of "those things" is Christ's coming (which was also asked about in that 3-part question in verse 3), shown in verses 27 and again in verse 30, so there is no appropriate method of slicing Christ's coming out of those two verses as if not relevant in Christ's (All these things) declaration in verse 34.
Not only is there no appropriate method of slicing Christ's coming out of those two verses as if not relevant in Christ's (All these things) declaration in verse 34, there is nothing in the text where Christ speaks of multiple; and differing, comings, or different generations.
Let's likewise not forget this coming is also mentioned after verse 34, in verses 37, 39, and verse 48, in addition to the mentioning of his "coming" in Matthew 25:27 (As Matthew 25 is also part of this Olivet Discourse).
Leaving Matthew 25 out of the conversation on Matthew 24 is as wrong as leaving out what had just transpired inside the temple, prior to Christ and the Disciples exiting the temple in Matthew 24:1.
In the first examination of this 3-part question in verse 3, I notice the disciples asking "when shall these things be", but if we start this conversation off once they've exited the temple, the only thing mentioned up to their 3-part question, was about the destruction of the temple-centrist-city.
Why did the disciples ask about multiple things? Because they knew that temple-centrist-city's destruction was just talked about by Christ, inside the temple.
Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
The entire Olivet Discourse is predicated upon the message that had just taken place inside the Temple (Matthew 21:23 through Matthew 23)
The Olivet Discourse is Christ expounding to the Disciples, what he had just taught to the religious authorities and multitudes inside the temple.
How often do we see Christ further explain something to the disciples, that he had just taught to others?
And no coincidence at all; while inside the temple and giving his discourse there as well, Christ also mentions his "coming" in judgment, that that judgment was upon Israel (With Jerusalem as their legal capitol/head), and that it would come upon them there then, in their very own generation (Matthew 23:35-37), just as he reemphasized to those 4 disciples (Matthew 24:34)
To separate the Olivet Discourse from what had just taken place inside the temple is incorrect and irresponsible, and to insert separations of different dispensations of time (GAPS) into any of this text, is misleading at best, and dangerous at worse.
Bad Eschatology builds bad world views, and this has been a destructive force of/in Christianity for nearly all of its near 2,000-year existence.
If you see this planet and mankind awaiting a fiery destruction from God, you’re viewing this planet and mankind as disposable, and irrevocably destined to such destruction.
That line of thinking is catastrophic in many many ways.