it states that 'this generation shall not pass away until all these things be fulfilled'. In the light of the fact that the Jews once again possess their land, and the common mar ket nations seem to be shaping up into the end time 10-nation con federacy, do you think that we are this specific generation?" A. We must be careful not to set dates endeavoring to identify spe cific characters and instances of history in relationship to prophecy. This verse can be best understood as you consider the primary defin ition of the word "generation." It means, race, kind, family, stock, or breed. None of the things referred to in verse 34, the world-wide preaching of the kingdom, the great tribulation, the return of the Lord in visible glory, and the regather ing of the elect, occurred at the time of the destruction of Jerusa lem. For that reason it could not refer to a specific generation of people living at that particular hour of its utterance. We believe the nation of Israel will continue in existence until the Lord comes again. After the de struction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the Jews were driven out of their land. All these years they have been scattered all over the face of the earth. Yet, without any nation al home, they have not lost their identity. They are stronger today than ever before. This prophecy then means that this nation of Is rael would not pass till all these things are fulfilled. Another interpretation suggests that this refers to those who are contemporary with us. It could mean that the generation which sees the beginning of these devel opments will also be privileged to observe their culmination. In any
case, as we observe all the various signs in the Word of Cod, and with out specifically setting dates, we cannot help but feel that the return of Christ could be at any moment. Q. Santa Barbara, Calif. "Would you please explain some of the heavenly signs, such as lightning flashes, which are to precede the Lord's return?" A. It is always dangerous to take actual events and specifically at tach prophetic truths relative to them. Some believe that there is a definite rise in earthquakes. As a result of recent occurrences they have tried to set exact dates. The Bible tells us that no man, not even the angels in heaven, knows the time of Christ's second coming. Lightning flashes have been going on throughout the history of the world. There will be an increased manifestation of this atmospheric condition in the end times (Revel ation 4:5). We believe Cod is now getting ready to shake not only the earth, but also the heavens. It all shows us how that even in the area of nature everything will be tre mendously disturbed. How differ ent His return will be from His first coming. It is interesting to note that lightning comes unexpectedly and unheraldedly. No one knows where its power and force will be felt. The indication of this is found way back at creation (Genesis 1:14). He tells us that "they shall be (the light in the heavens) for signs." These things are not just there for lighting purposes. Cod has His pro phetic program for them as well. Q. Santa Ana, Calif. "What kinds of preaching are there? Particular ly, what is the distinction between expository and topical preaching?"
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