Expert: Dean Gade - 9/2/2008

Question
Hi Dean, thanks for being available.  Luke 21:32 has got me stumped.  Is it explainable?

Answer
LUKE 21: 29- 33

29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
NV




I believe that it is explainable but since I have heard very little agreement about my view of what it is saying, you might want to do some study yourself.  

It seems to me that the topic of what Jesus is speaking about is "The kingdom of God". So you might want to look up all the places where Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven or any such phrase.

My belief is that the kingdom of heaven is where God rules on earth as in heaven.  Miracles, healings and other spiritual activities take place where the kingdom is in place.   This kingdom exists only among those who trust in Christ and His power and authority among them.

Matt 7:21

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
NV

Matt 10:6-8
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
NV

Mark 4:11-12
11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

"'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'"
NV

Mark 12:29-34

29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.   30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'   31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
NV

Luke 9:1-2
9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
NV

Luke 17:20-21

20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
NV

Notice how great spiritual happenings accompany the kingdom of God.

Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. But it is IN the world and it goes on into eternity.    It has no boundaries or limitations.  It is spiritual with all spiritual authority.

But this sounds too "spiritual" to man and so there is little faith today that God will still work miracles in the lives of everyday Christians .....or even the gathering of them.
I don't say this to put down the faith of most which seems to be smaller than a mustard seed because I too am most often short sighted in seeing what God can do in my life and what God can have me do for others.

As Jesus said:

Luke 18:6-8

6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, WILL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?"
NV

That's the best that I can do in explaining this matter.   I do believe that "the kingdom of God" is worth any study and practice that you and I might spend our time and energy on.