"this generation will not pass away "

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Mark 13:

28"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day or Hour32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning-- 36lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

I took this from Mark as the primary example and am aware of the parallel passages. Couple of questions/thoughts:

1. Any reason not to exegete that Christ is speaking prophetically to the church in general?

2. Any reason not to separate the prophecy of the temple destruction from the "end of age" prophecy?

3. Any reason not to exegete that this generation he is speaking to is not "this generation of the time that will be experiencing the events of which I am prophesying and all the events will occur during a generational time period"

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John MacArthur thoughts (found this after I had formulated my thoughts and am blessed that his thought parallel mine!)

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg2372.htm