Jesus tells the disciples numerous signs which will indicate that the end is near, then He says:
Matthew 24 wrote:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
The disciples were given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, which are sealed from the general public.
The disciples knew that the date of the end of time would be 6,000 years after mankind began their dominion over the earth.
When Jesus made that statement, about 2,000 years were remaining of the 6,000. The calendars should have been sufficient to let the disciples recognize that their present generation would not live to see the Second Coming. The generation alive at the second Coming is the one which will see that all of the signs have been completed.
Here is why the disciples knew mankind's dominion will last 6,000 years:
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)
The Sabbath is a sign of what is presently happening. That is, six days of work followed by a Sabbath, where a day is equal to one thousand years.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but yesterday when it is past... (Psalm 90:4)
Recognizing the sabbath as the sign it was meant to be, the age of mankind will be 6,000 years from his dominion over the earth.
Then Jesus will return and spend the millennium sabbath of 1,000 years with those who believe in Him as their Savior.
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There is
additional evidence that the Second Coming will occur 6,000 years from mankind's creation in chapter 12 in the book of Daniel:
Daniel 12 wrote:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
So it will be a time, plus a multiple of that time, plus half of that time until all these things should be finished:
Years until the end of time = Time + a multiple of that Time + half that Time
The numerical value to be associated with that period of that time is given in verse 12:
Daniel 12:12 wrote:Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
So time till the end = 1,335 days + 1,335 (X) days + 1,335/2 days
Let the multiple of time be the number 3.
Then the time before the Second Coming and end of time would be:
Time until Second Coming = 1,335 + 3(1,335) + 1,335/2 =
6,007 days
But this is measured from the re-creation of the earth beginning in Genesis 1:3.
And the age of man began after the six day creation and day of rest -- which required 7 days.
So the age of man will be 6,007 days minus 7 =
6,000 days.
But a day is like a thousand years to God.
So the number derived by solving the Daniel 12 riddle is
6,000 years until the Second Coming as measured from mankind's rule over the earth.
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That is the
identical number which the sabbath sign points to.
At the time Jesus made His statement in Matthew 24:34, it is obvious that the generation of the disciples was not the generation which Jesus said would live to see the end of times!