What does Matthew 24:34 mean?

Various readings of this verse have inspired conversation, disagreement, and division since Jesus first said them more than 2,000 years ago. Several different views on the end times are formed around what Jesus means in this statement.

One view of these words is that the people present when Christ spoke are the generation who would see these signs. Full preterists believe that Jesus returned in AD 70, meaning His generation had not died out before His own return. Those holding such a view believe the destruction of the temple by the Roman Empire in that year fulfilled this prophecy. Partial preterists would suggest the only remaining event is the full second coming of Christ. A major problem with this stance is that the temple's ruin came after a long period of misery in Jerusalem—it was not a precursor of it. Jesus' depiction of the "abomination" was as a sign of impending danger (Matthew 24:16). Likewise, the events He speaks of are said to threaten the survival of humanity, itself (Matthew 24:22).

Futurists believe that "this generation" describes those alive much later when the final signs before Jesus' return appear in the skies. Christ stated earlier that the generation who heard Him speak, in person, on earth, would not be privy to the onset of His kingdom (Matthew 21:43). Typical interpretation of the end times implies a seven-year period, often referred to as the "tribulation." The second half of this is known as the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21). That period will be initiated by some catastrophic defilement of the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15). By that interpretation, those who are alive on earth can interpret the "abomination" and proceeding events as clear signs that Christ is about to return.

Both views, as well as many others, agree that in at least one sense, Jesus is right now at the gates, ready to return. Nothing stands in His way, and He waits only for the Father to send Him, at the moment only the Father knows. He could arrive at any time.