1914: One Continuous Generation Until Armageddon

Many interpretations have been given to Jesus' words in Matthew 24:34: “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

The Watch Tower Society’s Evolving Interpretation

• Early View: The generation alive in 1914 would not die before Armageddon.
• Later View: Overlapping generations of “anointed ones” who lived during or after 1914.
• Current View: Two overlapping groups of anointed ones whose collective lifespan extends the generation until the end.

This redefinition has caused confusion, and appears to stretch the natural meaning of “generation.”

A More Scriptural Understanding

The term "generation" in Scripture is not always a fixed number of years. Consider:

• Deuteronomy 32:5 — “They are a perverse and crooked generation.”
• Psalm 95:10 — “For forty years I was angry with that generation.”
• Matthew 12:39 — “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign.”

These examples show “generation” can refer to a kind or era of people, not just a time span.

The 1914 Generation — A Prophetic Era

The generation that began in 1914 marks the start of a prophetic time period. This includes:

• World War I and global unrest
• False prophets and increasing lawlessness (Matthew 24:11-12)
• Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences
• Rise of nation against nation
• The preaching of the good news worldwide (Matthew 24:14)

This is not about a numerical generation, but a spiritual and prophetic one that will last until Armageddon.

“The generation from 1914 is one continuous generation until Armageddon. It is not measured by years, but by prophecy and fulfillment.” — A Reflection from James

Conclusion

Rather than clinging to a numeric or institutional interpretation, we can embrace a consistent, scriptural view: “This generation” began with 1914 and encompasses the prophetic season of the end times— lasting until the return of Christ and the conclusion of this world system.