4230. When the end of the old Church and the start of the new is at hand, that is the time of the Last Judgement. For such a time is meant in the Word by the Last Judgement, see 2117-2133, 3353, 4057. That time is also meant by the coming of the Son of Man. It is that very coming which is being referred to now, and the coming which the disciples asked the Lord about when they said,
Tell us, when will those things take place; what especially will be the sign of Your coming and of the close of the age? Matt 24:3.
There now remains to be explained therefore that which the Lord has foretold about the actual time of His coming and of the close of the age, which is the Last Judgement.
[2] But in this present foregoing section to a chapter the contents of only verses 32-35 are covered, which verses are these,
But from the fig tree learn a parable When its branch now becomes tender and leaves sprout forth, you know that summer is near. So also yourselves - when you see all these things, know that He is near at the doors. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away
The internal sense of these words is as follows.
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