Question about Matt 24 and Tribulation

WMA

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.


32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[d] is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Matt 24:34 seems to say that these events will all take place in the disciples lifetime/generation. What is it really saying? I'm a bit confused. Thanks guys.

Unknown

WMA,

St John Chrysostom supplies a direct answer to your inquiry in his homilies on St Matthew's gospel:

"What does he refer to when he says 'this generation'? He is speaking not of the generation then living but of the age of the believers. For He is prone to distinguish a generation not by times only but also by the mode of their religious service and practice, as when He says, 'Such is the generation of those who seek Him' (Ps. 24:6)"

Unknown

I have just read ample details about the tribulation. It is mentioned many times in the OT and in the NT.

http://www.stmarycoptorthodox.org/7- the great tribulation.htm#_ftnref21

another copy here
http://www.coptichymns.net/module-pagesetter-viewpub-tid-1-pid-322.html

when I read all the parts I felt how serious it is