Generations from A to Z

The widening of the generation gap caused by technological knowledge presents problems for all generations living today. Does the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. have anything to say about the true source of knowledge?

In the 1960's the term "generation gap" was coined to describe widespread differences in the western world between the youth of that period and their parents, especially with respect to musical tastes. We live in a rapidly changing world that continues to witness major generational differences.

Since the 20th century the span of a generation has been about 15 years. Major historic events such as World Wars I and II and the Great Depression led to generational differences. Today, technology has replaced history as the major defining factor for generational change. So the life span of new generations has become increasingly shorter as technological knowledge opens new cultural horizons.

In 1967 Marshall McLuhan's book "The Medium is the Message" described key points of change in how man has viewed the world and how these views were changed by the adoption of new media. Neil Postman's insightful book, Amusing Ourselves to Death (1986), points out how television led to visual imagery replacing words as the main medium of communication.

The personal computer and the Internet have continued and expanded this trend. For example, previous generations wrote letters to family, friends and pen pals. Youth in the western world today communicate by text messaging, Facebook and Twitter. Cell phones, Blackberry smartphones and other multi-functional communication devices are rapidly replacing landline phones.

What does all this mean for our civilization? When did this trend begin and where is it leading us? Does the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. have anything to say about this cultural phenomenon?

Daniel 12:4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
See All... speaks of "the time of the end" when, "many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase" (New Living Translation). What an appropriate description of the age in which we live today!

Despite the incredible advances in technological knowledge, the problems of human nature still plague mankind. In fact our technological advancements have led us to the brink of universal destruction rather than to universal peace. So technology not only widens the generation gap, it also paves the way for the potential annihilation of all generations living today—not only for the western world but also for all nations.

Matthew 24:21-22 [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
[22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

See All... foretells such a time when the very survival of all human life would be at stake—a time of trouble so great that, "unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive" (New Living Translation).

Ironically, the most recent generations are known as "Generation X," "Generation Y" (sometimes referred to as "Millennials") and "Generation Z." "Z" is the last letter in the alphabet. Could "Z" be the generation on which falls the world's worst ever time of trouble?

Mankind's problems with knowledge began with Generation A (Adam and Eve). Adam and Eve's decision to partake of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" contrary to God's command (Genesis 2:16-17 [16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

See All...) was the historical event that defined that generation. Their tragic choice resulted in a death sentence and removal from the source of spiritual truth that could have guided them toward eternal life (Genesis 3:1-24 [1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
[6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
[9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
[12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
[13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
[15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
[16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
[17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
[19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
[20] And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
[21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16)., to till the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of EdenThe land in which the Lord planted a garden for Adam to live in (Genesis 2:15). It was located at the branching of 4 rivers: the Euphrates, the Hiddekel (the Tigris), the Pishon, and the Gihon (Genesis 2:8-14). It was also the location of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16). Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

See All...).

Mankind has continued down that road ever since, making wrong choices and relying on human knowledge instead of looking to God for spiritual truth.

Fortunately, a new "Generation A" is destined to begin with a second Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
See All..., 47). This generation will begin with a historical event—the return of Christ, as King of kings and Lord of lords (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 17:11-14 [11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
[12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
[14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

See All...; 19:11-16), to end warfare and establish universal peace.

This new generation (whose members can also be called "Millennials" because this time period will continue for a thousand years) will learn spiritual knowledge that eventually will result in peace and prosperity and health and happiness for all mankind. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
See All...).

This knowledge will bring together people of all ages worldwide, eliminating the generation gaps that divide our cultures today.