James, thank you for addressing my questions. Would you elaborate on the context of "this generation" (verse 34). It seems clear that "this generation" includes people living on the earth at the time Jesus returns.

Matthew 24
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

it is quite clear that "this generation" includes more than merely the people living at the time Jesus prophesied (Matthew 24). It could be said that the title "this generation" refers to the entire Christian Dispensation from the birth of Jesus to the return of Jesus.

Charity, I like what you wrote about Revelation 11 and the two witnesses. I strongly suspect they have dual applications - past and future.

His Child, yes, that's what I meant to say.

Hi Charity, I wrote this Bible Study back in the 90's. You might find it interesting.

Thou Must Prophesy Again
By Pastor Mike Lowe


INTRODUCTION
God commanded the Remnant Church to preach again the prophecies that led up to the Great Disappointment (minus the time elements). “Thou must prophesy again… [only] there should be time no longer” Revelation 10:11,6. Those prophecies are recorded in Revelation chapters 1-11 (the 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders and the 2 witnesses). Thus, the prophecies not only cover the history of the Christian Church (First Advent - 1844), they also cover the future of the Remnant Church (1844 - Second Advent).
Dual application prophecies (one prophecy with two separate applications) contain shared and unshared details. In other words, some of the prophetic details are flexible enough to accommodate both applications (historical and future). However, there are some details that obviously apply only to one or the other time period. How can we know the difference? Usually the immediate or surrounding context makes it clear.
The Bible is full of dual application prophecies. Most notable are the Restoration Promises. The Old Testament prophecies that historical Israel failed to realize will eventually be fulfilled by spiritual Israel (the Remnant) in future. For example, ancient Israel should have fulfilled the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38). However, disobedience disqualified them. Thus, spiritual Israel will fulfill them in future. See Revelation 20. It is the flexible nature of dual application prophecy that enables it to be fulfilled either historically or in future.

SEVEN CHURCHES
Anciently the Seven Churches literally manifested the strengths and weaknesses John recorded in the Revelation (1-3). However, they also symbolize the history of the Christian Church, beginning with the Apostolic Church and ending with the Remnant Church. Even a casual reading reflects the dual nature of this prophecy. For example, the “ten days” mentioned in Revelation 2:10 refer to the ten years (303-313) the Roman Emperor (beginning with Diocletian) tried to wipe out Christianity once and for all.

SEVEN SEALS
Historical Application. Historically the seven seals (Revelation 6 and 8:1) symbolize the gospel, the rise and fall of Papal Europe, martyrdom, natural signs and wonders, and the Great Disappointment. Note the following brief summary:


Gospel Proclaimed
Church Corrupted
Papal Europe Established
Dark Ages
Martyrdom
Signs and Wonders
Great Disappointment


The Protestant Reformation effectively undermined Papal Europe. The signs and wonders that followed caused a major religious awakening. The Lisbon earthquake (1 November 1755), the Dark Day (19 May 1780), and the Leonid Meteor Shower (13 November 1833) fulfilled the first three natural signs listed under the sixth seal.
It is generally believed that Revelation 6:14-17 and 8:1 are yet future. However, it is possible that they may symbolize the developments that led up to the Great Disappointment. The “scroll” may represent the book of Daniel, which unlocked the prophecies. The faith of the Millerites moved “every mountain” of uncertainty. And although millions responded favorably to the message of Christ’s coming, many “hid themselves” from the wrath to come. Following the day of disappointment there was a period of “silence in heaven” before the truth about the heavenly sanctuary was discovered.

Future Application. “I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” Revelation 4:1. The seven churches (Revelation 1-3) culminate with the Remnant Church, therefore, the future application of the seven seals will probably be fulfilled by the final generation of saints during the enforcement of the mark of the beast. Note the following brief summary:


Three Angels’ Messages Proclaimed
Opposition and Persecution
Economic Imbalance and Chaos
Little Time of Trouble
Martyrdom
Great Time of Trouble
Silence


The Remnant Church has been proclaiming the three angels’ messages since 1844. During the enforcement of the mark of the beast (the Sunday Sabbath) the chosen people of God will suffer persecution. Economic chaos and natural disasters will cause the “little of time of trouble” (see Last Day Events, chapter 10). Martyrs will be killed until the close of probation.
During the great time of trouble the glorious manifestations of the Second Advent will wring from faithful lips the agonizing cry – “Who shall be able to stand” Revelation 6:17. Then follows the “silence” of the seventh seal. The answer to their question is found in Revelation 7. The translation generation (the 144,000) will stand to be translated alive when Jesus rewards His people with eternal life.
“The righteous cry with trembling: ‘Who shall be able to stand?’ The angels' song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying: ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ The faces of the righteous are lighted up, and joy fills every heart. And the angels strike a note higher and sing again as they draw still nearer to the earth.” The Great Controversy, page 641.

SEVEN TRUMPETS
Historical Application. Historically the seven trumpets (Revelation 8-11) symbolize the gradual fall of Western and Eastern Rome, the Ottoman Empire, and the investigative judgment. Note the following brief summary:


The Conquest of Western Rome by:
1. Alaric the Goth
2. Genseric the Vandal
3. Attila the Hun
4. Odoacer the Heruli


The Ottoman Empire:
5. Subjugates Eastern Rome for 150 years (1299-1449)
6. Conquers Eastern Rome (1449)
(a) Collapses 391 years and 15 days later (11 August 1840)

The Heavenly Sanctuary:
7. Investigative Judgment


Future Application. In future the seven trumpets may symbolize events which transpire after the close of probation. See Revelation 8:2-5. When the “angel” (Jesus) finishes the investigative judgment of the living He will declare – “It is done” (Revelation 21:6). His work accomplished Jesus, who had been facing the ark of the covenant, will turn around and with “golden censer” in hand leave the most holy place.
Passing through the holy place on His way to earth Jesus “came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer… and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth” Revelation 8:3,5. “Jesus tarried a moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had been confessed while He was in the most holy place were placed upon Satan, the originator of sin, who must suffer their punishment.” Early Writings, page 280.
Once probation closes the trumpets and plagues will wreak havoc. “Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth.” 7BC, page 982. How long will it last? “And I saw a flaming cloud come where Jesus stood. Then Jesus . . . took His place on the cloud which carried Him to the East, where it first appeared to the saints on earth--a small black cloud which was the sign of the Son of man. While the cloud was passing from the Holiest to the East, which took a number of days, the synagogue of Satan worshipped at the saint's feet.” Maranatha, page 287.
The first four trumpets seem to describe an oceanic asteroid impact. Please see the study entitled – How to Survive the Coming Asteroid Impact. The fifth and sixth trumpets may symbolize the reactions of the unsaved when they realize they have been deceived and are lost forever. Please see the study entitled – Revelation Nine. And the seventh trumpet probably describes the moment God reveals the Ten Commandments. “… the clouds sweep back, and the starry heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast with the black and angry firmament on either side. The glory of the celestial city streams from the gates ajar. Then there appears against the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet: ‘The heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself.’ Psalm 50:6.” The Great Controversy, page 639.


SEVEN THUNDERS
Historical Application. Historically the seven thunders (Revelation 10) were fulfilled during the Millerite Movement. “The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels' messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels' messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. This is represented by the angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer.” 7BC, page 971.

Future Application. In future the Remnant Church will once again endure the bitter-sweet experience that attends the proclamation of the three angels’ messages. See Revelation 10. “In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. God's Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated with holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them.
“They have not consulted their temporal interests, nor sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them, some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim: ‘Had we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace.’ They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then, feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it...
“As the opposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are again perplexed; for it seems to them that they have brought the crisis. But conscience and the word of God assure them that their course is right; and although the trials continue, they are strengthened to bear them. The contest grows closer and sharper, but their faith and courage rise with the emergency. Their testimony is: ‘We dare not tamper with God's word, dividing His holy law; calling one portion essential and another nonessential, to gain the favor of the world. The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has conquered the powers of earth; and shall we be afraid of a world already conquered?’” The Great Controversy, page 608-610.

TWO WITNESSES
Historical Application. Historically the two witnesses (Revelation 11) represent the Old and New Testaments of the Word of God, which witnessed undercover during the 1,260 years of papal persecution (538-1798). Just before this period closed, for three and half years, thousands of Holy Bibles were publicly destroyed during the French Revolution (1793-1797). Since then the popularity of the Bible has been astronomical. During the “42 months” Jesus, our heavenly High Priest, measured the earthly worshippers while He performed the daily services in the holy place. But in 1844 He moved into the most holy place to begin the investigative judgment.

Future Application. In future the two witnesses may very well represent the thousands of faithful saints who proclaim the three angels’ messages during the final crisis. Concerning His chosen people Jesus says – “Ye are my witnesses” Isaiah 43:12. Shortly before the close of probation the “beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit” (Papal Europe Restored) will be responsible for the execution of large numbers of God’s faithful witnesses. However, not long thereafter during the outpouring of the plagues they will behold the special resurrection. Thousands will die in a massive earthquake unsettling the misplaced faith of “the tenth part” of those who sided with the great “city” (Babylon). Out of fear they will glorify God.