But how much longer will the present system of things continue? The words of Jesus answer:

“Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”​—Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32.

Which generation is this? Why, the one that saw the beginning of fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. That means people alive in the year 1914. How many remain? Based on the most recent statistics available, in 1980 only 259 million people 65 years or older were alive.a Many of these have died since 1980. Those born around the historic year 1914 are now 70 years old, and others alive in 1914 are in their 80’s, 90’s and even a few in their 100’s. But their number is dwindling fast.