But this view of the term is contrary to its use all other times in Scripture. Not once is generation used to refer to a kind of people. In addition, this view is not only held by preterists, but also critics like Bertrand Russell. In addition, how one approaches the Olivet Discourse depends on one's hermeneutic. The orthodox Protestant hermeneutic follows Martin Luther's view of the sensus literalis.
Poetry is to be interpreted as poetry.
Parables are not to be read as historical narrative. Thus, one should not take something figurative literally but should interpret it within the appropriate literary genre. Furthermore, the age coming to an end was the Jewish age. The coming of the Messiah is directly linked to the impending judgement of Israel. John called the nation to repentance and to cleansing by baptism because the Jews were not ready for the crisis, the 'visitation' of God in the person of the heavenly Judge, the Son of Man.