Things To Come (Luke 21:1-24)
Rev. William L. Barron, April 15, 2018Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Herod the Great had expanded the second temple, which became a source of wonder and reverence for Jews at the time of Christ. It seemed indestructible and eternal. Both the Prophet Joel and Jesus Christ foretold the destruction of the temple; Joel at the hands of the Babylonians and Jesus at the hands of the Romans in 70AD and also the Last Judgment. Jesus' prophecy does not need to be divided into one or the other instances. Our need is to focus on God's punishment of rebellion and wickedness. There is an immediate and a final application. There are five "don'ts" that emerge from this passage. 1) Don't be misled by false prophets or false teachers. Stay true to the scriptures. 2) Don't be terrified by world events. We need to stay focused on the reality that the Kingdom is here and also near. 3) Don't miss the opportunity to witness to Jesus' redemption. 4) Don't give up. 5) Don't do what is natural in the eyes of the world to prepare. Both prophecies deal with the coming punishment of God on Jerusalem. If you reject Jesus, there will be punishment. Trust God through your trials, and be ready for that which is to come. Believe in Jesus.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Last Parable | None | Bearing The Cross Of Jesus » |
Luke 21:1–24 (Listen)
21:1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
(ESV)