DAY #132: Luke 21:20-38

Jesus’ words in the next verses explain what the people should do quickly before the city would be completely surrounded and put under siege. With the armies coming to surround the city, the people who are outside should flee to the hills, those in the city should escape, those in the country should not enter the city. This was the opposite of the usual advice—generally, in time of war, the people outside would go to the city for protection. But not this time. The time of God’s vengeance will have arrived; the city would face the full punishment for its history of unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.

Many of Jesus’ followers would live to see this happen. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that from a.d. 66, Jewish Zealots clashed with the Romans. Many people realized that rebellion would bring the wrath of the Empire, so they fled to Pella, a town located in the mountains across the Jordan River. As Jesus had said, this proved to be their protection, for when the Roman army swept in, the nation and its capital city were destroyed. According to the historian Josephus, ninety-seven thousand people were taken prisoner during the war and over one million were killed.

Jerusalem, the holy city, will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end. These would have been horrifying words to any Jew. The “age of the Gentiles” began with Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c. and the exile of the Jewish people. No longer an independent nation, Israel was under the control of Gentile rulers. In Jesus’ day, Israel was governed by the Roman Empire, and a Roman general would “trample” the city in a.d. 70. Jesus was saying that the domination of God’s people by his enemies would continue until God decided to end it. The “times of the Gentiles” refers not just to the repeated destructions of Jerusalem, but also to the continuing and mounting persecution of God’s people until the end.

The disciples had asked if there would be a sign associated with His return; here Jesus gave the answer. Some of the signs would be in nature, for nature itself would experience change. As taught in Romans 8 and 2 Peter 3, the entire universe had become involved in humanity’s fallen predicament; thus, the entire universe will be changed when humanity is changed. There will be a variety of changes—the sun going dark, the moon not being seen, stars falling, heavenly bodies being shaken. Roaring seas shows that nature will be in chaos from one end of the earth to the other (Psalm 46:2-4; Isaiah 17:12).

Persecutions and natural disasters will cause great sorrow in the world—people will falter. When believers see these events happening, they should realize that the return of their Messiah is near and that they can look forward to his reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in the world, believers should confidently await the Lord’s return, an event that will shake the very heavens.

The signs will occur, and afterwards everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. Jesus’ return will be unmistakable. To the Jews, clouds signified divine presence (Exodus 13:21; 19:9; Psalm 97:1-2; Daniel 7:13). Jesus will return as the powerful, glorious, and divine Son of Man. There will be no doubt as to his identity. When believers see these events happening, they will know that the return of their Messiah is near, and they can look forward to his reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in the world, believers should confidently await Christ’s return to bring justice and restoration to his people.

Jesus answered the disciples’ other question about “when” the events would occur. People knew when summer was coming by looking at the fig tree. Seeing the dry, brittle branches becoming tender, filled with sap, and beginning to bud, people knew that summer was near. Just as people can interpret the seasons by watching the signs in nature, so they can know that when they see the events he has been describing taking place, then the Kingdom of God is near. The second coming of Jesus is both certain and near. The fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy would assure the disciples that the other prophecies he had given regarding the end times would also come true.

Jesus told his followers to watch out, and not let the temptations or worries of this life distract them from being ready. That day will come unexpectedly, and it will come upon everyone—no exceptions. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice that each person has already made will determine his or her eternal destiny.

SO WHAT? (What will I do with what I have read today?)

Be ready. Understand the signs of the times. Don't fall asleep. Stay alert. Keep awake. Those are all the things that go through my mind as I read this passage today. It's so easy to drift - so easy to become complacent or apathetic. It's so easy to wander off the path and drift. Lord, give me laser like focus today. Focus on Your word and Your work. Focus on the needs of others. Focus on ministry. Focus on the lost. Focus on encouraging others. Focus on building others.

Lord. walk with the people of COV today. Lord, speak to their hearts and minds. Re-energize the, Awaken a passion in their hearts this morning. Put a hope in their heart. Give them eyes to see the times in which we live and just how close Your return is.

"Remind me daily how fleeting is my life...." Psalm 89:47 (AMP)