Our Redemption is Near based on Luke 21:5-28

I. Scared of the future.

II. Fears and Luke 21:8-9 and comments. Luke 21:8-9 “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. 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.””

III. Read Luke 21:10-11 and comment. Luke 21:10-11 “Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

IV. Jesus had two things in mind: Jerusalem’s fall and end of world (Luke 21:20-24 and Luke 21:25-27). Luke 21:20-24 ““But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 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, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 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. 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.”

Luke 21:25-27 ““And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

V. So, how do the words of Jesus apply to us today?

VI. Jesus encouraged His followers then and now in Luke 21:12-15. Luke 21:12-15 “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. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”

VII. Jesus also comforts His followers then and now in Luke 21:18-19. Luke 21:18-19 “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

VIII. In Luke 21:26-28 Jesus pointed to a time of: Luke 21:26-28 “people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

IX. Jesus encourages us to straighten up and raise our heads because of our redemption and Romans 8:31, 38-39. Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”