Good News Week 53. The Good News Of Destruction & Deliverance

I submit it to you so that you may be thoroughly equipped for every good work and that your mind may be renewed by it and your spirit nourished by it.

So, we open the book.

The book speaks God’s revelation of salvation by and through Jesus.

So we open the book.

This morning as we open the book we are going to have to read carefully and we are going to have to listen spiritually.

Let me remind you of where we are in Luke telling of the life of Jesus.

It’s the final week of Jesus life before death.

It’s Tuesday of Holy Week.

On Sunday Jesus had entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey.

He had been celebrated.

He had been proclaimed as King.

They were expecting an overthrow of Rome and the restoration of Israel.

The religious leaders hated Jesus.

Called him a blasphemer.

Jesus, had, after all, claimed to be God.

The scribes and rulers of the Jewish Law wanted him dead.

They plotted and schemed to trap him in his teaching.

He outsmarted them.

He answered their questions in ways that shut them up.

The tried to trap him with politics.

They tried to trap him with religious minutia.

They tried to trap him with silly theological questions.

He silence them at every turn.

And he looks and sees a widow dropping in 2 small coins into the temple offering and praises her faith and her gift as being greater than the self-righteous leaders who make religion about power and privilege.

The temple was beautiful.

Marble and gold.

A picture of Heaven on earth.

A symbol of God’s Glory in the earth.

As they heard Jesus commending the widow they looked and saw the beautiful temple.

They began to talk about it beauty.

It’s significance.

It’s prestige.

It’s place of prominence.

It’s jewels.

It’s gold.

It’s precious stones.

The gifts people have given to build such a beautiful monument to God.

A place where sacrifices would take place.

Where God would meet the High Priest behind the curtain wall in the sacred room called the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies.

Sin would be atoned for, covered, dealt with, until the next sacrifice would be made and the sin debt kept being rolled forward.

The sin debt would not be cancelled, the payment required simply pushed forward and the interest accrued.

This beautiful temple.

The place of festivals and ceremonies.

Where the Torah would be studied, taught, argued, and believed.

It was the symbol of God’s presence in Israel.

It was the symbol of God’s salvation.

It was the symbol of God’s nearness.

It was the house of God.

It was the testimony to the nations that Israel was God’s dwelling, the Children of Israel God’s people.

It was the Temple.

Rebuild after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple after the Babylonian exiles returned from captivity.

It was a source of pride for Israel.

It was a reminder of the presence of God among the Hebrew people.

And these disciples and scribes and religious leaders were standing there admiring the Temple.

Remember, we, Christians, call this Holy Week, but to those standing there, Holy Week didn’t exist.

Do you know what week it was for them?

It was Passover Week.

It was the a festival week.

Think Mardi Gras without the moon pies and Joe Cain.

It was both celebration and a religious ceremony.

Jews from all over Israel were making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival.

They would celebrate their deliverance from Egypt.

When the LORD freed them from bondage.

The LORD commanded them to sacrifice a spotless lamb.

Sprinkle some of it’s blood on the doorpost of their dwelling.

And then cook and eat the lamb.

The Angel of Death was coming.

And whoever applied the blood of the lamb to their dwelling would be passed over by the Death Angel.

Passover was the event in Israel’s history where the first born in the land would die by the Death Angel without the blood applied.

Passover was the event that caused Pharaoh to let the Hebrew’s go.

And It’s now Passover week in Jerusalem.

I don’t want to get ahead of the story, but I think most of you know, Jesus was crucified during the week long celebration of Passover.

John the Baptizer calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The death angel would kill the first born, Jesus was the firstborn of all creation.

The lamb would cover sin, Jesus would cover our sin.

Jesus was the firstborn son who would die, but he was also be the firstfruit of the resurrection Who would be raised to life on the third day.

It’s Passover Week.

It’s busy.

The temple was busy with folks securing their sacrifice.

It was the time of deliverance.

It was a time of destruction.

But as the sun began to set over the temple, that beautiful, sacred, monument to God’s promise to His people, Jesus looks up and says to those disciples, and religious leaders, and lawyers

Luke 21:6 CSB

“These things that you see—the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

Woah.

What are you talking about Jesus?

Surely not Jesus.

This is the Temple.

God is meeting us there.

Imagine standing there listening to Jesus praise the widow and then declare that the temple will be destroyed.

They were all discussing it’s beauty and Jesus says, yes it’s beautiful. It’s will be destroyed.

Of course that raised lots of questions and speculation and fear and hope.

Why fear and hope?

Fear of what would be the cause of the destruction, but hope because perhaps the Temple’s destruction meant something better was coming.

In Joh n 2:19 Jesus would actually declare himself to be the True and Better Temple that after he was destroyed would be rebuilt after three days.

Jesus is the True and Better temple, but in order for that Temple to be the place where we meet God this earthly temple would be destroyed.

So destruction and deliverance.

It causes a lot of questions.

It caused them them and it causes them now.

This morning we are going to park here for a few minutes.

Two Questions

Two Events

One Answer

So lets get back to the text.

Two Questions. Two Events. One Answer.

Luke 21:7–38 CSB

7 “Teacher,” they asked him, “so when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 Then he said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away.” 10 Then he told them, “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness. 14 Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, 15 for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name, 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 By your endurance, gain your lives. 20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.” 29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 During the day, he was teaching in the temple, but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. 38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear him in the temple.

Two Questions

So lets start here.

The disciples, after hearing Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple asked 2 questions.

Luke 21:7 CSB

“Teacher,” they asked him, “so when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”

Two Questions

When will this happen?

What will be the sign that it’s about to happen?

He answers by warning them not to confuse signs with the event.

He warns them to be deceived by false teachers and prophets.

He warns them to to be alarmed by rumors of wars.

Don’t be alarmed by those things, but when you see nation rise against nation, hear of numerous earthquakes, and famines, and signs in heaven, know that the destruction of Jerusalem is near.

But before it comes, you will be persecuted because of your testimony of me.

Many of you will be killed.

You will be hated.

You will be dragged into the synagogue to answer for your faith.

Let me remind you, this is about the destruction of Jerusalem.

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then it’s time to get out.

There is a parallel passage in Matthew 24.

It speaks of the Abomination of Desolation, when the Temple is destroyed.

The Temple was destroyed in AD 70. Not one stone was left on top of another.

Jesus prophecy came true.

But the Jews didn’t fully understand their own question.

The disciples didn’t fully grasp that Jesus had come to be the Savior of the World and not just the Deliverer of Israel.

And so they thought the destrunction of Jerusalem and the end of the age and the Coming of the Kingdom of God where all the same event.

But no. 2 events.

Two Events

So, I’ve already hinted at the first event.

That was the destruction of Jerusalem.

But if that’s not the Coming of the Kingdom.

It’s the end of the age and the beginning of a new one.

Luke 21:24 CSB

They will be killed by the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The first event is the destruction of the Temple.

It signifies that salvation isn’t just for the Jews.

It’s the final nail in the coffin of the sacrificial system.

It the time of the Gentiles.

Again, Jesus declared himself to be the new Temple.

On the day of his crucifixion the Temple curtain was torn in two.

An invitation for everyone to come into the Temple that is Jesus.

No more barriers to reconciliation.

No more man made distinctions between the people of God.

Everyone is welcome to enter the Temple not made with hands.

Everyone is welcome to have their sin atoned for by the Lamb Jesus.

And because of the first event’s occurrence we await the second event.

The second event is the Coming Of Jesus on the clouds.

This a picture of Daniel’s prophecy of the Ancient of Days of the one who comes riding on clouds.

It’s a picture of power and glory.

The time of the old Temple is complete.

And when the time of the Gentiles is complete the King of Heaven and Earth will return.

Every eye will see him that they pierced.

His Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom.

Redemption is near.

Don’t miss it.

And those hearing Jesus that day would see the those signs.

That generation would see coming of the new age.

Two events. 1.the destruction of Jerusalem is the beging of the time if the gentiles 2. The coming of the Son of Man, the return of Jesus.

And both events require one answer for their problem- watch and pray

Watch & Pray

Don't be caught off guard.

there are things you observe with your eyes and things you can only discern by prayer

Watch and Pray

many of us do a lot of watching

we watch the news

we watch what the prophet du jour says

we watch for signs but watching alone doesn't prepare you for the event

prayer prepares you for what is to come

I don't know how many of you are following what is going on across college campuses right now

revival is breaking out

not a revival of services

not a series of preaching nights

not a conference

but a revival of prayer

a holy visitation of God drawing men and wimen to prayer and worship and the word

Asbury college has been is spontaneou revival for almost two weeks

Lee University a week

tbere will be no great move of God in power apart from a great move of prayer by the people of God

folks are driving hours not to hear a preacher preach but to simply be in the presence of God

No agenda other than pursuit

No plan other than pursuit

No priority other than pursuit

and the testimonies from outsiders drawn by this prayer revival are all similar - a tangible presence of God in a way that is best describes as Holy Love

it's a sense of reverence and awake and peace and love

Jesus is being proclaimed

prayers are being prayed

Songs are being sung

tbe Spirit is moving with spontaneity

people are being baptized in the Spirit

There is confession and repentance

People just tarrying in the presence of Jesus

listem

Revival begins in the soil of prayer

its a revival sparked by prayer

I want to invite you to prayer

I want to see revival

Often times we want the fruit of revival without the sowing the seed of revival

We want outpouring without tarrying

We want a move without pursuit

We want signs and wonders without the groanings of the Spirit

We want the blessings of revival without the work of cultivation

We will skip a prayer meeting at our church but show up at the outpouring at another

we cannot bypass prayer

we cannot shortcut a move

we cannot skip ahead to revival in the streets without first tarrying in the upper room of prayer

Watch and Pray

Observe and Discern

Watch & Pray

Prayer brings strength

Prayer brings wisdom

Prayer brings breaking

Prayer brings wind and fire

Prayer brings perseverance

Prayer brings glory

Prayer brings stamina

Prayer brings boldness

Prayer brings authority

Prayer brings humilty

Prayer brings direction

Prayer brings readiness

Prayer prepares us

Prayer sustains us

Prayer transforms us

Prayer frees

Prayer moves mountains

Prayer breaks strongholds

Prayer gets God’s attention

Prayer aligns is with what God is doing in this moment in history

Prayer makes the church relevant because it keeps the church connected to the move of God in the present

Prayer makes us ready for what God wants to do in us and thru us

watch and pray

Don’t get distracted

Don’t get sidetracked

Don’t get too busy

Don’t be trapped or tricked or decieved

Watch and Pray

the answer for delivermce from the destruction of Jesuslem was to watch and pray

the answer to deliverance from the destruction in our present day is to watch and pray

The answer to deliverance from the destruction of the age to come is to watch and pray

watch and pray

We have a called revival coming this week

its not a conference

its not a series of meetings

its a called revival

Pursue Revival

i told you from the start of this year, this year is a year of Pursuit

i believe God wants to do something mighty in our gatherings but God will only move where He is invited and He will oy revive those who are desperate enough to pursue him

we spent 21 days in prayer and fasting, and I'm calling on you to spend time again this week in prayer and even fasting if your are hungry enough

I believe God is doing something that takes watchful eyes to see and prayful hearts to discern