Jesus teaches on the Last Days

Last Week, We examined Jesus warning to His disciples that the enemy would work hard as setting traps for God’s people. Jesus told us to be on guard.

In this passage Jesus issues a different type of warning. Be ready for my return!

Luke 21:5–36 CSB

5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “These things that you see—the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.” 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.”

It is a natural thing to be curious about when Jesus will return. Jesus disciples certainly were curious about when this age would come to a close. So they asked him to share this information. However, Jesus doesn’t give them a specific time. Instead He focuses on a theme, Pay Attention and Be Ready.

The Context:

In verse

Luke 21:5 CSB

5 As some were talking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,

Luke 21:6 CSB

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

Jesus predicted that the temple would be torn down. I think the timing of this prediction was interesting and may have had more than one purpose.

Think about it the Son of God was right there in their midst. Yet they did not recognize his presence. Instead they were enamored with the beauty of the structure instead of the beauty of God. The temple was to point them to the God instead it became a focal point instead of a tool.

Church family how often do we stand admiring religious forms, functions, and structures instead of the God it is supposed to point us too.

The scriptures tell us the object of our worship, Jesus Christ gathers with us when we gather to worship him. How often do we stand admiring the forms and miss out on admiring God.

I’m going to say this as gently and sincerely as I can. Churches have been fighting over religious structures and forms for more than a century now. This distraction has caused them to miss out on noticing the very presence of God in their midst. How long will we fall for this same tired old trap.

Church family be on guard against this ideology and the people that would tempt you to miss out on experiencing the very presence of God because they focus on forms more than they focus on God.

So Jesus begins this conversation on the end of time with prophesy of the destruction of the temple. The form you admire and desire so much will be temporary but the God of the temple is eternal. There is a better day coming.

Luke 21:7 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?”

Instead of answering the question Jesus warns his disciples about what is to come and then encourages them to endure.

Exhortation #1 - Do not follow false leaders.

Luke 21:8 CSB

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.

As I did a little google search it appears that the rate of people claiming to be Jesus Christ really jumped in the 20th century. Between the 20th century and now the beginning of the 21st century there has been 37 notable people claiming to Jesus, not to mention those that did not gain as much notoriety as say Jim Jones or the Heaven’s gate cult.

Although it hardly seems believable that someone could be fooled by an individual claiming to be Jesus, it has happened repeatedly and will most likely continue. But I think on could also be applied to to look out for false teachers.

Exhortation #2 Do not be afraid of the events associated with the end of days.

Luke 21:9 CSB

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.”

Luke 21:10–11 CSB

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.

I think most of us, when we talk about the end of days have a weird excitement mixed with anxiety. It’s exciting to talk about the return of Christ and the mystery behind it.

Yet at the same time we are often frightened that we may be the generation that has to endure the events of the end.

Jesus tells his disciples to not be alarmed. These events must take place. He even states the end is will not come right away.

Exhortation # 3 - Keep on witnessing

Luke 21:12–13 CSB

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.

How many of us when we think about opportunities to bear witness picture in our mind the scenario just mentioned?

Notice the circumstances provided the opportunity to bare witness. Tone of this message is look ,yes all of these bad things are going to happen to you but, be encouraged this will give you opportunity to witness for Christ. Verse 13 is supposed to be an encouragement. It is supposed to be a statement that speaks that gives us consolation. The reward of persecution is being able to publicly declare Christ.

How many of us see it this way? If not, why not? I would suggest to you it is because our lives are not tethered to the mission. We forget that we are not called to live a life outside the gospel and kingdom purpose.

Exhortation #5 - When the apocalyptic events do take place, be encouraged our final redemption is near.

Luke 21:25 CSB

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.

Luke 21:26–28 CSB

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.”

Exhortation #6 -Trust His Word(especially his promises)

Luke 21:29–33 CSB

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.

Exhortation #7- Be watchful and pray

Luke 21:34–36 CSB

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.”

It seems in verse 34 Jesus is warning us not to allow our minds to become dulled by the worlds system of living. He mentions carousing or a sexually immoral lifestyle, drunkeness speaks for itself but then the last one may take you by surprise. He warns against putting to much importance on the concerns of day to day living. It’s lumped right in there with