Luke 21:5-21:24

Artificial intelligence/people using AI do, commenting on the awesome building.

Feeling of acomplisment and assurance that i know how to do something and it will LAST

Wonder of seeing what people can accomplish

Sears Tower, monuments in washington etc...

Review of what has been happening in the story:

Luke 21:5–11 (ESV)

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.”

The disciples were doing what we would do, commenting on the awesome building.

Taking national and religious pride in it.

explanation of The temple.

Solomons temple, destroyed by the babylonians

Herods temple “The second temple”

Undeniably an amazing achievement And seen as and amazing accomplishment for the jewish people and for the Herodian dynasty.

Jesus saying that this will all be torn down is maybe like someone coming to the US and saying the Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, white house and every NFL stadium in the country will be torn down

It would seem impossible, improbable, and offensive like we just made this and you are saying its all going to fall 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?”

They are shocked, incredulous, and probably grumpy. How could you say such a thing. 1. This place is central to our identity and 2. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE KICKING THESE ROMANS OUT FOR US

Does Jesus answer their question? He answers the question they should be asking. How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming?

That is the question they should have been asking and it is the question WE should be asking.

How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? 1. Don’t Be Deceived

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.

There is a great deal of debated about what Jesus is talking about here. Is he talking about specific people and events?

I believe, at this point he is talking about events that are common, and have been common throughout human history.

In ancient times, there were no airplanes, smart phones, internet, twitter, or wikipedia.

They relied on word of mouth, so someone could come to town and say “MANNNN you have no idea what is going on over in whatchamacalit let me tell you what is happening.....”

They could use that uncertainty to prey on people.

BUT NOW....we never have any problem with this....we always can just hop on line or flip on the TV and KNOW that it is the truth. Right? riiiiiiiiiight.

There may have been a time where we could pretty much “trust” but i actually think even then we were naive

beware of someone saying:

“the end is coming listen to ME”

“the end is coming follow ME”

“The world is out of control but I have the answers”

False teachers

Politicians

Artifical intellegence/people using AI

online influencers

i see ALL of these preying on God’s people. Using fear, desire for comfort, desire for “fix it now how i want it fixed”

Jesus says DONT be deceived. I am telling you they are coming.

I am telling you to expect it. I am telling you to be ready for them.

I am telling you I GOT THIS

Jesus now answers the question in a second way.

How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Learn to joyfully endure persecution

Luke 21:12–19 (ESV)

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.

The next thing we study after Luke is going to be the book of Acts. Acts records the story of the early church. The days right after Jesus goes back to heaven.

All this happens in like the first 6 chapters and in some shape or form it has been happening around the world ever since, whereever the gospel is preached.

We are actually a weird blip in the history of the world.

which means 1. persecution is STILL happening around the world and 2. persecution is likely (way more likely than not)

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.

1. The Holy Spirit will help and guide you

2. Study God’s word for the purpose of knowing and loveing God for who he is AND learning how to live out love God and Love People. NOT for the purpose of OWNING YOUR ENEMIES

the Bible tells us to:

love your enemies, pray for your enemies, live and preach the gospel to your enemies

It does not tell us, “spend time thinking about how you can use this scripture to come off the top rope and own your nasty co-worker or stubborn aunt in a debate”

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.

But some do perish...

John 3:16 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

We should expect persecution but we should not be anxious about it. God is in control and he promiese to help us endure it.

the fakers are not going to stick around

We dont have to be strong enough. God is strong enough.

Jesus closes this section with one last answer.

How do we live now, knowing that the end is coming? Don’t hold the things of this world too tightly.

Luke 21:20–24 ESV

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.

We looked before at the temple, here’s another model of what it looked like.

30 or so years after Jesus said these words, In the year 66 A.D. The jewish people grew tired of roman rule and the romans grew tired of the jewish people’s ongoing rebelliousness and surliness.

Jerusalem broke out in riots and rebellion and the romans moved in to crush it. Jerusalem was essentially leveled.

100s of thousands were killed or taken captive all throughout Israel.

The temple mount itself was under seige for almost 5 months. Starvation, dehydration, cannibalism Right up there with the worst moments in human history.

Eventually even the temple was overrun, pillaged for all valuables, and demolished.

Titus’s victory arch

What stands today is one wall (wailing wall)

and a pile of rocks

So What?

Where do you place your confidence?

Yourself and your accomplishments?

Some person?

The stability of society?

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Knowing that the end is coming, how does that change what you do this afternoon?