The Coming of Christ

Luke 21:25–36 ESV

25 “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, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake 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.”

Introduction

As we enter this season of Advent, we reflect on the dual coming of Christ—His humble birth in Bethlehem and His glorious return as King and Judge. In Luke 21:25-36, Jesus gives a vivid description of His second coming, filled with signs, warnings, and encouragements. This passage calls us watchful, hopeful, and faithful as we await His return. Today, we will consider three points: The Signs of His Coming, The Certainty of His Coming, and Our Spiritual Vigilance for His Coming.

1. We await signs of his coming. (vs. 25-28)

Jesus begins this passage by describing cosmic signs and distress among nations. He speaks of roaring seas, perplexity, and fear gripping the hearts of people. These signs point to the upheaval of creation itself, signaling the return of Christ. Every time we have a natural disaster, it is reported as the “worst in living memory.” What Jesus describes is far worse than that. The kind of epic destruction that will be seen is beyond our imagination. We read about much of it in Revelation, but our minds cannot fathom wide swaths of humanity being killed by the described cataclysm.

‌Much of the evangelical church believes that the church will be raptured out of this destruction and wrath. However, scripture does not teach that. You can shoehorn that belief into certain places, but it is not what the text says. It is a preconceived idea that is brought to the text. Jesus does not say here that the church will not endure these signs. He says that the church will be witnesses to these signs. The church will go through the great tribulation described here and in Revelation. We will not be taken out.

‌Instead, we see these signs and know what they are pointing toward. These signs signal the coming of Jesus. There will be no doubt that what is happening is what we see in Jesus’ prophecy. When he does return, it will be in power and glory.

‌2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” What is interesting in this passage is “heavenly bodies” mentioned here point out that God must remove anything in the way of his coming judgment. Although Peter and Jesus are talking about natural disasters that make way for judgment, there is another angle to this prophecy. Rabbinic sources of the time taught there were cosmic powers associated with the planets and the stars in the heavens. If that is also in the background of this prophetic word, it would mean the principalities and powers of the air mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 6:12 will also be removed from trying to keep God from bringing judgment and Jesus returning. Revelation 19 gives us the picture of Jesus coming with the heavenly hosts as if in battle to remove any demonic power that stands in his way.

‌Jesus tells us that we are not to fear these events. Not only are we witnessing something in the physical, but we are also seeing a battle in the spiritual realm that is causing the actions in the physical. We are to lift up our heads when we see them happening because our redemption is drawing near. The church will be delivered from oppression. The evil world is about to end. The unbeliever will see these things as signs of dismay and terror, but the believer sees hope and freedom. We do not have to fear the chaos of the world. Instead, the signs of the times are a reminder of Christ’s sovereignty and the promise of his return. We are to lift our eyes to heaven and live with hope, knowing our redemption is near. Christ will triumph over all things that stand against him. We can rest in that hope as believers.

2. His coming is certain. (vs. 29-33)

Figs were and still are a very popular fruit in the Middle East. The trees were numerous and plentiful on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus teaches his disciples. The blossoming of the fig tree was a sign of spring and summer. Jesus’ point with this parable is simple. Just as the blossoms on a fig tree announce the coming of spring, so will the signs announce that the kingdom of God is near.

‌Earlier in the Olivet Discourse, the disciples questioned Jesus when the destruction would occur. Jesus begins with the temple and Jerusalem, which was a current event for Luke’s audience. Jesus then moves to his Second Coming, where neither day nor hour can be fully known. All we can know is there will be signs. These signs point to the certainty of Jesus’ return. Just as sure as when fig trees produce blossoms, it points to the return of spring. So, too, will the cosmic signs point to the return of Jesus. Jesus uses imagery found in Isaiah 34:4 to help the disciples understand. The image corresponds to the intensity of the signs. Instead of the positive image of the blossoms of a fig tree, Isaiah uses a negative image where the destruction causes the leaves to fall from the trees. It is another way of pointing out the utter devastation that will befall the earth and creation before Jesus returns. These events will be so cataclysmic that there will be no mistake about what is happening. It is sure to take place.

‌After declaring the certainness of the signs of his return, Jesus says that “this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.” We know that Jesus has not returned, and the images of destruction have not come to pass. How can we be confident of Jesus’ return if we are 2,000 years after this prophetic word? Some have tried to link this phrase to the previous prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. These events took place within a generation of Jesus’ prediction. However, that does not really answer the question. Clearly, Jesus is talking about his actual return and the consummation of the kingdom of God when he establishes his millennial kingdom on earth. Here, “this generation” refers to the generation that will witness these events, not the disciples or those alive at the time of Jesus. Jesus comforts the disciples by saying God is at work and will end the evil world in his own time.

‌He calls us always to be ready. Jesus will certainly come again, and we must be prepared whenever it happens. Heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will never pass away. We can depend on Jesus’ words and teaching to be eternal. We are to live in obedience to his word so that we will be ready when the trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ rise, and we who are alive will meet him in the air.

3. We must be spiritually vigilant. (vs. 34-36)

‌Jesus ends this discourse with a call to vigilance. He warns against being weighed down by “dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life.” Instead, He encourages us to watch and pray.

‌It is easy for us to become distracted by the anxieties and pleasures of the world. But we cannot allow ourselves to be overly concerned about how good or bad life is. These things can become like traps for us. We can get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget that Jesus will return. We must be spiritually vigilant. This means that we are to live lives of holiness and godliness as we await the coming of Christ.

‌We must live our everyday lives. We go to work. We go to school. We pick up the kids from soccer practice. We cook dinner. We go to ball games. However, in life's coming and going, we cannot be distracted from living a holy and godly life. According to 2 Peter 3:11-13, a proper understanding of the future brings about an appropriate lifestyle. Peter stresses that all the things that we see will be dissolved and set on fire. Because of this, there is no reason to adjust our lives to the values of the current age. There is a new age that is coming. This new age will be the consummation of the kingdom, where there will be a new heaven and new earth on which righteousness dwells. Therefore, should we not live in holiness and godliness as we prepare for the coming kingdom?

‌Walking in obedience to Christ and being vigilant means always praying for strength. Prayer keeps us connected to God and empowers us to endure the trials of life with faith. Constant spiritual vigilance is an essential characteristic of the Christian. Persistent prayer is critical. We cannot overcome temptation or face trials without the empowering presence and help of Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are not strong enough in ourselves.

‌The kind of prayer needed these days is twofold. First, we are to escape the temptations outlined in verse 35 and God’s wrath. Christ is calling for a life anchored in the security he provides. Second, when the Son of Man returns, we will stand before him. Jesus is our judge. We are to pray for a life of perseverance so that we may be able to stand before him in victory and joy and receive the reward for faithful service.

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We must examine our hearts and lives. Are we ready for Christ’s return? Jesus calls us to cast off anything that hinders our readiness and cultivate a life of prayer, holiness, and expectation.

‌Conclusion

‌The coming of Christ is not just a future event—it shapes how we live today. As we reflect on Luke 21:25-36, let us remember:

‌· The Signs of His Coming remind us to lift our eyes in hope.

· ‌The Certainty of His Coming calls us to trust in His promises.

· ‌Our Spiritual Vigilance for His Coming challenges us to live holy and watchful lives.

‌As Advent reminds us of Christ's first coming, let us prepare our hearts for His second. May we live each day with faith, hope, and love, eagerly awaiting the glorious return of our Savior and King.