Luke 21:7-24 - Endure to the End
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Many prophesies in the Bible have a near fulfillment and a future fulfillment. We see this often in the prophesies regarding the Messiah. We see mixed into these Old Testament prophetic passages facts about His first coming as well as His second coming. There are near fulfillments and future fulfillments.
These future fulfillments are difficult for us to map out, however.
Consider a normal timeline like this. Things are spaced in a way that shows the distance in years from one event to another. It is easy to follow and the times are clear.
However, future prophecies of the Bible contain what is called a foreshortened view.
Pastor Kenny Stidham artistically describes this with the following picture.
In this picture, one cannot see how long the young man’s arm is. Because of the angle that you are viewing, it is difficult to know exactly how far the man is from the potato chips.
Prophesies about the end times are similarly difficult to map out. Check out this other slide showing a foreshortened view of end times prophesies.
These prophecies are like looking at a timeline in a similar way to the view that we observed in the picture of the man and the potato chips. You can see that something is in the future, but you can’t really tell how far it is away. Each of these prophecies are sure to come true. However, exactly when they come to fruition is still a mystery to us.
Today’s passage is much like this. We are going to see Jesus prophesy about the end of two different times. He is going to speak of the looming destruction of Jerusalem which will occur in AD 70 as well as speak on the coming Tribulation and the end of the world as well.
Eschatology, or the study of end times, can get very confusing and detailed. I have included a timeline of events that I have also handed out in the past that will hopefully help you understand the long term fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy.
It must be clear that all sin requires judgement. God’s wrath is being stored up for an ultimate judgement in the end called the Tribulation. As believers, we need not fear this as we will be raptured and taken with Christ before this seven year period of wrath begins (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, John 14:1-4). However, as this terrible time called the Tribulation prepares to come, we are told that terrors will continue to worsen upon the earth. We are to persevere as we suffer through the birth pains of the earth, the persecution by the enemy of our souls, and the other trials that come as God prepares for His final period of judgement directed at all the evil upon the earth.
Prayer
As we start in verse 7, we come to one of the greatest sermons that Jesus ever preached. He preaches this sermon in response to some questions from the disciples.
This sermon has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse.
Matthew 24:3 lets us know that Jesus delivers this message from the Mount of Olives, hence its name. It appears from the Scripture that this is a private sermon given only to His disciples. Interestingly, Luke’s account focuses much more on the near fulfillment of the disciple’s questions while Matthew and Mark focus more on the future fulfillment. When viewing all three of these accounts together, one can get a more complete picture of the fullness of this grand sermon from Jesus.
Today we will go through the first half of the sermon, and we will finish up the rest next week. In starting through the first half of this sermon, we will see three ways that believers should follow Christ. The first is…
I. Followers of Christ Must Reject False Prophets and False Prophecies (7-11)
I. Followers of Christ Must Reject False Prophets and False Prophecies (7-11)
And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
After speaking of the coming destruction of the Temple, the disciples ask Jesus a couple of questions.
When we put the three parallel passages (See Matthew 24:3 and Mark 13:4) together we come up with two overarching questions that were asked by the disciples:
When will the temple be destroyed?
What shall be the sign of Christ’s return and the end of the world?
Today, we might understand that these questions seem odd to ask together. We know that the temple was destroyed in AD 70 and that we are now almost 2,000 years later and still awaiting the final Tribulation as well as Christ’s return. However, for first century Jews, they believed that these events would be very close together chronologically.
Jesus, correcting their faulty view of end times, corrects them in verse 9 by stating that the end will not be at once.
He also goes on to warn them about those who will tempt them to go back to their faulty theology in the following verses:
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.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Jesus is going to continue answering these questions from the disciples for the rest of this chapter. His extensive reply makes up the longest recorded answer Jesus ever gave to any question.
As He begins answering their questions...
Jesus Gives Three Great Warnings
Warning #1: Do Not Be Led Astray
Jesus warns the disciples that there will be many false prophets that will claim to be the Messiah. We know historically that this was proven true shortly after Christ died and was raised. Multiple false prophets arose that claimed to be the returned Messiah.
Even today there are those who claim to be a messiah of sorts - claiming to have special revelation of what is to come and claiming that the time is at hand. There are many so-called ministries that publish propaganda for their own shameful gain claiming to have special knowledge. This is nothing short of a new brand of gnosticism that John taught against in 1 John. These charlatans use their so-called special knowledge to gain fame and popularity and often financial increase.
We see even secular political messiah/deliverer types in our world who promise big things and set themselves up as a savior of sorts.
Do not be led astray brothers and sisters.
Jesus says not to go after them. Don’t follow those who claim special knowledge not given to us through His Word.
We know that the Messiah will come in a way that will not be subtle. The rapture will occur with the sound of a trumpet - the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). This will be no hidden thing. And we know that the final return of Christ - referred to as His Second Coming that occurs after the Tribulation - will come with a great battle in which Jesus will destroy all of His opponents in an instant (Revelation 19:11-21).
Warning #2: Do Not Fear World Conflicts
This sounds like an interesting warning. It does seem fearful when we hear of wars and rumors of wars. It does seem fearful when nations rise against each other and begin to battle.
This warning was directed to the disciples as well as to us today. Wars have increased in number and intensity over the ages. In fact, the 20th century saw two of the worst wars in the history of the world. Approximately 75 million people lost their lives in World Wars I and II alone.
Political instability is at a boiling point in much of the world even today. According to a nonprofit called Vision of Humanity, there are currently approximately 56 active conflicts throughout our world which is the most since World War II. 92 different countries are involved in conflicts outside of their own borders which is the highest number ever recorded (1).
Yet Jesus tells us to not be terrified seeing this happen as the end will not come at once. It will be a long time period of increasing world instability.
The wars that we have seen throughout the ages will pale in comparison to what is to come during the Tribulation however. And we need not fear as Christ will come to remove His bride, the Church before the Tribulation begins. We also know that God is sovereignly in control even in the midst of a world that seems out of control. His purposes will prevail.
Next Jesus gives another warning:
Warning #3: Do Not Fear Natural Catastrophes
Listen to verse 11…
There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
The disciples would see some of the shadows of these signs during the first century. However, as we near the Tribulation, these signs will increase in number and intensity.
The first natural catastrophe Jesus mentions is:
A) Earthquakes
Earthquakes have killed millions of people over the centuries. Some reports show a slight uptick in the amount and intensity of earthquakes. However, the Tribulation time period will be a time of the worst recorded earthquake in the history of the world as seen in Revelation 16:18-20. This earthquake is so bad that no mountains are left and all of the islands flee away. That sounds like quite an earthquake!
He then speaks of the coming of worsening:
B) Famines and Pestilences
We have seen famines throughout the ages and pestilences and pandemics have come and gone as well. Pandemics of influenza, bubonic plague, smallpox, and most recently COVID-19 have caused countless deaths throughout the world.
Despite the bad famines and pestilences that have occured thus far in world history, we are told that a far greater affliction will come during the Tribulation as a terrible famine and pestilence will lead to the deaths of one-fourth of the entire earth’s population (Revelation 6:5-8).
Next Jesus warns of:
C) Terrors
This is broad term that can encompass other things that bring fear and pain. Theologian John MacArthur asserts that one such instance could be fires. Wildfires have been in the news recently and have ravaged California especially. Tens of thousands of acres of land have been incinerated in a matter of weeks. Many have lost their homes and at least 29 have died from the fires. More than 15,000 structures including homes and businesses have been destroyed (2).
The book of Revelation speaks of an incredibly bad fire that will destroy a third of the earth in Revelation 8:6-11 and another fire in Revelation 9:17-18, associated with the sixth trumpet judgement, will kill one third of mankind.
Lastly, Jesus warns of:
D) Great Signs from Heaven
This likely speaks of signs from space as well as signs from the atmosphere. This could refer to comets or meteors falling to earth from space as well as hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, lightning strikes, blizzards, and other terrifying atmospheric conditions.
Meteorologists believe that the number of hurricanes is relatively steady. However, the intensity of hurricanes has trended upwards over the past 40 years (3).
Again, although these great signs will increase over time, the Tribulation will be a time of terrifying occurrences such as Revelation 8:8-10 where a couple of giant meteors will fall from the sky and cause desolation.
What are we to do with this information from Jesus? We are to remain faithful as we see the signs pointing to the return of Christ for His Church.
Jesus has made it clear that the end will not be all at once in Luke 21:9. We are in the times of the end already and this time is an extensive time period. In Matthew’s parallel to this sermon given by Jesus, He says:
All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Anyone here who has had a baby or been present as a woman is going through labor knows that birth pains start slower and increase in intensity as the time for delivery grows near. In the same way, these warning signs from Christ remind us to be ready for the coming Day of the Lord. We must stand firm on His Word, and we must reject the false prophets and false prophecies of this world.
As we stand firm for Christ, He gives us another charge as well…
Scripture References: [Scriptures on the Rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, John 14:1-4], Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4, Acts 21:38, Revelation 19:11-21, Revelation 16:18-20, Revelation 6:5-8, Revelation 8:6-11, Revelation 9:17-18
II. Followers of Christ Must Respond to Persecution (12-19)
II. Followers of Christ Must Respond to Persecution (12-19)
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.
Jesus, speaking first to His disciples, lets them know what is coming. They will be beaten and imprisoned. They will be brought before both religious and civic leaders. Persecution is sure to come.
What are they to do in the face of such vicious and hostile threats?
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.
His teaching here is right in line with Matthew 5:10-12 where Jesus says it is blessed to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake and to be persecuted for Christ’s name.
Instead of something they should run from, Jesus presents persecution as an opportunity to bear witness! Such a beautiful paradox isn’t it?
The second-century church father, Tertullian (tur-tull-ian), witnessed the awful persecution of fellow Christians. In witnessing this terror, he made the following quote:
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
Tertullian of Carthage
He asserted that the more the church would be persecuted, the more that it would grow. And he was right. We see that even today as the church in China continues to grow despite extreme governmental persecution.
However, standing before religious and civic leaders is a rather intimidating place to be. I think of Paul who stood before many Roman leaders such as Felix, Festus, and Agrippa in Acts 24-26. How did Paul prepare for this? Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit spoke through Him and will speak through us if we find ourselves in a similar situation.
We need not worry about how we should respond in the face of persecution. Christ has promised to carry us through those times.
This isn’t an excuse not to be in the Word and prayer regularly. However, it is to give us peace even in the midst of persecution.
However, Jesus next speaks of a persecution even more difficult for one to bear:
You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
How terrible is this? Parents, family members, friends - handing them over to be put to death. These people will do this thinking that they are doing what is right. They will be so deceived by the evil one that they will think their betrayal is honorable and righteous.
This happened to the disciples and it continues happening even today.
I received a prayer request from Voice of the Martyrs at the end of last month about a man who is a schoolteacher as well as a church planting pastor in India. He rejected the Hinduism of his father which caused their relationship to sour. Eventually, his father cut off his inheritance and filed a criminal compliant against his son for trying to convert him to Christianity. This led to the imprisonment of the pastor. The pastor’s father has refused to withdraw the case despite his grandchildren pleading with him.
This betrayal and evil will continue to worsen as the end draws near. The Tribulation will be a time of much betrayal as well. The mark of the beast will lead to the betrayal and casting out of those converted to Christianity during the Tribulation (Revelation 13:16-18).
Despite the atrocities to come, Jesus gives a beautiful promise as believers endure persecution…
But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Jesus gives a strong statement asserting a believer’s spiritual security. Obviously, we know that Jesus does not speak of their physical bodies being preserved as He has already said in the preceeding verses that some will be put to death. However, God knows us intimately. Jesus has already stated this earlier in this Gospel that God knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). This same God that knows us so intimately will not lose those who are His. As we see in John 10:28:
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Those who are true believers will be preserved by God and will persevere through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Preservation and perseverance are two incredibly important truths for believers to grasp during times of persecution. Remember the words of Christ here. He will preserve your life, and He will give you the strength to endure even the worst of persecution.
Finally we learn from this passage that…
Scripture References: Matthew 5:10-12, Acts 24-26, Revelation 13:16-18, Luke 12:7, John 10:28
III. Followers of Christ Must Resolve to Proclaim the Truth (20-24)
III. Followers of Christ Must Resolve to Proclaim the Truth (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 focuses on the near fulfillment of this prophecy from Jesus much more than Matthew and Mark do. Luke is speaking moreso of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This was a horrific time for the nation of Israel. We mentioned a few weeks ago that almost one million Jews died during the four-year seige of the city by the Titus-led Roman army. Some 70-100k Jews were taken captive as Titus captured the city.
This was a grave warning to the disciples about what was to come. If you recall, Jesus had already wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44 as He considered the destruction that was to come because of their rejection of their Messiah.
It should be noted that this warning from Jesus was heard loud and clear. According to the early church historian Eusebius (you-see-be-us), the early Christians did heed Christ’s warning and fled in AD 66 to a town north of Jerusalem called Pella. Although they still underwent great persecution, this warning from Christ likely saved many lives in the early church.
The early disciples and early believers were resolved to proclaim the truth. The church grew tremendously as the Apostles preached and taught throughout Israel. Paul would go on to take the Gospel to the Gentiles as well. Jesus had reminded the disciples time and time again that the things of this world would pass away. This was one more prophecy that reminded them of the temporal nature of what they saw in front of them. They were to live for the eternal and not the temporal.
We need to be sure to heed this lesson from Christ as well. Judgement was coming upon Jerusalem. All sin will face judgement. And the only escape from judgement that we have is in Christ. He is the only way as we see in John 14:6. May we resolve to proclaim the truth of the Gospel so that others may be delivered from the judgement that they deserve as well.
Although Luke has spoken moreso of the destruction of Jerusalem, there are clearly signs in this prophecy from Jesus that there is both a near and future fulfillment. Let’s go through three big future prophecies in these verses that are expounded upon by Matthew and Mark.
The first is…
Future Prophecy #1 - The desolation spoken of here is expounded upon in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (Matthew 24:15-16, Mark 13:14) as the abomination of desolation - namely the Antichrist.
Whereas Luke focuses on the desolation of Jerusalem, Matthew and Mark discuss something even much worse… Listen to Matthew 24:15-16:
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
This is obviously a parallel with the same language about those in Judea fleeing to the mountains. However, Matthew mentions the future abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel. We see this in Daniel 9:27 which speaks of the coming Antichrist who will set himself up in the temple and declare himself to be God.
Next we see…
Future Prophecy #2 - The days of vengeance. Although there was a time of judgement upon Jerusalem in AD 70, there is coming a much greater time of judgement in the Tribulation.
Sin results in desolation. Those who reject God’s Son will be ultimately judged. The wrath of God that will be poured out on the nations because of their rejection of Jesus will be immense and overwhelming in the Tribulation.
And the wrath of God on individuals who reject the Messiah will be terrifying as well. The Bible clearly teaches that those who have not been saved by Jesus will be thrown into the Lake of Fire - a place of conscious torment for all eternity (Revelation 20:15).
I pray that everyone here has placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We should not come to Him just out of fear - although we should fear judgement as it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God as the author of Hebrews states (Hebrews 10:31). However, Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is His kindness that leads to us to repentance. When we consider the love of God - shown by sending His one and only Son into the world to suffer and die on the cross the death that we deserved - we should respond in overwhelming repentance and faith.
I pray that you have repented of - meaning turned away from - your sins and have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. A time of vengeance is sure. Be sure that you do not experience such a time.
Finally, there is one other statement here we should address…
Future Prophecy #3 - The time of the Gentiles. Most theologians believe the time of the Gentiles officially began in 586 BC - after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and led the people into exile.
This time has been marked by a lack of independence for Israel. Although Israel has had moments of national independence, Gentiles have ruled over their land for almost all of the past 2600 years. Even today, although they are considered an independent nation, it is clear that the west still has a strong pull over them. Without the United State’s backing, their independence would be shattered quickly.
Romans 11:25 reminds us of the partial hardening of Israel that has occured. Because of God’s rejection of Israel due to their rejection of Christ, this time of the Gentiles is also a time of Gospel evangelism to all of the Gentiles of the world.
This time of the Gentiles will end once Christ returns after the Tribulation. He will remove all of the evil earthly powers and will rule and reign in the Millennial Kingdom.
We must not miss that God is still sovereign - even in the midst of an evil world. Luke 21:24 states that the time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled. This shows that God is in control of history and will complete what He has started. Nothing is beyond His control or reach.
Knowing this, we can rest in Him. Despite the judgement to come in the future, we know Who holds our future.
Scripture References: Luke 19:41-44, John 14:6, Matthew 24:15-16, Mark 13:14, Daniel 9:27, Revelation 20:15, Hebrews 10:31, Romans 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 11:25
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, it is clear that there is much prophecy regarding the end times. We could spend countless months digging further into Matthew 24, Mark 13, the book of Daniel, the book of Revelation, among others. It is important for us to know and understand the entirety of God’s Word as much as possible.
However, we need to take a step back as we close today. Knowing that there is coming an end, how do we endure until the end?
We must reject falsehood. We must not be captivated by the deceptive philosophies of today. We must not be lulled to sleep by materialism. We must hold fast to the inerrant Word of God.
We must also respond to persecution by the power of the Holy Spirit. He will carry us along. There may come a time in our lives when persecution will ramp up. We must be prepared by growing in our relationship with Christ.
And finally, we must resolve to proclaim the truth. So many today are doomed for destruction and headed for eternal judgement. Yet God, in 1 Timothy 2:4, states that He desires all people to be saved. Is your desire the same as your Heavenly Father’s? I pray that you desire to see all saved as well. Resolve to proclaim the truth.
