()Jesus Is Coming Back! (4 point version)

Introduction

People have always been fascinated with signs of the end.

For those of us old enough, we Remember the panic at the turn of the millennium.

In 1999, the calendar rolled toward what came to be known as Y2K, people feared the world’s computers would shut down because they were not properly coded to handle a new set of dates. It was feared that planes would fall from the sky, the entire banking system would be wiped out, and life would collapse overnight.

People stocked food, filled bathtubs with water, and prepared for chaos.

Then midnight came, and nothing happened.

A decade later, people claimed the Mayan calendar predicted 2012 as the end of the world.

But December 21 came and went like any other day.

It’s the same old story as the boy who cried wolf, so many false alarms that eventually people stop paying attention. But here’s the danger: when the real moment comes, people won’t be ready.

Jesus tells us in Luke 21 that there will be signs of His coming. Wars, disasters, cosmic upheaval will all take place. But these are not secret codes for us to decipher or hidden puzzles for prophecy experts to argue over.

When the time comes, the signs will be obvious.

No one will need to squint and guess.

The point is not to figure out when but to be ready for who is coming.

Because when Jesus returns, it will not be as the humble Servant riding on a donkey, but as the conquering King coming with the clouds, bringing judgment to those who reject Him and redemption to those who trust Him. His justice will be severe and holy, but His salvation will be full and final.

So although there is a place for discerning the signs to come, that is not the focus of today’s sermon. We are not asking when He is coming but rather “Are we ready for when he comes?”

We will do this by examining the story starting in verse 5.

We will see the story go…

I. From Wonder (vv. 5–7)

II. To Warning (vv. 8–24)

II. To Watchfulness: (vv. 25–28)

IV. To Readiness (vv. 29–36)

Let’s start in verse 5 looking at the Disciples Wonder.

I. From Wonder (vv. 5–7)

As Jesus and His disciples left the temple, some of them couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty. Herod’s temple was regarded as one of the great architectural marvels of the ancient world, admired by Jews and Gentiles alike.

It’s massive white stones, some over sixty feet long, gleamed in the sun like a snow covered mountain.

It was written that for those traveling to the city, it appeared that it was covered in snow because the marble glistened so much in the son.

Much of the exterior was plated with gold, so that when the sun struck it, it shone so brightly Josephus tells us people had to look away as from the rays of the sun.

Gates were covered in silver and gold, and a famous grapevine, also made of gold, hung above the entrance.

To the Jewish people, this was not just architecture, it was the center of their faith, their culture, and their national identity.

But to their astonishment, Jesus responded with a shocking prediction, one He had made before:

Luke 21:6 ESV

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 very building they thought symbolized God’s presence and their security would not stand.

Within a generation, His words came true.

In AD 70, the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem, burned the temple, and pried apart its stones to recover the gold that had melted in the flames.

The destruction was so complete, with stones being found over such a wide distance, that architects believed the Romans used high powered explosives to aid in it’s destruction.

What seemed indestructible crumbled to the ground.

The lesson is clear, earthly glory never lasts.

Even the most magnificent works of human hands, whether

wealth,

power,

or monuments, will ultimately fall.

Only God’s kingdom endures.

So I ask you Hutong, where is your security?

Is it in what pleases and amazes the eyes but is eaten by moths or destroyed by rust,

or is it in Christ,

whose kingdom WILL NOT be shaken and whose words WILL NEVER pass away?

The disciples,

stunned by this prophecy,

naturally asked: “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign?”

Their question sets the stage for Jesus’ warning.

II. To Warning (vv. 8–24)

A. First, Jesus warns about deception.

“Watch out that you are not deceived.

Luke 21:8 ESV

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.

History is full of people claiming to messiahs promising deliverance.

(examples???)

What is even more astonashing to me, is how many people, even with as much as Jesus spoke on us not being able to do this, have given specific dates for His return saying that the time is at hand.

(examples???)

Jesus could not be clearer: Don’t fall for it.

When the true King comes, no one will need to guess.

B. Second, He warns about disasters.

Luke 21:9–11 ESV

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.

These have been, are, and will continue to shake the world, but Jesus is saying…

Do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.

In other words, turmoil in a sinful world is normal.

It does not mean the end has arrived, it means we live in a broken world under the curse of sin.

Every war,

every disaster,

every shaking of the earth is a reminder that this world is temporary,

but none of them alone are the final sign.

C. Third, He warns about persecution.

Luke 21:12 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.

He continues in verse 16 saying that there will be those who’s own family betrays them.

They will be hated because of Christ and some will even be put to death.

Yet notice Jesus’ perspective in verse 13:

13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Persecution is not wasted, it is a platform for testimony.

But He doesn’t just leave us there.

He also promises in verse 15 that He will be there with us, giving us the Words to say.

The very trials that seem designed to silence believers become pulpits for the gospel.

And though some would die, Jesus assures them in verses 18-19:

“Not a hair of your head will perish.

By standing firm you will gain life”

How can He possibly say this when He just stated that some will die???

I believe what He is pointing out here is that although the body can be killed, but the soul is eternally secure in Him.

They can’t touch it!

D. Finally, He warns of judgment.

Luke 21:20 ESV

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.

Just forty years later,

in AD 70,

the Romans besieged Jerusalem.

The temple the disciples admired was torn down stone by stone.

Josephus tells us that over a million people perished.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers suffered unspeakably.

Survivors were dragged into captivity.

And Jesus explains why in verse 22, He says that…

“This is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.”

Jerusalem had rejected the prophets,

rejected the Son,

and rejected the gospel.

Now God’s judgment fell.

The city that once shone with God’s glory was left in ruins, a visible sign of His justice.

But I do not believe this prophecy ends in AD 70.

We can see with most of these, that these warnings speak just as true today as they ever have, and it is my understanding of the passage that they will happen to an even greater extent at the time of Christ’s return.

The destruction of the Temple is clearly an historical fact for us today, but it is likely that it also speaks of a future fulfillment as well, when Jerusalem will be surrounded before the coming of Christ, and His justice will yet again flow against those who deny Him.

So what do we learn from this warning?

Don’t be deceived by false saviors.

Don’t be shaken when the world trembles.

Don’t be surprised when persecution comes.

Don’t be blind to the fact that God’s judgment is real.

These verses are not here to make us speculate, but to make us steadfast.

The Christian life is not lived by chasing signs, but by bearing witness through trials and standing firm until the end.

Are you prepared to stand firm in the face of all of these things?

….

(((application???)))

(((transition)))

III. To Watchfulness: The King Is Coming (vv. 25–28)

We have just heard Jesus’ warning , don’t be deceived,

don’t be shaken,

don’t be surprised,

and don’t be blind to the reality of God’s judgment.

And now,

beginning in verse 25,

He lifts our eyes from Jerusalem in AD 70 to the end of the world itself.

The focus shifts from a city under siege to a universe unraveling.

Jesus says,

Luke 21:25–26 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.

These are not secret codes for us to decipher.

These are not subtle hints that you might miss if you don’t have the right prophecy chart.

No,

these are cosmic upheavals so great,

so terrifying,

that no one will mistake them when they come.

The very heavens that once declared the glory of God will shake under the weight of the King’s return.

And then comes the climax in verse 27:

Luke 21:27 ESV

27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Do you hear the contrast?

In The first coming we saw the humble servant,

born in a manger,

riding on a donkey,

rejected and despised.

But here we see that in the second coming He will be the conquering King,

riding on the clouds,

radiant with glory,

coming with judgment and salvation.

The first time He came to be judged by sinners. The second time He comes to judge sinners.

And this moment will divide all humanity.

For those who have rejected Him, it will be sheer terror.

His justice will be severe,

holy,

and inescapable.

No sinner will slip through the cracks.

As sinners, we all deserve death and wrath, and for those who have hardened their hearts and rejected the great Love and Mercy of God, that is exactly what they will recieve.

But for those who belong to Him,

For those who put their hope and faith in Mercies of Christ, through His reedeeming work on the cross,

for Us, His return is a time of great rejoicing.

look at what Jesus says in verse 28:

Luke 21:28 ESV

28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Do you see the difference? While the world cowers in fear,

the Christian lifts his head in hope.

While nations collapse in anguish,

the believer stands tall in confidence.

What is horror for the world is redemption for the church.

And notice this:

Jesus doesn’t tell us to watch for wars,

or earthquakes,

or famines.

He doesn’t tell us to chase every headline or panic with every global crisis.

He tells us to watch for Him. The point is not to be experts in signs, but to be expectant of the Savior. The focus is not the chaos around us, but the Christ who is coming for us.

So I ask you, Hutong Church, when that day comes ,

when the skies are dark,

when the seas roar,

when men faint from fear ,

will you be shrinking back in terror,

or will you be standing in hope?

Because on that day the question will not be, “What did you predict?” but “Whom did you trust?”

It is my sincere Hope and my constant prayer that each and every one of you will be able to stand with your Head high, because your Trust is in Christ who’m we worship.

IV. To Readiness (vv. 29–36)

I said earlier that our job is not to crack the code of what, but to be ready.

Jesus answers with a parable, a promise, and two commands—all aimed at cultivating readiness.

A. The Parable: Read the season (vv. 29–31)

“Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.” When leaves appear, you don’t need a calendar to know summer is near. In the same way, when God’s appointed signs erupt (vv. 25–28), the nearness of His kingdom will not be a riddle to solve but a reality to face.

Jesus is not authorizing date-setting; He is cultivating certainty. The point of the parable is obviousness, not obscurity. When God shakes the heavens and the earth, you won’t need a prophecy blog to tell you what time it is.

Therefore, the disciple’s task is not to obsess over timelines but to practice trust and obedience so that, when the season turns, we are already living in step with the coming King.

B. The Promise: Anchor in an unbreakable word (vv. 32–33)

“Truly, I say to you… Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”

The durability of Christ’s word is the ground of our readiness. Everything visible is temporary; His word is not.

The same Lord who foretold the temple’s fall with devastating accuracy now pledges His return in power. If His word stood in judgment then, it will stand in glory when He comes.

Readiness begins here: I take Jesus at His word even when the world’s noise says otherwise.

C. The Warnings: Name the enemies of readiness (vv. 34–35)

“Watch yourselves,” Jesus says, “lest your hearts be weighed down…”

Pleasure without purpose — “dissipation and drunkenness.”

Not merely alcohol, but any pattern of self-medicating and numbing—the endless scroll, the binge, the distraction diet that keeps us from facing God.

These are not neutral; they dull the soul until spiritual things feel hazy and “that day” closes in like a trap.

Pressure without prayer — “the cares of this life.”

Bills, inboxes, deadlines, exams, toddler bedtimes, aging parents—real cares. Jesus doesn’t deny them. He warns us that unprayed cares become crushing cares.

Busyness is not godliness. When urgent always beats ultimate, we drift into un-readiness.

And note the scope: “For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth” (v. 35). No passport, portfolio, or personality type exempts anyone from Christ’s return. This is lovingly universal—and therefore personally urgent.

D. The Commands: Practice watchfulness and prayer (v. 36)

“Stay awake at all times, praying…”

Watchfulness is a posture: alert to God, quick to repent, eager to obey. It’s the opposite of spiritual drowsiness.

Prayer is the appointed means of staying awake. Watchfulness without prayer becomes anxiety; prayer without watchfulness becomes formality. Jesus binds them together.

Two stated aims:

“That you may have strength to escape all these things…”

Not a promise of a trouble-free path, but strength to persevere without apostasy—to refuse the world’s lullaby and its threats.

“And to stand before the Son of Man.”

This is the goal of readiness: to stand, not shrink back; to be welcomed, not ashamed; to hear “Well done,” not “I never knew you.”

E. The Application: Readiness is sanctification, not speculation

If Jesus’ parable, promise, and commands are right (and they are), then readiness looks like a life—not a chart. Here is the shape of that life:

Attend to the Word daily (v. 33). Let what will never pass away set the agenda for what will. Read, rehearse, and obey Christ’s words until they become your reflex.

Pray your pressures (v. 36). When cares rise, refuse to carry them alone. Turn anxieties into petitions quickly. “Unprayed cares” are where traps get baited.

Fast from numbing (v. 34). Name the habits that dull your soul—screen loops, late-night grazing, substances, even “respectable” busywork—and replace them with practices that sharpen love for God and neighbor.

Keep short accounts with sin. Watchfulness means rapid repentance. Don’t negotiate with what nailed your Savior to the tree.

Engage Christ’s body. Readiness is communal. Worship, the Table, confession, service—these are how the Spirit keeps us awake together.

Witness under pressure (cf. vv. 12–19). The Lord who will give you words then gives you opportunities now. Readiness speaks when asked for a reason for the hope within us.

Diagnostic questions for the week:

What most numbs me? What will I fast from to regain spiritual sharpness?

What care am I carrying alone that I will pray—by name—every day?

Where will I obey an unambiguous word of Jesus this week, even if it costs?

Gospel reassurance: The King who commands you to watch is the Savior who kept watch in Gethsemane, who stood in your place under judgment, and who rose to give you strength to stand before Him in joy. Readiness is not white-knuckling; it is walking with the One whose words sustain you until you see His face.

Conclusion

The return of Christ will divide all humanity:

Those who reject Him will face His wrath and justice.

Those who know Him will see His face and rejoice in their redemption.

Which side will you be on when the King returns?

Call to unbelievers: Flee to Christ now. The Conquering King offers mercy today but will bring judgment tomorrow.

Call to believers: Do not be afraid. Lift up your heads. Be watchful, prayerful, hopeful — because your King is coming.