Luke 21:5-36
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
What is eschatology?
A Greek-derived term that means the study of (or belief about) the last times (Gk eschatos, “last [things]”).
Eschatology is in both Old and New Testaments:
In the Old Testament, we see end-times thinking mostly in the Prophets, especially when they talk about "the day of the Lord" or "in that day."
The New Testament picks up those same images and takes them further, describing a time when God will end the old world and start a new one.
General: The coming of the Son of Man"; "The last days"; "The age to come" vs. "this age"
Luke: "The days are coming"; "The kingdom of God"; “The times of the Gentiles"
Why do I start this morning with that definition?
Luke 21 ranks among the most hotly debated New Testament passages, particularly in eschatology.
Why debate?
The chapter mixes clear historical elements (e.g., the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70) with cosmic signs, the "coming of the Son of Man," "this generation will not pass away" (v. 32), signs in the sun/moon/stars, and calls to watchfulness.
The big debate in Luke 21 is whether Jesus was talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, events still in the future, or both—with most scholars agreeing verses 20–24 point to AD 70, while verses 25–28 are still argued over.
Two major sticking points are what "this generation" (v. 32) actually means—did Jesus mean the people alive in His day, or people living when the signs appear?—and why Luke describes Jerusalem's fall differently than Matthew does.
These questions connect to larger disagreements about how to read end-times prophecy, and Christians have been debating them for centuries without a clear consensus.
There’s a ton more I could say but what I’m trying to get to is this:
There are more opinions about Luke 21 than you can shake a stick at, and smarter folks than us have been debating them basically since they were written. And different views have biblical evidence to support them as well.
This morning I’ll be teaching from the point of view that is spelled out in Greystone’s Church Bylaws:
Premillennial dispensationalism is the belief that:
History is divided into distinct chapters (dispensations) where God deals with humanity differently in each one — like different sets of rules for different eras.
Jesus will literally, physically return to earth (pre-) a thousand-year kingdom (millennium), where He will reign on earth from Jerusalem.before
The church and Israel are two separate groups with two separate futures — God isn't done with Israel as a nation.
Before a seven-year period of global chaos (the Tribulation), Jesus will secretly "rapture" Christians off the earth. Then after the Tribulation, He returns visibly with His saints to set up that thousand-year kingdom.
Full transparency and consistency on my part means that I tell you I have and still wrestle with much of the interpretations I get the opportunity to teach through. My goal is to teach the Bible accurately and without bias and at the same time present the views of this church fairly and consistently. Even if I may have personal questions or dare I say, even opinions that differ.
I’m happy to share any and all views in an appropriate context and interaction.
What’s that mean?
If you ever ask me and I share and it’s an opinion that differs from yours and you have conviction and solid hermeneutically sound biblical evidence you want to share, please do. I always want to be open to correction by the Bible.
If you want to ask to start an argument and prove me wrong and think I’m not saved or in need of repentance…don’t, I have no interest. I am doing my best to study the word of God and in so doing I try to steel-man not straw-man any doctrine counter to something I have been taught and trust the Holy Spirit and scripture to be true and lead me to repentance of errors.
Your job is to pray for me if you see fit. I’ll always take the prayers of fellow believers in all matters!
Context:
Luke 20:1 “1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,”
Luke 21:1–4 “1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
The Temple and the Future
The Temple and the Future
5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
the temple was 50 years into an eighty-three-year building program.
Started about 20 B.C., it continued until B.C. 63–64, just a few years before Jerusalem’s fall in B.C. 70.
Josephus gives detailed descriptions of its beauty (Jewish Wars 1.21.1 §401; 5.5.1–6 §184–227; Antiquities 15.11.1–7 §380–425).
The Roman historian Tacitus also describes the temple as containing great riches (History 5.8.1).
Some of its stones were 12 to 60 feet in length, 7.5 feet in height and 9 feet in width some overlaid with gold (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.1–2 §189–90 gives these measurements in cubits; a cubit is eighteen inches).
Many of the stones weighed 100 tons or more, with the largest weighing 500 to 600 tons.
The temple loomed over the city like a “snow clad mountain” (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.6 §223). Not only was the building impressive, but it was decorated with gifts and gold from other countries and had really fancy doors and gates of fine craftsmanship (Josephus Jewish Wars 5.5.3–5 §206–18).
Imagine their heart sinking and the punch in the gut they must have felt.
This “miracle of modern design” in front of them, constructed as the house of God, that was so big, it surely would never be destroyed, according to Jesus is not only going to completely taken down, but will be because of God’s judgement of Israel
Signs of Christ’s Return
Signs of Christ’s Return
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
So they ask: “When will the temple be destroyed”.
They didn’t have B2 bombers, or attack drones, or any kind of explosive at all since gunpowder won’t be found/invented in China for another 700 years.
The only way the temple gets destroyed is by an earthquake or some other act of God or if all of Jerusalem is overrun too.
They are realizing the truth of God’s judgement of the Jewish nation is at hand
Jesus answers working from the end backwards:
Warning them of false Messiahs that would come:
(285) A false prophet was the occasion of these people’s destruction, who had made a public proclamation in the city that very day, that God commanded them to get up upon the temple, and that there they should receive miraculous signs of their deliverance. (286) Now, there was then a great number of false prophets suborned by the tyrants to impose upon the people, who denounced this to them, that they should wait for deliverance from God: and this was in order to keep them from deserting, and that they might be buoyed up above fear and care by such hopes. (287) Now, a man that is in adversity does easily comply with such promises; for when such a seducer makes him believe that he shall be delivered from those miseries which oppress him, then it is that the patient is full of hopes of such deliverance. -Josephus Wars of the Jews
But tells them when they see the war and destruction coming, to not be afraid. To realize it’s God’s judgement and ALL part of His sovereign will. HIStory unfolding. Wars, chaos, natural disasters must come first but He tells them in verse 9 “the end is not by and by”.
Jesus is saying the immediate crisis they're about to face — the temple's destruction — isn't the final end. Wars and disasters will mark history from here all the way to His return. The judgment on Israel is coming soon, but the full end is still future.
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
But even before world trouble, He tells them their will be church trouble
They will be persecuted and even killed, but verse 14 “settle it in your hearts” that all this will be 13 “a testimony for you to give”
And even though the apostles will be 17 “hated of all men for the name of Jesus” Luke 21:18 “18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.”
huh? they will be persecuted and some even killed but not one hair perish?
Jesus is reassuring them they are in God’s hand. Luke 12:4–7 “4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Jesus is telling them when all this madness starts, focus on HIS words, not on the newspapers. To focus on HIM not on fears and worries because of current events
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
He tells them when they, the apostles, see the armies, know it’s time.
Jesus tells them to get out! To run to the mountains
But woe to them that are pregnant and have small children. They can’t run and Jesus is warning them of the atrocities the Romans will commit against them and the wrath and anger shown by Rome toward Jerusalem.
History tells us all this death and destruction did come in 70 AD and the bloodshed toward the Jewish people was terrible.
History also tells us that of all the death, a great number of Christians escaped because they listened to Jesus and got out. The sheep that “heard His voice” listened and obeyed and survived. This led to the message of Jesus and salvation and the growth of the church continuing and even multiplying and speeding up as HIStory rolled on
That phrase 'until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled' tells us something important — this tread-down of Jerusalem has an expiration date. Paul picks this up in Romans 11 when he talks about a future turning of Israel back to their Messiah. So even in the middle of this judgment, God isn't done with the Jewish people.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Now Jesus moves to the “coming of the Son of Man” the parousia, giving signs pointing to His coming again, and continues to reassure them to not be afraid
There will be a completely new order that mankind will see signs and wonders and those that weren’t children of the Most High God will have absolutely no understanding of and no clue of what’s yet to come and will be terrified
But those that are God’s people, will know it’s Jesus coming in royalty and power. When they see it, they will recognize they are almost home and to not be afraid but instead be emboldened!
Cosmic signs in verse 11 and here in these verses but the key is verse 27 Luke 21:27 “27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
We see Luke give us a clear switch from the Already of the destruction of Jerusalem to the end times in the future, the Not Yet
Verses 25–28 are one of the few sections of the Olivet Discourse where all those views I mentioned in the introduction largely agree — this is the second coming, period.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
When the fig branch “puts forth leaves,” only a short time remains until summer. Likewise, when they see these things begin - what Matthew calls the final labor pains - Christ’s return “is nigh at hand” (v. 31)
This generation' doesn't mean the generation Jesus was talking to in AD 33 — that generation did pass away and the Lord still hasn't returned. It means the generation that sees these final signs begin. Whoever is alive when the cosmic signs of verses 25–26 kick in — that generation will see the whole thing through to completion. Jesus is saying: once it starts, it finishes fast.
We’ve all heard the fig tree here preached referring to the nation of Israel specifically, and the budding was 1948. Some other parables use the fig tree in just that way.
No disrespect and most are smarter than I am, but I don't take it that way — and notice Luke's wording in verse 29: 'Behold the fig tree, and all the trees.' Jesus isn't pointing to one tree as a symbol. He's using a general principle from nature — when you see buds, you know summer is close. Same way, when you see the signs, you know His coming is close.
But again, Jesus is drawing their attention and hearts to HIS word, which stands the tests of current wars and future events
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
When Jesus says 'accounted worthy to escape,' He's not talking about earning salvation — we can't earn it. The 'escape' is the final deliverance of God's people when Christ returns.
Whether you think about that as being caught up to meet Him, or being preserved through judgment, or standing approved at the final day — the point Jesus is pressing is the same: live now in a way that means you're ready whenever that day comes.
Jesus is telling them — considering all this, don't live like the world lives. Don't look at the end coming and think, 'oh well, may as well party.' Instead, live a life pleasing to God. Not to be saved — but because you are saved. Live in such a way that when you do see Jesus — whether through death or at His return — you'll stand pleasing before Him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What’s Luke saying? The Already and Not Yet of God’s judgements and plans:
The destruction of AD 70 was the judgement of God on Israel.
Broadly because of their failure to respond to Jesus: Luke 19:41–44 “41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”
But we also see Jesus as a prophet here in Chapter 21:
Deuteronomy 18:21–22 “21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
70 AD was a real historical event that also pictured the future end. Both are part of God’s plan and progression through history. The Apostles then and us today see the destruction of Jerusalem Jesus spoke of and know His end times prophecy was true as well.
Luke shows us a clear separation of the two judgements: of Israel and of mankind
We are called to use the same care of living and the same attention to God’s Word as Jesus called them to!
Don’t be afraid, Don’t stop working for the kingdom, and KNOW with glad hearts: “for our redemption draweth nigh”
