Redemption Is Near
Notes
Transcript
Handout
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert 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.” 37 During the day, He was teaching in the temple complex, but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. 38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex.
Introduction
Introduction
Sometimes you just feel weighed down.
I’m sure you’ve been there. It seems like the to do list never gets any smaller - only ever gets bigger.
They might be a bunch of unrelated tasks, or a bunch of things that press with urgency.
When it’s all over you just feel spent.
Main point:
An active hope of His coming again awakens our hearts to be careful - guarding our hearts as we live our daily lives with goldiness and anticipation
An active hope of His coming again awakens our hearts to be careful - guarding our hearts as we live our daily lives with goldiness and anticipation
I’d like to start today at verse 37
37 During the day, He was teaching in the temple complex, but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.
38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex.
Each Day in the temple
Each Evening back up the hill to the Mount of Olives
I wanted to stop here and notice how this chapter both ends and how it began…
1 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.
It’s the temple - the center of worship of God the creator, the place of his dwelling
So, this is where Jesus was going for the past several days he has been in Jerusalem - at the temple. He was teaching, debating and unsettling the status quo. Matt taught us through this chapter last week, October 11 and I encourage you to watch it.
So for the Gospel of Luke this is the setting of chapter 21. The glory of the temple complex. The temple becomes the bookends of this amazing discussion about the temple and the end times. And Jesus uses this setting to reveal what to expect in the days ahead and how to live in light of what is to come.
you’ll see in vs 5-6
5 As some were talking about the temple complex, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, He said, 6 “These things that you see—the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down!”
and in verse 7 they ask him what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?
7 “Teacher,” they asked Him, “so when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
Jesus answered their questions about when will this temple destruction happen.
vs 8 there will be false Messiahs
vs 9-10 nations will be in uprisings against one another
vs 11 earthquakes, famines, pestilences
pes·ti·lence: a fatal epidemic disease
vs 20-24 all of Jerusalem will be surrounded, trampled - the city - Mount Zion - vs 21 refers to all the prophecies written.
Matt discussed how this happened in 70 AD and is also expected to happen again in the future
vs 25-28 begins to mention that there will be signs both in the heavens and on the earth
The stars moon and sun will provide discourse. The nations will be perplexed at the sea.
vs 27 Then finally the Messiah, Jesus himself, will come in the clouds with power and great glory
And to pick up where we left off last week. Matt pointed out in verse 28
28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!”
So now we get to our passage for this morning
1. We should be able recognize the times vs 29-33
1. We should be able recognize the times vs 29-33
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
Jesus has a parable - rather brief and quite straight forward.
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
You should be able to recognize that the Kingdom of God is near, because all these signs caught your attention.
"be aware" of the signs
What should we be looking for?
God has been asking us to be attentively anticipating His Kingdom ever since he left and he hasn’t given us the return date. Jesus himself wasn’t given the date. (Matt 24) You have not been given the date. So instead we all have signs to watch for. The same signs that the early believers were watching for.
Now 32-33
32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
This is a bit difficult to know precisely what he means.
It could mean the “people” who are of that current generation would see the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 70ad … or perhaps if He’s talking about the second coming he’s talking about how the generation of those at the end times will see it all unfold- meaning these events of the Day of the Lord, and the great tribulation period will all go down rather quickly, and the battle of Armageddon and the judgment upon the nations and the shaking of the earth and heavens and subsequent renewal and restoration of the new heavens and new earth- will all happen quickly.
But the real concern in this passage today is what should we do.
read
34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert 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.”
2. We should be on guard for our hearts and our minds vs 34-36
2. We should be on guard for our hearts and our minds vs 34-36
be careful of the “dulling” caused by carousing, drunkeness and the worries of this life
be careful of the “dulling” caused by carousing, drunkeness and the worries of this life
I want to flip through a few translations of this verse.
34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
34 Προσέχετε δὲ ἑαυτοῖς, μήποτε βαρυνθῶσιν ὑμῶν αἱ καρδίαι ἐν κραιπάλῃ καὶ μέθῃ καὶ μερίμναις βιωτικαῖς, καὶ αἰφνίδιος ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς ἐπιστῇ ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη·
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.
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.
34 “Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. You will not be expecting it.
34 ‘And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts may be weighed down with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day may come on you,
Be careful - watch yourselves - take heed of yourselves
Be careful - watch yourselves - take heed of yourselves
Carousing
Carousing
carousing = 3190 κραιπάλη (kraipalē), ης (ēs), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 2897—LN 88.286 drunken dissipation, unrestrained behavior when drunk (Lk 21:34+)
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
9 All you animals of the field and forest, come and eat! 10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. 11 These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain. 12 “Come, let me get some wine, let’s guzzle some beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
“Everything is fine! Today was fine - tomorrow’s gonna be fine. Let’s have some beers. No worries, seize the day! Akuna Mattadah!
where are their hearts
they were supposed to be watching waiting and protecting announcing
how ready were they
how ready were those they were watching out for
Drunkeness
Drunkeness
drunkeness =
Intoxication or inebriation resulting from the consumption of alcoholic beverages, characterized by impaired judgment and a debilitating stupor. Biblical texts frequently condemn drunkenness as a moral vice, and intoxication is contrasted with the virtues of alertness and self-control. The image of the incapacitated drunkard functions as an illustrative parallel to the incapacitation of God’s enemies through his divine punishment.
Hartog, P. A. (2014). Drunkenness. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:
Worries of the life
Worries of the life
worries of this life = cares of this life
remember Luke 10:41-42 you are worried and upset about many things
Overcharged - Weighed Down
34 “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert 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.”
41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
What are the consequences of being dull? It seems like there’s this warning about not being ready for the day of His return, but it also says everyone is gonna see it coming - it’s not gonna be a big secret. So why can’t I go on just living like I have been and like we have been. We are dulled. We are unprepared for the celebration that is to come. Like I bride unprepared for the bridegroom. Who returns to enter into marriage and finally bring her into the home he has been preparing for her. Instead of joy - we might be ashamed. Instead of ready to let go of this world we are looking back for the things that have made us happy. Instead of feeling like you’ve entered into your the new home you’ve been dreaming of you’re feeling like this isn’t how I’ve been living at all, this doesn’t feel like home. Who is this husband? Who are all these people? And what has happened to all those people that I thought were so fun and admirable. Where have all my treasures gone to? I’m looking out my window, why does he have so many crowns and rewards, it looks like he’s done well.
HOW? can we stay on guard?
HOW? can we stay on guard?
I want to discuss three ways to always 'be on your guard’
remember against being weighed down from the consequences of unrestrained living
drunken stupor (disoriented, confused, useless) and being too busy with your life
3. We can stay on guard by:
3. We can stay on guard by:
Living Uprightly
Living Uprightly
1 Thess 5, 2 Peter 3
2 Peter 3 when talking about our hope for new heavens and new earth
3 First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires, 4 saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” 5 They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God. 6 Through these waters the world of that time perished when it was flooded. 7 But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. 13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him without spot or blemish.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
What we see here is that if we are hoping for the new heaven and the new earth where righteousness dwells, we should start living with that lifestyle . We need to grow into this. This is our prep. Our training ground.
Transition: Secondly, we can stay on guard by watching and praying
Watching and Praying
Watching and Praying
34 “Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. You will not be expecting it.
35 That day will come upon every person who lives on the whole earth.
36 “Always keep watching. Pray that you will be able to escape all that is about to happen. Also, pray that you will not be judged guilty when the Son of Man comes.”
keep on watching - what does it mean?
So when i was eight I was on my first baseball team. The tigers. In the minors. My coach was a smart guy - he saw how amazingly talented I was at the game. So he put me where all the best players go - right field. And here I learned my first lesson in watching. “Jeff - watch the game” “Jeff - pay attention” “ Jeff - look alive” Apparently just looking alive would have been an improvement. Staying alert was the whole point. After awhile - I’m like - “watching for what?” The pitcher pitches, most the time nobody hits it. When they do it’s going to somebody else. I would rather count the blades of grass. Or see how many dandelions I could find.
Till the one time the ball did come my way. I didn’t see the ball hit the bat. But I heard everyone yell my name. I looked up and saw the ball in the sky. But I couldn’t tell where it was going. i didn’t move forward I didn’t move back I watched it land 3 feet in front of me. Then of course I picked it up and threw it somewhere. All I could hear was my grandpa. “Jeff - you gotta run up on that ball- don’t just stand there.” I complained later to my grandma that grandpa had yelled at me. I explained that if I had ran forward as grandpa had said that the ball would have been behind me and how good would that have been.
To which my sweet grandma replied.... well maybe if you could run up just the right amount so that the ball doesn’t go behind you.
Who knew my grandma knew so much about baseball.
I’d like to take you with me to Daniel 12
Daniel 12
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
Daniel was told twice by God’s messenger Go your way
Watching but not stuck - not idle - As you live - Great Commission “As you go”
Transition: As we are discussing How to stay on Guard as we continue in our daily lives - we discussed 2 Peter 3 and his exhortation to live godly lives, and from Daniel we were encouraged to be watching and prayerful, finally we can practice looking forward with Hope for the future.
There are some fantastic passages listed on your notes and I hope to read some of them this morning. But they reveal a future that we should eagerly anticipate. Daniel was told to live his life and rest assured of the resurrection unto all these future hopes. In fact he was told to seal it up. But you’ll see in Revelation John was told to not seal it up. We are to have an active anticipation of these realities being ushered in. It should characterize our hopes, affections and thereby our daily lives.
Looking Forward with Hope for the Future
Looking Forward with Hope for the Future
Hope For the Future
the City of God
A new heavens and new earth
The presence of God dwelling with man
His glorious coming
The City of God Heb 11-12
The City of God Heb 11-12
Hebrews 11 - 12
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling. ) 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant ), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. 25 Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken —that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
A new heavens and new earth 2 Peter 3:10-13
A new heavens and new earth 2 Peter 3:10-13
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. 13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
God’s Presence Dwelling with Humanity Revelation 21
God’s Presence Dwelling with Humanity Revelation 21
Revelations 21 - 22
have the worship team begin to play behind the reading of these passages
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:
Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity,
and He will live with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself will be with them
and be their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist;
grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,
because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. 7 The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. 8 But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars —their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a very precious stone, like a jasper stone, bright as crystal. 12 The city had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the 12 tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. 13 There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 The city wall had 12 foundations, and the 12 names of the Lamb’s 12 apostles were on the foundations.
15 The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. 18 The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass.
19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone:
the first foundation jasper,
the second sapphire,
the third chalcedony,
the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx,
the sixth carnelian,
the seventh chrysolite,
the eighth beryl,
the ninth topaz,
the tenth chrysoprase,
the eleventh jacinth,
the twelfth amethyst.
21 The 12 gates are 12 pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The broad street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
22 I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Transition: There we have the promise of His physical and visible presence and also the future city of God as the tabernacle. And finally this morning as we turn our hearts together to long for and anticipate His coming I’d like to read Revelation 22.
May our active active hope of His coming again awaken our hearts to be careful - Guarding our hearts as we live our daily lives with godliness and anticipation
His Glorious Coming! Revelation 22
His Glorious Coming! Revelation 22
1 Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.
6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His slaves what must quickly take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming quickly! The one who keeps the prophetic words of this book is blessed.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 He also said to me, “Don’t seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near. 11 Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy.”
12 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.
20 He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.