Luke 21 F.R.O.G or How To Swim Upstream
Luke 21 F.R.O.G or How To Swim Upstream
The do’s and don’ts of looking toward history’s end (21:5–38). This might be a good title for Luke’s report of Jesus’ eschatological (end-times) teaching. Not all of them apply to you and me. But the ones in italics have direct relevance to our outlook on life.
(1) Don’t be deceived (v. 8). Jesus’ return won’t be a secret. There’s no need for us to set dates.
(2) Don’t be frightened (vv. 9–11). Human history will be filled with wars and disasters. How good to know God will look after His own.
(3) Don’t worry about yourself when persecuted, but witness to your persecutors (vv. 12–16). After all, the folks in real trouble are the ones who oppress God’s saints! Let the Spirit fill your mouth with words about Jesus and your hearts with love for your enemies.
(4) Don’t give up, even when everyone seems to turn against you (vv. 17–19). Stand firm on the foundation of your faith in Jesus. Others can hate you. But they can’t do you any lasting harm.
(5) Do flee Jerusalem when it is besieged (vv. 20–24). This advice applied both to the Jews then living and to the lost who will dwell in the city as history’s end draws near.
(6) Do take heart when the universe itself shows massive destabilization (vv. 25–31). This is a sign that Christ is soon to appear and is a cause for believers to rejoice rather than fear.
(7) Do exult in the certainty that God’s Word is trustworthy, however uncertain life may be (vv. 32–33). This reminder is for the last generation, but we can certainly take heart from it in our own hard times today.
(8) Do be watchful, pray, and persevere and so earn the approval of the Son of Man (vv. 34–36). Life here has its pressures, and many of them are intense. But let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, and let nothing distract us from serving Him.