Luke
21:25-27 “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; 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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming
in a cloud with power and great glory.”
At first it would seem that the Lord is repeating
Himself in reference to signs in the sun, moon and stars; but as I looked back
at verse 11, the emphasis seemed to be on fearful signs and sights in the
heavens. Maybe this reference to signs
in the sun, moon and stars is a reference to more scientific phenomena. Though not readily clear from the KJV
translation, other translations clarify that the following statement regarding
the anxiety and perplexity of people on earth is directly connected to the
actions of the sea. As I look at the
context and the flow of information, it seems that the fearful sights and
wonders from heaven are connected to the time signified by the labor pains,
while the events in these verses are directly connected to the return of the
Lord according to verse 27. In that
regard, I can’t help but think of the prophecy of John as recorded in
Revelation.
Revelation 16:3-18 “And the second angel poured out his vial upon
the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died
in the sea. And the fourth angel poured out his
vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire….And
men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath
power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory…. And the
seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice
out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done….And there
were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake,
such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so
great.”
Especially noted is the fact that events occurring
on planet earth are causing great fear; it will seem that the very stability of
the stars and planets is at risk.
It is at the time of greatest fear that the Son of
man will be seen coming in the clouds in power and great glory. Again, John confirms His glorious coming in
Revelation.
Revelation 19:11–14 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white
horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and
on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but
he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is
called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon
white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Luke
21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up
your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
After describing His glorious return to establish
His kingdom, the Lord declares that these signs are meant to be understood and
provide encouragement to those looking for His return. When they begin to come to pass, we are to
start looking up with expectation for His return and the completion of the
first resurrection, the resurrection of the redeemed.
Revelation 20:4–6 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded
for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped
the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their
foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand
years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Luke
21:29-32 “And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the
trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that
summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise
ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is
nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you,
This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.”
At this point the Lord emphasizes that the signs
are to be recognized just as surely as the budding trees are harbingers of
summer soon to arrive. This generation,
the one that sees the signs just revealed, will not pass until all is
fulfilled—in other words, until the Lord returns to establish His kingdom.
I think so many wonderful teachers read way too
much into this passage by equating Israel to the fig tree and comparing the
birth of the nation to the budding of the tree.
Luke is clear in stating that the fig tree is just one of many trees. Although I believe the rebirth of the nation
of Israel is a key prophetic event that is foundational to the fulfillment of
prophecy, I do not believe that is the point Jesus is making in these
verses. Some of the signs Jesus was
referencing are connected to events occurring in the 70th week of
Daniel, the last seven years commonly known as the tribulation, that precedes
the return of Jesus. That generation
will surely not pass without seeing fulfillment. Maybe the importance of this verse is
directed more to those who are saved during the tribulation and will be trying
to hang on to their faith in such terrible times. Matthew records that it will be the worst
time man has ever experienced on planet earth.
Matthew 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
Luke
21:33 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
This verse seems to contradict other verses in
scripture such as the following one in Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
When you look at the Greek for the
word “world,” it makes reference to perpetuity and the Messianic period. Other verses confirm that the earth will
perish, but Peter helps illuminate our understanding.
2 Peter 3:12-13 “Looking for
and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
The word “new” in the last verse from
Peter quoted above states, “new (especially in freshness). I think that because
of the decay and wasting away of the heavens and earth caused by the curse of
sin, God will destroy the old one by fire and create a new one from its
ashes. (At least, that is how I rectify these ideas.) Maybe this
will be comparable to creation as recorded in Genesis after the time of Satan’s
fall and the creation of earth for mankind. (See notes on Genesis 1.) I also liken it to my understanding of how we
will be resurrected to new life in our new bodies that will be incorruptible
and immortal. Though we will die and our
bodies return to dust, He will recreate us in a body fit for heaven. Though this earth be allowed to “pass away,”
it will be recreated so as to be totally free from the taint of sin and fit for
an eternal dwelling place.
There is a verse in Colossians that tells us that God is the glue that
holds everything together.
Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist.”
Maybe this is a reference to His letting go for a moment only to speak
the word to bring it back together as a “new” creation.
In contrast to the creation as we know it decaying and perishing and
needing to be renewed, the word of God will never pass away. Its truth will stand for all eternity.
Luke
21:34 “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. For as a snare shall it come on all them that
dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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.”
Jesus closes this teaching with an admonition to
His disciples (my paraphrase)—Be careful to guard your hearts and act soberly
and wisely so that you are not caught unaware when the time comes. What I have told you will happen is certain
and will trap everyone dwelling on the face of the earth at that time.
The final words of warning—Keep watch and keep
praying. Expectant vigilance in watching
for the signs of the Lord’s return and prayer are two evidences of one in right
relationship with God. Only those in
right relationship with God can expect to escape all these dreadful events and
stand in worship and honor before the Son of man, the Son of God. The only way to get in right relationship
with God is to accept the gift of salvation offered through His Son, Jesus the
Christ.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.”
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast.”
Come Lord Jesus!
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