Luke 21:20-38 & 22:1-6
Jesus continues His teaching that is parallel prophecies… His earthly time was coming to a close…each word and action was purposeful. He knew there was everything on the line: Those who obey His Word would find redemption, those who do not: destruction. Christ wants His followers to be content with what we know about His return. We don’t need to be confused with a lot of sequences and pseudo-signs… There’s not going to be anything for us to do other than look up and see our salvation! Christ calls us to live THIS life based on our faith & trust in our ETERNAL life. We don’t live preoccupied with holding on to this life. We certainly don’t live like this life as if this life is all there is. We live unto for and united with Jesus Christ; not protect or prolong THIS Life! As if we could add a minute to our lives by worry… (Jesus @ Luke 12 & Matthew 6) Contentment with His coming & trust for His plans should mark us as Christ’s people.
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.
- Verses before this speak of the persecutions that will occur in book of Acts
- The next time Jerusalem will be attacked is when Rome destroys it in 70 AD
- 70 AD: Christians in Jerusalem & nearby obeyed Christ’s words and survived
22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.
- Many prophecies of doom for Jerusalem for turning away from God
- This is the 2nd time God will destroy Jerusalem in Judgement (second chance)
- Heart wrenching brutality will be visited on the inhabitants of Jerusalem
- God’s anger is justified by God’s standards (‘This People’ / ‘Covenant Nation’)
24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
- Judgement for the corruption of the Temple
- What has happened to the Jews since the destruction of Jerusalem?
- Jerusalem captured and recaptured 15 times since 70 AD / every 135 yrs
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
- Shifting from 70 AD to the end of ‘The Age of the Gentiles’ / Church Age
- Unmistakable cosmic events will usher in the end (but for how long?)
- Fundamental changes in the oceans, things that have never happened
- Great fear and foreboding will grip people because of the upheaval in nature
- …And then!
27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
- Christ’s return will be seen by all in a universal, world wide supernatural event!
- Those who know Christ will recognize the author of your salvation
- When ‘All These Things
29 Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.
- God’s world has ways that it follows every time (seasons)
- Reliable as seasons changing: so the end of this age will be after these signs
32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
- Do not mistake this: ‘This Generation’ is a synonym for ‘Age of The Gentiles’
- This world as we know it will come to an end, but what God says is eternal
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
- Be on Guard! Be intentional in how you live! Don’t waste the time you have!
- Today is the day to start living more fully for God!
- Thinking you will always have time is a lie! No guarantee of another minute!
- If you are alive it is possible for you to see Christ’s return
- “Look busy, the boss is coming!”
- This End could happen in your lifetime, pray for God Given strength stand firm
- Keeping alert is focusing on your relationship with Christ
- Standing before Him means: surrendered to and belonging to HIM
37 Every day Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him. 1 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
- Jesus establishes a routine that will enable Judas to guide the Jews to Him
- The Passover begins Thursday @ sundown
- They should be focused on worshiping God not eliminating their competition
3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
- This is demonic ‘possession’. Judas was not protected by the Holy Spirit
- He somehow knew these men cared more about their power than God
- They figured money would be more important to Judas than loyalty
- They both knew they had to avoid the crowds…
SUMMARY:
Jesus foretold Jerusalem’s destruction; tying it to God’s judgement foretold in scripture & to warn His followers.
Christ foretells the unmistakable signs of His return at the end of this age.
Jesus is repeatedly clear about the world-wide supernatural event of His return.
Christ’s words are eternal truth, the signs He described MUST happen before He returns.
Jesus commands His people to focus on HIS priorities; not personal, worldly desires.
Christ calls us to stay connected to Him so we can be prepared for His return.
Scripture teaches that God was in charge of all the events that resulted in Christ’s Crucifixion.
APPLICATION:
What are some lessons for Christ’s followers in the destruction of Jerusalem?
Why is it important to be well versed on what Jesus says about His return?
What does it look like for you to keep your heart from becoming ‘Dull’?
Why does God want us to know what happened to setup Christ’s betrayal?