Luke 21

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-4

  • See teaching on Mark 12 for commentary.

 

Verses 5-7

  • Luke and Matthew together, in their accounts of Jesus' words here, help us to understand that the time immediately before and during the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was a sort of rehearsal of the time of the end, before Christ's return. 

    • The events that took place in Jerusalem AD 70 will happen again, in a similar form, before Christ returns at the end of this age.

 

Verses 8-9

  • Be careful that you are not deceived or led astray by anyone who claims to be a political or religious messiah.

  • Don't listen to people who obsess over the timing of the end and try to set dates for the end.

    • When these predictions are found to be untrue, it leads to disillusionment for many and even causes some to fall away from the faith.

 

Verses 9-11

  • There will be an increase of wars and natural disasters before the end, but this does not mean that the end has come. 

 

Verses 12-15

  • Before wars and natural disasters reach an all-time high, global persecutions will increase also. But persecutions don't mean that the end has come.

  • When you are persecuted, and if you have a chance to speak before governing authorities, do not worry about what to say.

    • Trust that God will give the wisdom that you need on those moments to say what is needed.

 

Verses 16-19

  • Verse 17. We will only know that the end is upon us when global persecution has increased to a point where Christians are hated and killed by all nations (Matthew 24:9).

  • Verse 16. Believers, during the end, will not be able to trust many people, as there will be betrayal by even our closest family and friends.

  • Verse 18. Many believers will die, but we should remember that we will all be in heaven afterwards.

    • Physical life will be lost, but no part of our being will be lost in eternity. This is what is meant when Jesus said that not a hair of our heads would be lost.

  • Verse 19. Having great endurance is necessary to be able to survive and keep the faith during the end. 

    • Start by building your patience now if you want to be strong for the troubling times of the future.

      • Not giving up when moments are hard or frustrating is one way to build patience.

 

Verses 20-24

  • Just like Jerusalem was surrounded by Roman armies before it was attacked and destroyed, armies will surround it again. Armies will be in many places.

    • When we see this happening, we should flee away from major cities as fast as we can. Before the end, we should be ready to move quickly.

  • Verse 24. Jerusalem was trampled by Gentiles when it was destroyed in AD 70, and it is still trampled by Gentiles, as Jerusalem's Temple Mount is under Palestinian authority.

    • When Jerusalem is under fully Israeli authority, then we will know that the end is upon us.

 

Verses 25-28

  • Once we see that Jerusalem is no longer trampled by Gentiles, we can take that as a sign.

  • Then the Great Tribulation will ensue. It will be very bad all over the planet and even in our solar system. There will be great fear, violence, and death everywhere.

    • When it starts to get as bad as it will ever be, take heart! You'll know that Christ is coming very soon!

 

Verses 29-33

  • When we start to see the signs of the end upon us, we should be encouraged that the kingdom of God—which comes with the return of Christ—is near!

  • The generation that sees the signs of the end (verses 16-26) will see Christ return.

    • We can rest assured that the Word of God—the Bible—has never and will never pass away. We can trust these words about the predictions of the end!

 

Verses 34-36

  • As a believer, be focused on staying obedient to God, don't get tangled up in sin, and don't get distracted.

  • Even as a believer, if you're not ready, it could go badly for you during the end.

  • Verse 36. We should always be focused and prepared for anything, but do pray that the end does not come in your time, or if it does come in your time, that you will be able to survive.

 

Verses 37-38

  • Jesus was always productive during daylight, and this is an example. He was found teaching early in the morning. He did not waste time.

    • Be productive starting early in the morning, and don't let time go to waste.