October 1, 2010
GOD'S PROMISES REMAIN TRUE, NO MATTER HOW BAD THINGS LOOK
Luke 21:5-24
Rachel Felts
Central Truth
Jesus warns the disciples of what will occur before He returns to establish His kingdom. The world will be in a terrible condition, but Jesus promises that those are just signs that He is returning. We have the hope that He will be with us to the very end.
Key Verse | Luke 21:9
"When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first . . . ." (Luke 21:9)
Luke 21:5-24
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers 1 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Dive Deeper | Luke 21:5-24
This passage, at first glance, appears frightening and perhaps rather hopeless. Jesus warns that before His return there will be wars and rebellions, earthquakes, famines and plagues, terrible sights and great signs from heaven, and severe persecution. We can look at the world today and see terrible things around us—abortion, murder, injustice, poverty, famine, starvation, illness, and natural disasters—and easily lose hope or begin agonizing over the state of the world. But God knows this is happening; Jesus foretold it, and He didn't leave us with a mere warning of what to expect. He gave us hope in the promise of His imminent return (21:15 and 18) and tells us "do not be afraid" (21:9, NET).
I need frequent reminders that God is sovereign no matter how bad things appear to be on a global scale or in my own life. How often I forget He has a plan that is much greater than the one I can envision! But Scripture is replete with assurances that He is aware of everything that happens, that He has foreseen all that would take place from the beginning of time to the end, and that "the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward [us], not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus says that the worse things get, the closer He is to returning. And we can rely on that because God has never failed to keep His promises. Hebrews 6:17-19 (NET) says, "God wanted to demonstrate more clearly . . . that his purpose was unchangeable, and so he intervened with an oath, so that we who have found refuge in him may . . . hold fast to the hope set before us . . . since it is impossible for God to lie. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast . . . ." Because of His faithfulness, we can rest in the assurance of God's sovereignty and promised return, regardless of how hopeless our circumstances may seem.
Discussion Questions
1. 2 Peter 3:10-12 asks, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief . . . and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . . ." How would you answer Peter's question?
2. Are there areas in your life in which you doubt God's sovereignty? What are they?
3. On which of God's promises do you frequently base your hope?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What are some of the things Jesus said will take place first before the end comes? Before these things happen, will Christ-followers be persecuted? What does “persecuted” mean?
2. Does Jesus promise to help the Christians during that time? Read verses 14-15. What does He promise will happen to those who sacrifice for His name’s sake . . . to those who follow Him no matter what others think? Read verses 18-19.
3. Even if you don’t live to see this time coming, what are ways you may have to sacrifice for Jesus during your time here on earth?