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THINGS TO COME
Luke 21:5-36
The
Disciples’ Curiosity about the Future.
And while some were talking about the temple, that it was
adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, "As for
these things which you are looking at, the days will come in
which there will not be left one stone upon another which will
not be torn down." They questioned Him, saying, "Teacher, when
therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign
when these things are about to take place?"
What to Expect.
And He said, "See to it that you are not misled; for many will
come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near.' Do
not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do
not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but
the end does not follow immediately." Then He continued by
saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom
against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in
various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors
and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they
will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering
you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and
governors for My name's sake. It will lead to an opportunity for
your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand
to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom
which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and
relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death,
and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair
of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your
lives. “
Specific Signs to Look For.
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize
that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must
flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the
city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter
the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all
things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are
pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for
there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this
people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be
led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled
under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are
fulfilled. There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on
the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of
the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the
expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for
the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the
Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But
when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up
your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then He
told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as
soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for
yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see
these things
happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I
say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things
take place. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
not pass away. “
So What Do We Do?
"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that
day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come
upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep
on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to
escape all these things that are about to take place, and to
stand before the Son of Man." |
