WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE JESUS COMES AGAIN?
Luke 21:1-38;
Key Verse: 21:27
“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Two weeks ago I saw the movie “Knowing” with Nicholas Cage and the movie was about the end of the world. This is just one of many Hollywood movies about the end of the world. Like the disciples, people are eager to know when or how the world will end. But sincere Christians are more eager to see the day when our Lord Jesus comes again. Even the last page in the book of Revelation says, “Lord Jesus, come.” In Luke 21 Jesus foretold his 2nd Coming. Luke 21:27 says, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Despite countless skeptics & scoffers who deny Jesus’ 2nd Coming, it will happen at God’s appointed time, as Jesus guarantees. In the meantime, there will be many signs in the world that foreshadow his coming. Jesus said, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming…” In Luke 21 let’s see what happens before “then,” before Jesus comes again. What are the signs before Jesus comes again?
1st, First, Jesus honors a poor widow’s offering (1-4). In chapter 18, Jesus contrasted a proud Pharisee with a repentant tax collector praying in the temple. Now he contrasts the rich with the poor. Read verses 1-4. Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Jesus was teaching the word of God in the temple to the Jewish religious leaders. Then Jesus looked up. Like everyone else, Jesus saw the rich putting their offerings into the temple treasury. The people in the temple watched in admiration as the rich deposit their large offerings. But no paid attention as the poverty-stricken widow, who reached into her rags to withdraw these two thin copper coins and deposit them into the collection box. No one see the look of joy on her face as she gives to her Lord the little she has. But God saw it. Jesus noticed something that all others might have overlooked. It was a poor widow putting in two very small copper coins. It was just a few cents. Yet Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.” (3). How could it be? Jesus explained, “For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (4). Here we learn that Jesus is not impressed with outward appearances. Jesus sees the heart. God always sees what inside our hearts when we do something for God. Jesus understood how difficult it was for this poor widow to put in her two small copper coins. The small copper coins might have been her next meal. But she gave it to God instead. It could have been money for her medicine. She needed it. But she gave it to God instead. It shows that God was in her heart, and not money or her needs. She expressed her wholehearted love for God. She expressed her faith in God. To Jesus, what she did was very beautiful in the sight of God. Jesus teaches us a most important spiritual lesson. No matter what situation we may be in, we can please Jesus when we give our hearts to him. Jesus is not pleased with mere money. Jesus is pleased by those who give their hearts to him.
2nd, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple (5-11). Read verses 5,6. Here, Jesus predicted the total destruction of the Jerusalem temple, which was so shocking & inconceivable that those who heard him asked when it would happen & what signs would precede it (7). The temple was an architectural marvel, greater than most of the 7 wonders of the world. Just 1 stone of the temple complex that still remains to this day weighs 570 tons! As Jesus predicted, in A.D. 70 the Roman army under Titus destroyed Jerusalem & the temple. What can we learn from the destruction of the temple? 2 things:
1) The things of the world, no matter how seemingly great & magnificent, like the temple or the twin towers on 9/11, will perish.
2) Ritualistic habitual traditional legalistic religion, as symbolized by the temple, will be destroyed.
1) The world. When we live in the world our hearts are easily stolen by the world, so much so that we want to accumulate more & more things in this world. These things in themselves may not be bad. But soon these things begin to define us, things such as what car we drive, how big our house is, how much money we make, how much I am recognized, how well my children are doing, how successful I am in the world & in church, etc. But to Jesus, someday all these things will perish along with those whose identity is tied up with them. There is a saying: “If God asks you to give something away & you can’t, then you don’t own it, but it owns you.” Thus, we become slaves of whatever owns us. But when we let go & give it up to God, then & only then does God gives us freedom.
2) Religion. The Pharisees were supposed to be God’s people. But they didn’t teach people about God. They only taught people how to be legalistic & religious, while having no God in their hearts. They used fear & scare tactics, and the uncertainty of the fallen world to get people to follow them (8), rather than lead them to God. They demanded people to do good things, such as give money to the temple, fast, & pray, as though the things they do could bring them to God (Mt 23:23). They looked very good outwardly, like a whitewashed tomb (Mt 23:27), but they were clueless & blind to their own sins, especially self-righteousness. They’re trying to make bad people good, as though they were the standard of good. But they had no idea how to make dead people live. They were like a nice apple that is rotten at the core. The irony & tragedy of the history of Christianity is that the most religious people like the Pharisees were the very ones who plotted the crucifixion of Christ. Similarly, through out Christian history over the last 2,000 years, it has been the established religion or church that has martyred countless sincere Christians. But before Jesus comes again, traditional habitual legalistic religion will be destroyed, leaving behind only sincere believers who love Jesus more than the world.
3rd, Jesus warns his disciples and all followers about persecution. (12-19). Read verse 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. Sadly, the prosperity gospel teaches that if one believes in Jesus & becomes a Christian, their life will get easier & better. Yes it is true, because of the love of the Father & the grace of the Son & the comfort of the Holy Spirit. But when we truly love God & not the world (1 Jn 2:15-17), the world persecutes those who do not love the world. That‘s why persecution always follows sincere Christians. Jesus said, “But before all this they will (not “may”) lay their hands on you and persecute you…” (12). Paul also said in 2 Timothy 3:12. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will (not “may”) be persecuted.” If you claim to be a Christian and you don’t’ experience persecution, then you are probably hiding your Christian faith under your bed. Of course, a Christian shouldn’t be persecuted for being obnoxious & rude, but because they stand against the world’s values--money & human glory. Where will persecution come from? The synagogue, which represent traditional religions & worldly authorities (12). Surprising & painfully, it will also come from my love ones, parents and brothers and relatives and friends. Jesus even said “and some of you they will put to death” (16). If Jesus were a marketing manager, he would be fired for painting such a gloomy picture of the Christian life. Jesus is saying that if anyone wants to be a Christian, they shouldn’t expect a rose garden, but a bloody war, for Jesus guarantees the persecution of Christians, & that their persecution would be the way of witnessing the love of God to the world. Verse 13 says, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” Moreover, Jesus promises in verse 14, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” In brief, Jesus warns that there will be persecution to all Christians, & that would be our witness to the world, as Jesus himself did on the cross unto death.
If Jesus paints such a picture about the Christian life, why would anyone want to be a Christian? Read verses 18,19. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your lives. Even though a Christian may suffer from unbearable persecution, Jesus said, “But not a hair of your head will perish” (18). This metaphorically means that Jesus will save us unto eternal life. It implies that no matter how much one suffers for Christ, their reward will be greater (Ro 8:17,18). Toward the end of his life Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting execution. Paul suffered from physical discomfort in a dark dirty dungeon. But he especially suffered when his Christian friends whom he had loved & served with his life & tears abandoned him, out of selfishness & fear for their own lives. No one can imagine Paul’s loneliness & unbearable agony of soul. But what did Paul say? 2 Timothy 4:17,18 says, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Paul was not to be pitied for being persecuted & abandoned. In fact, Paul enjoyed a quality of life that is ecstatic & glorious, because Jesus stood by him & strengthened him. May God bless you to enjoy Jesus like Paul did, so that the world may come to see the glory of God through your life of loving Jesus.
4th, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem (20-24), & the whole world (25-28). In verses 20-24 Jesus describes the terrible destruction of Jerusalem (19:43,44), which happened in A.D. 70, 40 years after Jesus predicted it. Because Christians were aware of Jesus’ prophesy, they left Jerusalem & fled to the mountains when the Roman army was advancing (20,21) & so they were saved from destruction. On the other hand, non-Christians flocked into the city for protection, & they were all killed. Why did such terrible destruction happen? Verse 22 says, “…for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.” Humanly, it was Rome taking vengeance against the Jews for revolting against Rome in A.D. 67, but ultimately it was God’s vengeance & judgment against his people for rebelling against God. We learn here that God is sovereign & that God will always fulfill his will for his own glory. If we stand on God’s side, we will experience God’s victory, for God will always win the final victory, like the Christians who left Jerusalem during the Roman siege in A.D. 70. But if we rebel against God’s will, God will still win the victory, while we will be destroyed, like those who stayed inside the walls of Jerusalem, thinking that the walls of Jerusalem could protect them.
Read verses 25-27. 25"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. In these verses, Jesus describes the end of the world when Jesus, the Son of Man, comes again “in a cloud with power and great glory” (27). These signs in the sun, moon & stars were described by Isaiah in 700 B.C. Isaiah 13:10 says, “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.” These verses tell us that when Jesus comes again, his rule will not be confined to the world but will involve all creation including the heavenly bodies—the sun & moon & stars. Jesus will come again with power and great glory. The bible says that thunder and lightning describes God’s power. When lightning strikes it illuminates the entire sky line. Jesus will come again not as a servant, but he will come again as God and the whole world will see his almighty power.
What are the implications of Jesus’ 2nd Coming that includes the destruction of the whole world?
1) We should not live for the world, because the world is not ultimate; it will be totally destroyed one day. Those who live for the world are like Lot’s wife who turned back to look at her burning house because she could not bear to leave her furniture & her wardrobe (17:32), & she became a pillar of salt (Ge 19:26).
2) We must constantly retrain our hopes & our hearts for Jesus’ 2nd Coming. Because we live in this world, our hope naturally is to live a better life in this world. So we always hope for a better job, better pay, better car, better neighborhood, better house, even a better church. Ungodly people also long for a better husband or a better wife, & they break the hearts of their children to pieces. But we must know that our final destination is not in this world, but in the kingdom of God, which is forever. Those whose hope is for a better life in this world will always be disappointed. But when we train & retrain our hope for Jesus’ 2nd Coming, we can “rejoice always” & “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Th 5:16,18).
3) We have no fear about anything in the world. People in the world are full of fear, worries & vague anxiety. It’s because life in the world is filled with uncertainty of the unknown future. One person worried about getting cancer all his life. But one day, while worrying about getting cancer, he was hit by a truck & died. This is a sad representation of people who live for the world. But what does Jesus say to those who hope for his 2nd Coming? Verse 28 says, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.” When people hear about the recession, they become scared. But Jesus said, “straighten up and raise your heads.” It means that a child of God has no fear of anything in this world, “because your redemption is near,” & because he knows that God will give the final victory to all those who hope & long for his appearing (2 Ti 4:8).
5th, Jesus warns, “Watch yourselves” & “stay awake at all times” (29-38). In the lesson of the fig tree (29-32), Jesus is saying that the many signs of the end of the age, such as the “distress of nations in perplexity” (25) are a guarantee that he will surely come again (32). Read verse 33. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Here Jesus again affirms that everything that he says will happen. To Jesus, his word is more permanent than the mountains & the seas, & more stable & certain than heaven & earth. Isaiah 66:2b says, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
Finally, verses 34-36 contain Jesus’ practical instructions about how to live with the hope of his 2nd Coming. 1) “Watch yourselves” (34). Usually, we watch the stock market, or our bank balance, or our weight, or our boss to see if he might fire us. As a result, people’s hearts are “weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life” (34b). But God’s people live confidently in the word of God (33). 2) “stay awake at all times” (36). When we are tired or discouraged, we want to sleep or just watch movies to forget & not feel bad. But Jesus encourages us to “stay awake at all times,” which is an encouragement to “pray without ceasing” (1 Th 5:17). John Piper & others say that the best way to pray is to “pray the Bible,” which is to read the Bible faithfully, & while reading, pray & meditate & reflect & apply, through out the day. When we do so, God enables us to overcome the world.
In Luke 21, Jesus describes the troubled world we live in. It is not a pretty picture. But in our key verse, 21:27, Jesus promises that he’ll come again. Jesus says, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Jesus wants us to live not for this world, but with the sure hope of his return. Otherwise, we’ll be full of fear, anxiety, worry & uncertainty. C. S. Lewis said: "If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." It’s obvious that the world can’t satisfy man. Why? It’s because the world is passing away. 1 John 2:17 says, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” In light of this, the most tragic people are the rich people & those who live for money. But the blessed & happy people are like the poor widow who gave to God everything she had. May God bless you to live like the poor widow. May God bless you with the glorious hope of Jesus’ 2nd Coming, & shine his light to the world.