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 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.
The Coming of the Son of Man
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, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 21:5–28.
Abba,
If You have sent Your own Son into the world, to die for the world, to save the world, we can be assured that You will come back to once and for all finally save the world.
The times before You come back, before final redemption happens, will be ugly. Death, destruction, rampart evil, unrestrained wickedness will abound.
BUT LOSE NOT HEART.
All hope is not lost.
The Son of Man will come again with great power and great glory.
Redemption will come.
We may well linger here, in this fallen and broken world. But in Your divine plan and wisdom, this lingering has a purpose. In this lingering, You are drawing all men to Yourself in repentance. In this lingering, You are preparing us for eternity. You are preparing us for the final call home.
We have hope of final redemption BECAUSE of the reality of Your first coming as an infant in a manger.
So, let us keep our eyes fixed upward, upon the throne of Heaven and You who are seated there. Let us wait with patience and joy for the coming of Your holiness and majesty. May we look for it with joy and find contentment in the waiting knowing that nothing can diminish the joy of redemption when it comes.
We love You, Abba.
Amen.
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 8:32.
A Singular Passion 