Luke 21
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Near the end of Jesus earthly life, as He came closer to Jerusalem, He was watched like a hawk by those who wanted to do Him harm. In 20:19-20, Luke records, “ The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hand on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them (and they were right, just not spiritually awake), but they feared the people. So, they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.” That is a constant pressure He is under. He is still in such control that He observes a widow putting in two small coins into the offering. Jesus is focused on teaching, loving, comforting, and shepherding. Jesus lauds this widow stating that she is the model giver. He drew other’s attention to this simple act of charity and deep spirituality.
Then in vs. 5-9, Jesus tells them of the destruction of the temple that would take place in 70 A.D. Then in vs. 10-19, our Lord speaks of wars and persecution. In vs. 20-24, the destruction of Jerusalem is prophesied. Then in 25-28, the glorious appear of the Son of Man, a term Jesus used often to refer to Himself.
In vs. 29-33, the lesson of the fig tree and the warning and call to recognize the kingdom is near. The charge to be awake for this generation is found in vs. 34-36. Then the summary two verses end the chapter.
It seems to be that much of what Jesus is saying is fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans, under Titus, after a 5-month siege, destroyed the temple and Jerusalem killing close to one million people. A few caveats. One, there are always levels of certainty when it comes to interpreting the Bible. You should recognize those areas of doctrine that have higher levels of clarity compared to those doctrines we may hold with a certain tenuousness. Second, we don’t all have to agree with what is being taught. As a member, you are submitting to what is being taught. But you are not taking vows to God that you believe it and will uphold it. That is a much different vow than joining a church. Elders take a vow that they believe the confession and will uphold it. A member takes no vow, but you should recognize the teaching you will hear. But you actually do not have to believe every doctrine your pastors teach.
Since I think that much of Jesus prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. you might refer to that person as a partial preterist. The Latin prefix for past is ‘praeter’, so those events Jesus is talking about to most readers is past. This does not rule out the second coming of Christ which is basic orthodoxy. But this viewpoint understands that Jesus is talking to the ‘you’ that Jesus is looking at not the ‘you’ in the pews currently.
If you care, I am also an amillennialist which means I do not think there will be a literal 1000 year reign of Christ, hence the alpha (a) negative before the work millennial or 1000. I would assume many in our church are premillennialists. This is one of those areas where we do not have to agree.
Whatever your position is about the last days or your understanding of this chapter, here is something we can agree upon. The truth of Jesus’ return is a call for us watch, stay awake, and pray. All doctrine, all Biblical truth promotes holiness. The more you know about Christ, the more you understand the gospel, the keener your insight into the entire Bible, the more humble you should become. You should be growing in grace, becoming more loving, having more compassion, hating sin with increasing passion, and your love to Christ must be getting red hot.
We can view things differently and learn from one another. We ought to thank God that we not only have 3 pastors to teach us, but we can learn from one another. I have the privilege of teaching a Sunday school class and participating in a small group Sunday nights. I always learn from the others comments, questions, and observations. I spend time preparing for my classes and yet I still learn from those many comments and insights. We depend on these groups not to merely increase our knowledge but to deepen our spiritual walk. So our spiritual roots go deep in the gospel and our faith becomes more stable.
We do not want “our hearts (to) be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life” v. 34. We need to be alert, filled with the Spirit, and living with our minds and hearts in heaven as well as here on earth. What a sorry state we would be in if we are learning more information but not loving God more! What a tragedy if someone is coming to our church and does not trust in Christ alone for salvation? Who cares if they know things about the Bible if they do not love and obey the God of the Bible.
We will all “stand before the Son of Man” as we read in v. 36. How do you spend your time? How do you invest your money? What do your eyes look at on the internet? What do you long for in your heart of hearts? Is your deepest joy Christ? Do you love Him and love His kingdom? Are you worshipping Him during the week? Do you care about your own spiritual condition? Have your grown in humility over the last year?
I believe the amillennial position puts the Bible together the best. But if you hold to another position yet you fear God, are waiting His glorious coming, love and obey Him from the heart, I don’t care who turns out to be wrong (and some of us are wrong. I hope that where I am wrong, I argue Biblically with love to those who see it a different way. I have not always done that). I need to be watching myself (v. 34). I am striving to stay awake at all times (v. 36) as well as asking for strength to endure whatever may come.
Father, we come to You in Jesus’ name by the power of Your Spirit. When we read these passages, help us to understand what You are teaching on the one hand and what You expect from us on the other. Sadly, I spend less time on holiness and more time on figuring out the details of end times teaching. We want to be prepared for You. We are headed for heaven. Make us fit, by the transforming power of Your Spirit so when He nudges, corrects, and changes, we are like soft putty in Your hands. In the name of the One who will come again as a mighty Warrior. Amen.