Looking into the Future

January 25, 2021

Luke 21:20–33 (ESV)
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. 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.” 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
 
“Eschatology” is a theological term that’s used to talk about the doctrine of the last things, meaning end times or the ultimate destiny of individual souls and the created order.  Unfortunately, eschatology is a subject that has been abused as we all probably know a story or two of someone who has proclaimed they knew when the end was coming only to find that they were terribly wrong.
The misuse of eschatology has often led to skepticism and neglect on the part of Christians which, in the words of James Edwards, “Weakens the church.”
 
Our passage is one that has eschatological ramifications for the near and far future.
In the near future, the warnings of Jesus are regarding the time when the Romans would come and lay siege to Jerusalem, taking possession of the temple and scattering the people.  This does indeed happen right around 70 AD.
 
The prophecies regarding a further-reaching future are found in verses 25-28.  Jesus offers no timetable for such events, only that there will be calamitous events that will perplex and distress nations during which the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory.
This prophecy connects with the prophecy of Daniel 7 and refers to the time God will come to judge and find in favor of His people.
What’s interesting is that the Son of Man arrives on a “cloud”, that’s singular, not plural as in “clouds”.  This is significant because it connects back to Exodus and many other places where God is present with humanity in a “cloud.”  In other words, the power and glory of God are synonymous with the power and glory of Jesus.
The point is to paint a picture of hope for the future.
 
And who stands at the center of that hope?  Jesus!  Everything else will pass away but His word will endure forever.  If Jesus’ words will outlive the cosmos, then in ways that we who are bound to the treadmill of time cannot understand, his words encompass past, present, and future.  James Edwards.
 
And so we know that the kingdom of God was near to the people then, it is near to us now, and its nearness is something that we long for in the future.
Which means that our responsibility as ambassadors of Christ who have the ministry of reconciliation is to continually invite people into the kingdom of God by entrusting their lives to His care and in doing so, receiving His peace which passes all understanding.
 
 
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott

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