The End Times (1)
The End Times (1)
Is the world coming to an end? We hear a lot of statements such as “Oh the world is coming to an end.” Most often we hear and say such when something treble have just happened such as the big earths of China or the tsunami of Asia or even now the world economic melt-down. Yes, the world will come to an end but when?
Let’s hear Jesus speak on this issue in Luke 21. We will look at this segment of Luke in two settings because there were two different end times Jesus was speaking about.
Luke 21: 5-24:
5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.
20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Jesus is answering a direct question of the disciples. In giving his answers, Jesus used the opportunity to tell them about the real end of all things. Please read the entire account of Jesus’ discourse in Luke 21: 5-38 so as to put it in context. Similar accounts are recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.
2. Note that the original question is not “When will the world come to an end”. Rather it was specific to “When would the temple and its adornment be leveled to the ground as Jesus was predicting to the inquirers who were admiring and almost worshipping the temple itself”. To really understand this chapter, we must separate the two events, namely the destruction /end of Jerusalem/the temple and the end of the whole world. We will focus on the end of the whole world (the return of Jesus) next week.
3. It is suggested from the interaction that Jesus and the inquirers were not on the same page. The inquirers were looking for a kingdom here and mistakenly thought that it was what Jesus is after, hence they are complementing the temple which they were hoping Jesus will take over. Remember that Jesus had previously cleansed the temple of those who were selling, willing and dealing in the temple. We are often not on the same page with Jesus. We are so much earthily focused just like people of that time. The people wanted something that will last forever here. Jesus on the on the hand is saying no, no and no. “You don’t get it”. “My kingdom is not of this world” . John 18:36.
4. Note the first warning of Jesus. “Watch out that you are not deceived”. The deception will come from people who claim they are Jesus themselves and those who are predicting the times too. But I believe the greatest deception will come from individuals themselves when one thinks that this world and earth will last forever. Jesus already saw this deception in the people who were admiring the physical temple instead of being the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must be heavenly minded while being of earthly good to our neighbors. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, and not on things on earth”. Colossians 3:1-2. Jesus defines our world view. What is your world view? Earthly or heavenly? Where is your mind set?
5. The end of Jerusalem and the Temple happened as Jesus had predicted. History tells us that in A.D 70, Jerusalem was leveled to the ground including the temple. It does not matter how beautiful whatever we have here on earth. It is coming down, I am sorry but that is the reality. Let’s get over it and stop pouring our lives only to things that will be leveled down here one of these days. What are you building? People or things? Let’s help build people for God.
I believe in this first segment of Jesus discourse, he was trying to re-orient the people to a different way of thinking and seeing things. In other words, there is no need expecting the real end if we are not thinking right. We must think and see things differently through the eye of the Holy Spirit and Scripture. We are pursing a different kingdom and a different King and not the same as this worldly kingdom and kings. I love this quote of C.S Lewis that is often used by one of my friends. “If there is a heaven, then nothing else matters. If there is no heaven, then nothing matters”. Is this your thinking? May God help us refocus and think, and act heavenly. Let’s love as Jesus loved - unconditionally. Give someone a gift of forgiveness this Valentine. Amen.
Happy Valentine !
Is the world coming to an end? We hear a lot of statements such as “Oh the world is coming to an end.” Most often we hear and say such when something treble have just happened such as the big earths of China or the tsunami of Asia or even now the world economic melt-down. Yes, the world will come to an end but when?
Let’s hear Jesus speak on this issue in Luke 21. We will look at this segment of Luke in two settings because there were two different end times Jesus was speaking about.
Luke 21: 5-24:
5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.
20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Jesus is answering a direct question of the disciples. In giving his answers, Jesus used the opportunity to tell them about the real end of all things. Please read the entire account of Jesus’ discourse in Luke 21: 5-38 so as to put it in context. Similar accounts are recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.
2. Note that the original question is not “When will the world come to an end”. Rather it was specific to “When would the temple and its adornment be leveled to the ground as Jesus was predicting to the inquirers who were admiring and almost worshipping the temple itself”. To really understand this chapter, we must separate the two events, namely the destruction /end of Jerusalem/the temple and the end of the whole world. We will focus on the end of the whole world (the return of Jesus) next week.
3. It is suggested from the interaction that Jesus and the inquirers were not on the same page. The inquirers were looking for a kingdom here and mistakenly thought that it was what Jesus is after, hence they are complementing the temple which they were hoping Jesus will take over. Remember that Jesus had previously cleansed the temple of those who were selling, willing and dealing in the temple. We are often not on the same page with Jesus. We are so much earthily focused just like people of that time. The people wanted something that will last forever here. Jesus on the on the hand is saying no, no and no. “You don’t get it”. “My kingdom is not of this world” . John 18:36.
4. Note the first warning of Jesus. “Watch out that you are not deceived”. The deception will come from people who claim they are Jesus themselves and those who are predicting the times too. But I believe the greatest deception will come from individuals themselves when one thinks that this world and earth will last forever. Jesus already saw this deception in the people who were admiring the physical temple instead of being the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must be heavenly minded while being of earthly good to our neighbors. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, and not on things on earth”. Colossians 3:1-2. Jesus defines our world view. What is your world view? Earthly or heavenly? Where is your mind set?
5. The end of Jerusalem and the Temple happened as Jesus had predicted. History tells us that in A.D 70, Jerusalem was leveled to the ground including the temple. It does not matter how beautiful whatever we have here on earth. It is coming down, I am sorry but that is the reality. Let’s get over it and stop pouring our lives only to things that will be leveled down here one of these days. What are you building? People or things? Let’s help build people for God.
I believe in this first segment of Jesus discourse, he was trying to re-orient the people to a different way of thinking and seeing things. In other words, there is no need expecting the real end if we are not thinking right. We must think and see things differently through the eye of the Holy Spirit and Scripture. We are pursing a different kingdom and a different King and not the same as this worldly kingdom and kings. I love this quote of C.S Lewis that is often used by one of my friends. “If there is a heaven, then nothing else matters. If there is no heaven, then nothing matters”. Is this your thinking? May God help us refocus and think, and act heavenly. Let’s love as Jesus loved - unconditionally. Give someone a gift of forgiveness this Valentine. Amen.
Happy Valentine !
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