Impending Destruction and Future Redemption (Luke 21:5-38)
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Destruction of the Temple (5-6)
Ironically the temple, the place where God met with His people, had become the headquarters for Israel’s rebellion against God and His Messiah, and it will be swept away as the city is overtaken by Gentiles. It not only lacked spiritual worship from the heart, but it also lacked the presence of the Holy Spirit. Outwardly, the temple was beautifully adorned with precious stones and votive gifts, but inwardly it was lifeless, an offense to God and His Messiah.
– Why was the temple in Jerusalem dishonoring to the Lord? Since it is clear that the temple lacked any spiritual worship from the heart, what do you think was the motivation of the Jewish leaders and followers in carrying out temple practices? How does this contrast with the type of worship that Jesus requires?
Destruction of Jerusalem (7-24)
Because the disciples had witnessed the miraculous works of Jesus, they had no doubt as to whether or not what Jesus was saying is true, or whether it would really come to pass. Instead, their only line of questions was “When?” and “What sign?” Jesus answers their question with a series of warnings about false messiahs, fraudulent teachers, wars in the world, and other disturbances. He makes clear that the end does not come immediately when we see these things.
Before the destruction of the temple and before Jerusalem is laid low, the disciples will have an opportunity give testimony of Christ through the suffering under persecution. Their testimony is also revealing of God’s kindness in giving the people of Jerusalem an opportunity to repent. The amazing witness of the early church served as such powerful evidence of the risen Savior, that the inhabitants of Jerusalem should have been convinced of the wrongful execution of their Messiah. However, the nation as a whole continued to reject God and His Christ. Therefore, there could be no complaint when He flattened their city and temple as He had promised.
Jesus assures the disciples that even in the midst of persecution and death, not a hair of their head will perish. In other words, though the disciples would lose much as a result of their service to Christ, their soul would be unharmed (Romans 8:38ff).
– What doe these verses reveal about what it means to be a disciple of Christ? What do they reveal about Christ’s care for His Church? What doe they reveal about Christ’s attitude toward the unrepentant?
The Second Coming (25-33)
Moving away from the specific destruction coming open Jerusalem, Jesus begins to speak of the general characteristics that will mark His bodily return. All of the signs that Jesus draws attention to in these verses have been taking place in each generation since the day that Jesus prophesied about them. However, in the end, when the powers of the heavens are shaken, there will be no mistaking the event. At His return, the terror will be heightened even more than Moses’ on Sinai or the guards at Calvary as all the nations behold Him.
As awful as the second coming will be for the unrepentant, it should not strike the heart of the true believer with even the slightest terror. Rather, it should serve as a reminder of our complete deliverance from sin! Jesus makes clear that the blessings of redemption to be consummated at His return are not just for the fig tree (Jews), but for all trees (Gentiles). Just as the seasons are observable as they come, so also the Kingdom of God is increasingly drawing near. All of these things will happen within this generation, the Gospel Age.
Christ issues the warning to “Be on guard” not to the Pharisees or skeptical Sadducees, but to his own disciples. Even those who had given up everything to follow Christ, the continual warning to “Be on guard” is necessary. The Christian much keep his heart and mind focused on eternal matters and not be preoccupied with the cares of this world. Christ is very keenly aware of how easily the excesses of this life can bring ruin to souls. To avoid these dangers, the Christian is to continually be alert, watching and praying.
– What kinds of thoughts or feelings come to you as you consider Christ’s second coming? What are other Scripture passages that speak of the attitude the Christian should have toward the second coming? What other Scripture passages speak of the attitude the unrepentant person should have toward the second coming?