"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-38).
I have to believe Jesus was talking directly to disciples and warning them to be prayerful in the midst of persecution. Certainly our brothers and sisters in the Islamic Countries have no problem living by these warnings, nor did the persecuted church throughout history, or the first generation of believers have a problem interpreting these words in their first of multiple fulfillments. If we we were to just open our mouths at some of our recent policy changes, or about those made in the 70s, I think we will get our fair share of kick-back. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12).
What was the setting in which Jesus gave the warning? Was it in vain that it is there? After all, aren't we going to be exempted from the all this? Just read the words of Jesus at face value. The capstone of watchfulness makes more sense on top its proper foundation...
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, gthe 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, hwhen 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.â€
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 qearthquakes, 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 vthe 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 bnot 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 hnot a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your iendurance you will gain your lives.
(Now that is something, "Some of you they will put to death," v. 16, "but not a hair of your head will perish," v 18. Surely this talks of the regeneration of all things, in the resurrection: "Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt 19:28). And to those who "overcome" in Revelation, who receive individual tokens of intimacy, Chapters 1-3.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But jwhen 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 tthere will be signs in sun and moon uand stars, and on the earth vdistress 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 wthe powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud ywith 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.â€
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
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.
Watch Yourselves
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly jlike a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.â€
I have to believe Jesus was talking directly to disciples and warning them to be prayerful in the midst of persecution. Certainly our brothers and sisters in the Islamic Countries have no problem living by these warnings, nor did the persecuted church throughout history, or the first generation of believers have a problem interpreting these words in their first of multiple fulfillments. If we we were to just open our mouths at some of our recent policy changes, or about those made in the 70s, I think we will get our fair share of kick-back. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12).
What was the setting in which Jesus gave the warning? Was it in vain that it is there? After all, aren't we going to be exempted from the all this? Just read the words of Jesus at face value. The capstone of watchfulness makes more sense on top its proper foundation...
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, gthe 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, hwhen 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.â€
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 qearthquakes, 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 vthe 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 bnot 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 hnot a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your iendurance you will gain your lives.
(Now that is something, "Some of you they will put to death," v. 16, "but not a hair of your head will perish," v 18. Surely this talks of the regeneration of all things, in the resurrection: "Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt 19:28). And to those who "overcome" in Revelation, who receive individual tokens of intimacy, Chapters 1-3.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But jwhen 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 tthere will be signs in sun and moon uand stars, and on the earth vdistress 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 wthe powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud ywith 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.â€
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
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.
Watch Yourselves
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly jlike a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.â€
