As John Venn, pastor of the Clapham Church around the turn of the nineteenth century, preached to his congregation, he described a man whose life was guided by a certain motive. Of this man he declared, “The man who is guided by this motive sets God ever before him as his Supreme Lord, whom he is bound by every obligation readily, constantly, universally, implicitly, supremely, to obey. Whether the commands of God, therefore, be easy or difficult; whether they be agreeable to the maxims and practice of the world or not; whether he shall be despised and ridiculed, hated and persecuted, or esteemed and applauded, for his obedience to them, makes no difference to his conduct.”1
This is no doubt the kind of person all of us would like to be – one whose obedience to God is not affected by whether it is easy or difficult or draws praise or persecution. But what was this guiding motive Venn was talking about? What was this seeming key to consistent and constant obedience in the Christian life that he had discovered? Venn was preaching about a man whose guiding motive was the reality that we will one day stand before God as our judge. He believed (and wanted his congregation to see and feel as well) that if one kept at the forefront of his mind that he would one day stand before God and give an account that it was result in a life of consistent obedience, in whatever circumstances.
Not unlike a multitude of other believers who have come through the centuries of the church, Venn saw a connection between living holy lives now and thinking about what is to come in the end. Therefore, I hope that we see the rich blessing we have today as we turn to look at Luke 21:5-38, a text that deals with instruction and teaching about what is to come. And I pray that our time spent looking at this text this morning will indeed lead us to live a life of consistent and constant holiness. With that said, let’s look at our text this morning.
As Jesus wass spending each day teaching in the temple, Luke tells us that on one particular day individuals were commenting about the beauty of the temple. They were talking about how beautifully adorned it was with noble stones and offerings; it was not unlike any conversation we might have were we to enter a beautiful church building (v. 5). Then Jesus joins the conversation, but he does not jump in so as to say something like, “Yes, and have you noticed how beautifully embroidered the veil is?” Rather he declares, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (v. 6). This highlights the deficiency of simply asking “What would Jesus do?” when you find yourself in particular circumstances. Real estate agents should not follow his particular example here when potential buyers are talking about how beautiful a home is. Jesus’ concern, however, is not simply to make small talk on this day. He wants to teach about what is to come. And his statement sparks interest from the disciples. They ask him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (v. 8).
Now, specifically we might say the disciples’ question is, “Jesus, when will this temple be destroyed?” After all, that is precisely what Jesus has been talking about. However, I believe the disciples’ question is bigger than this. I think they’re asking about the destruction of the temple as well as the end of this age, the final salvation of God’s people. And I think this for a few reasons. First, in a parallel text in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 24:1-3) we find almost the exact same conversation as Jesus tells them that not one stone will be left upon another as the temple will be destroyed, and Matthew records the disciples saying to Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” So, in Matthew’s account they’re asking about the destruction of the temple but also the sign of Christ’s return and the close of the age. Second, as the disciples ask this question they don’t have in their mind the privilege of knowing how history would unfold. They weren’t thinking, “The temple will probably be destroyed around AD 70 and then the Lord will delay his coming for at least another 2000 years or so.” Rather, they probably thought that the destruction of the temple coincided with the triumphant return of the Christ and the close of the age. Finally, when we look at Jesus’ answer, though he does speak of the coming destruction of Jerusalem (specifically in vv. 20-24), he speaks of much more than that, even referring to his return and the close of the age. Even in the verses immediately following their question we read Jesus ending verse 9 saying, “But the end will not be at once.” Clearly he’s not talking merely about the destruction of the temple but the end of this age as well.
Therefore, as we look at his answer and teaching in our text we need to realize that Jesus is telling us much more than just answering the question, “When will the temple in Jerusalem be destroyed?” And this is important as we think through this text. It’s important for us to realize this so that we might understand his answer and instruction to his disciples.
Jesus begins his answer to them starting in verse 8, and he uses verses 8-24 to give them a picture not simply of a few days before the destruction of Jerusalem or the very end but rather he gives them a description of what the days will be like in the entire period from his ascension to his return. He gives us a picture of what the last days (which Peter announced on Pentecost began when the ascension of Christ and pouring out of the Spirit and do not end until Christ’s return) will be like, what will characterize them.
Jesus begins his answer to them with a warning. He warns them against begin led astray. This is no doubt because he knows that with the interval between his ascension and return they will be tempted to doubt their understanding. With great delay they might second-guess themselves and be tempted to fall to deception by some who would come and say, “You’ve missed it. Jesus has returned; I am he” or “Follow me, I have secret knowledge about the return of Christ.” He tells them, “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” (v. 8). In addition, they should not be terrified when they hear of wars and tumults taking place. It would have been easy for them (as it’s easy for us) to hear of some big war going on something and think to ourselves, “This must be the end.” But Jesus tells them not to be terrified of such things because they must take place. These things will fill the entire period between his ascension and return, but “the end will not be at once” (v. 9).
He then goes on to tell them that there will be nations and kingdoms rising up against one another, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and signs and terrors from heaven (perhaps shooting stars, comets, eclipses, etc.). It will feel like we are living in a world of chaos (and indeed it is as the world is groaning and crying out for one like Adam to come and reign again over it), but that kind of activity will simply characterize this entire period.
And we can confirm this, can’t we? Wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and events in the heavens have filled this time, and they fill our day. Such chaotic events are not unique to our times. They’ve happened throughout history and will continue to happen until Christ returns. But ironically people in every generation have been tempted to talk about the war going on, a big earthquake in some part of the world, or a forecasted meteor shower and say, “Man, God is clearly showing us that the end is any day now.” No he isn’t. He’s just showing us that his Son was right; these things will fill this time all the days before his coming.
Then Jesus tells his followers that there is on other activity that will fill this time between his comings, namely, the persecution of Christians. He tells them that they will be persecuted and brought before kings and governors because they follow Christ. But this will be an opportunity to witness. So he exhorts us, not to settle on exactly what we’ll say in that moment but exactly the opposite. He tells his disciples to settle it in their minds not to meditate on how to answer. They need not worry about that. They simply need to faithfully obey Christ, and in those moments of persecution where they must give an answer to kings or governors, Christ will give them the perfect words to say that will not be overcome by their adversaries (vv. 12-16).
But as exciting and encouraging as this sounds, he points them to the reality of persecution. They will be handed over by parents, siblings, relatives, and friends, and some will put them to death. They will be hated because of their allegiance to Jesus, but in the end, as they hold fast to Christ, they will not eternally perish but will gain eternal life (vv. 17-19).
And we need to know that this too is taking place. In much of the world people are being killed for their allegiance to Christ. Many are being delivered by their own family members to be killed. I told you recently that my brother-in-law’s dad (Ray) recently professed faith in Christ. He is in the hospital, dying of cancer, and it appears he has genuinely placed his faith in Christ. And it’s costing him. Most of his family despises him for it. Even his own wife is angry with him. I’ve watched my dad cry when he tells me that the last time he talked to his own dad was on a Father’s Day. He gave him a call, hurriedly wished him happy Father’s Day, and hung up. He had no idea that his dad would have a heart attack and die before he’d be able to talk to him again. I’ve listened to my dad’s pain as he talks about that. And yet in this situation with Ray, his children know he could die any moment, so how did they celebrate Father’s Day. They ignored their dad and went to the lake. But Jesus told us to expect this. This type of persecution (and worse) will fill this period before he comes. We need to expect it. And we need to endure it, knowing that if we endure in our confession of Chris now, we will gain eternal life.
But then Jesus talks about one particular event that will take place before his comes – the destruction of Jerusalem. He tells his disciples that when they see the armies surround Jerusalem they need to flee, knowing its destruction has come. They need to flee from the city if they are in it, and if they are outside of it they should not enter it. Those will be terrible days. People in the city will fall by the sword and the survivors be taken captive. Those who are nursing and who are pregnant will have terrible difficulty, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot until those who destroy it will be judged themselves (I think this is what is meant by “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (v. 24).
Sure enough, starting in AD 66, the Romans began an attempt to siege and conquer the city. It was a horrendous site. The Romans surrounded the city and cut off Jerusalem from anything coming into the city. They would let individuals come into the city who wanted to enter during times such as Passover, but they would not let them out. They thought this would aid in allowing the food, water, and other life necessities to be consumed more quickly. And they were right. People starved and died. Mothers were reported to have boiled their own infants and eaten them. Then the Romans fully attacked and destroyed the city, killing or capturing everyone. They even ran down and killed or captured the few that had seemingly escaped.
But history also tells us that when the Christians saw the armies coming to surround the city they fled and did not re-enter it. They understood and told others to obey everything that he had commanded them. And we need to heed that same warning. Jesus has told us what life will be like until he comes. Earthquakes, famines, pestilences, wars, and persecution will fill this time. But we are to remain faithful in obeying his every command and holding fast to our confession of him, not being terrified by the things taking place in this seemingly chaotic world, and if we do, then we will gain eternal life.
Jesus doesn’t stop there, however, he speaks of his triumph to come. In verses 25-28 Jesus tells his disciples about his glorious return.
Jesus makes clear that the disciples do not need to worry about somehow missing his return, for the whole world will not be able to deny it. In verses 25-28 we see “the end” Jesus spoke of earlier in verse 9 – the consummation of his kingdom. It is a frightening and awesome picture. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The seas and the waves will roar. And every nation will instantly be gripped with distress. People will faint with fear of what is coming in the world. The powers of heaven will be shaken. This entire world will violently scream to us through these actions, “The Son of Man is coming.” And then we will see Jesus coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
It is a terrifying picture. Images in movies cannot come close to this violent reaction of creation at the Lord’s return. This image used to terrify me when I was younger. It made me want to tremble with fear as I thought of this scene. And for part of my life this was a good thing, for this is the coming judgment for unbelievers. It might seem like Jesus is waiting forever, but he will return gloriously and judge his enemies. This is why we plead for those who do not know Christ to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ. You have no hope if you one day stand before this King still in your sins. This is why you must bow the knee to him now that you might belong to him. For as frightening as this picture is, Jesus tells us that if we are alive when he returns, we can look up at this scene when people are fainting and gripped with fear and know that this is our hope. He says, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (v. 28). On that great and terrible day we can know that the days of battling sin and death will be gone, and we will reign with that great King forever.
How do you stand strong and live life well in a world filled with such violence and turmoil, wars and earthquakes, and violent persecution taking place until this day when Christ comes?
Jesus tells them to look at the fig tree (and all the trees for that matter). He points out that as soon as they start having leaves come out on them we know what is happening. We don’t all stand dumbfounded in the spring and wonder aloud, “What’s going on? Why is everything getting green?” We know that summer is coming. Jesus tells his followers, in the same way, when you see these things taking place “you know that the kingdom of God is near” (v. 31). Then he adds, “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place” (v. 32). And isn’t that confusing? Jesus has just spoken of events and activities that will fill the entire period until he returns, including the destruction of Jerusalem, and then he has told them about his return and now says, “This generation will not pass away until all has taken place.”
What does Jesus mean by “all” here? Do you see the problem? If he means by “all” even his return, then this text doesn’t seem to make sense. The generation that heard him say this passed away and many, many others after them and Jesus has still not returned. So, what can he mean?
First, let me say that by “this generation” I think he means the people hearing his words. Some scholars have done numerous things with “this generation” making it mean anything but “this generation.” I don’t think it can mean anything other than the very generation who were hearing Jesus’ words. So what then can Jesus be saying?
I think what Jesus is saying by “all” when he says, “This generation will not pass away until all has taken place” is all the events that will fill the time leading up to his return but is not including his return. I say that because when Jesus returns triumphantly as we read of in verses 25-28, the kingdom of God will be here fully. It will be present completely. However, Jesus says in verse 31, “So also, when you see these things [i.e., the “all” of verse 32] taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” If he was including his return itself he would have said, then you know the kingdom of God is here, not near.
But this is even clearer in Matthew’s parallel of this statement by Jesus in Matthew 24:32-35. Just as in our text Jesus has just spoken of the Son of Man coming in all his glory, and then he says, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Jesus says here as well in this parallel that “all these things” will take place before this generation passes. However, if you look at verse 33, note his words. He says, “So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates” (Matt. 24:33). Clearly then, “all these things” cannot include his coming, for “all these things” taking place show that he is almost here. So it is the same in Luke 21:29-33.
That is to say, Jesus has told them what the days will look like until he returns, and now he is telling them that this very generation will see all these things taking place (earthquakes, famines, pestilences, persecutions, and the destruction of Jerusalem) before they die. That is, these things will already be full-blown before this generation passes. This meant for them, and means for us, that when we see wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, and all the other chaotic events in this world that shake fear into everyone around us, we can say, “This is exactly what Jesus said would happen. These events serve as reminders to us that his coming is near.”
One thing we can say to the world when they say, “Doesn’t it shake you to your core when you hear of wars, earthquakes, and the killing of Christians in the world?” is “Jesus told us this would happen, and these things remind us that he hasn’t forgotten us, and he is coming. In some sense these things can serve as a comfort to us. They remind us that our King is coming is has not forgotten his promise.
Now, I don’t mean that we should blow up a bunch of balloons and throw a party at the news that there is a famine in Ethiopia, persecution in the Sudan, or earthquakes in our own land that take the lives of hundreds. No; we weep at those things. But in the midst of those tragedies we can know two things: 1) right now just as Jesus told us these things would happen, he also told us he would be equipping believers all over the world who are facing persecution with words that will bear witness to his glory, and 2) Jesus’ promise is certain, and his return is sure.
Jesus told his disciples and us of these things so that we can stand secure on the certainty of his words while we walk through this chaotic world that looks to be in such great turmoil. He wanted these unsettling events to be a constant reminder of the certainty of his words. That’s why he concludes this section saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Even as the rainbow reminds us that he will not flood the world again, all the events that Jesus said would fill the time between his two comings serve as a reminder that Jesus’ words are true as he said these things would happen, and remind us that he is certainly one day returning.
So how then do we live in light of this teaching? How do we respond to what Jesus has said in our text this morning? Jesus tells us in verses 34-36.
First, we need to allow our lives to be shaped by what is to come (vv. 34-35).
Jesus tells his disciples, “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” (vv. 34-35).
Jesus knows that with a great delay until he comes, it will be easy for us to become weighed down with indulging in the things of this world, being drunk, and being consumed with the cares of life. But Jesus says that we need to watch and make sure that doesn’t happen. We must make sure that our life is being lived reflecting values that are shaped by what is to come. That is to say, we live and make decisions based not on thinking this life is all there is but knowing that one day Christ is returning and we will be with him forever.
Second, we must constantly pray for Christ’s strength to escape temptation and endure that we might stand before Christ (v. 36).
Jesus adds, “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” (v. 36). Knowing what this time will consist of, we need to pray consistently for strength to escape the temptation to yield to the fears and loves of this world and from not enduring in our faith. This needs to be our constant prayer as we live in this difficult time. As a church, we must pray this for ourselves and one another.
Then, Luke notes that Jesus continued to teach in the temple every day as all the people were coming to hear him (vv. 37-38). This is a reminder to us that this text we’ve just read (like every other text of Scripture) is what our Lord has taught and commanded. Therefore, if we are his disciples, we must obey all that he’s commanded. May we then come to the table this morning as our proclamation that we have heard and received and will obey his word. May we come declaring that we are indeed his disciples. Amen.