The Return Of Jesus Christ (Luke, Part 10) Series

The Return of Jesus Christ (Luke, Part 10)

Luke 21:5-36

Introduction / Recap

- Last week, we saw Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem

-- This fulfilled God’s prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, “Messiah riding on a colt”

-- It also announced Jesus as the Messiah promised by God

-- Re: He took this position to declare who He was, and the religious hated it

- Big takeaways for us all centered around, “How do we react to Jesus?”

1. How do we respond to His calling?

2. How do we live for Him in everything we do?

3. How are we fulfilling the Great Commission to bring others to Him?

- Today we are going to attempt to tackle one of the toughest (prophetic) chapters

-- It is the chapter that gives us comprehensive insight into the return of Jesus

-- However, it can be one of the most misunderstood passages (i.e., Revelation)

-- We must be careful to hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying (Amen?)

- Read Luke 21:5-36 / Pray

- Critical: We must be careful not to add to or take away from this

-- Attempting to explain these verses must be done with fear and respect

-- But, it must be done truthfully and based on what it says, not what we think

-- Prayerfully, together we can learn about these times, and gain strength in it

-- Why? Because Jesus is (now) preparing us to walk through these times

Point 1 – The signs of the present age

- Jesus teaches on three events, of which disciples thought were simultaneous

-- They are: Jerusalem’s destruction, the Lord’s return, and the world’s end

-- To disciples, they are seen as one continuous event vs. seen in God’s timing

- How? It’s in the phrasing of Jesus’ words:

• Predict the temple’s destruction – even as they admired its majesty (v5-6)

• This prophetic claim led to obvious questions from the disciples (v7)

• And Jesus’ response is for them (us) to not be deceived (press in here) (v8)

- It’s easy to get caught up in the majesty & mystery and lose the main point

-- MAIN: Jesus will return, and He speaks clearly of the signs of His coming

- First will be false messiah’s claiming to be Jesus

• They will claim to be God by proclaiming their own deity

• Will claim that the end has come because they have arrived (bit self-serving)

• But Jesus said: “…do not believe them” (i.e., do not follow them)!

- Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

- Consider: When it is Jesus, we will ALL know it (see this later in v27)

-- There is no reason someone should have to announce they are Jesus

-- THIS is what gets people in trouble … people follow without Godly truth

-- BIG: Jesus does not need to show His ID to get our affirmation or recognition

- Second will be of wars and violence (GR: akatastasias) (v10)

• However, we are not to be frightened (GR: ptoethete); do not be troubled

• War must happen – b/c men’s hearts are gripped in sin; pitted against

• We may think that the end is near b/c we hear of war, but …

• Thankfully, He gives us comforting words to stand on

- John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.” (Who has overcome? Lesson: Life is not about us!)

- Third, He declares that natural catastrophes will occur: (v11)

• Earthquakes and other natural disasters (floods, fires, etc.)

• Famines (seen as world-wide hunger, shortage of resources)

• Pestilence (great disease and plagues of which there is no cure)

• Astronomical happenings (meteors, asteroids, sun darkened, etc.)

- TR: So, one might logically ask … aren’t these things happening now?

-- The obvious answer is yes, but thankfully, Jesus continues to prepare US …

Point 2 – What are the signs prior to the end?

- Jesus is very clear to point us towards four key components to occur:

- First, persecution of the believer (by civil and religious authorities) (v12)

-- Why? “Because we are His followers” – persecuted “because of His name”

- By following Him, we declare that we righteously support:

• Jesus as the standard of true Godliness

• That Jesus represents living a life of godly purity

• And that Jesus brings a message of repentance and self-denial

- (saw this part 5) Luke 9:23-24, “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”