Signs of the end of the age (2)
Reading: Luke chapter 21 verses 25-38.
Ill:
• Charlie Steinmetz was a dwarf, ugly and deformed,
• But he had one of the greatest minds in the field of electricity that the world has ever known.
• Steinmetz built the great generators for Henry Ford in his first plant in Michigan, USA.
• One day these generators broke down and the plant came to a halt.
• They brought in a variety of engineers, mechanics and helpers;
• But none of them could get the generators going again.
• They were losing money.
• So Henry Ford called Steinmetz.
• The genius came, seem to just putter around for a few hours,
• And then threw the switch that put the great Ford plant back into operation.
• A few days later Henry Ford received a bill from Steinmetz for $10,000.
• Although Ford was a very rich man, he returned the bill with a note,
• ’Charlie, isn’t this bill just a little high for a few hours of tinkering around on those motors?’
• Steinmetz returned the bill to Ford. This time it read:
• ’For tinkering around on the motors: $10. For knowing where to tinker: $9,990.
• Total: $10,000.’
• Henry Ford paid the bill.
As I have looked at these verses in Luke’s gospel:
• I feel I need a spiritual Charlie Steinmetz to help explain them,
• I confess that I am not sure I understand them;
• As I have read various commentators – I am not sure they understand them either!
• Without being bogged down in detail;
• I want to simply divide these verses under two sections.
(1) The return of the Lord (vs 25-28)
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
• Last week in the previous verses of this chapter:
• Jesus foretold the end of Jerusalem and the Temple;
• In this section Jesus moves on to another “end”;
• This time he speaks briefly concerning the “end” of time as we know it!
• For some (verses 25-26 tell us) that “end” will mean judgment,
• For some (verse 28 tells us) that “end” will mean salvation.
Without being bogged down or side-tracked with details or 2nd coming doctrine:
• Ill: Tony Campolo who said concerning the 2nd coming of Christ:
• “I am on the welcoming committee not the planning!”
• I do want to bring to your attention a couple of important truths.
• Notice: Jesus tells us that “The End Time” is inevitable, but unpredictable:
• There are many in our world who ignore or even ridicule;
• The teaching that Jesus Christ is one day going to return to planet earth.
• After all it’s been 2,000 years and he still has not come!
• The apostle Peter answered that accusation in his letter 2 Peter chapter 3.
• He pointed out that God keeps his promises whether we believe in the or not;
• And that God measures time differently to the way that people measure time.
• Ill: “One day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day”
• His delay is not meant to be a trial to the Church;
• Rather is an opportunity for the lost to be saved – his delay is only because of his grace!
So Jesus tells us that “The End Time” is inevitable, but unpredictable:
• It is inevitable - in that it will take place;
• The whole Bible backs that fact up!
Ill:
Biblical prophecy:
• Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent,
• So both Testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ.
• One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references;
• To Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence.
• In the 260 chapters of the New Testament,
• There are 318 references to the second advent of Christ;
• An amazing 1 out of every 30 verses.
• Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event.
• For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent,
• There are 8 which look forward to His second!
If we take this book seriously:
• And I hope we do!
• Then we can be confident, certain that the Lord is coming again!
• Quote: In fact even the very last words of the Bible say:
• “He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”.
So Jesus tells us that “The End Time” is inevitable, but unpredictable:
• It is inevitable - in that it will take place;
• But it is also unpredictable - despite the fact we are given various signs.
• Notice: The “Signs” mentioned in verses 25-26 are:
• Cosmic, agricultural, social, political, family and personal
• These signs have to some degree been present in every age;
• But maybe these verses are talking about an increase in these type of catastrophes.
Ill:
• This week in Portugal we have been watching a lot of CBN & Sky news;
• I have watched stories of global warming – floods etc - we can expect these things!
• I have watched stories on the News about cosmic disasters;
• Meteorites and planets that may well crash into planet earth and destroy it.
These verses in Luke’s gospel inform us:
• Although nature may seem to be out of control at times;
• And the cosmos may not behave like we expect or want it to.
• These abnormalities are only warnings, signs;
• That an even bigger event is one day going to happen;
That event will be the appearing of the Son of Man (verse 27):
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory”
• The “They” must mean “All mankind”;
• There will come a time when no one will be able to deny the presence of God.
• At the moment God’s presence is available only to believers,
• He is real to those who trust in him.
• But the day will come when denial of God will be impossible;
• Because he will be revealed and on that day no-one can deny him.
Notice: 3 things we are told concerning that coming:
(1). HE IS COMING MAJESTICALLY:
• Notice: the expression: “in the clouds”.
• Question: Why the clouds?
• Answer: God often works with "Clouds";
• e.g. At the Exodus and also Mount Sinai; God revealed Himself in clouds,
• e.g. And in the life of Jesus;
• At both His transfiguration and ascension – Clouds were prominent to the event,
• Note: that in verse 25 what we see & perceive as nature out of control,
• By coming on a cloud - Jesus shows to us that he is in control of even nature itself!
(2). HE IS COMING IN POWER:
• At his first coming he came in utter weakness – baby in a manger.
• At his second coming he will come in total supremacy – A conquering king.
• Not only will everyone see him;
• No-one will be powerful enough to resist him!
• Note: For some this appearing (verses 25-26) will mean judgment,
• Note: For some this appearing (verse 28) will mean salvation.
(3). HE IS COMING IN GLORY:
• Question: For you Bible scholars;
• Do these words in verse 27sound familiar?
• Answer: They should; the glorious manner of his appearance corresponds exactly;
• With the prediction found in Daniel chapter 7 verses 13&14.
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Notice: In verse 28 believers are told to stand erect and raise your heads:
• Jesus empowers every believer to take this position:
• Ill: Naughty (guilty) kids look down, innocent (forgiven) kids look up.
• But Jesus empowers every believer to take this position:
• Because verse 28: “Your redemption is at hand”
(2) The responsibility of believers (vs 29-38):
• To help the disciples in their understanding;
• In verses 29-33 Jesus gives an illustration of the fig tree:
• Although Jesus points out the fig tree, note his words “All the trees”;
• Meaning this is a general principle that happens to all trees in nature.
• Just as the budding of the trees indicates that summer is near;
• So the occurring of these signs is an indicator that the Lord’s return is near!
• So the disciples are told to be careful,
• Keep a watchful eye for all signs of life.
In fact - Believers are told to do three things in these verses:
• Verse 34: Be careful.
• Verse 36: Be watchful.
• Verse 36b: Be prayerful.
VERSE 34: BE CAREFUL.
iLL:
• The Great Wall of China is 3,460 kilometres long (in old money that’s 2,149.94 miles);
• And was built over a period of 2,000 years.
• It was built so high that nobody could climb over it,
• And so thick that nobody could break it down.
• Yet during the first 100 years of the walls existence,
• China was invaded three times.
• Not once did the enemy break down the wall or climb over it,
• Each time their enemies bribed the gatekeeper and they just marched on through.
Jesus warns his followers:
• Don’t let your ‘hearts’ be sidetracked with the lifestyle of the world;
• Don’t let the delay of my return lull you into complacency, compromise, comfort
• Or the conceit that you have plenty of time.
• Beware that your way of life is not burdened or dulled by indulgence or intoxication.
VERSE 36: BE WATCHFUL.
• If no one knows the time of the Lord’s return;
• The only really sensible thing to do is to be prepared at all times.
• Ill: Remember the Parable of the Ten Foolish Bridesmaids (Matthew chapter 25)
Quote:
• God’s kingdom is like ten young bridesmaids who took oil lamps;
• And went out to greet the bridegroom.
• Five were silly and five were smart.
• The silly bridesmaids took lamps, but no extra oil.
• The smart bridesmaids took jars of oil to feed their lamps.
• The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him,
• And they all fell asleep.
• In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ’He’s here!
• The bridegroom’s here! Go out and greet him!’
"The ten bridesmaids got up and got their lamps ready.
• The silly bridesmaids said to the smart ones,
• ’Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’
• "They answered, ’There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’
• "They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived.
• When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast,
• The door was locked.
• "Much later, the other bridesmaids, the silly ones,
• Showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ’Master, we’re here. Let us in.’
• "He answered, ’Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’
• "So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
VERSE 36B: BE PRAYERFUL.
• In Luke’s gospel “prayer” means “heightened awareness” of God’s presence.
• We could say ‘conscious contact with God’.
• That awareness itself will strengthen us to be careful and watchful;
• Ill: Recharging of our spiritual batteries.
• Ill: Reloading of our spiritual weapons.
Postscript:
• Luke tells us in verses 37-38:
• How Jesus spent his last few days and nights before his crucifixion;
• He spent his nights on Mount Olive;
• He taught in the temple and many rose early in the morning to hear him.
And finally:
• As we apply this passage to ourselves and our situations;
• We need to take on board those three principles found in verses 34-36;
• Verse 34: Be careful.
• Verse 36: Be watchful.
• Verse 36b: Be prayerful.
We don’t necessarily look for signs, cause we look for the saviour himself;
• And we only break this bread ‘until he come’.
• This is only a shadow, he is the real substance!
