The disciples asked Jesus what the signs of His return will be. Instead of trying to figure out when it will happen, Jesus challenges us to be ready!
Scripture:
Ezra, chapters 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke, chapter 21
Luke 21:5-19 (CEB):
Some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to God. Jesus said, “As for the things you are admiring, the time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will show that these things are about to happen?”
Jesus said, “Watch out that you aren’t deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, “I’m the one!” and “It’s time!” Don’t follow them. When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately.
Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. Everyone will hate you because of my name. Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives.
Observations: What Are the Signs of Jesus’s Return?
During the week leading up to his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus spent each day in the Temple courts. He taught the people and answered the challenges and questions of the religious leaders. In chapter 21, Luke tells us that some people were talking about the Temple. Matthew 24 indicates that that “his disciples pointed out to him the temple buildings” (Matthew 24:1). What is important, however, is Jesus’s response: not even one stone will be left upon another. That prompted an obvious question: “When will these things happen?” What are the signs of His return?
People have been asking that question – and trying to answer it – ever since. Probably every age has seen people claiming that they figured it out, and they knew when Jesus was coming back. After all, that’s what we’re really talking about: when is Jesus going to return? In Matthew’s account, Jesus tells the disciples plainly: “Nobody knows when that day or hour will come” (Matthew 24:36). In Luke, Jesus simply warns people: Watch out that you aren’t deceived.
Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs
But Jesus does give a list of signs to watch for. Actually, he gives a list of things that must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately. And that, I think, is the part that most people miss when they read these passages. Wars and rebellions are not the sign of the end; instead, Jesus says, “Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately.”
So what signs does Jesus identify?
- People coming in His name, saying, “I’m the one!” and “It’s time!” (verse 8)
- Wars and rebellions (verse 9)
- Nations and kingdoms fighting against each other (verse 10)
- Great earthquakes, wide-scale food shortages and epidemics (verse 11)
- Terrifying sights and great signs in the sky (verse 11)
- Believers arrested because of their faith (verse 12)
- Betrayal by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends (verse 16)
- “Everyone will hate you because of my name” (verse 17)
But here’s the most important thing that Jesus says: “Not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives.”
Application: What Are the Signs?
One of the things that frustrates me is that people take the various passages in Scripture that talk about “the end” and mix and match them to suit their preferred narrative. They highlight certain passages and concepts and minimize others. Too often, they completely ignore Jesus’s statement that nobody knows. Do they think Jesus was wrong? Do they understand better than Jesus did? No, they don’t understand better than Jesus did.
I think any discussion of the Second Coming must account for a few basic facts. First, the signs that Jesus mentions here all will precede his return. These things must happen first, but the end won’t happen immediately. Second, we need to be consistent in the way we interpret these passages. For instance, if we acknowledge that the destruction of Jerusalem that Jesus discusses in Luke 21:21-24 happened in AD 70, we also need to acknowledge that some of the events in Revelation have already occurred. Third, I think we need to stop saying “this could be it!” every time something happens. Of course “this could be it,” but what do we think we’re accomplishing by saying it every time?
Finally, we need to remember what Jesus said: By holding fast, you will gain your lives. This is consistent with what he taught throughout his ministry. “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). It’s not important that we know when He is returning; what’s important is that we’re ready!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for reminding us to focus on being ready rather than trying to figure out when Jesus is returning. Help us not to become so fixated on seeing and interpreting “signs” that we miss opportunities to help others to be ready. Jesus promised that he would “give us words and wisdom”; help us to listen, rather than trying on our own to “figure it out.”
We know that Jesus could return any day – even today. Help us to be ready, and to encourage others to be ready by putting their faith in Him. Amen.
Post comments (0)