Luke 21:5 ¶ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
These country Galileans undoubtedly regarded the magnificent Temple complex with a sense of awe and reverence, marveling especially at the massive size of the stones described by Josephus as "built of stones that were white and strong: and each of their length was twenty-five cubits; their height was eight, and their breadth about twelve." The Herodian Temple Complex covered approximately 1/6 of the old city of Jerusalem.
6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
v 6 About to take place… wouldn’t we all like to know when things are going to happen? What is going to happen just before the temple is destroyed? I want to know just enough ahead of time to get out. Let me know just ahead of when the stock market is going to crash.
8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
v 9 for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.
What things? Here is Christ or there He is…Wars, insurrections
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
Other signs or things that must take place first
12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
v 12 But before all this occurs…
Are we near the end? We hear of wars and insurrections, we hear of earthquakes, famines, plagues. Dreadful portents: portents = 1: something that foreshadows a coming event: OMEN, SIGN. 2: prophetic indication or significance
v 12 But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
Because of the name of Christ: Are we being arrested? Are we being persecuted? Are we being placed into prisons? Are we brought before the authorities?
Last Sunday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Are there people being persecuted because of the name of Christ in the world? Yes!
We might say, see it is happening. But is it happening to us?
Do you want to know what I think? Of course, you do. 😊
I believe that Christianity worldwide will come under this persecution. I believe America will cease to exist as a nation as we know it today. You think it is bad now? It going to get worse.
Matt 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13:8 these are the beginnings of sorrows.
“sorrows” – Greek “odin” (o deen’) a pang or throe, especially of childbirth:--pain, sorrow, travail.
First, “beginning” implies that patterns of war, famine, and earthquakes do have some connection with the end. But they do not necessarily indicate that the end is near. Adding to this concept is the idea of “birth pains,” which begin sometime before an actual birth.
Second, birth is one of the most painful experiences in a woman’s life. Jesus, choice of word picture indicates that, when the end does come, it will be very painful for all of humanity. These sorrows are continually experienced in history. But as is true with the birth process, the pains will increase in frequency and intensity until the actual birth. It will become more painful for all of humanity until Jesus returns in his power and glory.
Third, birth is one of the most joyously fulfilling experiences of a woman’s life, bringing about the emergence of something precious, beautiful, and highly valued. Jesus’ word picture looked beyond God’s judgment to the emergence of the fully realized kingdom with Christ in his glory.
So, what is my response?
13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
We will have an opportunity to witness to our faith in Jesus. How many of us witness now in this environment of non-persecution? In a time of persecution, the real believers will be separated from the non-believers.
v 9 says do not be terrified.
v 13 do not worry about preparing your defense.
I will give you words and wisdom
James 1:5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matt 28:20
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
17 you will be hated by all because of my name
18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
There are some difficult days ahead. I know we think the days are difficult now.
1 Peter 4:12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
But as believers we have hope. We start the advent season here in a couple of weeks. The first candle is the candle of hope.
Another word I like for hope is resiliency. As believers we know that things are better for us in the future. Because of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection we have the hope of living with Him. How we get to that place might be a little uncomfortable.
2 Peter 3:8 ¶ But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
Someone once did some calculating and concluded that a lifespan of 80 years is about 2 hours in length if compared to a thousand years are as one day. I can deal with many things for just a couple of hours. Kind of like waiting at the DMV.
The point is we have hope. If you are not a believer, you do not have hope. There is no future with Christ for you. There is opportunity to change this. Today is the day of salvation.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I think Peter sums it up quite well.
1 Peter 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
May today we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: that we have a hope because of the name of Christ; we can endure until the end because of the name of Christ.
Scripture is from the NRSV.
Scripture is from the NRSV.
