Luke 21:20-31 — Scary Signs... :0

READ THIS: Luke 21:20-31

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

25 “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. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

This is part of a whole explanation Jesus has been giving for the past few days of reading, but here He is specifically explaining that there will be clear signs to show when Jerusalem will fall and when Jesus (the Son of Man) will return. 

If you were with us through the Revelation series, this idea that hard, scary things will happen before Jesus returns is familiar, if not, it might feel a little out of place that before Jesus comes there will be so much terror. But, at heart, life without Jesus in any way is filled with that much terror. Some of the things Jesus talks about here are things that we experience today. If all we know is this world, then we live a sad and scary life. With Jesus, we know that He is doing something right now and that there is something magnificent coming after all the scary stuff. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Why do you think so much scary stuff has to happen before Jesus comes back?
 
2. Biblical scholar question - In verses 20-21, do you think that what Jesus is talking about has already happened or has not happened yet? (For more insight on this, check out this blog from a few days ago, especially the commentary in the Try This section)

TRY THIS:

Listen to the song below and think about how it connects to the devo today!

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