Apocalyptic Warnings
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25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who does not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
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8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.
Introduction
The gospel text assigned to be read today is not parables/not wise words/not miracles of JC but Apocalyptic …to do with end times 2nd coming… day of judgement. We find it mostly in Rev & Gospels also Daniel, 2 Thessalonians… it’s sombre stuff
1. Background
2. About being Deceived
3. About Persecution
Let us look at these one at a time
Background
Imagine disciples sitting on Mt Olives looking across Kidron valley at the temple 21:5 and Disciples remarked about the temple 21:5 a remark, wonderful temple glistened white from a great distance. The Marble columns outside were 40’ high. Largest in world > Greek Temple > Buckingham Palace. Began BC but finished AD63.
JC made astonishing statement: there will be a time when not one stone will remain on another. Like saying the pyramids of Egypt will be pulled down stone by stone - laughable. Luke 21:7 they asked, when will these things happen and what will be the sign they are about to take place. They were thinking he was talking about end times.
Jesus gave them more than they bargained for! Jesus describes two ends, (1) End of Temple, (2) End of the World.
An illustration
Imagine standing on the harbour wall at Seahouses, the Farne Islands are in the foreground, Holy Island (Lindisfarne) in the distance.
Binoculars don’t tell you how far they are apart, they just tell you there are land masses and one is in the foreground and the other is in the distance.
Jesus’ prophetic look to the future foretells two events but Jesus’ binoculars don’t tell you the distance in time between them. Hindsight says 1st event AD70, 2nd event is still to come 2000 years and still waiting. The 2nd is also prophesied in Isaiah 65:17-20 & 25. The passage begins by prophesying about the new heavens and new earth and Jerusalem during 1000 year peaceful, global reign of Christ on the earth. Notice this in verse 18–20 “For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (v25) The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” This is the 2nd peak in the distance, the end times JC speaks of in Luke 21. The end of the temple is in the foreground.
But was he saying? Even tho there are 2 end events and a gap of time between them This and That are both There are 3 warnings to be heeded 1st for the city of Jerusalem and 2nd for the end of the world - Luke 21 is a warning for us today and Jews and Christians in 1st Century believers.
Two Warnings. About being Deceived. About Persecution.
Warning about being deceived
Christians as not to be drawn off course by apocalyptic interpretations of Global events (v8-11) even date setting, many of these events are common to every age. They are signs that we are in an end-times era but Gospel must be preached in all nations.
Warning to hold to the truth, 21:8 watch out that you are not deceived.. false prophets will come… 21:9 ‘in JC name. JC is telling this so that we will not to be fooled. Before the 1st End (temple) and 2nd end times there will be a plethora of people saying I am the Messiah (yes it did happen before AD70) – Some of them even crucified. It will happen again before the end times. Some already – Sun Moon, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Prosperity Gospel (Copeland/BennyHinn). How will we know it’s really JC? Luke 21:27 ‘We will see JC in Cloud with power and great glory.’ Every Christian will see (caught up 1 Thes 4:17), so if you see a poster in Scarboro saying the Messiah will be there, don’t go, its not him. We must not be deceived...
Warning about persecution
There will be hardships of hostility and personal betrayal without giving up (Luke 21:12-17) 21:9, ‘do not be frightened for these things must first take place. Wars and insurrections (yes before AD70) v11 Earthquakes, famines…
4 types of persecution:
a] Religious v12
b]Political persecution v12
c] Domestic v16
d] universal (hated by society) v17 In other words, we will be ‘got at’ from all sides.
There was much persecution at end of the first Century. Christians were required to declare ‘Caesar is Lord’ – there was brutal terrorism, crucifixions, impaled on stake (alive), tarred & Lit - Roman Candles. Some were thrown to Lions in the Colosseum.
21:13 and you will bear testimony to me.’ How did they face these challenges?
JC promise to be with them 21:14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. This speaks of refuge… ever-present help. Ps 46:1 - KB I am with you always What was it that gave them such courage? The word of JC from Luke 21, Matt 24, Mark 13 saying you will see the Son of Man coming in Cloud with power and great glory (21:27). When you see these things begin to take place (21:28) stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near. Brutal persecution? Redemption!!
Christians were forewarned and trusted Jesus words to flee from Jerusalem. The Jewish response to the desolation was to flee to Jeru, believing it was a refuge. Jeru was surrounded 1.1 million Jews died by sword or starvation. Masada AD73. 97000 Taken into Slavery. Earthquake Phrgia AD61, Volcano Vesuvious (Italy) AD63 Famine 50’s and 60’s. Following the death of Nero there were 4 emperors in one year AD69 and a war in Parthia and Palestine No recorded loss of Christian life, written in Flight to Pella (across Jordan) Eusebius
The words they received from JC enabled them to face their troubles.
If you’ve come here this morning with problems, fears, stress, illness – I don’t want to play down your predicament but if these words of Jesus from Luke 21:19 was sufficient for the early Christians to ‘Stand firm and you will win life.’ 21:28 ‘Stand up and lift up their heads…your redemption is drawing near.’ His word is sufficient for you and I this morning. What excuse have we if they were strengthened by Jesus’ words? V17 you will be hated because of my name, v19 By your endurance you will gain your souls, v27 You will see the son of man coming in clouds with power and great glory, v 28 Stand up, lift up your heads because your redemption is near. 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
If you know JC personally (Heb 12v2) and are ‘looking unto him who for the joy set before him endured the cross’ and sits at the Rt hand of the throne of God you can face anything – Coliseum, lions, troubles anything! Most of the disciples went thro persecution before End 1 (Temple). Christians will face troubles (Jn 16:33). Forewarned is forearmed.
Finally, a word about witnessing v13 says troubles will give you an opportunity to testify.
As the Holy Spirit inspires us to cherish and read the Scriptures. Then, in the time of need, he brings biblical truth to mind in an amazing way and gives words to say.
Even in persecution, you will be blessed. Have no fear of perpetrators, nor be troubled, Luke 21v15 Jesus will give you words.
Cover Photo Jason Swain Photography https://jasonswain.co.uk/
