Luke 21: Looking towards the end times

• v.1-4 The Widow’s Offering
• v.5-7 Jesus prophesies the Destruction of the Temple
• v.8-24 Preliminary General Signs – the ‘Normal’ precursor to the End Times
• v.25-28 Upheaval of the very last days
• v.29-38 The Fig Tree Example

v.1-4 The Widow’s Offering

v.1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.

v.2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

v.3,4  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

[Note: Jesus is near the Temple offering boxes and he observes a poor widow and how great her giving.]

v.5-7 Jesus prophesies the Destruction of the Temple

v.5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,

v.6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

v.7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

[Note: The disciples comment on the temple and Jesus responds that it won’t last long [destroyed in AD70]. The disciples ask when.]

v.8-24 Preliminary General Signs – the ‘Normal’ precursor to the End Times

v.8-11 ‘Things’ will happen before the end

v.8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

v.9,10 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

v.11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

[Note: False Christs will come, wars will happen, earthquakes etc. will happen.]

v.12-19 When opposition comes, you’ll have to testify to me

v.12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

v.13 And so you will bear testimony to me.

v.14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

v.15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

v.16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.

v.17 Everyone will hate you because of me.

v.18 But not a hair of your head will perish.

v.19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

[Note: persecutions will happen, and you will testify to me, but don’t worry about it for I will enable you to speak in such times. Families will be split against you because of me, and you will find yourselves hated, but nothing of you will be lost, so stay strong and live.]

v.20-24 When the city is under threat, its judgment is coming

v.20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

v.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.

v.22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfilment of all that has been written.

v.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.

v.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.

[Note: When armies come against Jerusalem, you know its present end is near and then will be the time to run, for that will be judgment time for here. It will be hard for all for the Gentiles will overrun you.]

v.25-28 Upheaval of the very last days

v.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.

v.26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

v.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.”

[Note: The sky will be in upheaval and fear will engulf the earth, and then I will come in the sky, seen by all. When you start seeing these signs, get ready.]

v.29-38 The Fig Tree Example

v.29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

v.30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

v.31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

v.32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

v.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

v.34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.

v.35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

v.36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

v.37,38 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

[Note: Learn from the trees: sprouting leaves indicate summer is coming, so when you see these things, know the end is near. Present mankind will see all this; you may expect the world to go but these things will happen. Beware abandoned lives for these things will come upon all and be alert so you can avoid what you can in all this [particularly the destruction of Jerusalem]. So he carried on teaching throughout the week in the temple precincts.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: