Signs, Luke 21:20-38

This post concerns signs provided by Jesus about the destruction of the temple and the end of Jewish worship.

Signs discusses Jesus’ comments on the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.”

Then, Jesus told the disciples what to do, Luke 21:21-24. “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written …

…and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Early Christian writers report that Christians left Jerusalem before the Romans destroyed it. For hundreds of years thereafter Gentiles controlled the city.

Then, Jesus gave more signs as a prelude to the Son of Man coming in a cloud, Luke 21:25-28. “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves…

…And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place… your redemption is drawing near.”

This type of language appears many times in the O. T. to describe the Lord coming in judgement on a wicked nation: Edom, Egypt, Babylon. In this context, Jesus’ language seems to foretell his coming in judgment on the Jewish nation. He had prophesied earlier that God’s patience had run out. Now, the judgment was coming.

Then, Jesus used their knowledge of a fig tree budding to show that these were early signs of the coming destruction.

Nothing in this chapter applies to the last judgment, because Jesus says, Luke 21:32, that all of what He is describing will take place in their lifetime.

Jesus is clearly in control. He spent each night of this last week outside the city where His enemies could not seize Him.

So, what did we learn?

1.Jesus prophesies that judgment on Jerusalem will occur when the Romans appear.

2.Disciples should leave the city to avoid danger.

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