The End is Coming!

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 21:5.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The End is Coming!”

 

Generally speaking, people are very interested in the future.  We want to know to know the future for our lives personally.  We want to know the future of EBC.  We want to know the future of our country and economy and favorite teams.    

 

We also want to know the future as it relates to the Bible, and that often means specific details.  In Luke 21, Jesus talks about the end of time, and the fact that it is coming. 

 

However, if you are looking for a detailed timeline, you will probably be disappointed in what I have to say because our text is full of apocalyptic language that is highly symbolic and by nature can have multiple meanings.  Some preachers would spend weeks and maybe even months in Luke 21, but because it is hard to be definitive in explaining what Jesus said, I would just be speculating. 

 

The story of Luke 21 is also found in Mark 13 Matthew 24.  It is often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus spoke to His disciples from and around the Mount of Olives. 

 

It is still Tuesday of Passion of Week.  Jesus has spent most the day in the temple teaching the crowds and teaching His disciples.

 

 

1. Expectations of the Future, Luke 21:5-28

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

In verse 5, Jesus and His disciples were admiring the temple because of the beautiful stones and donations or gold sculptures.  It seems that Jesus responded to one of them with verse 6. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

The temple was not finished at this time.  Its construction began in 20 BC by Herod the Great.  It wasn’t finished until about 64 AD.  This conversation between Jesus and His disciples took place around 30 AD.  Therefore, even though it wasn’t finished, construction had been going on for 50 years.

 

Jesus’ response was prophetic in nature.  He predicted that the temple where they were currently standing would be destroyed. 

 

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

 

Did that happen? Certainly, it happened approximately 40 years later as the Romans burned the temple and destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.  However, this first prophecy would simply be a foreshadowing of the temple destroyed again during the great tribulation.

 

This temple’s destruction is just one of seven signs of the times or expectation for the future.  Again, the first that Jesus mentioned is the destruction of the temple, but He wasn’t necessarily speaking in chronological order.

 

In verse 7, Jesus was asked to explain more about these signs, and so He did. 

 

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”

 

Remember, He has already named one…the destruction of the temple that would happen in the Great Tribulation. 

 

1. Temple’s Destruction (21:6)
2. False Messiahs (21:8) - Many will come in Jesus’ name claiming to be the Savior, and they will convince many to follow them instead of Jesus.
3. National Warfare (21:9-10) - There will be wars and commotions. Jesus said these things must happen, but the end won’t be immediate. 
4. Natural Disasters (21:11) - There will be natural disasters including earthquakes and famines and pestilences.
5. Christian Persecution (21:12-15) - There will be physical persecution for being a known follower of Christ, and your persecution will be a witness to those who are persecuting you. Be encouraged that when you stand for Christ, the HS will never leave you or forsake you and give you the words to say in that very moment.  Also, in order for this to happen, the issue of Jesus being your Lord and Savior must be a settled issue in your heart and mind. 
6. Family Division (21:16-19) - There will be divisions and strife within families over following Christ, and even family putting family members to death over Jesus should not surprise us.

 

Verses 18-19 give us some good news in otherwise words of despair. No hair of our head shall be lost.

 

18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

 

We are promised what certainly is spiritual security because of our relationship with Christ.  However, if these signs are happening during the Great Tribulation, Jesus could be speaking about physical security as there will some Christians in the Tribulation period who are alive when Jesus returns.

 

Beginning in verse 20, Jesus comes back to events in Jerusalem and destruction. Jesus warned the Christ-followers to run and hide.  This time will be the worst time ever for Christians.

 

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

 

Luke calls this the times of the Gentiles in verse 24, and it is unique with him.  It seems to refer to the time that Gentiles will dominate Israel and Jerusalem.

 

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

 

In verse 25, Jesus began describing the 7^th sign.  It is the Second Coming of Christ.

 

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

There will be signs in the heavens.  There will signs on earth.  There will be signs in the oceans, and it will be extraordinary. 

 

In verse 27-28, then those alive will see Jesus returning on clouds.  When those who are alive see this, salvation has come.

 

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

 

End of the Age Timeline

Now, I want to back track just a little and give you what I believe will be the big events of the end of the age.  Not all of these are mentioned here, but I believe all of these are biblical.

 

First, since coming of the Holy Spirit, we have been living in the church age.  This has been true for 2,000 years. 

 

I believe the next big event will be the rapture of the church.  It will be sudden and without warning and could happen today.  That is the taking of all born-again Christians to be immediately with the Lord and for eternity. 

 

The next big event is the tribulation period.  I believe the book of Daniel describes it as two 3.5 year periods.  The second 3.5 years is the Great Tribulation. 

 

At the end of the two 3.5 year periods, I believe Jesus will return as described in 21:27.  His second coming will kick off His 1,000 earthly reign.  After it, eternity will begin. 

 

 

2. The Illustration from the Fig Tree, Luke 21:29-33

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Part of Jesus’ explanation about the end coming is a parable about the fig tree.  Even though many have tried to make this more complicated than necessary, this is actually a very easy parable to read, understand, and apply. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and fig trees were very common in the first century.  Jesus’ audience would have been familiar with fig trees and their growth patterns. 

 

When the branches put forth leaves, summer was near.  That is easy.  Fig trees bloomed at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.  Their bloom was the sign that summer was near.

 

According to verse 31, these things will be the signs that the Second Coming Christ is near. 

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

 

What were “these things?”  The things that Jesus was speaking of began back in verse 6. 

 

All of these things are scripted by the hand of God and recorded in the Scriptures.  It will follow a predetermined script, and in verse 33, Jesus said, you can count on this script or prediction or prophecy coming true. 

 

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

Before we finish today’s text, let’s look at verse 32 for a moment.  What generation is Jesus speaking about here?  He said that this generation would not pass away until all these things take place. 

 

32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

 

I think this generation can have two meanings.  Remember that this entire conversation started about the temple.  I believe that Jesus was saying that this first generation would not pass until they saw the destruction of the temple.  That happened just 40 years, and Jesus was right.

 

At the same time, I think that Jesus is also talking about the last generation, the generation that sees the beginning of the tribulation period.  Jesus is saying they will also see His second coming. 

 

 

3. A Summation for the Followers of Christ, Luke 21:34-38

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

 

So what do we do?  Be careful. Watch, and pray.

 

First, in verses 34-35, be careful that you aren’t caught off guard.  Don’t be guilty of living like the world and getting surprised. 

 

Second, we are to watch in verse 36.  Watch for the signs.  He didn’t say worry about the signs, but watch.

 

Third, pray.  Pray that you are honoring Christ with all of your life, and pray for the Lord Jesus to come quickly, and pray for those who are lost to recognize their lostness and Jesus as their only hope.

 

In verses 37-38, it seems the end of Tuesday has come.  Next time, we’ll move to Wednesday.

 

37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.