Luke 21 v 28 “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Remember all these things were being taught daily in the temple. In verse 38 we read that people came early in the morning to hear him in the temple. This was a unique time in the temple’s history. The very one for whom the temple was built, was now standing and instructing the people inside its very own precincts.
Following from yesterday we now turn to the third point of summary;
3. Verses 25 – 28 refers to the second coming of Christ which is presented as a tremendous spectacle.
Now it is important to remember that centuries pass between verse 24 and verse 25. At the end of verse 24 Jesus says “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Some scholars believe that this means that when God is finished with the Gentiles, Israel will be lifted up again. Other scholars believe that the times of the Gentiles will continue until the second coming. Whatever view we hold, it points to the fact that Jesus was concerned about the coming judgement on the city of Jerusalem. God never takes pleasure in the death of the wicked, nor does he derive pleasure in bringing judgement upon people or cities. But these things all indicate the seriousness of rejecting the Son of Man from Heaven. Without Him there is no other Salvation.
All the signs mentioned in verse 25 are frightening. We do not know what they all mean. Probably some are figurative to indicate the utter greatness of the event, but other aspects of this amazing phenomenon may have a literal meaning. We shall just have to wait and see.
In verse 27 we have a picture of the glory of the Son of Man which corresponds exactly with Daniel chapter 7 verses 13 – 14. This glory shows how the Father delights in the Son whom the people rejected. Verse 28 refers to the things described in verses 25 and 26. All the things that fill the minds of people with alarm today, are reminders to all Christians that we are not finally destined for this world, but a new world to come.
When Jesus comes, Christians go home!