photo 40Luke 21 verses 29-31. “He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

Jesus is teaching about two events in Luke 21. He is talking about the fall of Jerusalem, and also about his own Second Coming. In our summarising of these events we come to point number 4.

4. In verse 28 the words “these things” refers to the things Jesus referred to in verses 25, 26. Now he illustrates it with the picture of the fig tree. In other words as the disciples note the massive world events taking place, they know that his coming is at the door. Great world shaking events are connoted by the cosmic powers mentioned in verses 25, 26. Each generation of people sees its own upheavals. Even though we cannot tell when Jesus will return, each day we live takes us one day nearer to that great cosmic event.

5. The words in verse 32 probably refer to the nation of Jewish people who will exist when Jesus comes back. And in verse 33 we have a reference to the abiding nature of God’s Word. The world may change and people and nations may come and go, but His word is a foundation on which we can build by faith.

These are amazing things to think about. It is strange we hear so little about the Second Coming of Christ from our pulpits in these days. But the fact remains, He will return and bring our struggling planet with all its history to a halt.

It is true that there are many aspects of His coming that remain a mystery to us. Everybody likes to have everything explained clearly down to the last jot and tittle. However, this is impossible because we just do not know everything, nor can our minds grasp how enormous an event this will be. But we will all be part of it. We will be there.

It is no wonder that in the following verses Jesus tells us to “be careful” (v 34) and “ be always on the watch” (v 34). But how many of us actually live like that in these days?