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Continuing our focus of Luke’s Gospel, this week please read Chapter 21 verses 25-38 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 21:25-26 (New International Version – NIV)
‘“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.
Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”’
This particular passage of Scripture along with the parallel account in Matthew 24 has been written about in countless numbers of books. I’m not a serious theologian and I’m sure that far better men than myself have tried to explain the text and have failed to please everyone. It is not my intention to attempt any kind of definitive exposition of these verses but I do want to encourage every reader to study the text for themselves.
In Acts 17:11, Luke mentions that it is a good thing to ‘test’ any teaching that is received, even if it is the Apostle Paul that is doing the teaching! In reference to the Bereans, Luke says that ‘they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.’ I exhort you all to do the same for everything that this particular Paul is writing in these devotions!
My views on the 2nd coming of Christ are pretty mainstream but are not beyond question or difficulty. The same would apply to whichever viewpoint one takes. I believe that there are two distinct events that will take place and every time that Jesus talks about the events, they are not necessarily in complete chronological order nor are they a complete sequence events from start to finish. This is not a cop-out nor is it an attempt to ‘fudge’ anything. It is just a practical explanation and is a reflection of how most of us speak.
Our verses today are particularly focused on one aspect of ‘signs’ that will be evident before His return. There are many other references in Scripture that detail other types of signs, but today I want to highlight just a few.
Jesus says that will be two specific things that will happen: 1: something is going to happen above us, and 2: something will happen below us. In regard to the first point, Jesus says specifically the sun, moon and stars. These days we are more than aware that all of these can be studied in quite significant detail and any changes are noticed. Be on the lookout for news reports that would indicate an impact on the earth. Secondly, because the moon is mentioned, there is a good chance that this will have a huge impact on our oceans and tides. In addition, recent Tsunamis have shown us the power of the waves after earthquakes.
Jesus is warning us that things will get bad and that many will be filled with anxiety and terror. We’ve only just begun to see the potential of what can happen but Jesus has a promise for all who believe: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you.’ He’s coming back and He’s coming back for you!
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