SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:20-28
What Jesus describes here (vv.20-24) actually occurs in AD 70.
Jerusalem will be trampled (it’s history to this day) until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled.
We are in the times of the Gentiles, when the church expands beyond the Jews – all nations make up God’s family.
Jesus doesn’t say when all this will end, but He does say that it will end – like Jerusalem – in an unpleasant way.
“Nations will be in anguish and perplexity”… we’re getting a hint of this now.
I am not one for predictions, but I do believe that things will get worse, not better over time.
We’ve lived in a relatively calm bubble of history, at least in our western experience of it.
We assume things will continue to go one reasonably calm and peacefully… but will they?
Jesus suggests no, and I believe it – not just because Jesus says it.
I believe it because of what I know about history and human nature.
The point of all this is that whenever things look gloomy, or crisis overwhelms us… “stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Stand up, lift up your head, as symbols of hope, refuse to let Satan’s scare you – declare your hope!
All hell can break loose – and the book of Revelation says it will (Revelation 20:3,7-10), but it will not win!
Make this a daily practice, for whatever may come: stand up, lift up your head, and declare: MY REDEMPTION IS NEAR, MY SAVIOUR IS LORD, MY VICTORY IS ASSURED!
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, too often I focus on the bad stuff, and I lose sight of You. Help me to keep my head up, my heart strong, and my crown firmly in place. I will overcome what ever comes, for You are near!