Common Sense Commentary: When Jesus said, "... beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod" (Mk.8:15), He was warning us of the evil infusion of religious heresy on the one hand and political heresy on the other. We are now there, in the midst of both, in the ditch of "No Hope", between the two heresies.
"...having no hope, and without God in the world...." Eph.2:12
When the entire world has run off the road of worldly progress, worldly success and fleshly, human pride ... into the toxic, septic ditch of "No Hope", there is yet one good thing left to us. Amidst the swirling, dark ditch of putrid sin's failure, there is just one direction left in which to look ... "Up"! We are at the place in human history, of which Jesus spoke, when He said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Lk.2:28.
I will briefly paraphrase the verses, in that chapter, leading up to Jesus' "heads up" warning to His redeemed. Beginning in Lk.2:7 through 32.
Jesus was forewarning His disciples about the last days when He would return to Earth at His second coming. His disciples asked, "when shall these things be? and what sign will there be ....?" Jesus answered that there would be many false Christs and false, counterfeit, "pseudo-Christian" groups arise; but don't be misled by them. There will be "wars and commotions", conflict between nations and between alliances of nations. There will be increased earthquakes, famines and diseases and strange things happening in the sky. The true Christians remaining will be persecuted both by worldly religions and governments. But, this will be an opportunity for Christians to give testimony, as He gives us words to speak. There will be betrayals of true Christians by parents, siblings, relatives and friends ... even to death. True Christians will be hated by the whole world for Jesus' sake. But you are in God's hands. He will deliver you. At this point, Jesus says, "In your patience possess ye your souls." You who remain will see Jerusalem surrounded by opposing armies ready for Earth's final battle. "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written (prophesied) may be fulfilled." Great wrath falls upon the land until "the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." More signs in the sky, and an affliction of mass heart failures at all these terrifying events. "And then shall (the whole world) see (Jesus) coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Like a budding fig tree is a sign summer is near, "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." Our only option; our only hope; the only one to whom we may look for help, strength, direction and truth.... is UP. Heads UP!! Look UP to our God and our Savior. He is our only hope.
There is no hope, no prayer, no salvation, no deliverance but by and in Jesus Christ. RB
Below are the verses I paraphrased:
Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luke 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luke 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luke 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luke 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment