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Luke 21: Here we find the same story told to the disciples in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Here the beautifully adorned temple is marvelled at. Jesus uses this as the opportunity to tell them of the time when the temple will be no more. Jesus tells them not one stone will be left upon another but will be thrown down. Gee what a devastating thing to say to those who were enjoying the glory of that temple. They reply to Jesus with a question. They ask, when will this happen? Secondly they ask what will be the sign that these things are about to take place. They are probably afraid and very concerned. However to understand Jesus reply. We must understand what he is replying to. He in his answer will tell them what signs to look for and also answer when this will be. It is important not to lose sight that Jesus is answering the two questions put to him. This is this discourses context. In vs 8 Jesus warns them not to be deceived by people who claim to be the Christ but are in fact false Christs. They are told not to follow after them. Also the other sign that the temples destruction is near is when they hear rumours of war and commotions. Jesus says this must happen first,but the end will not come immediatly. In Matthew 24 the question to Jesus is about when will the end of the age be?
It becomes clear later that Jesus is referring to the Romans waging war on Israel.In vs10 Jesus says another sign will be nation rising against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom. He talks of earthquakes and famines and pestilences happening. Jesus also mentions fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Please remember Jesus is answering the question of when the temple will be no more, as well as the signs that will happen before it will be no more. I make a plea to stay within context and not to run away into the post temple destruction era, when we read these things. Notice in vs 12 it is clear that this is still the context that Jesus is speaking in for vs12 Jesus tells them but before all these things ie the destruction of the temple, they will lay there hands on you and persecute you and deliver you up to the synagogues and prisons. They will be brought even before Kings and rulers for Jesus name sake. However when they are brought before these rulers and Kings it will turn out as an occasion for testimony. They will be able to tell rulers the gospel. So then they are exhorted not to worry about what they will say because it will be given to them what to say along with wisdom. When they speak the words of Jesus their adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
All these things of course happened to the early church. We know that Paul appeared before the Roman governor Felix in Acts 24.l Also the beatings, imprisonment and persecution of the church in Jerusalem before AD 70 are well documented in the book of Acts.
However they,ie Jesus followers must be aware that the enemy is also from within, as they will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends who seek to put them to death. The disciples of Jesus will have to endure hatred on account of Jesus. When Jesus says to them not a hair on your head will be lost, he is assuring them that everything will be in the hands of God, even such terrible and harrowing treatment from the enemies of Christ. But Jesus disciples are encouraged to be patient and that by their patience they will possess their souls. This is a doctrine taught throughout the New testament, that Jesus people must persevere to the end in all patience and that by doing so will be confident of salvation.
In vs 20 Jesus brings them right to the time when the temple will be destroyed. Of course Jesus is still answering the question of what the signs are and when it will be that the temple is destroyed. That point of destruction is when they see Jerusalem surrounded by Roman armies, they can know that its desolation is near. In Matthew 24 Jesus relates this event to what the prophet Danielle had spoken of the abomination that causes desolation. Not only will the city of Jerusalem be desolated but the temple in it will also be desolated as Jesus told his disciples. Jesus then warns them that are in Judea, when this happens to flee to the mountains and those in Jerusalem leave if they can and not to try enter into Jerusalem or the region. The reason they are to flee and stay away is so they will not partake of Gods vengeance upon Jerusalem and the region. Jesus says these are the days of vengeance so that all that was written will be fulfilled.Jesus is probably quoting the prophet Daniel as he does in Matthew 24 when he speaks of the abomination that causes desolation. Jesus speaks as the prophet when he speaks of the woes that will befall those who are pregnant and with children in those days. For it will be a time of terrible distress and wrath upon this people and upon the land of Israel. Also it will clearly be a time of war for many Israelites will be cut down by Roman swords. Not only will Israelites be killed, but they will be led away captive out of Israel into the nations. Here we have clear language of Israel suffering the same fate they suffered when they were led away captive into Babylon by the fierce arm of God. Israel will again be exiled, how terrible is their judgement.!!! And so Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles,until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled. The next section of the discourse is still answering the question put to Jesus at the beginning? |
