Monday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 21:5-19
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”
8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
Commentary:
21:5–6 Jesus Foretells the Destruction of the Temple. Jesus corrects a number of misconceptions regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world. how it was adorned. The beauty and size of Herod the Great’s Temple Mount exceeded that of most of the seven wonders of the world. It was more than twice the size of the Acropolis in Athens. Its perimeter was 0.96 miles (1.55 km) and enclosed a space equivalent to one-sixth of the entire city. noble stones. One of the stones of the temple complex still remaining measures 45 × 11.5 × 12 feet (13.7 × 3.2 × 4 m) and is estimated to weigh 570 tons. offerings. Tapestries, gold and bronze doors, golden grape clusters, etc. The days will come refers not to the second coming but to a time in history before that (cf. 5:35; 17:22; 19:43; 23:29). not … one stone upon another.
21:7–9 Signs before the Destruction. when will these things be, and what will be the sign …? …? See notes on Matt. 24:3 and Mark 13:4–37. For many introduces what the disciples should not be led astray by. in my name. People claiming the title “Messiah.” These imposters will say I am he, i.e., “I am the Messiah,” and therefore the time is at hand! (cf. Dan. 7:22; Rev. 1:3; 22:10). Do not go after them, for these pretenders are not Christ himself (cf. Luke 17:23). when you hear of wars and tumults.
21:10–19 Nation Will Rise against Nation. Jesus warns of calamities caused by nature and by humanity (vv. 10–11) and of persecution from government (vv. 12–15) and family (vv. 16–17). He also offers words of encouragement (vv. 13, 14–15, 18–19).
21:12 before all this. Before the events of vv. 6–11.
21:13 opportunity to bear witness. Cf. 24:48; Acts 1:8.
21:14 not to meditate beforehand how to answer. Cf. 12:11–12.
21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents intensifies 12:53; 14:26; 18:29. Some of you suggests that martyrdom will be the exception.
21:18 In light of the prediction that some disciples will be “put to death” (v. 16), it is best to take not a hair of your head will perish as a metaphorical way of saying that God’s people will suffer no eternal spiritual harm.
21:19 Through endurance (Gk. hypomonē, “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, patience”) believers will gain their lives (that is, will be enabled to partake of the full benefits of final salvation in the end times; see 9:24).
21:7–9 Signs before the Destruction. when will these things be, and what will be the sign …? …? See notes on Matt. 24:3 and Mark 13:4–37. For many introduces what the disciples should not be led astray by. in my name. People claiming the title “Messiah.” These imposters will say I am he, i.e., “I am the Messiah,” and therefore the time is at hand! (cf. Dan. 7:22; Rev. 1:3; 22:10). Do not go after them, for these pretenders are not Christ himself (cf. Luke 17:23). when you hear of wars and tumults.
21:10–19 Nation Will Rise against Nation. Jesus warns of calamities caused by nature and by humanity (vv. 10–11) and of persecution from government (vv. 12–15) and family (vv. 16–17). He also offers words of encouragement (vv. 13, 14–15, 18–19).
21:12 before all this. Before the events of vv. 6–11.
21:13 opportunity to bear witness. Cf. 24:48; Acts 1:8.
21:14 not to meditate beforehand how to answer. Cf. 12:11–12.
21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents intensifies 12:53; 14:26; 18:29. Some of you suggests that martyrdom will be the exception.
21:18 In light of the prediction that some disciples will be “put to death” (v. 16), it is best to take not a hair of your head will perish as a metaphorical way of saying that God’s people will suffer no eternal spiritual harm.
21:19 Through endurance (Gk. hypomonē, “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, patience”) believers will gain their lives (that is, will be enabled to partake of the full benefits of final salvation in the end times; see 9:24).
Questions:
- As believers, we have the promise of Jesus coming back to make things right, once and for all. This weekend we looked at some prophecies from Jesus about the days leading up to His return. We are to be waiting on Him with great anticipation, watching for the signs of His coming. How often do you think about the day Jesus returns? What emotions does it stir up in you?
- Jesus begins by predicting the end of the old age in verse 5. He tells them of the coming destruction of the temple. Then he talks about signs that the end is coming. He speaks of false teachers that will rise up in the last days. He warns us not to listen to them. This means there is right doctrine and wrong doctrine. Jesus warns against easily trusting teachers and prophets. In fact, He seems to be telling us to be skeptical of them. We need to test and discern every teaching we let into our ears. Are you careful about which teachers/preachers/churches you follow? Do you think very often about making sure the teaching you are hearing is sound and biblical? Or are you more likely to trust anything you hear that comes from a preacher?
Pray:
- That you would look forward to His return.
- That you would test every teach you hear and beware of false teachers.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
No Comments