Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 21:20-28
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Commentary:
21:20 Jerusalem surrounded by armies. The first fulfillment of this was the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, and this destruction may also foreshadow a greater judgment at the end of the age, so that some of what Jesus predicted in vv. 5–24 may also find fulfillment in events that precede Christ’s second coming. Cf. also note on 19:43–44.
21:21 Then (while there is still time) … flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city (should) depart before the Roman siege occurs.
21:22 days of vengeance. “Vengeance” refers to God’s vengeance and judgment, not Rome’s. to fulfill all that is written. Cf. 18:31; 24:44; Acts 13:29.
21:23 women who are pregnant and … nursing. In war, they are the most vulnerable; thus what was normally a blessing would now present a great difficulty.
21:24 the edge of the sword. Cf. Jer. 21:7; Heb. 11:37. Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled may suggest a time when Israel/Jerusalem will repent and be restored to God’s favor (see Rom. 11:11–32).
21:25–38 Jesus Foretells the Coming of the Son of Man. Having warned of the approaching destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (vv. 5–24), Jesus turns now to the more distant future and foretells his second coming.
21:25–28 The Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus turns next to teachings about the consummation of all things and his return. signs in sun and moon and stars. The powers of the heavens will be shaken describes great changes in the skies. they will see. The second coming involves the visible return of the Son of Man from heaven (Acts 1:11; see notes on Matt. 8:20 and 24:30), bringing history to its end. These things … take place refers to Luke 21:25–27. straighten up and raise your heads. A posture of hope and confidence. Redemption refers to the time of Christ’s return, when mortality puts on immortality (1 Cor. 15:53) and the redemption of the body takes place (Rom. 8:23).
21:21 Then (while there is still time) … flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city (should) depart before the Roman siege occurs.
21:22 days of vengeance. “Vengeance” refers to God’s vengeance and judgment, not Rome’s. to fulfill all that is written. Cf. 18:31; 24:44; Acts 13:29.
21:23 women who are pregnant and … nursing. In war, they are the most vulnerable; thus what was normally a blessing would now present a great difficulty.
21:24 the edge of the sword. Cf. Jer. 21:7; Heb. 11:37. Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled may suggest a time when Israel/Jerusalem will repent and be restored to God’s favor (see Rom. 11:11–32).
21:25–38 Jesus Foretells the Coming of the Son of Man. Having warned of the approaching destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (vv. 5–24), Jesus turns now to the more distant future and foretells his second coming.
21:25–28 The Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus turns next to teachings about the consummation of all things and his return. signs in sun and moon and stars. The powers of the heavens will be shaken describes great changes in the skies. they will see. The second coming involves the visible return of the Son of Man from heaven (Acts 1:11; see notes on Matt. 8:20 and 24:30), bringing history to its end. These things … take place refers to Luke 21:25–27. straighten up and raise your heads. A posture of hope and confidence. Redemption refers to the time of Christ’s return, when mortality puts on immortality (1 Cor. 15:53) and the redemption of the body takes place (Rom. 8:23).
Questions:
- The days of suffering Jesus is describing in verse 20 is the wrath of God being poured out on the earth. Jesus tells us plainly that these will be days of God's vengeance. God hates sin, and because He is holy and just, He MUST punish sin, rebellion and evil. God's holiness, justice and wrath are something we don't really like talking about. If we were living our lives looking forward to His coming wrath and punishment of sin and rebellion, how would that affect our day to day lives? Our behavior? Our relationships, especially with those who are far from God?
- Verse 20 is Jesus telling the disciples what WILL happen in the future... in this case in AD 70. The things He said actually came to pass! He then moves on to foretell of His return, which has not happened yet, but will very soon. We can know with certainty that He is coming back, and scripture tells us we don't know the day or the hour. So we are to be ready at all times! How should "being ready" look in your daily life? How do we know if we are ready?
Pray:
- That you would live like you know God will ultimately punish sin and rebellion.
- That you would be ready for His return.
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)
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