The Days Will Come

Lk 21:5-38 is a long passage for a single Sunday school lesson.  The whole passage is prophetic.  The days will come when all o the things Jesus mentioned will come to pass.  So, we’re going to study it like a journalist asks questions.

When – v.6 “the days will come”. v.7. in the future. v.11 when they see fearful sights and great signs from heaven, v.25.  v.20 When Jerusalem is compassed with armies (plural).  v.24 until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (they’re not fulfilled yet, Rom 11:25).

v.31 when ye see these things come to pass know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.   Like the parable of the fig tree v.29-32.

What – “what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass”, v.7.  v.8 many saying, I am Christ.  v.9-11 wars, commotions, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights, and signs from heaven (all of these are in Revelation).  v.23 great distress in this land, and wrath upon this people.  v.24 they shall fall by the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  v.25 signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  v.26 powers of heaven shaken, Rev 12.

v.12 persecution “for my name’s sake”.  v.16 betrayal.  v.16 execution.  v.17 hatred.  v.20 desolation of Jerusalem.

Where – v. 6 “as for these things which ye behold”, principally in Jerusalem. v.20 when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies.  v.21 them which are in Judea.  v.23 great distress in this land.  v.24 Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles.

And “the whole earth”, v.35.  v.10-11 nations, kingdoms, in divers places.  v.12 brought before kings and rulers.  v.24 led away captive into all nations.  v.25 upon the earth distress of nations.  v.26 those things which are coming on the earth.   

Who – v.8, the deceivers, many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (not Jesus Christ).  The persecuted, v.12, 17 “for my name’s sake”. They have the faith and witness of Jesus, Rev 14:12, 20:4.  The betrayers v.16, parents, brethren, kinsfolks, and friends.  The armies v.20, 24.  Zech 14:2 the Genitle nations gathered against Jerusalem.  The fleeing Jews, v.21.  The pregnant and nursing mothers, v.23.  The slaughtered and captive Jews, v.24.  The unaware v.34-35, Rev 6:15-17. The raptured, v.36.

Why – v.22, “all things which are written may be fulfilled”, v.32-33.  v.22 the days of vengeance, Is 61:2, 2 Thes 1:7-9, Zech 14:1-3. The fulness of the Gentiles, v.24, Rom 11:25.  The second coming of Jesus, when you see the Son of man coming in a cloud, v.27, Rev 1:7.  The redemption of Israel, v.28.

Response – v.8, “take heed that ye be not deceived”.  Be not terrified, v.9.  Don’t meditate before answering, v.14, God will give you a mouth and wisdom, v.15.  Patiently possess your souls, v.19, not an hair of your head shall perish, v.18. Them in Judea flee to the mountains, v.21, them in the midst depart, them in the countries don’t enter.  Look up and lift up your heads, v.26, 28.  Take heed to yourselves not to be overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares of this life, v.34.  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, v.36.

Men’s hearts will be failing them for fear, v.26.