Isaiah 9-10, Proverbs 20:1-15, Luke 21:20-28, Hebrews 2:10-18 

Luke 21:20-28:

Jesus now once again predicts the future as a concertina—first the near horizon and then the far horizon as the prediction expands.

Verses 20-24 concern the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus’ counsel to “flee” when “you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies” was heeded by many Christian disciples who did indeed run to the mountains and escape the horrors of the sack of Jerusalem. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and God’s wrath against sinful individuals, even his sinning, rebellious city of Jerusalem, can only be quenched by the sacrifice of the Lamb. Let us turn to him this morning and ask him for forgiveness, and to have mercy on ourselves, our city, our country, and our world.

Verses 25-28 concern the return of Jesus. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (21:27). When the earth-shattering events happen foreboding the very end of all things and Jesus’ return, rather than being terrified, those who follow Jesus instead are to “raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” What a glorious day it will be when Jesus returns!

Let us live now with this end in mind, and seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and ever more so as we see the day of his return drawing near. This morning spend time reflecting on the return of Jesus. Because of the controversies in Christian circles around the interpretation of the minutiae of the end times, we spend less time thinking of Jesus’ return than previous generations of Christians. But Jesus will return. And he will come in power and great glory.

Think on it. Think on that day. Prepare yourself for it. Trust in him, and follow him by his Spirit. So that when that day is coming, you can indeed “raise your head” and rejoice!