Luke 20:45-47 NIV
While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."
Luke 21:1-3 NIV
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
These particular coins were mites and each was valued at 1/16th of a penny. It was more because it was out of a heart of gratitude. David understood this value before God in 2 Samuel 24. Abraham understood as he purchased the tomb for his wife from a man that was willing to give it freely. God doesn't need gifts out of the "i have to" type of additude. He wants gifts that are cheerfully given. 2 Corinthians 9: 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
There is no gift that is too small for God. If you feel like you don't have enough to give God, your heart is right. Now cheerfully give to God. Be cheerful in giving to the God who saves you.
Luke 21:4-6 NIV
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
History shows us this is true. It took 40(ish) years to complete and was only up for 6 years and was destroyed in 70ad. Jesus was just emphasizing the value of the two mites and his disciples aren't getting it as they say, "hey look over here Jesus. Aren't these stones awesome. They are soo big!?" But Jesus continues to instruct them.
Matthew 24:3 is a parallelled text to the next verse.
Luke 21:7 NIV
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
And then his answer (also recorded in mark and in Matthew). So, when is the end?
Luke 21:8 NIV
He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.
So be careful not to be convinced by a false teacher that the end is here. Instead study your word and get around other believers. read and pray and discern the times by what God says about them.
Luke 21:9 NIV
When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
So these things are going to happen (and for us are currently happening), but don’t be scared because it has to happen before his return. Our response is different than the rest of the world. When the world responds in fear, we know what the Bible says and we can respond in confidence.
Luke 21:10-12 NIV
Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
This still happens today. We count it all joy to be persecuted for the sake of spreading the gospel.
Luke 21:13-15 NIV
And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
This isn't an excuse not to prepare your sermons. This is referring to being verbally attacked and held on trial for your beliefs. During those times, simply trust in the Lord to give the grace of utterance. Let him speak through you during that time and do not fear. God will also give you the grace to deal with death when it comes. Do not fear these things. Both will happen and we respond differently during these times. Our confidence must be so. God is faithful. He is greater than our trials.
Luke 21:16-17 NIV
You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me.
What is more painful? Death? Or being hated by your family because of your choice to live for Christ?
Luke 21:18-19 NIV
But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.
Today while we are free to worship in church without persecution here, there are Christians being tortured and killed all over the world. But no one can take our eternal relationship with God. No one can take our erternity with our Savior. We have to be eternally minded like this.
Luke 21:20-24 NIV
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The second coming of Christ is different than the rapture. The rapture is the church (us-believers) going up. The second coming is Jesus coming down. 2 different events. Read revelation. Revelation 6 lists some of the things being discussed in this next section.
Luke 21:25-31 NIV
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
It is true of our time also, we can see signs of each season changing and thus we know what to expect next.
Luke 21:32-33 NIV
"Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Process that for a moment. Pikes peak has a life span. Your road has a life span. But God's word will last forever. What he is declaring will last for ever. Everything around us will be burnt up but what our savior has said is everlasting. Stop examining those around you and start examining yourself. Are you so concerned with today that you are drowning? Be eternal minded. Be of sober mind. Keep watch so that the second coming of Christ doesn't take us while we are unaware. No surprise while we are obsessing over our rent. No! Be eternally minded and let your heart not be weighed down or focused on these temporary things. Yes, be a good steward of this life, but no, do not let it consume you. Remember your God and his word.
Luke 21:34-36 NIV
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Watch. Don't be caught spiritually asleep. Be in constant fellowship with God. A common nightmare amung Americans "getting caught asleep in a meeting or at work". This life is our spiritual job. Be awake watching and praying. Why? To escapee these things that come to pass. This is one of the things in the Bible that point to a pre tribulation rapture. We are to watch and pray that we may "escape" these things (the tribulation). Now as you read revelation you will find we are definately not in the tribulation yet. The rapture of the church actually could happen at any moment.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Luke 21:37-38 NIV
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Are you ready? Are you watching and praying? Are u ready for the rapture of the church?
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