Understanding Jesus' Prophecy: Judgment and Vigilance

 

Summary

In our study of the Gospel according to St. Luke, we delve into the profound and challenging prophecy found in chapter 21, verses 25 through 38. This passage speaks of cosmic signs and earthly distress, culminating in the coming of the Son of Man with power and glory. Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate the nearness of God's kingdom, urging us to remain vigilant and prayerful, lest we be caught unprepared. The prophecy is astonishing for its content and the precision with which it was fulfilled, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people, events that seemed unimaginable to the original hearers.

Despite the fulfillment of these predictions, skeptics like Bertrand Russell have used this text to challenge the reliability of Jesus' words, particularly His prediction of His return within that generation. This skepticism arises from a misunderstanding of the prophecy's timeframe. Jesus' reference to "this generation" has been interpreted in various ways, but it primarily refers to the contemporaries of Jesus who witnessed the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This was a time of judgment upon Israel, marking the end of the Jewish age and the beginning of the age of the Gentiles.

The prophecy's vivid imagery of astronomical disturbances is consistent with the symbolic language of Old Testament prophecies, which often depicted divine judgment. Jesus' prediction was not about His final return at the end of time but about His coming in judgment upon Israel. The historical account of the Jewish Wars by Josephus corroborates the fulfillment of these prophecies, describing supernatural phenomena witnessed during the siege of Jerusalem.

In light of this, we are called to trust in the certainty of Jesus' words, which will never pass away. His prophecy was fulfilled with remarkable accuracy, affirming His truthfulness and the reliability of Scripture. As we reflect on these events, let us remain vigilant, prayerful, and steadfast in our faith, knowing that God's Word is unchanging and His promises are sure.

Key Takeaways:

- The prophecy in Luke 21 is remarkable for its content and precise fulfillment, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people, events that seemed impossible to the original hearers. This fulfillment affirms the truthfulness of Jesus' words and the reliability of Scripture. [03:24]

- Skeptics have used this prophecy to challenge the reliability of Jesus' words, particularly His prediction of His return within that generation. However, understanding the prophecy's timeframe and context reveals that Jesus was speaking of His coming in judgment upon Israel, not His final return. [06:43]

- The vivid imagery of astronomical disturbances in the prophecy is consistent with the symbolic language of Old Testament prophecies, which often depicted divine judgment. This reinforces the idea that Jesus' prediction was about the judgment upon Israel, not the end of the world. [09:24]

- Jesus' reference to "this generation" primarily refers to His contemporaries who witnessed the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This was a time of judgment upon Israel, marking the end of the Jewish age and the beginning of the age of the Gentiles. [20:01]

- The fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy with remarkable accuracy affirms His truthfulness and the reliability of Scripture. As believers, we are called to trust in the certainty of God's Word, remain vigilant, prayerful, and steadfast in our faith, knowing that His promises are sure. [29:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Signs of the End Times
- [01:06] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
- [01:52] - Jesus' Daily Teachings
- [02:33] - Prayer for Understanding
- [03:24] - Astonishing Prophecy
- [04:13] - Fulfillment with Precision
- [05:08] - Skepticism and Bertrand Russell
- [06:43] - The Problematic Statement
- [07:36] - Astronomical Imagery
- [08:31] - Redemption Drawing Near
- [09:24] - Old Testament Prophetic Language
- [10:17] - The Question of "When"
- [11:43] - The Time Frame Dilemma
- [12:31] - Jesus' Emphatic Pronouncement
- [13:16] - Generation and Time Frame
- [14:18] - Short-Term References
- [15:10] - The Weight of the Problem
- [16:40] - Scholarly Interpretations
- [17:20] - Logic and Inference
- [18:37] - The Significance of Forty Years
- [19:17] - The Kingdom of God in Power
- [20:01] - Meaning of "This Generation"
- [21:52] - Wicked and Perverse Generation
- [22:35] - The Age Group Definition
- [23:24] - The Time Frame Reference
- [24:12] - Jesus' Accurate Prediction
- [25:03] - The Day and Hour Unknown
- [26:25] - Fulfillment in 70 AD
- [27:12] - Jesus' Coming in Judgment
- [27:59] - The Age of the Gentiles
- [28:48] - Josephus' Account
- [29:47] - Certainty of Jesus' Words
- [30:51] - Conclusion and Rejoicing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 21:25-38

Observation Questions:
1. What are the cosmic signs and earthly events described in Luke 21:25-28, and how do they relate to the coming of the Son of Man? [00:25]
2. How does Jesus use the parable of the fig tree in Luke 21:29-31 to illustrate the nearness of God's kingdom? [01:06]
3. What does Jesus warn against in Luke 21:34-36, and what does He encourage His followers to do instead? [01:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people? [03:24]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the timeframe of "this generation" in relation to Jesus' prophecy, and why is this significant for understanding the prophecy's fulfillment? [06:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the vivid imagery of astronomical disturbances is consistent with Old Testament prophetic language? [09:24]
3. How does the sermon address the skepticism of figures like Bertrand Russell regarding the reliability of Jesus' words? [06:00]
4. What is the significance of Jesus' words, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away," in the context of the sermon? [29:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unprepared for a significant event. How can Jesus' call to vigilance and prayer in Luke 21:34-36 inspire you to be more spiritually prepared in your daily life? [01:52]
2. The sermon emphasizes the accuracy and fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. How does this impact your trust in the reliability of Scripture and Jesus' teachings? [03:24]
3. How can understanding the historical context of Jesus' prophecy help you address skepticism or doubts about the Bible's reliability in conversations with others? [06:00]
4. In what ways can you remain vigilant and prayerful in your faith, as encouraged by the sermon, amidst the distractions and challenges of modern life? [01:52]
5. The sermon discusses the symbolic language of prophecy. How can you discern between literal and symbolic interpretations of biblical texts in your personal study? [09:24]
6. How does the sermon challenge you to reflect on the certainty of God's Word and His promises in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your faith in these truths? [29:47]
7. Consider the role of historical events, like the destruction of Jerusalem, in affirming biblical prophecy. How can this understanding strengthen your witness to others about the truth of the Gospel? [27:12]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fulfillment of Prophecy Affirms Scripture's Reliability
The prophecy in Luke 21 is remarkable for its content and precise fulfillment, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people, events that seemed impossible to the original hearers. This fulfillment affirms the truthfulness of Jesus' words and the reliability of Scripture. The events described in this prophecy were not only astonishing in their scope but also in their accuracy, as they unfolded exactly as Jesus had foretold. This serves as a powerful reminder of the divine nature of Jesus' teachings and the trustworthiness of the Bible. [03:24]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: How does the fulfillment of biblical prophecy strengthen your trust in the reliability of Scripture, and how can you apply this trust to your daily life today?


Day 2: Understanding Prophecy's Timeframe Clarifies Jesus' Words
Skeptics have used this prophecy to challenge the reliability of Jesus' words, particularly His prediction of His return within that generation. However, understanding the prophecy's timeframe and context reveals that Jesus was speaking of His coming in judgment upon Israel, not His final return. This distinction is crucial, as it helps clarify the meaning of Jesus' words and dispels misunderstandings that have led to doubt. By examining the historical and cultural context of the prophecy, believers can gain a deeper appreciation for the accuracy and intent of Jesus' teachings. [06:43]

Matthew 24:34-35 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to understand the context of biblical passages more deeply, and how might this impact your faith and interpretation of Scripture?


Day 3: Symbolic Language Depicts Divine Judgment
The vivid imagery of astronomical disturbances in the prophecy is consistent with the symbolic language of Old Testament prophecies, which often depicted divine judgment. This reinforces the idea that Jesus' prediction was about the judgment upon Israel, not the end of the world. Understanding the use of symbolic language in Scripture can help believers discern the intended message and avoid misinterpretations. By recognizing the patterns and themes present in biblical prophecy, we can better grasp the significance of Jesus' words and their implications for our lives. [09:24]

Joel 2:30-31 (ESV): "And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes."

Reflection: How can you become more attuned to the symbolic language in Scripture, and what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of its meaning and significance?


Day 4: The Significance of "This Generation"
Jesus' reference to "this generation" primarily refers to His contemporaries who witnessed the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This was a time of judgment upon Israel, marking the end of the Jewish age and the beginning of the age of the Gentiles. By understanding the historical context of Jesus' words, believers can appreciate the significance of this transition and its impact on the spread of the Gospel. This awareness can inspire us to reflect on the unfolding of God's plan throughout history and our role in it today. [20:01]

Romans 11:25 (ESV): "Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

Reflection: How does understanding the historical context of Jesus' words about "this generation" influence your perspective on the unfolding of God's plan, and how can you actively participate in it today?


Day 5: Trust in the Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy with remarkable accuracy affirms His truthfulness and the reliability of Scripture. As believers, we are called to trust in the certainty of God's Word, remain vigilant, prayerful, and steadfast in our faith, knowing that His promises are sure. This trust is not only a foundation for our faith but also a source of strength and guidance in our daily lives. By holding fast to the truth of Scripture, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and hope. [29:47]

Psalm 119:89-90 (ESV): "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you deepen your trust in the certainty of God's Word, and how can this trust influence your actions and decisions today?

Quotes


"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." [00:17:46]

"Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life that the day comes upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all of those things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." [00:74:40]

"The second thing that as I said is so astonishing about this prophecy is the manner in which it was fulfilled with such a degree of accuracy and precision. Jerusalem was destroyed. That sacred temple was turned to ruins and the people of God were disbursed into all of the nations of the world. So, in light of this tremendous precision and fulfillment of these predictions, as I mentioned before, you would think that this would be all it would take to convince any rational person that Jesus spoke the truth in every prophetic utterance He made including those statements about Himself, about His being our Redeemer and the Son of God, so that there would be no intellectual excuse for rejecting the truth claims of Jesus and of the Word of God." [00:263:06]

"Bertrand Russell quoted the passage in his writing of the little book, “Why I Am Not A Christian” in which he was saying that among those things that Jesus predicted in this passage were not only the destruction of Jerusalem, which was a given, not only the destruction of the temple, which certainly had taken place, and not only the dispersion of the Jews, which was also manifest, but included in the content of this prophecy was Jesus' prediction of His own return. And He said that He would return within that generation. And Bertrand Russell looks at that and said this proves that Jesus was wrong. This proves that though He did some good guessing and some extraordinary predictions, nevertheless, in the final analysis His prophecy failed, the Bible failed, and therefore cannot be trusted." [00:353:40]

"Now, when you look at prophecies in the Old Testament in the very genre of the case of predictive prophecy, frequently, you see the language of prophetic utterances cloaked in vivid and intense imagery and symbols, and almost always that imagery and symbolic content that predicts catastrophic events at the hands of God that those images include astronomical shakeups, that the moon will turn to dripping blood or whatever. And so, as I said, the prediction of astronomical perturbations that accompany biblical prophecy is a normal character of the literary genre of such. And here Jesus uses that same traditional type of approach when He describes this calamity that is coming." [00:536:28]

"Now, there are two other occasions where Jesus gives time frame references with respect to future prophecies. Let me read them to you briefly. We look back in Matthew 16 in verse 28, 'Truly,' again emphatic, 'I say to you, there are some standing here,' people, right now, standing right here, 'who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.' Now, I have a concern that so many Christians, and particularly, evangelical Christians (and that is a redundancy because if you are not evangelical you are not a Christian, and if you are a Christian you are evangelical) but in any case so many Christians just don't seem to feel the weight of this problem. They dismiss it out of hand. No wonder the academic skeptics look at us and say, how naïve we seem to be, obscurantist in the extreme, when we just fluff this off as if it were nothing. But here, Jesus said, 'Some of you standing right here right now will not taste of death.' What does that mean? You are not going to die until you see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." [00:858:84]

"Now, if you are talking about a period of time that is going to take place in the next few weeks, how likely it is that Jesus is going to say, 'Some of you are actually going to be able to live to see it'? But if we are thinking about an event that is going to take place forty years after this time, now it makes sense to say in the next forty years there is going to be a significant rate of dying among you, but some will survive, some will live long enough that they won't taste death until all of these things come to pass. Does that make sense when He is using that kind of time frame?" [00:1114:56]

"Now, does that sound like a prophecy for the future of two thousand years? I can guarantee you that the missionary enterprise of the Christian faith reached the borders of Israel very early in the first century. It didn't take the church two thousand years to preach the gospel to every city in Israel. Again, the time frame reference of what Jesus was speaking there in Matthew was clearly within the lifetime of one group of people. Now, if that is not clear, we go back now to the salient passage, 'This generation will not pass away till all of these things come to pass.'" [00:1165:50]

"The normal meaning of the text is an 'age group.' So, in translating the text what it means is this. You asked me when. I will tell you when, sometime in the next forty years because this generation is not going to pass away until all of these things are fulfilled. Alright, so now here is the question. Was Jesus accurate in answering that particular time frame view? Again, in Matthew's Gospel we are told in the Olivet Discourse after Jesus had talked about this generation shall not pass away, then Jesus goes on to say, 'Nobody knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come. Therefore, be vigilant, watch out, read the signs of the times, when you see this, when you see that, and the wars and rumors of wars, and so on. But I can't tell you the day and the hour because nobody knows the day or the hour, not the angels, not even the Son knows the day or the hour.'" [00:1486:14]

"Well, it boils down to this very simply. Either Jesus made a prediction that didn't come to pass and therefore was false or (and so few people ever even are willing to ask the question) maybe, just maybe, it did come to pass, maybe He wasn't wrong about the time frame. Maybe we have made too many assumptions, that when we talk about His coming here in this text we think that what He is referring to is His ultimate final consummate appearance at the end of the age when He brings His kingdom to pass. I don't think He was talking about that. He was talking about the days of vengeance. He was talking about His coming in judgment on the nation of Israel. That was the warning He gave and that was the prediction that was fulfilled in spades with a vengeance on steroids in 70 AD." [00:1608:12]

"In 70 AD Jesus came in judgment. He destroyed the city. He destroyed the temple. He dispersed His people and He came to judge them. And in the meantime, begin the age of the Gentiles where the church was now established, not simply as a Jewish community, but was now expanding to the whole world and would then finally after the age of the Gentiles be finally and fully fulfilled with His return at the end of time. But in the meantime, in between time, He did come and there were astronomical perturbations. The Jewish historian, Josephus, records in his Jewish Wars as an eyewitness and with those who were there when 1.1 million Jews suffered the Holocaust in 70 AD under Titus, that people looked into the sky and they saw, saw with their eyes visibly chariots in the air and they heard with their ears, physically, voices out of the heavens saying, 'We are departing thence,' just as in antiquity when the glory of God visibly left Jerusalem over the West Wall or the East Wall, they saw ichabod, the glory depart, and judgment fell in calamitous terms." [00:1679:82]

"No, the thing that we know that Jesus says here is 'Jerusalem will fall. The temple will be destroyed. The Jews will be dispersed. Calamity upon calamity will occur. People's hearts will fail within themselves. They will be confounded. They will be terrified. They will be perplexed. And heaven and earth may pass away, but My words will not pass away.' He said it. He meant it, and it happened just as He said it would do. Rather than joining the swarms of skeptics that gather around this text, let's throw our corporate hats into the air rejoicing in the full certainty that we know of the words of Jesus that can never fail." [00:1787:10]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?