Day 100

Luke 21:5–19 (NIV)

⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “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.”

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” ⁸ 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. ⁹ When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. ¹² “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ This will result in your being witnesses to them. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ All men will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By standing firm you will gain life.

Helpful Information

‎The setting of Jesus’ great eschatological discourse is the disciples’ expressed admiration for the Second Temple, the religious center of the nation, which Herod the Great refurbished as part of a large national reconstruction Herod built new foundation walls and enlarged the temple area to 400 yards by 500 yards, about twice its original size. The refurbishing started in 19 b c. and continued for over eighty years, not being completed until a.d. 63–64, just a few years before the city and the temple fell. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Is there a danger of worshipping magnificent buildings instead of God? What is the proper way we should look at the buildings we worship in?

What does Jesus want His disciples to focus on and watch out for as they wait for His second coming?

What is God’s promise as the disciples (and us) face persecution for our faith?

Notes

vs 5- The temple was a glorious structure. Nothing in the region compared with its structure and beauty.

vs 6- Don't get caught up in its beauty, it will not last. Do we do the same thing with the beautiful church structures of our day? Jesus' point is it is not the temple that is to be worshiped. It is God.

vs 7- Mark identifies the disciples asking the question (Mark 12:3). Jesus' comment will get the disciples asking about the end of times. (then as today followers want to know about how this age will end and how Jesus' kingdom will be completed)

vs 8- There will always be people saying that the end is here or that they are the Christ. Do not believe them! This is an echo of 17:22-25. It will be clear when Jesus comes back. (see 21:27)

vs 9 -11 this age will have its wars, there will be physical calamity throughout the world. This isn't a sign of the end. --It is a sign for this age to wake up and realize that because of sin all the world, even creation is affected. There is something more than this world, there is another kingdom that lasts. Just as the Jews were too caught up in the beauty of the temple, all the world is caught up in this age. Neither group realizes that this world, just like the temple will be destroyed. (Paul talks of it in Rom 8:18-25)

vs 12- 19 The end is going to be a while (end of vs 9). Also before the fall of the temple believers will be persecuted. Handed over to Jewish leaders and imprisoned (see Acts 8:3) But look at these persecutions as a chance to witness (isn't that what Jesus did?, The example of Stephen Acts 6:15-7:53) You will even have the chance to witness to kings (Paul did so in Acts 26:2-ff)

Don't worry because

· vs 15-God will tell you what to say (repeats 12:11-12)

· adversaries will not be able to destroy your testimony

· vs 18- you will not be harmed (means spiritually because Jesus points out some will be killed (vs16))

· vs 19- you will gain life (9:23-25)

vs 16- repeat of 12:52-53- Shows how harsh the persecution will be. Family and friends will betray you.

Jesus doesn't make following Him seem easy. It will not be! But it is worth it. It is the only way to true life!

Jesus point, the end of the temple will come, so will the end of the age. But for the disciples (and us) the concern should be on what they will face and maintaining their witness of Jesus. Also to not be led astray by false teachings.