Following the digression over these past five weeks when I gave some attention to Debt, Adultery, the facts surrounding the birth of Jesus, pausing to reflect at New Year and the urgent desperate need for Revival, we return to Luke Chapter 21, where Jesus begins to speak about two things - the destruction of the Temple, and His Coming Again.
His first word regarding what is going to happen is, "Watch out and do not allow yourself to be deceived.
Beware of false Christs and false prophets.
" They do much harm.
They mislead and confuse and upset and cause distress, in all kinds of areas.
These words can excite people, or cause confusion.
Jesus says these things in order that we might be taught and instructed accurately.
Verse 9.
The second word Jesus teaches here is, "Do not be frightened".
Don't become over excited and worked up, and don't become unduly upset.
These things must happen.
This is why is it important to know what is in our Bible.
The disciples wonder if all this will be the end, and Jesus explains that is only the beginning of the end.
There will be wars with increasing frequency, and there will be political upheavals and revolutions.
This will not imply that things are out of control.
God will forever be in control.
What it does mean is that the Bible is true and accurate and reliable.
This world is NOT going to get better.
Jesus said so.
Come to terms with that as early as possible.
And yet, our task and ministry all the time is to be seeking to improve the condition of man, as we seek to minister to people in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 10.
Nation will rise against nation.
The Greek word used is 'ethnos'.
This has happened in an amazing way over these past years.
Ethnic cleansing has now become part of our vocabulary.
We have witnessed this happening in the Balkans, Ireland, Russia and these so-called liberated countries, and in Africa with its tribal or clan conflicts, and so very recently these tragic scenes in Zimbabwe.
I am so glad Jesus taught us.
Do not be deceived, and do not become frightened.
Jesus goes on to explain that there will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places.
There will appear what could be fearful events, and great signs from heaven.
There will be happenings in our world which could very easily make even disciples afraid.
So often Jesus says, "Don't be afraid and fear not".
Understand what He is teaching His disciples, and remember all this is being taught the week before He faces the agony of Calvary's Cross.
It is as if Jesus is seeking to teach His men all they can absorb.
After three years of being with Jesus, and being trained and prepared by Jesus, they are now ready for this salutary teaching.
And there is no point in praying against these matters, because if God says they are going to happen, then they will happen, but we can be prepared and not taken by surprise.
Sandy Shaw
His first word regarding what is going to happen is, "Watch out and do not allow yourself to be deceived.
Beware of false Christs and false prophets.
" They do much harm.
They mislead and confuse and upset and cause distress, in all kinds of areas.
These words can excite people, or cause confusion.
Jesus says these things in order that we might be taught and instructed accurately.
Verse 9.
The second word Jesus teaches here is, "Do not be frightened".
Don't become over excited and worked up, and don't become unduly upset.
These things must happen.
This is why is it important to know what is in our Bible.
The disciples wonder if all this will be the end, and Jesus explains that is only the beginning of the end.
There will be wars with increasing frequency, and there will be political upheavals and revolutions.
This will not imply that things are out of control.
God will forever be in control.
What it does mean is that the Bible is true and accurate and reliable.
This world is NOT going to get better.
Jesus said so.
Come to terms with that as early as possible.
And yet, our task and ministry all the time is to be seeking to improve the condition of man, as we seek to minister to people in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 10.
Nation will rise against nation.
The Greek word used is 'ethnos'.
This has happened in an amazing way over these past years.
Ethnic cleansing has now become part of our vocabulary.
We have witnessed this happening in the Balkans, Ireland, Russia and these so-called liberated countries, and in Africa with its tribal or clan conflicts, and so very recently these tragic scenes in Zimbabwe.
I am so glad Jesus taught us.
Do not be deceived, and do not become frightened.
Jesus goes on to explain that there will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places.
There will appear what could be fearful events, and great signs from heaven.
There will be happenings in our world which could very easily make even disciples afraid.
So often Jesus says, "Don't be afraid and fear not".
Understand what He is teaching His disciples, and remember all this is being taught the week before He faces the agony of Calvary's Cross.
It is as if Jesus is seeking to teach His men all they can absorb.
After three years of being with Jesus, and being trained and prepared by Jesus, they are now ready for this salutary teaching.
And there is no point in praying against these matters, because if God says they are going to happen, then they will happen, but we can be prepared and not taken by surprise.
Sandy Shaw
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