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Luke 21:25-36

²⁵ “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, ²⁶ people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

²⁹ And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰ As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

³⁴ “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Imagine that you are in a large, fortified castle that is being attacked. The ground shakes and the walls creak. You hear the shouts of soldiers. Captains holler as they command their troops to band together and be steady. Swords are clashing, arrows whizzing. You feel and hear the deep boom of a battering ram repeatedly pounding the gates as dust and pebbles fall from the massive bricks of stone all around you

Normally, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere near all that calamity, wreckage, and ruin. But imagine that all of this is happening while you are in the dungeon, and the king who is attacking the castle is your father coming to rescue you. So, when those gates fall and his soldiers breach the walls, you will be freed. You might still be scared when the fighting rages near you because the danger is real, but you know that the castle falling is your hope.

That is why Jesus gave us these words. Jesus tells you about the end of this world so that when all these fearful things take place, you know what is happening. The castle of this world is falling, but its fall is your rescue and deliverance.

Too often, we think that this world is all there is because this world is all we know. And when what we know starts to shake and crumble, we get worried when its end appears near.

When we see hurricanes hitting the South and California burning, when we turn on the news or open Facebook and learn about another mass shooting or the continued nuclear saber-rattling of dictators, as we hear about celebrities and politicians being accused of terrible conduct, or as we watch our society decaying because we can’t even talk to each other, we think the world is coming to an end. Well, it is.

It is, but Jesus has told us it would. Jesus said that there would be signs in creation – in the sun, moon, and stars. Jesus said there would be distress in the nations. Jesus said people would be fainting with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world. We are seeing with our own eyes all of this taking place. But remember that we live in the dungeon of the castle of this fallen, sinful world, and Jesus, our Savior, is coming again to rescue and free us.

Remember also that this world is not all that there is. There is more. There is still the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom. That is why Jesus tells us to not be afraid when these things draw near. He says, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

All the troubles of this world are signs that Jesus is coming to rescue us. These signs that bring fear to the world are already near you, and they are only going to get nearer and nearer. And for the world all these signs leave them no other option than to despair.

But for you, Christian, these signs are signs that your deliverance is drawing near, that you are about to be rescued. If the signs still cause you to worry and fear, look to God’s Word because even though heaven and earth pass away, God’s Word will never pass away.

Remember, the Word became flesh for you and for your salvation, full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). God’s Word to you is that He is a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding is steadfast love and faithfulness (Ex. 34:6).

After Adam and Eve fell into sin, they didn’t want to be near each other in their natural, created state, so they covered themselves in leaves. Then, when God showed up, they didn’t want to be near Him either, so they hid. But what did God say? He asked, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9).

It was not God’s wrath that caused Adam and Eve to hide; it was their sin. Their sin had so clouded their minds that they thought their sin had changed who God was. Sadly, we think that too. Of course, God knew where Adam and Eve were. God who created everything in mercy and had given them everything in mercy had come to them In His mercy.

God came to Adam and Eve to give them the promise of the Seed who would crush the serpent’s head. God had come to mercifully point Adam and Eve to Jesus, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:19-20). God came to show them that because of His mercy, He would accept the death of another to cover their sin.

But Adam and Eve thought He was coming to destroy them.

To be sure, sin has changed us. Because of our sin, death entered into the world. Because of our sin, this creation will perish. But God has fixed it because His love and mercy for you endures forever. He has come and paid the price. He has laid down His life for you. And He is coming again for you.

So, the castle of this world crumbles, but your redemption draws near. Though the earth gives way, though the mountains tremble and are moved into the heart of the sea (Ps. 46:2-3), according to His promise you are waiting for the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13).

The end is drawing near. Twilight is falling upon this world of sin. But for you believer, there is a new dawn. “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Mic. 4:2). Jesus, your Redeemer, is near, and He comes to save you so you can be with Him forever and ever.

So, straighten up. Raise your heads. Your redemption is drawing near. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.