Luke 21, a visual study from The Lampstand Project.
Your redemption is drawing near.
The destruction of the temple predicted. Signs of the end. Jerusalem surrounded. The coming of the Son of Man. The fig tree. Watch.
Three movements. The temple, the signs, the fig tree.
Luke 21 is the Olivet Discourse. It is addressed to disciples who have just marveled at the temple. Jesus tells them: not one stone will be left on another. He gives signs for the destruction of Jerusalem, signs for the end of the age, and a command: when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
A chapter in 3 movements.
Tap any numbered marker to read its part
“As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
The temple’s end. Signs. Persecuted witnesses.
Some speak of the temple, how it is adorned with noble stones and offerings. Jesus says: as for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. They ask: teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign?
He says: see that you are not led astray. Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am he’ and ‘the time is at hand.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified. There will be great earthquakes and famines and pestilences, terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. I will give you a mouth and wisdom. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.”
Jerusalem’s fall. The coming of the Son of Man. Lift your heads.
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation has come near. Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. There will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear. For the powers of the heavens 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.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.”
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
The fig tree. Watch. Every morning in the temple.
He tells a parable. Look at the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 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, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 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. Every day he is teaching in the temple, and at night he goes out and lodges on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people come to the temple to hear him.
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
Luke’s version of the Olivet Discourse is distinctively hopeful in its address to disciples. Where Mark emphasizes watching and Matthew emphasizes the final judgment, Luke ends the discourse with this instruction: lift your heads. The signs that terrify the world are signs of liberation for those who know what they mean. The redemption they point to is the same redemption Simeon glimpsed in the temple sixty years before.
The chapter of the signs.
Some speak of the temple — how it is adorned with noble stones and offerings. Jesus says: the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. They ask: when? He says: see that you are not led astray. There will be wars and tumults, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, terrors and great signs from heaven. Before all this, they will persecute you. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know its desolation has come near. There will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people. Jerusalem will be trampled until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then 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 your heads. Your redemption is drawing near.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”Luke 21:33 ESV
All scripture quoted from the English Standard Version (ESV). A study from The Lampstand Project.