CHAPTER 21
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. Luke 21:1
Jesus was probably in the Court of the Women, an area where men could pass through. In that area there were thirteen collection boxes that were known as Trumpets, because of their shape. Alfred Edersheim says of the trumpets: “It is probably an ironical allusion to the form and name of these treasure-chests that the Lord, making use of the word ‘trumpet,’ describes the conduct of those who, in their almsgiving, sought glory from men as ‘sounding a trumpet’ (Matt. 6:2).” 1
As Jesus sat there, he noticed all the rich people putting in their costly gifts. From what we know of these folks, some were probably waiting for a suitable crowd to gather before they dropped their valuables into the trumpets.
“He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others’” (21:2-3). The Greek word for the small coin is lepton and it was the smallest coin in circulation.2 It had the worth of about 1/100 of a denarius, or it would have amounted to about five minute’s labor for a working man.3
When Jesus saw this tiny offering he was amazed and declared that the little woman had given more than all the other people. Jesus knew that many of the others had given from their abundance but she had given everything she had. Perhaps one of the greedy teachers around the temple had taken everything else the woman possessed.4
Barclay says there are two things about gifts: there is the spirit in which they are given, and there is the sacrifice involved. He says, “Giving does not begin to be real giving until it hurts” 5 After all, it hurt Jesus when he gave his life for us. We think here of that old hymn, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, written by Isaac Watts in 1707:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.6
The beautiful temple stones attracted a lot of attention and praise in those days. However, Meyer says, “…while the stones of the temple have crumbled to dust. Holy deeds are imperishable!” 7 There is no telling how many millions of lives this little woman has influenced over the centuries.
“All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (21:4). God simply does not look at things as we do. He probably does not measure the size of the gift but what we have left after giving it.8 Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 9
Sometimes it is important that we make a really sacrificial gift to the Lord. Years ago, I remember an instance when my wife and I needed God to do some big things for us. We were trusting the Lord for a change in our geographic location and for the sale of our house, but nothing was happening. I remember at that time we were counting heavily upon my wife’s teaching salary to meet many of our monthly bills. We especially needed it for groceries for us and our three children. As I remember, things were very tight at the time. As we pondered the problem, my wife suddenly suggested that we needed to offer her whole month’s salary to God. I shuddered – actually I think I almost fainted – but I knew she was right. We made that awesome sacrifice and later to our delight, we found that the house quickly sold and the move was made. Miraculously, we never missed the money, and neither did we miss a meal.
THE END OF THE AGE
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “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.” Luke 21:5-6
One day the disciples were looking and commenting upon the beautiful stones of the temple. Jesus absolutely shocked them by prophesying that every one of those beautiful stones would be thrown down.
From history we know that the temple built by Herod was strikingly beautiful. King Herod by his construction more than doubled the area of the temple, increasing the size to about 36 acres (150,000 sq. meters). He began work on the massive project in 19 BC and it was finally completed in AD 63, more than eighty years later. After it was finished, it was only seven years until it was destroyed by the Romans.10
The temple was a sight to behold. The historian Josephus describes it:
Now the outward face of the temple in its front wanted nothing that was likely to surprise either men’s minds or the eyes: for it was covered all over with plates of gold of great weight, and, at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a very fiery splendor, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done at the sun’s own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers, when they were at a distance, like a mountain covered with snow; for, as to those parts of it that were not gilt, they were exceeding white. (Josephus, Wars, 5.5.6).
Keener says, “The Jerusalem temple was one of the most splendid structures of all antiquity and seemed strong and invincible.” 11 Not only the disciples, but almost everyone else in Israel felt it unthinkable that the temple could ever be torn down. Unfortunately, it had become an idol to many Jews.
Jesus’ prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple is without a doubt one of the clearest prophecies he ever made. In AD 70 the Roman army broke into the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the city as well as the temple. Guzik says: “Ornate gold detail work in the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone. The destruction was so complete that today there is true difficulty learning exactly where the temple was.” 12
I have mentioned before that every remnant of the temple was thrown down from the temple platform, stone by stone. Today at the southern end of the Western Wall (Kotel) a great pile of original stones still lie where they fell almost two thousand years ago. This pile of stones bears witness to the extreme accuracy of Jesus’ prophecy.
“‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’” (21:7). With this question, the Lord launched into what is called the Olivet Discourse or the Synoptic Apocalypse. This section is found in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 24:4-36; Mk. 15:5-37 and Lk. 21:8-36). For clarity we need to understand that this section has intertwined within it the concept of the Day of the Lord, a day of wrath and desolation (cf. Isa. 13:9; Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph.1:14-18.); the fall of Jerusalem in which over a million Jewish people would be killed; the persecution of the saints of God; and the second coming of Christ.13
In order to understand this section we must understand something about prophetic perspective. I spoke about this in 17:31-32. Let me repeat what I said and add an element to it. Prophecy is a strange thing. Often prophets visualize several related things together as one picture. I live at the edge of the Rocky Mountains and when one is coming from the eastern plains these mountains can be seen at about one hundred miles out (160 km.). From that point, it looks like there is one continuous high mountain stretching hundreds of miles. When one gets closer it is possible to discern many smaller mountains before one gets to the high peaks. Prophecy is a little like that.
Jesus in Luke and the other Synoptic Gospels is viewing the end-time from a great distance. He sees it as one whole. Therefore, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 is treated as a part of the last days. When Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman armies of Titus, it was impossible to escape. The rebels slaughtered anyone who tried from the inside and the Romans slaughtered anyone who made it to the outside. Hundreds of thousands of Jews perished in that siege. However, before that encirclement was complete the Christians fled the city according to the Lord’s words (cf. Matt. 24:14-21).
Now, let me add one element to what I said before. Famous Pike’s Peak sits all alone out in the plains about 60-70 miles (96 – 112 km.) east of the other high snow-capped mountains that make up the spine of Colorado and the Continental Divide. From a distance, it looks like part of the mountain chain. The destruction of Jerusalem is like that in prophecy. Pikes Peak might stand for Jerusalem and its destruction while the rest of the snow-caps might stand for the end of the age (which by the way is closely connected to Jerusalem).
“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’” (21:8). One of the big problems regarding the end of times is deception. The devil has been very busy in this area for centuries and has seriously sidetracked millions of Christians. One great deception is the two-century old idea of a Rapture, or secret coming, where Christians will be taken out of the world before the last day troubles arrive. We need to remember that God’s people throughout history have always been in the midst of trouble. The Bible is plain that it is the wicked who will be plucked out of the earth and not the righteous (Psa. 37:9, 29-31; Prov. 10:25, 29-30; Matt. 13:36-43). This doctrine will likely cause many Christians to miss the glory of the last days. They may miss being victorious against Antichrist and miss reigning on this earth with the Lord (Rev. 5:10).
Jesus is clear that many false prophets will arise and deceive many. There were false prophets in early Christian times. There was Theudas (Acts 5:36), and the Egyptian (Acts 21:38) mentioned in our New Testament. The Jews in later times had a number of false prophets. After AD 130, a Jewish leader by the name of Bar Kochba arose and was proclaimed as messiah by the esteemed Rabbi Akiba.14 Bar Kochba led Israel into the second Jewish revolt against Rome that was mercilessly put down. From that point, Jerusalem was declared a pagan city, with Jews forbidden to enter it. The Jewish people were once again scattered among the nations.
Even as a dispersed people, the Jews had several “messiahs” appear over the centuries. Also, the Christians have had their share of false prophets and false messiahs. We have only to mention William Miller, who predicted that Christ would return on October 22, 1844. Since Christ did not return, this date became known as the Millerites’ Great Disappointment. We can expect the false prophets and false messiahs to increase as the end days draw near.
“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away” (21:9). It is important for us to get some time perspective as we view the end days. In order to do this, we need to go back to Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks.
In the Book of Daniel we have a mysterious outline of holy history beginning with the second decree to rebuild Jerusalem made by the Persian King Artaxerxes in 445 BC, and running to the end of time. This great and fascinating outline is encapsulated in a mere four verses of Daniel—from 9:24 through 9:27. Only God could do such an astounding thing as to summarize all the future history of the world in four verses! That history, like all history, is closely connected to Jerusalem.
From the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the end of the world would be “seventy sevens” or seventy weeks of seven years. This would make up a total of 490 years. Daniel tells us that after 69 of these weeks of years had passed, the Messiah of Israel would come, be cut off, and then the holy temple and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed. It is interesting that 69 sevens or 483 years (adjusted for the Jewish lunar calendar) brings us up to the area of around AD 30 or to the general time of Jesus’ ministry and death. Shortly after that, both the temple and city of Jerusalem were destroyed by the Romans.
Obviously, Daniel tells us that there is a mysterious “seven” or a period of seven years still unfulfilled. Since all future time is built around Jerusalem, we can only conclude that the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70 somehow stopped the divine clock. There is still a week of seven years left. After almost two thousand years, the clock is still stopped with “seven minutes till midnight,” so to speak, still showing on its face. We are thus very near a new day. This is exactly why early Christians felt they were living in the last day or last hour of history (cf. 1 Jn. 2:18). We are still in that last hour. We can call this two-thousand year hiatus the Times of the Gentiles. There is much evidence that this period is closing out, especially since Israel is once more restored to her land and Jerusalem is rebuilt.
Wars and uprisings are to be a part of this period of time. These have always been present in the fallen earth. However, it seems that as the end approaches these wars and uprisings will greatly increase.
“Then he said to them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven’” (21:10-11). Of course, nation has always risen against nation in our fallen societies and kingdom has risen up against kingdom. We can expect that this activity will increase and the end draws near. Earthquakes will increase as well. Even as I write, we have had devastating quakes in Mexico. We note other disasters such as destructive, wide-spread hurricanes and other problems.
One mark of the end days will be great famines. The famines have certainly gotten worse over the centuries as Jesus indicated. Many of the famines today are state-sponsored. We think of the famine in the Communist Ukraine killing from 2.4 to 7.5 million peasants in 1932. As a result of the “Great Leap Forward” in 1958, some 16.5 to 46 million people perished in China.15 This was one of history’s most deadly famines. Of course, some countries like North Korea seem to be in state of almost perpetual famine. Famine is another “birth pain” of the coming age. In Revelation 6:5-6, we are told that a black horse will run throughout the earth indicating that there will be great famine. In Revelation 6:8, we see that initially a fourth of the earth will be suffering under war, plagues and famine.
Luke tells us that there also will be “fearful events and great signs from heaven.” We can probably start watching for some of these things. Around AD 70 the historian Josephus tells us that there were a number of signs from heaven that Jerusalem was about to be destroyed:
Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year.
Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner [court of the temple,] which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night…men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of their enemies.
Before the sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities.
They felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude saying, “Let us remove from hence.” (Josephus, Wars, 6.5.3).
PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS
But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. Luke 21:12-13
Obviously, there was much fulfillment of this verse in the first century. Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:1-22. Peter and some of the other apostles were put in jail by the high priest and his associates, but the Lord delivered them in the night (Acts 5:17-42; cf. 12:11-19). Stephen the deacon was stoned to death for his witness (Acts 7:54-60). Paul was stoned for preaching at Lystra but miraculously survived (Acts 14:19-20). Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned by the magistrates in Philippi, but were miraculously delivered (Acts 16:20-40). During his ministry, Paul was beaten with rods three times (2 Cor. 11:25). He was beaten by the Jews three times with 39 stripes each. Paul was arrested in the temple area at Jerusalem (Acts 21:27) and was later sent to Rome as a prisoner. During his imprisonment at Caesarea he bore witness before Annas the high priest (Acts 24:1ff.), and before Felix the procurator of Judea (Acts 24:2ff.). Finally Paul bore witness before Festus, the Roman governor who succeeded Felix (Acts 25:1-12) and before King Agrippa (Acts 25:23 ff.).
Through the centuries of Christianity many saints have suffered persecution. Today, the persecution of Christians is more widespread than ever. We mentioned in 12:51, how Christians today are the target of 80 percent of all discrimination. We can add that while many religious communities have suffered persecution, only one group has found itself under attack in all sixteen of the world’s most offending nations. That group is the Christians.16 Perhaps that is another sign that we are entering the last days.
Morris says, “Before world trouble there will be church trouble.” 17 Much of that trouble may develop as Christians try to evangelize various parts of the world (Matt. 28:19-20). Mark adds in this section: “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations” (Mk. 13:10).
“But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (21:14-15). In the Synoptic Apocalypse Christians are warned and prepared concerning their actions in the last days. We can certainly assume by this that Christians will still be here on earth for the tribulation that is coming. Long ago God promised Moses, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exo. 4:12). Certainly, the Lord will help us and teach us what to say as well. We are told in all three Synoptics not to worry or be anxious about what we are to speak when we are brought to trial (Matt. 10:19-20; Mk. 13:11).
“You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death” (21:16). Matthew in another place points out that the persecution will reach into the very heart of families: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:21-22). Keener says, “In a culture with a heavy emphasis on family fidelity, betrayal by a family member would sound especially harsh.” 18 It is apparent that the Christian faith in the last days will become so maligned and so toxic that Christians will be hated above all people. Family and closest friends will betray the Christians to the Antichrist authorities and to death.
Barclay relates a tragic story that happened during World War II: “In Hitler’s Germany a man was arrested because he stood for freedom. He endured imprisonment and torture with stoic and uncomplaining fortitude. Finally, with spirit still unbroken, he was released. Some short time afterwards he committed suicide. Many wondered why. Those who knew him well knew the reason – he had discovered that his own son was the person who had informed against him. The treachery of his own flesh and blood broke him in a way that the cruelty of his enemies was unable to achieve.” 19
Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life” (21:17-19). Again, the almost universal hatred of Christians in the last days is reflected. We are beginning to sense some of that hatred in our western societies. The statement, “not a hair of your head will perish” was probably a proverbial expression.20 It should not be taken to mean that individual Christians would not be harmed by persecution, but that their faith would not fail. “Luke stresses that those who persevere, even if they lose physical life, will preserve spiritual life (v. 19).” 21 Those who endure to the end will be saved (Matt.24:13).
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. Luke 21:20-21
Jesus was careful to give warning to his followers that they might escape the horrors of Jerusalem’s destruction. The church historian Eusebius says:
The whole body, however of the church of Jerusalem, having been commanded by a divine revelation, given to men of approved piety there before the war, removed from the city, and dwelt at a certain town beyond the Jordan, called Pella.22
It was very important that those believers in the city get out quickly as they saw the city being surrounded by Roman troops. They were not to go back into their houses but rather run for their lives (Mk. 13:15). Those who got caught in the city were doomed. Keener says, “Those who tried to flee shortly after Jerusalem was surrounded found that it was too late; some who escaped the Zealots inside Jerusalem were cut open by Syrian recruits outside, who were looking for jewels they might have swallowed.” 23
“For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people” (21:22-23). The Lord was especially concerned about the fate of the weak among his people. No doubt this was partly why he wept over the city. Jesus was deeply touched by the suffering that would come upon the mothers with their newborns. Matthew adds: “Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matt. 24:20). Most Christians have the idea that Israel is a land of deserts and camels. While some parts of the land are dry and arid, most parts are not. Jerusalem sits on a high ridge close to 2500 feet (762 m.) in elevation. In the winter there are cold wind-driven rains that go on for days and even snows that make life difficult and that make traveling on foot almost impossible. The many wadis or dry riverbeds can become raging torrents at this time of year.
Of course, the Sabbath was a day of rest when almost everything shut down. Even today travel is difficult in the land since airlines, buses and other forms of transportation cease. There must have been similar difficulties in biblical times.
We have previously noted how the destruction of Jerusalem is closely connected with the destruction that will take place in the end days. These will be the days of the Antichrist and his persecution of Israel (cf. Dan. 9:24-27; Rev.12:7-17). We are left with an eerie feeling that in the last days of human history, Jerusalem will be surrounded and occupied once more, and this time by the armies of Antichrist. God’s people once again may have to flee to the mountains without going back for personal items. We must be alert, watch and pray when these days come upon us. If we trust him, the Lord will help us (Psa. 33:18-15; 34:7; 46:2; 50:14-15; Prov. 2:7-8; Joel 3:16; Rom. 8:35; 2 Pet. 2:9).
We are told that there will be great tribulation in these last days. Once again, God’s elect are warned for obviously they will be present on earth at this time. Mark 13:20 even says, “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.”
“They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (21:24). In AD 70 when Titus conquered the city many died or were sold into slavery. Josephus gives the figures of 97,000 taken captive and 1,100,000 killed (Josephus, Wars 6.9.3).
McGee says, “From the day that Titus entered that city, about 1900 years ago, the Jews have never been able to get the Gentiles out of Jerusalem.” 24 In 1967, the Israeli forces captured Jerusalem and the temple mount. Although the mount remains under the administrative control of Israel, it continues under the practical control of the Moslem Waqf. So in a real sense the temple area is still trodden down by the Gentiles. The two Moslem mosques on the mount remain as positive evidence of this fact.
There is much written about Jerusalem in the future. We are told that the times of the Gentiles will finally be over. The expression “times of the Gentiles” may be very similar to the expression “full number of the Gentiles” mentioned by Paul (cf. Rom. 11:25).25 Gentile times have now run for almost two thousand years. However, there is evidence that these times may be coming to a close. Since the 1880s Jews have been returning to the land of Israel in great numbers. The nation of Israel is now reestablished, the ancient cities rebuilt and the Hebrew language has been restored. Since 1948, Israel has been accepted into the family of nations. Israel has successfully defended herself in the miraculous wars of 1948, 1967 and 1973. Millions of the dispersed have now come home to the land.
From scripture we can surmise that in the end days the Antichrist and his armies will once again surround Jerusalem (Psa.79:1-2; Isa. 63:18; Dan. 8:10, 13-14; Dan. 9; Zech. 12:3; Rev. 11:2ff). Once again it may be necessary for the righteous to flee the city as we have said. However, the attack will be short lived and will be ended with the appearance of the Lord Jesus (2 Thess. 2:8).
SIGNS OF THE END DAYS
There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Luke 21:25-26
We have a time cue in Matthew 24:29. It says, “Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” These events will happen immediately after the Great Tribulation (Isa. 13;10; 34:4; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15). People will be much alarmed at the signs in the heavens and the roaring of the sea. Barker and Kohlenberger say, “The ‘roaring…of the sea’ is reminiscent of Isaiah 17:12; in biblical prophecy the sea often symbolizes chaos or stands for a source of fear.” 26 We are told in other places that the sea will become blood (Rev. 8:8; 16:3). The sea is often compared to nations that are in turmoil and cannot rest (Isa. 57:20). In Daniel 7:2-3, and Revelation 13:1, we note that it is from the sea that the beastly empires arise.27
There will be great anguish among lost people as the last days approach. We can imagine that the signs of the end days will show unbelievers how bankrupt their own ideas of redemption are. The people on the earth will mourn (Rev. 1:7). They will call for the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the Lamb of God. (Rev. 6:16).
They will try to hide themselves in caves (Rev. 6:15). The most expensive piece of real estate on earth may be a hole in the ground where people can try to hide from Christ. People will faint in terror as they watch the heavenly bodies being shaken.
Matthew adds here: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other”
(Matt. 24:30-31). Then the Son of Man will appear in the heavens (Dan. 7:13-14). Every eye shall see him (Rev. 1:7). We note that the elect will be caught up to meet and greet the Lord at his coming to earth (1 Thess. 4:17). He will be arriving to take over the earth.
“At that time 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 up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (21:27-28). While the world shrinks back in fear and terror the saints of God will look up in great expectation.28 Unlike the unbelievers, the saints of God will have no fear of the heavenly signs (Jer. 10:2).29 Utley says, “that Christians amid the sufferings of the end-time still have great confidence.” 30
THE FIG TREE
He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:29-31
It seems that the fig tree was one of Jesus’ favorite teaching tools. Now he returns to it again. The fig is an interesting tree. However, it is not an early bloomer. In Israel the very first tree to bloom is the almond. Normally in Jerusalem it blooms in late January. I have even witnessed the almond blooming in a snowstorm. However, the fig is a late blooming tree and puts out its leaves in March or April, around the time of Passover. When the fig puts on its leaves we know that summer is near. After Passover each year the warm weather begins to move in, even in the high country of Jerusalem. So it will be with the end of the age. When we begin to see the signs of the Lord’s coming we can know that the time is near, even at the door.
Since the fig tree is often a symbol of Israel (Hos. 9:10; Lk. 13:6-10), it would help us to remain alert to all the events going on in that land and with that people. Jerusalem is the center of all redemptive history and is the focus of the consummation or end of this age.
THIS GENERATION
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Luke 21:32-33
We have already discussed how Jerusalem is closely tied to the events of the last days. Jesus warned his present generation that they would not pass away until these things would have happened. The length of a generation was about forty years,31 and about forty years after his words were spoken the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. Pfeiffer and Harrison say, “It is possible that some of our Lord’s hearers lived to see the siege and capture of Jerusalem in AD 70.” 32
So we see that Jerusalem’s fall was a spiritual prototype of the last day fall of Jerusalem to Antichrist. We thus need to keep our eyes on Jerusalem and remember to pray for her peace as the Bible instructs us (Psa. 122:6). We must always remember that the words of the Lord are pure words and they will stand forever (Isa. 40:8).
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth” (21:34-35). The Lord issues a warning to us all regarding the approach of the end days. We must not let ourselves be weighed down. Some people get weighed down with careless living, such as carousing and drunkenness.
This should not be the case with devout Christians. Clarke sees this as being made heavy with too much food or drink.33 We certainly have that problem in the US. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2014), more than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity.34
The anxieties of life seem to be pressing in on all of us in these fast-moving times. Even children in our day are reported to have the anxiety level of the psychiatric patients back in the 1950s.35 David Perlmutter says, “The next time you’re at a large-scale event with lots of people…take a look around and consider this: one in ten of those people is taking a psychiatric drug to treat a mood disorder. For women in their forties and fifties, one in four take an antidepressant…interestingly, antidepressant use does not vary by income status.” 36 People are becoming anxious as the end days are closing in upon us.
We are warned that the end days will spring like a trap upon us. In other words, they will come suddenly without our realizing it.
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (21:36). Watch and pray are two very important words regarding the end days. Clarke says, “…no man is safe, at any time, who does not attend to this advice as literally as possible.” 37 Unfortunately, even as early as 2003, we Americans were watching nearly eight hours of television each day.38 But, were we spending any time watching for the Lord’s return (Matt. 24:31-41; 44-51)? In Mark 13:35-37 Jesus says, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
“Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple” (21:37-38). Morris says of the Greek here: “If the verb eulizeto is used strictly, the meaning will be that Jesus camped out or bivouacked on the mount.” 39 We know he did stay with his friends in Bethany at times but it seems at this point that he may have camped out in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was only a very short distance from the Temple Mount and the Lord could quickly go from there to teach in the temple. At Passover time many of the crowds of people had to do a similar thing because lodging was always in short supply during times of the great feasts.