When You See These Things

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Luke 21 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Jerusalem’s Temple Mount is on approximately the same piece of real estate where Abraham went to sacrifice his only son Isaac and where Solomon’s temple stood before it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The temple had been rebuilt by Zerubbabel and Ezra, and was being remodeled by Herod during Jesus’ lifetime. Herod wanted it to be opulent, adorned with precious stones and only the finest workmanship. The temple was the center of Jewish life and it stood as a daily reminder of their identity as God’s chosen people, but it had become an idol. Like a god, its enduring presence was so certain to the Jewish people that many swore by the temple, and speaking against the temple could be considered blasphemy. 

Enter Jesus. This particular day the disciples must’ve been admiring the builders’ progress when Jesus referred to the temple and all that it symbolized in a way no one ever dared: temporary. 

That got the disciples’ attention and they said ““When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” Jesus answers with a prophecy that the beloved temple will be destroyed with some pretty terrifying signs leading up that day. In fact, Herod’s remodel was completed in 63 A.D. and over the next 7 years all the things that Jesus prophesied took place culminating with the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Here’s a summary: 

• Persecution would come to those who followed Him as Messiah at the hands of those who denied Him. Imprisonment… trials… betrayals by loved ones, and He offers His followers encouragement for the times to come (verses 14-15).
• Jesus knew that many would attempt to fill the role of Messiah by leading political or military movements and those who rejected Jesus would fall easily for their claims. History records many of these false prophets, and He didn’t want His disciples to be sidetracked (verse 8).
• Wars? Romans were always at war with someone to establish and maintain their dominance. Earthquakes? Historians record multiple earthquakes in the region. Famines? The book of Acts refers to one in this period. Fearful sights? Mt Vesuvius erupted around the same time the temple was completed and thoroughly smothered the Roman city of Pompeii. Signs in the heavens? Shortly before 70 A.D., a comet that looked like a sword hung over Jerusalem by night for a year (verses 10-11).
• Most Jews believed the Messiah would return to avenge them in a military triumph, so when the Romans circled the city in 70 A.D., they mistakenly saw it as a sign of coming victory. Jesus’ followers understood His warning and obeyed, leaving the city and ensuring their survival. In contrast, 1.1 million Jews who stayed in the city were killed and 97,000 were taken captive (verses 20-24).

It’s said that during the destruction, Roman soldiers surrounded the temple and started a fire that engulfed the whole building. Gold that had been used to decorate the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone (verse 6).

Then beginning in verse 27 Jesus throws a curveball and we realize that Luke 21 is not only a prophesy about the fall of Jerusalem, but also of the events leading up to the return of Jesus. Many people believe those events have been taking place since Jesus spoke these words and will continue to some degree until His return. Others believe not only did these terrifying signs appear shortly after Jesus spoke them but they will appear again with greater intensity, and we will endure tremendous troubles in the period just before Jesus returns. Still others believe Jesus will take believers out of this world when He returns and only non-believers will endure the troubles. The common thread in all of these is that He will surely return, just as the things He predicted about Jerusalem’s destruction surely happened. Just as surely as the fig tree bearing fruit means summer is on the way, Jesus is coming again when the time is right, and everyone will know when it happens. 

…………

I’ve been in church most of my life and have heard all kinds of teaching on the end times. Seems like everyone who has an opinion thinks it’s the most scholarly one, and they teach it with great passion and conviction. I have a guess about which one is correct but I think when He returns, I will be more consumed with His immediate presence than with whether my guess was right. I have to wonder if Jesus meant this to be controversial or if He simply meant to encourage His followers (including us) that He will surely come for us. I love verse 28: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 


WHO AM I?
I am Leigh Anne Bland, and I’m running out of things to say and pictures to use for these bios. Instead, I’ll share a picture of modern-day Jerusalem related to today’s reading. The Dome of the Rock, top left, is on the Temple Mount and is currently under Muslim control. The Western (Wailing) Wall to the side of it is part of the remaining wall of Solomon’s Temple. The Kidron Valley where the blood of temple sacrifices ran is now the sandy strip with small trees stretching across the middle of the picture, and scholars think the ashy half-moon shape on the right end of the Kidron Valley is Golgotha. This picture was taken from high up on the Mount of Olives (those are olive trees in the foreground), above the Garden of Gethsemane. This was one of my favorite views in Jerusalem.