The End

Destruction

Luke 21 parallels with Matthew 24 and Mark 13. There has been a lot of debate about these texts. Of the three texts, Luke’s makes it clear that Jesus is speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem. Let’s set the context. At the end of chapter 19, Jesus is entering Jerusalem for the last time. The crowds around him are literally singing his praises. At the crest of the Mount of Olives one can see a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Standing at this crest, Jesus stops the parade and begins to weep. As he looks at Jerusalem he prophecies that a day is coming when Jerusalem will fall to enemies. It will be a complete destruction of the city and its inhabitants. (19:41-44)

Upon entering Jerusalem for the last time, his first action is to drive out from the temple those who are abusing and misusing this place for God’s people to meet and worship. And we are told that the conspiracy to kill Jesus is well under way. The cleansing of the temple was a sign of judgment against the religious leaders. At the beginning of chapter 20, verses 9-19, Jesus tells a parable in which the point is that God is going to judge his people for their lack of faith. The people are going to kill God’s Son but God will judge his people for their unfaithfulness.

In 20:20-26, Jesus says there are things that belong to Caesar and there are things that belong to God. Trying to trap Jesus has proven that the people are well entrenched with Rome. They have forgotten their God. Then at the end of chapter 20, Jesus clearly says that God is going to punish those who have mistreated people. Now we come to chapter 21 beginning in verse 5. Jesus and his disciples are walking in Jerusalem. The temple that they see is not Solomon’s temple. That temple was destroyed centuries before. This is Herod’s temple. A major renovation and expansion was going on and would continue for another 30 years. If you have ever seen the Pyramid on a sunny afternoon in downtown Memphis then you know something about this temple looked. It literally gleamed—not from glass—but from a type of stone that was used for the renovation. It would have been a sight to see. Impressive.

Jesus says this impressive building is temporary. And rightfully the disciples want to know when this temple is going to fall. And in particular, what signs will come predicting that fall. The rest of the text answers those two questions. Some want to make Luke 21 speak about the temple’s destruction and Jesus’ final return. This latter part is based on verse 27—The Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and glory. This view has a hard time standing up to the pressure of verse 32 in which Jesus says all the things he has talked about will happen before this generation passes away.

The image of a cloud has been used throughout the OT to describe God’s authority and judgment. The image isn’t about the final return but the judgment of God against Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness—just as we have seen in the previous chapters. Since Luke 21 is about the destruction of Jerusalem then those who want to make it about the final return of Jesus and the final judgment misuse the text. Some will point to the upheaval in our world and say “Jesus will be coming soon” and then use this text or Matthew 24 to prove their point. Jesus says these signs are part of this world. Political upheaval, earthquakes, famines, false religions, even persecution—all are part of this world. Don’t read into the “signs” that the end is near.

Jesus says that when you see an opposing army surrounding Jerusalem, then it is time to get out and run for the hills. When the Roman general, Titus came against Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (a second campaign against the city), it was close to the Passover time. He allowed thousands of Jews to enter the city. Once the city was filled with Jews celebrating the Passover, he shut up the city. It was a horrific siege. This is why Jesus says pregnant and nursing women are at a real disadvantage. After the food supply was exhausted, babies and young children became food. Josephus reports that 1.1 million Jews were killed in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Those who ran for the hills escaped.

Waiting

Jesus spoke these words around 30 A.D. Luke wrote them down around 60 A.D. Another 10 years and then destruction would come. The words of Jesus in verses 34-36 speak to us. There was a 40 year gap between the time the words were spoken and the completion of the prophecy. During that time life continued. Buying and selling. Weddings and funerals. Births and deaths. Planting and harvesting. Year after year passed. And during those 40 years it was very easy to lose sight of what was important.

Jesus is clear—be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen. Watch and pray. Life has a way of just taking over. Jesus says in verse 34 to be careful not to let life overtake you. The NIV uses the word “dissipation” which is not a common word. But the word fits the intent of the word Jesus uses. It has to do with giddiness or overindulgence especially in connection with alcohol but it also includes the idea of sensual pleasure.

Don’t allow the pleasures of this world, drunkenness which takes away the ability to focus, and the worries of this world keep you from keeping the main thing the main thing. Don’t get caught up in this world to the point that you fail to see what is really going on. Don’t pay attention to the regular events of this world—upheavals, war, famines, political intrigue; don’t turn your heart to pleasure and worries. Keep watch.

We live in a world where phrases express hopelessness. “Whatever;” “It doesn’t matter;” “you do what you want and leave me alone.” “Why not?” Our culture endorses the idea that what really matters is what will bring me comfort, ease, and pleasure. Our culture endorses that personal satisfaction is the path to take. Our culture has perfected the ability to wring our hands over the cares and concerns of our world. And all of this diverts our attention and weighs down our hearts so that we lose sight of being ready.

Peter dealt with the same issue in 2 Peter 3:3-4 when he writes about those who scoff at this “coming” of Jesus that is promised. Instead of being patient they follow their own evil desires. They live life for personal pleasure rather than for God. May we remain watchful waiting for Jesus.

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