THE TIME OF THE LORD'S RETURN

Passage: Luke 21:20-28

Key verse: 27

NIV

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(A) you will know that its desolation is near. 21 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.(B) 22 For this is the time of punishment(C) in fulfillment(D) of all that has been written. 23 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. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled(E) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “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.(F) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(G) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(H) coming in a cloud(I) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(J)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “But (A)when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that (B)its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are (C)days of (D)vengeance, to fulfill (E)all that is written. 23 (F)Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and (G)wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and (H)be led captive among all nations, and (I)Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, (J)until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “And (K)there will be signs in sun and moon (L)and stars, and on the earth (M)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 (N)the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see (O)the Son of Man coming in a cloud (P)with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and (Q)raise your heads, because (R)your redemption is drawing near.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The desolation of Jerusalem (2 -24) The time of the Gentiles will end when Jesus comes again. Before he comes, though, Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles. It is a time of God's punishment and wrath and every prophecy of scripture about the end times will be fulfilled. Jesus warns the people of Judea to flee to the mountains and the people of Jerusalem to escape the city when they see the armies surrounding them. It will be a time of intense severity, with many taken prisoner and many killed. Jesus says it will be very difficult for women who are pregnant or nursing young ones. 2. Redemption is near (25-28) The time of tribulation will be unlike any other in the history of the world. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Nations will tremble at the roaring, tumultuous seas, and even the heavenly bodies will be shaken. People will be overcome with terror and wonder what is becoming of the world. But then it will happen: "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." The tribulation will end as Christ begins his reign on earth. Those who belong to Christ can persevere during the tribulation by holding on to the knowledge that he is coming. They are to stand up and lift up their heads because their redemption is near. Christ will come!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, even now we long for you to come.

One Word: Jesus will come with power and glory