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Luke 21:27-28
‘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.’
Jesus’ teaching on the end times continues. In 21:20-24 Jesus speaks of events which were fulfilled a few years after his death and resurrection in 66-70 AD. At this time Jerusalem was destroyed by a Roman army, as was the Temple.
The destruction of the Temple would have seemed like the end of the world for the Jews. It was the House of God, the place they went to meet with God. But Jesus tells them that this is not the end of the world, far from it, it is the beginning of the time of the Gentiles (verse 24). This is the time that the Gospel is shared amongst non-Jews (Gentiles). Not only is this not the end of the world, but the time of the Gentiles does not mean that God has given up on the Jewish people, God has not abandoned Israel, there are two sons in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal.
After the time of the Gentiles has been fulfilled there area number of signs which show that the end of the world is about to take place and that the Son of Man will return.
The description of these signs shows that the return of Jesus will have a worldwide effect. This has already been alluded to in Luke’s Gospel (17:22-27), and is also key to Paul's thinking ( Romans 8:18-25 ). If, when Jesus returns the whole world will know and creation itself will be affected, then we must seriously consider the nature of our own faith and the ministry and mission of the Church.
We live in a time when religion is tolerated as long as it is kept private and is tolerant of all other faiths and beliefs. Whilst tolerance is a biblical principle, our faith should affect every area of our lives, be lived out in the open, and impact upon those around us. This impact is not one of force, but of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit. After all, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church on the day of Pentecost, Peter explains what has happened to the crowds using the worlds of Joel (Joel 2:30-32). These words contain language very similar to the signs which will accompany the return of Christ.
I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Acts 2:19-21
The return of Jesus happens on a grand scale, the gospel affects the whole of creation. So the Church now must not be about private, individual faith, but speak to the whole world.
