Reading: Luke 21:29-33
Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. [NASB1995®]
We continue to read these words of the Lord in the Temple. As we have commented, there are different interpretations of this passage. Is He talking about the imminent destruction of Jerusalem? Of the end of time? Of both?
There are two aspects of this passage that we can meditate on.
Let’s look at the signs: As the Lord is speaking, spring approaches and the first sprouts announce the arrival of the time that everything will blossom and reproduce. In the same way, the signs the Lord speaks of show us that the time of his return is ever closer.
That is true. There are groups of Christians who seem to be obsessed with His coming. There are false teachers who rise up announcing dates. And this may be why some believers even avoid talking about the issue. Confessing that we believe that Jesus will return and that this is our hope may be a mockery for others.
We observe the world: increasingly full of evil and sin and increasingly far from God. Many reject Christianity as outdated and irrelevant to these times. Even those who call themselves believers do not live a biblical faith.
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Look at the signs, and don’t despair, trust. It’s all part of His perfect plan.
His words will not pass away: God is faithful. That is His nature. His plans do not depend at all on our reaction or attitude. He will do what He decided to do. And that’s our security and trust. Everything will happen, everything is fallible, except Jesus.
What the world sometimes imagines with fear is for believers the hope of finally seeing our Lord. He will keep His final promise, that of coming again so that we can be with Him forever.
Everything will happen, he is the Rock. His Word is faithful and it will be fulfilled.
MEDITATE: In the face of the decay and confusion into which our world is plunged, remember, His Word is firm, it will not pass.
Scripture quotation taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Translation By: Emily Stader
