Christ’s love for us is so great, He walked on earth to die a gruesome death and establish a path for eternity with Him and God for all. He followed the Father’s plan even though He knew it would mean great suffering. In human form, yet still the Son of God, He prayed for the cup to pass.
39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. – Matthew 26:39 KJV
Jesus knew great suffering was ahead, but He still chose to follow, as He knew it was part of God’s greater plan.
Jesus taught the disciples through both His words and His actions. His desire was to give them a greater understanding of the evil in the world and when and how the final reconciliation of sin and evil would come to pass. So often, the words Christ spoke needed to be explained to His disciples, but that did not keep Christ from challenging them to grow their understanding and gain God’s knowledge and wisdom.
The words shared by Christ of the reconciliation of evil on earth and His return were only included in three of the four Gospels. The book of John does not document Jesus’ testimony, but he was the disciple God chose to deliver the prophecy of Revelation. Be encouraged to read all four gospels in totality. They present a beautiful, righteous, and perfect love displayed by Jesus, counter to the arrogant, self-righteous, and purely evil ways of the world.
Beginning with the words of Christ according to Luke, we will continue this study with the Gospel passages as they relate to the messages in Revelation and the return of Jesus Christ.
The disciples ask Christ about His return.
7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. – Luke 21:7-9 KJV
The first message Christ gives is a warning not to be deceived. In the days leading up to His return, many will stand up falsely claiming to be Him. The disciples are told not to be fooled. There will be great commotion on earth, but the end is not yet.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. – Luke 21:10-11 KJV
Christ speaks of nations on earth and kingdoms in heaven battling. Christ’s words to establish the verses in Revelation portraying events occurring on earth and in heaven. Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, these verses speak to great chaos and earthly destruction. While “fearful sights” and “great signs” from heaven will occur. Remember from Revelation, the false prophet calls down power from the heavens.
13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. – Revelation 13:13-14 KJV
We see great and awful signs on earth today, but they are reflective of evil that has been going on since the beginning. We have yet to see the son of perdition or the final false prophet who makes “fire come down from heaven” identified. There have been heavenly images seen and recorded from earth like crosses in the clouds, angelic and Jesus images in the clouds, even a city with a castle image was recorded in the clouds. But this is just the beginning. Thinking about the seals and trumpets, there are still much greater things to be seen that would reflect “fearful” and “great signs” “from heaven.”
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. – Luke 21:12 KJV
Christ is warning His disciples to prepare for suffering. They were brought in front of and most of the original twelve died horrible deaths. Christ’s saints in the last days will also face persecution, we will be delivered up to earthly rulers for judgment. Just as Jesus was brought before religious leaders over 2,000 years ago, the last days saints will similarly be brought to religious leaders of a false religion and a false prophet. Think about the number of churches existing today that condone sin, fail to preach repentance and in the most egregious cases claim to be Christian, but shy away from proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ! Remember, the final false prophet will stand with the antichrist and require the mark of the beast for all.
16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. – Revelation 13:16-17 KJV
Remember, the antichrist comes peacefully first and for churches allowing these false teachings today, they will be easily deceived.
Any religions worshiping a God other than the one true God almighty of the Bible in heaven and His Son Jesus Christ will be part of this false religion. Those who are not for Christ will seek the annihilation of those who stand for Christ. If you are in a church that does not proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone, GET OUT OF BABYLON!
13And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. – Luke 21:13-15 KJV
We will be called to give our testimony in the last days and we can trust God will give us the words. The saints of Christ the Lamb will conquer by pleading the blood of Christ and giving our testimony of His sacrifice on earth for our salvation. This is another example of a “have no fear” message. Holy Spirit will bring God’s words to say, just as He did with Moses to Pharoah. God will use His power, supernatural power, to send His angels to protect and keep us through whatever evil we face. We do not need to fear what we will say or any actions targeted against us. God’s power will be right there, ready to work in His ways through any situation. His power will not be refuted by any on earth!
16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. – Luke 21:16-17 KJV
We will be betrayed by those closest to us, some even resulting in death. These verses remind me of Nazi Germany. People were forced to take the mark of a star to show allegiance to Hitler. Some took the star. Some did not. Some spoke up incriminating their fellow man, while many simply stayed silent to the injustice. The events of Nazi Germany’s rise reflect elements of human nature that have existed since the beginning of time, still exist today and will continue to exist until the end. These behaviors provide an additional view, warning us of events presented in end times prophecy. The choice we will be forced to make will not be solely private in our hearts. It will be a very public choice. Those last days saints refusing to take the mark of the beast will be ripe for betrayal by others who are either lukewarm or have rejected God and Christ completely. We need to trust in God’s final plan for each us on earth. Last days saints will be hated for their loyalty to Christ and we need to prepare our hearts for this level of rejection too.
18But there shall not an hair of your head perish. – Luke 21:18 KJV
God’s message of hope remains. “But there shall not an hair of your head perish.” This reinforces the power of God to protect each saint, even for every hair on every head here on earth and in heaven for eternity. God’s power is so great, it is beyond measure. Jesus spoke of God’s love for His children and those who choose His ways.
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? – Matthew 7:7-11 KJV
God’s desire is to take beautiful care of His children and scripture consistently reflects that message. Jesus too gives us hope by detailing what we need to do.
19In your patience possess ye your souls. – Luke 21:19 KJV
Christ told us not to be deceived. Now he tells us to be patient. “In your patience possess ye your souls.” Wow, that is powerful! Our patience is how we maintain control of our souls. Holy Spirit living in us brings God’s power to be patient and withstand the chaos, necessary to “possess our souls.”
The first group of verses, 8-11, spoke of earthly destruction. The second group, 12-19, Christ speaks of persecution, hatred, betrayal, and false prophets. He tells His disciples to be patient in the chaos.