The final verses of Luke included in this study are of Christ’s presentation of a parable regarding the last days prior to His return.
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. – Luke 21:29-31 KJV
Jesus speaks of the season of spring, new growth, new life springing forth. Spring is a hopeful season that leads to summer. There will be evil rising in the last days, but there will also be a rise of God’s power, the great glory of Jesus, pouring out in parallel. We are seeing this now with the number of revivals happening around the world and particularly in the United States.
We are told to be patient, because the last days will be a season, not a single event. Be encouraged to take your place in God’s kingdom to bring His kingdom to earth and to those around us.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. – Luke 21:32-33 KJV
The Bible is the complete story of the Adamic period. The Adamic generation and the generation of Christ’s people which began at the time of His crucifixion will not end until God’s plans are fulfilled. God’s Word will come to fruition in His anointed time. It will never pass away. It will continue through eternity.
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. – Luke 21:34-35 KJV
Christ again warns about distracted hearts and minds. Surfeit is an overabundance or large excess of something. Striving for great earthly gains distracts us from God’s plan. Christ warns of our hearts being “overcharged” with abundance, drunkenness and “cares of this life”, cares of earthly ways. It can be easy to fall into patterns focusing on the needs of the day and putting off God for later. By baking God’s word into our hearts and minds daily, seeking His view of every situation in our lives, we will be more prone to live out His word in all we do, always keeping God and His plan front, center and the focus of our daily activities. This will establish daily habits that guard our hearts and minds! The entire earth will experience this time of turmoil, but Father God, Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will help us prepare and stay on God’s path through all of it!
36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. – Luke 21:36 KJV
Christ instructs us to “pray always” to be “worthy to escape” suffering, and stans with Christ. In Revelation, the woman escapes to the wilderness, where God will sustain her. God has the power to likewise protect us in the wilderness either on earth or in heaven. We also learned in Revelation that those who sustained until the end, when Jesus Christ returns, will stand in the temple with Him. They will be part of the first resurrection and for them the second resurrection with judgment will have no power over them. They are found to be worthy of escaping the time of judgment when the books of heaven are opened. Trusting in God’s sovereignty will give us the opportunity to “stand before the Son of man” for eternity!