What The Future Holds - The One Year Christian History
What The Future Holds
Jesus summarized the rest of world history.
ON APRIL 1, A.D. 33, as Jesus was leaving the temple grounds in Jerusalem, his disciples began talking about the beautiful stonework of the temple. But Jesus said to them, “The time is coming when all these things will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another” (Luke 21:5-6). In A.D. 70 the Roman legions completely destroyed the temple, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction.
Later that day when Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples, still thinking about the destruction of the temple, asked,
“Teacher, when will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time?”
He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won’t follow immediately.” Then he added, “Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and epidemics in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs in the heavens.
“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will be accused before kings and governors of being my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. And some of you will be killed. And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.
“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Let those in Jerusalem escape, and those outside the city should not enter it for shelter.” (Luke 21:7-21)
Eusebius, the first Christian church historian, tells us that when the Roman armies were about to surround Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Christians living in Jerusalem received a divine revelation telling them to flee, and all escaped to the city of Pella. The divine revelation they received instructing them to flee was no doubt from Luke’s Gospel.
Jesus continued:
“Those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies. For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. They will be brutally killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end. . . .
“Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:22-24, 27)
Jesus tells us that between the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and his second coming is a period called the age of the Gentiles. That is the time in which we are now living, when the church is made up primarily of Gentiles, not Jews. This age will end with the return of Jesus “on the clouds with power and great glory.”
Reflection
Do you believe that Jesus will come again? If you do, how does that affect your life?
Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on earth. Keep a constant watch.
Luke 21:34-36
