LUKE 21: 24-29-33 [PARABLES IN LUKE]
THE RETURN OF CHRIST / THE FIG TREE
[Romans 8:18-25]
The portion of Jesus’ discourse we are looking at this morning entails what is to be after the time of the Gentiles has been fulfilled in respect to Jerusalem. The heavens will be observably disturbed or different. The nations will be perplexed as the whole earth experiences turmoil (vv. 25-27). The faithful though are not to be distressed but rather look up, for redemption is near. And as surely as one can discern the approach of summer by the leafing of a tree, so these signs announce the nearness of the kingdom (Luke 21:29-31). When, then, will this be? Within this generation (vv. 32-33) Jesus declares.
In the Parable of the Fig Tree Jesus taught that one can tell what is coming by watching the signs (CIT). The events recorded in our passage mark the culmination of God’s promises to His people. These signs indicate the time of Christ’s return is near even if they do not give us the exact time for it.
I. THE SIGNS, 25-26.
II. THE REDEEMER, 27-28.
III. THE FIG TREE, 29-31.
IV THE CERTAIN WORD, 32-33.
[Background context: Wars, tumults, and international conflicts; and natural disasters with cosmic terror. However, it is repeatedly said that one is not to be deceived by all this; the end will not be at once. Why? Because there must first be a time of witnessing (vv. 12-19). The church must give witness to the gospel and its power. Faithful witnesses will be brought before synagogues (fulfilled in Acts 4-5) and before governors and kings (fulfilled in Acts 24-26). In those crises they will be given both word and wisdom (Luke 21:15) that cannot be withstood (fulfilled in Acts 4:8-13; 6:10). Hatred, betrayal by friends and relatives, and death await them (Luke 21:16-17). Faithfulness is the path to life.]
What starts in motion God’s count down for human history and His return? Verse 24 concludes with a promise that initiates the time of Christ’s Return. “Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
“The times of the Gentiles” indicates that “Jerusalem” will be in the hands of the Gentiles. “Until” suggests a time fixed by God when Jerusalem will be restored or no longer be dominated or controlled by Gentiles. From the time of the fall of Jerusalem until this time of the Gentiles is ended by God, non-jews will rule over Jerusalem. It was in 1967 that the Jews reclaimed Jerusalem. Therefore, since then or for the last 47 years we have been living in prophetic end times.
[The times of the Gentiles’ domination over Jerusalem actually began when the Babylonians took the city and the nation into Captivity in 586-7 BC. Jerusalem will again fall under Gentile domination in the Tribulation (Zech. 14:1-2) just before the Messiah returns to restore Jerusalem.]
[In vv. 20-24 Luke describes the destruction of Jerusalem. Unlike Mark 13:14-20, in which the fall of the city is given an eschatological setting, Luke’s account is more historical and distinct from the end of the age. What Luke describes is what happened in A.D. 66-72 when Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem. Not only was the temple burned in A.D. 70, but also, by the end of the 143-day siege, over one million Jews were killed. Of those who survived, many were taken prisoner, leaving the rest to scatter throughout the world. They wandered as a people without a homeland until May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation once again. That event would lead to the Jews for the 1st time in 2 ½ century to regain control over Jerusalem in 1967.]
The remainder of the discourse sketches what is yet to be after the time of the Gentiles control over Jerusalem has been fulfilled. Jesus therefore transitions from His prophecy indicated by Jerusalem being dominated by Jews to foretell what is coming upon the whole earth beginning in verse 25. “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
Various cosmic signs (Isa. 34:4) will be preceded the coming of the Son of Man. [Signs, enneuō [ἐννεύω, en, in, neuō, to nod], to nod to, denotes to make a sign to; Luke 1:62, Prov. 6:13; 10:10.] The sun, moon, and stars” will signal the time. These signs probably reference eclipses, comets, and shooting stars. [Some point to the “blood moon” that occurred this year, 2014, here.]
The heavens releasing its power will cause “distress of nations, with perplexity.” The Greek meaning of this phrase refers to the quagmires and quicksand that must be navigated to assist nations in political turmoil. There are no easy answers or solution. [The world will need “someone” to take charge.]
“The sea will roar and toss,” signifying that the world will be in a chaotic state. The roaring seas and oceans will pound the coast lands. Humans have often feared the sea’s power (Ps. 46:2-4; 95:7; 89:9; 107:23-32). Such cosmic signs indicate a shaking up of the natural order (Isa. 3:24-4:1; 13:7-13; 24:18-20; 33:9; 34:1-15; Jer. 4:23; Ezek. 32:7-8; Dan. 8:10; Joel 2:10, 30-31).
From verse 26 we learn that these signs will cause great fear among unbelievers. “men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
These cosmic signs will cause people to be terrified. “Fainting from terror” pictures someone hyperventilating and collapsing because of anxiety [Bock, Darrell. The IVP NT Com. Luke. InterVarsity Press, Dover Grove, IL. p.341].
Jesus said the perplexity and complexity of society will cause hearts to fail. We’re seeing that happen. Relatively unknown in the time of Jesus, heart disease linked to stress is now a common cause of death in our culture. [Not to mention prescription drug and alcohol used to “medicate” fears.]
When creation experiences such heighten convulsions, God’s disciples will know that He is about to act. The lost world having no such hope will swoon in fear and stress in anxiety.
II. THE REDEEMER, 27-28.
Next in verse 27 Jesus told about the coming of the Son of Man Himself. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
He drew His terminology from Daniel 7:13-14, in which Daniel saw “one like a Son of Man” coming with clouds and glory and receiving the kingdom from the Ancient of Days (God the Father). He rides the clouds as God but His appearance is human. [Rev. 19:8-20:15].
Bless God for the time when Jesus will be seen in the full glory of God as He breaks open the eastern sky. Not only believers but all the earth will behold Him. This foretold event is the blessed hope of Christians down through the centuries.
Verse 28 thus proposes that these signs of Jesus’ Return should cause relief and joy in believers. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
When these things begin to occur, His followers are to lift up their heads, a symbol of strength, confidence and rejoicing. Jesus return is longed for because His coming represents the saints’ redemption. So when these things happen our redemption (i.e., safety in the kingdom brought by the returning King) will be drawing near. Redemption here is in the sense of rescue and not in its usual meaning of salvation by repentance and forgiveness. [These verses are kin to Paul’s statement on redemption in a cosmic context (Rom. 8:18-25).]
What Christian would not look expectantly for the day when justice and righteousness are established and God’s people vindicated? Persecution of believers is over. Rewards are being readied. He is coming to judge and rule the earth in righteousness.
When we see these things happen, we shouldn’t be upset—we should look up. Our faith and hope is ready to become sight and substance. As the world shrinks back in fear, the saints look up in expectation. [If you don’t you’re going to miss some incredible sun rises.]
III. THE FIG TREE, 29-31.
The teaching changes its focus as Jesus moves to application. Jesus attaches a parable to his [eschatological] end times prophecy beginning in verse 29. “Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees;
The fig tree in Scripture is the symbol of the nation Israel. The beloved fig trees thus stands as a sign for Israel indicating that we should be looking at that nation, to see what is going on there. Is new life being exhibited there?
In the cold harshness of winter trees are barren and seems lifeless. All may seem lost if you don’t know that seasons change.
In verse 30 Jesus draws a comparison using trees beginning to bud. “as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
By looking at the trees showing shoots and leaves in April it is a sign that summer is on the way. Winter’s barrenness is left behind. Signs of new life are visible all around. A new season has come and that the sweet fruit of harvest is not long away for the fig tree.
Similarly when signs occur in the heavens and on earth, people should “know that the kingdom of God is near.” Verse 31, “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
In the Parable of the Fig Tree Jesus taught that one can tell what is coming by watching the signs. If you can read nature’s signs you can also read the signs of Jesus coming. And as surely as one can discern the approach of summer by the leafing of a fig tree, so these signs announce the nearness of the kingdom. Anticipation will become realization. The kingdom of God within will become the kingdom of God without.
IV THE CERTAIN WORD, 32-33.
Jesus assures His disciples that these signs will come. Verse 32 informs us that the non-precise timing indicated His return is within this generation. “Truly I say to you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.”
When, then, will this be? Jesus declares with a solemn oath that it will take place within “this generation,” that is, the generation that lives when Jerusalem is no longer dominated by the Gentiles. [“Certainly not” translates Greek’s strongest negation ou mē; “This generation will never pass away until all” [these things-Mt. 24:34; Mk. 13:30] associated with His coming “take place.”] [The armies surrounding Jerusalem (21:20) may be there to try and stall God’s timetable by bring Jerusalem back under gentile control.]
The clause, this generation [genea] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened, has caused much controversy. Some think Jesus was telling His disciples that their generation would see the destruction of the temple. [That interpretation stems primarily from verses 5-7 in which the discussion pertained to the temple’s destruction.] However, because of verse 31 (in which Jesus spoke of the coming of the kingdom of God), and because of Matthew 24:34, it seems preferable to say His words refer to the generation living at the time the cosmic signs occur [that precede His second coming]. The same generation that sees the start will see the end. That generation will actually see the founding of the kingdom of God, something every generation of believers has longed for throughout history. [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983, p. 257.]
[See Butler, Trent. Holman NT Com. Luke. 2000. Broadman& Holman Publishers. Nashville, TN. Pp 354-5 for additional thoughts ]
Note the strong emphasis on the permanence and certainty of Scripture in verse 33. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Jesus assures His disciples that theses sign will come. [These signs foretelling the breaking up of the natural order points to a time when heaven and earth will pass away.] Don’t lose faith even though the return of Jesus seems long in coming nor when it speeds toward its culmination. His return is most certain and most blessed.
When heaven and earth pass away, points to the fact that only God’s Word is permanent. To me that applies not just to the Living Word but to the Word meaning Scripture as well. Thank God for the sure guidaince of His Word.
To Catch an Angel, by Robert Russell, is the autobiography of a young BLIND MAN who lives alone on an island in the middle of a river. He goes rowing on the river almost every day by means of a fairly simple system. He attaches a bell to the end of the dock with a timer. The bell rings every thirty seconds. He can row up and down that river, and every thirty seconds judge his distance by the sound of the bell. When he has had enough, he finds his way home by means of the bell. In the young man’s words, “The river lies before me, a constant invitation, a constant challenge, and my bell is the thread of sound along which I return to a quiet base.”
Life is like a great river. God calls us to venture out on it where there is danger and excitement. In order not to get lost as we live life in the world we need a security bell. Our security bell is the Word of God Not only does Jesus, God’s Living Word, live in hearts, we can hide His written words in our heart. Then when the river gets too wild or you get too weary, the Word of God will bring you home. [Larson, Bruce. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983, S. 308.]
In CLOSING
So Jesus says look to Jerusalem, look to the heavens, look to the seas, for they will proclaim the Return of the King. For Jesus, the Son of Man, will come to receive the kingdom, the same kingdom He had been proclaiming since the beginning of His ministry (Mk. 1:15).
GIDEON’s three hundred mighty men were chosen because, rather than putting their faces in the river, they drank from their hands. This way, they could remain alert (Judges 7:6). In other words, God uses men who don’t take unnecessary time doing necessary tasks. Yes, we have to live. Certainly, we must care for our families. But there can come a point when we take too much time doing necessary things. At that point we are of little or no use to God, even in these last days [Courson, p. 404] for our eyes are focused on the things of earth instead of Jesus Christ.
Where are your eyes focused? On Jesus and the eternal or on this world and the passing? As we wait the Return of the King let us serve Him faithfully, share His gospel regularly and grow perseveringly in His grace.
“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
