Jesus Tells About His Return
April 8, 2020
Commentary
Jesus continues to answer the disciples’ original question about when the temple would be destroyed (vv. 20-24). I do not believe that it was intended as a sign to tell when Christ will come back, but was simply a foretelling of the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and the Roman Army in A.D. 70. This was not referring to a distant event but took place approximately forty years from the time Jesus spoke these words. The Jewish historian Josephus claimed that over a million people were killed and over 100,000 taken captive at that time.
The phrase in verse 24, “And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles” is thought by many Bible scholars to mean that Jerusalem will be under the governmental control of non-Jews. After this Roman take over, that was the case until June 7,1967, when Israel again took possession of the land. Since that date Israel has constantly been on page one of our newspapers. However, Jerusalem will again fall into Gentile control during the tribulation (Zechariah 14:1-2). This passage was written to bring hope to the Jews who will be saved during the tribulation (vv.25-28). Satan will bring persecution to them, but they can take comfort because the Lord’s coming will be very soon. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in our world, we should confidently await Christ’s return to bring justice and peace to His people.
Application
As a believer, I need to look for the Savior and not for signs. Since Jesus’s coming for the church will take place before the Tribulation, I will not be here, but will be taken up in the Rapture.
Luke 21:20– 28 (NET)
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26 People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”