Luke 21:25-33 - Signs

21:25-28

There is now a transition and we are focused much more on the very last days and the return of Christ. If one is taking a preterist view then it really is very difficult to make any sense of these verses.  Taking the events of AD66-70 as a type of what is to come seems much more sensible, and in keeping with the pattern throughout the Bible. Ie the exodus from Egypt, the return from Babylon, were very real events. They were partial fulfilments of prophecy, and pointed forward to the “real” salvation, namely salvation in Jesus Christ. So they reveal much about our salvation, but they were not the real salvation. So it is with AD66-70. The return of Christ will be a time of great crisis. There will be much turmoil in the world, and great fear in the world. This will be accompanied by signs in the sky and on the earth. The Son of Man will return, visible to all. Prior to this we may have had to endure much persecution, but at this time we are to stand up and lift up pour heads, for our redemption is near. Ie the fulfilment of all things.

21:29-31

Jesus then throws in a quick parable. The appearance of leaves on the trees shows that summer is approaching. So when we see these things happening that Jesus has just spoken about we know the kingdom of God is near. Note how nature points to the glory of God. Nature was created by God, so it is not surprising that the way it works reflects something of the way that God works.

21:32,33

This is one of those verses that causes problems with various interpretations. I think it is best to take it as meaning “this people living now will indeed see the events of AD66-70” and “the human race will not end until the events of the final last days happen”. This would seem to be consistent with the pattern of the events of AD66-70 being the concrete demonstration that the very last days will certainly happen. What we can be certain of is that Jesus intended all His teaching here to be taken seriously and for it to influence how we live. Verse 33, “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” would seem to lend support to this view.