Responding to Signs of the Times (Luke 21:5-19)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
15 August 2021
The Jews in Jesus' time could not imagine life without their temple. They thought the destruction of the temple (which Jesus spoke about) would coincide with the end of the age.
Jesus corrected them by teaching that although the temple would be destroyed yet there would be some time before the end of the age. During this period there would be various signs. In Luke 21:5-19 Jesus reveals what these signs are and in particular how his disciples (the church) should respond to these signs.
The first sign is the presence of false messiahs and teachers.
Do not be deceived by them which means that we should be able to recognise what is false. Know what you believe if you would know what not to believe. Know basic Christian doctrine.
Do not follow after false teachers and teachings which means separation from that which is false. We need to give heed to the biblical idea of separation.
The second sign is wars and commotions, earthquakes, famines, pestilences and fearful signs from heaven.
Our response is not to be terrified. The world may shake but let the Christian be steady. Our Lord slept in the storm — why should we be terrified of life’s storms?
The third sign is oppression and persecution of the church.
The persecution of God’s people is well documented in the Scriptures as for instance Moses in Egypt; Daniel in Babylon; Paul in Asia Minor.
The believers’ response to oppression is to see it as an opportunity for testimony. The mouth of a Christian is often most eloquent when the mouth of the evil one is most fierce. Think of the wonderful sayings Jesus uttered as he was dying in the hands of oppressive and evil people.
Another response to oppression is to be free from anxiety. Jesus taught his disciples not to meditate beforehand what to answer adversaries. Jesus himself will give mouth and wisdom to his people so as to leave oppressors silent.
The overall lesson is that believers are to be patient in their trials. The time from the destruction of the Jewish temple to the end of the age will be characterised by the signs Jesus spoke about. Be patient. Possess your souls, that is, be calm. Jesus calmed the storm. He will calm your fears.
Jesus wants us to be informed, enduring and witnessing for him. The voice of the persecuted church cannot be silenced because the one who speaks through her is the one who rose from death and lives. He will not be silenced.