*Luke 21:1-24
Jesus teaches his disciples about the coming destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times.
- The Widow’s Offering:
- As Jesus observes people donating at the temple treasury, He notices a poor widow who contributes two small copper coins.
- He commends the widow to His disciples, pointing out that she has given more than all the others because she has given all she had to live on, indicating her total dependence on God and her sincere faith.
- Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple:
- Some of the disciples remark on the beauty and grandeur of the temple, adorned with precious stones and gifts.
- Jesus responds by predicting that a time will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down, foretelling the temple’s total destruction.
- Signs of the End Times:
- The disciples ask Jesus privately about when the temple will be destroyed and what signs will precede this event.
- Jesus warns them not to be deceived by false prophets who will claim to be Him, saying that many will come in His name.
- He speaks of wars, rebellions, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences as signs, but emphasizes that these are just the beginning of sorrows and not the immediate end.
- Persecutions Foretold:
- Jesus tells the disciples that they will face persecution, betrayal even by family members, and hatred because of His name.
- He assures them that not a hair of their head will perish, encouraging them to stand firm to gain life.
- The Destruction of Jerusalem Predicted:
- Jesus provides a specific prophecy about the siege of Jerusalem, advising that when armies surround Jerusalem, its desolation is near.
- He instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains, and those inside the city to leave, and those in the country not to enter the city.
- This prophecy points to the intense suffering, distress, and wrath against the people that will take place during this time.
- Great Distress and Signs in the Heavens:
- He describes a time of great distress, unequaled since the beginning of the world, accompanied by fearful events and great signs from heaven.
- Despite these terrors, He assures the disciples that these are necessary events before the end comes.
21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.