June 07 2025

Saturday June 07

Luke 21:8-19 – Don't Be Deceived, or Terrified, and Don't Worry

8 And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." 10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

Today we're looking at Luke chapter 21. Jesus has been asked by His disciples in verse 7, "When will these things be, and what will the sign be when these things are about to take place?" In Matthew 24:3, they also asked, "When will be the end of the age?" As they were looking over at the temple, Jesus had said, "This temple will be destroyed. Not one stone will be left upon another." This took place in 70 AD, when Titus, the Roman general, moved into Jerusalem, slaughtered the Jews, tore down the temple, and scattered them. Only in 1948 did the Jews return to the land of Palestine.

Jesus continues to answer their question, but we must remember that the signs and events He talks about here in Luke 21, Mark 13, and Matthew 24-25, are not primarily about the rapture but the return of Christ seven years after the rapture. Most of these signs and events relate to the events that take place in the Tribulation that we read about in the book of Revelation, starting in chapter 6.

There we find out that the Tribulation is divided into three parts: the first three and a half years, the middle of the Tribulation (read about that in Daniel chapters 9 and 10), and the last half of the Tribulation, which Jesus called the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24:21; “For then there will be Great Tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be”. Which also last three and a half years, a total of seven years. These signs point to His return when He comes in great glory, judges the earth, and sets up His millennial kingdom. Too many of us are looking for signs when we should be looking up for the Savior, living for Him, and reaching others.

In Luke 21:8-19, Jesus gives three main messages in response to the disciples' questions. In verse 8, He said, "Take heed that you do not be deceived, for many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore, do not go after them. When you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified, for these things must first come to pass, but the end will not come immediately." Two key points here: do not be deceived, and do not be terrified.

Most of us are very interested in end-time events, and as these signs intensify, it indicates the end of the tribulation is near. Since the rapture happens seven years before then, Jesus says, "Lift up your head; your redemption draws nigh." We need to be living, working, and serving, not deceived, because there have always been false Christs, persecution, and wars.

In verses 12-13, Jesus also talks about persecution. In verse 14, He says, "Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer." Jesus is encouraging those who are true believers during this time that as they see these things happen, “don’t be deceived, terrified, afraid, or fearful, but also don’t worry”. I love what He says: "Not a hair on your head will be lost." This doesn’t mean people won’t die. In the tribulation, believers may die by the hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, under the persecution of the Antichrist.

But, my friend, when you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you do not die—you simply change places. He takes care of you, and not a hair of your head will perish. In your patience, possess your souls.

We all need this message today! Don’t be deceived, terrified, or worried. Keep looking up; Jesus is coming soon, and we look forward to that day.

God bless!