June 09 2025

Monday June 09

Luke 21:8-19 – Jesus’ Description of the Tribulation

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 will continue looking at Luke 21:8-19. In this passage, Jesus gives His great prophecy concerning future events to His disciples from the Mount of Olives as they overlook the city of Jerusalem. He's answering their question: what will the signs be of the end of the age, and when will that happen? Here, Jesus describes what we've already discussed as the great tribulation period, the seven years between the time of the church age, the rapture of the church, and the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth.

Remember, this is primarily a Jewish prophecy for the Jewish nation, but there are applications we can make for the church today. As we see these events and signs intensify, it simply means it's getting closer. In the book of 2 Timothy 3:1-5, it says as you see these things approaching, in the last days perilous times will come, men will be lovers of themselves, blasphemers, lovers of pleasure. And so, there are indications that we're getting close to the end of the age.

We also need to remember that the second coming of Christ happens in two stages: the first stage is when He comes back in the air to rapture the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and the second stage is when He sets His feet down on the Mount of Olives and establishes His kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-5). Before that is a seven-year tribulation, described here in Luke 21:8-19.

Jesus says during that age, "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." False teachers, false prophets, and false messiahs will come and claim to be Jesus or the Messiah. Even now, in places like Israel, there are signs on the back of buses and billboards claiming the Messiah is almost here, pointing to a rabbi who they believe will be that Messiah.

In verse 9, Jesus says, "When you hear of wars and commotions, don't be terrified, for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." Wars and chaos will happen and are already happening, but they will intensify in the first part of the tribulation period. This is why the Antichrist, the man of peace, will be able to bring peace amid these events. Jesus continues, "Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom." There will be international chaos, but in verse 11, He adds, "There will be great earthquakes in various places, famines, and pestilences, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven." Not only will things take place on earth with pestilences and earthquakes during the tribulation, as described in the book of Revelation, but there will also be signs in heaven, indicating that the seven years of tribulation are nearing their end.

In verse 12, Jesus says, "But before all these things, they'll lay hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you'll be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake, but it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore, settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist." There will be tremendous persecution during this time. Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation, when the Antichrist breaks his peace treaty with Israel and persecutes them. He tells them they will have to flee to the mountains, but He assures them they will be given words to speak as they are brought before courts, the Antichrist, and the rulers he sets up. This will be an occasion to be a great witness. I believe thousands and millions of people will come to know Jesus Christ during the tribulation period, though they will be persecuted for their faith.

This is Jesus' description of what it will be like in the tribulation period, especially for the Jewish nation. God bless you as you think on these things, and remember the application for us today: God gives us the words to speak when we are persecuted in this age, through the Holy Spirit giving us the thoughts of God through His Word.

God bless!