Luke 21:5-19

And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


While at the temple, some marveled at its beauty but Jesus warned them that a time was coming when it would be destroyed so severely that not one stone would be left on another. This came to pass in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Sometimes we can make the mistake of looking at things we have established and think of them as permanent. But thankfully God does not have permanent plans for this world. He has a new heaven and a new earth in plan for us. Looking still at Herod’s magnificent temple, the disciples ask Jesus when it will be destroyed. Jesus warned of some signs that they would see before the destruction of the temple and others that would come after that during the time of tribulation before His second coming. They would face persecution but that would be their opportunity to be witnesses. They need not trouble themselves beforehand with what to say because Jesus promised to give them the answers they needed (by the Holy Spirit, Mark 13:11). Jesus warned that their persecution would even be at the hands of family members and friends and some would die. They were to rest in God’s sovereignty. During the tribulation, some will turn away from the faith in the face of persecution, but those who endure in their faith will remain alive to enter the kingdom and see the salvation of Israel.

Being able to endure in faith until the end will require a greater focus on God and His kingdom than on the things of the world. Which has a greater pull on your life, heavenly or earthly things? Do you need to make some adjustments?


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