In
addressing the Pharisees' question on the Kingdom of God, Jesus had established
that the Kingdom of God is already in our midst. This Kingdom is a
certainty for those who have acknowledged Jesus as their King. So in Luke
17:22-37, Jesus turned to address His disciples. He told them that there
would be a period of His physical absence on earth. During those times, His
people would long for the day when He would be present with them. But that day
would seem long in coming.
The
period of His physical absence would be marked by many speculations. There will
be varied proclamations that the Messiah had come. His followers must not be
taken in by running everywhere after all kinds of speculations. Why? For His
reappearance will be evident. Just as the lightning would light up a night sky,
so will Jesus' reappearance be, just as visible. It will be sudden. It will be
universal. It will also be seen by all at the same time regardless of where
they may be.
In verse
25, Jesus again reminded His disciples of His impending suffering and rejection
which must first take place. Then in verses 26-30, He described what the
state of the world would be in before His coming. He said that prior to
His coming, the condition of the world would be like that which was experienced
in Noah's and Lot's days. People would also be engaged in very ordinary activities
such as, eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building. They would
be oblivious to what was coming. Just as the disasters happened suddenly
on the people in Noah's and Lot's days, so also would His reappearance be to
us.
Believers
are warned however, not to be like the people who were indifferent to the signs
of the time. While engaging in normal duties, believers must stay alert to the
spiritual signs. The call to remember Lot's wife is a call not to be engrossed
in the mundane and worldly things. Lot's wife yearned for the things of the
past, her heart was so reverted to Sodom that she looked back and came under
divine judgement. In verses 34-36, Jesus further said that there would be a separation
between the saved and the unsaved at His coming. This is a timely reminder to
keep faith with Christ. Then the disciples wanted to know where the event would
be taking place. The Lord's answer in verse 37 is enigmatic. He could be referring
to the impending Roman’s massacre. It is possible that the Lord was talking
about the Roman insignia which is an eagle, referred to here as a vulture. However,
suffice to say that His appearance will be sudden and unexpected. But before
that there will be destruction.
Let's think about our own readiness. Would we be ready
to join the Lord at a moment's notice? Don't be entangled so steeply in the
affairs of the world that we fail to look out for that critical moment! Look
up, for it won't be long! Be ready, stay alert, keep watching and praying! Keep
flourishing for the Lord!
In
addressing the Pharisees' question on the Kingdom of God, Jesus had established
that the Kingdom of God is already in our midst. This Kingdom is a
certainty for those who have acknowledged Jesus as their King. So in Luke
17:22-37, Jesus turned to address His disciples. He told them that there
would be a period of His physical absence on earth. During those times, His
people would long for the day when He would be present with them. But that day
would seem long in coming.
The
period of His physical absence would be marked by many speculations. There will
be varied proclamations that the Messiah had come. His followers must not be
taken in by running everywhere after all kinds of speculations. Why? For His
reappearance will be evident. Just as the lightning would light up a night sky,
so will Jesus' reappearance be, just as visible. It will be sudden. It will be
universal. It will also be seen by all at the same time regardless of where
they may be.
In verse
25, Jesus again reminded His disciples of His impending suffering and rejection
which must first take place. Then in verses 26-30, He described what the
state of the world would be in before His coming. He said that prior to
His coming, the condition of the world would be like that which was experienced
in Noah's and Lot's days. People would also be engaged in very ordinary activities
such as, eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building. They would
be oblivious to what was coming. Just as the disasters happened suddenly
on the people in Noah's and Lot's days, so also would His reappearance be to
us.
Believers
are warned however, not to be like the people who were indifferent to the signs
of the time. While engaging in normal duties, believers must stay alert to the
spiritual signs. The call to remember Lot's wife is a call not to be engrossed
in the mundane and worldly things. Lot's wife yearned for the things of the
past, her heart was so reverted to Sodom that she looked back and came under
divine judgement. In verses 34-36, Jesus further said that there would be a separation
between the saved and the unsaved at His coming. This is a timely reminder to
keep faith with Christ. Then the disciples wanted to know where the event would
be taking place. The Lord's answer in verse 37 is enigmatic. He could be referring
to the impending Roman’s massacre. It is possible that the Lord was talking
about the Roman insignia which is an eagle, referred to here as a vulture. However,
suffice to say that His appearance will be sudden and unexpected. But before
that there will be destruction.
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