THURSDAY- LAST  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

I Reading: Apocalypse 18:1-2.21-23;19:1-3.9: Babylon the Great has fallen!

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28: Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.

The Destruction of Jerusalem, Lk 21:20-24

This passage is definitely dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and with the Jewish nation throughout history (v.24). The fall of Jerusalem is judgement upon sin, not the abomination that causes desolation (that is, the antichrist spoken of by Matthew and Mark, Mt 24:15;Mk 13:14). The fall of the world will be also judgement upon sin. Jesus did not give the exact time of the fall of Jerusalem and the world, but he indeed said about the signs of the end of world. Let us be vigilant and watchful always and trust in the power of God.

1. A sign for which to look: Jerusalem surrendered by armies (v.20)

2. A time to flee (v.21)

3. A time of punishment (v.22)

4. A time of owe: Distress and wrath, death and captivity (v.23)

5. A time numbered by the Gentiles (v.24)

The Coming of Jesus: The Son of Man, Lk 21:25-28

In this passage we see the Lord’s personal return to earth (Lk 21:27,35) at the end of the world.

1. The signs of astronomical happenings and their results (v.25-26)

a. anguish of nations

b. oceans affected

c. men faint from terror and fearing

d. reason re-emphasized: heavenly body shaken

2. The actual coming of Jesus, the Son of Man (v.27)

3. The great encouragement to the believer: Look up your redemption is near (v.28)

Thought: We are to be prepared for the coming judgement of the end time by watchfulness and believing in true God. Believers are not to be discouraged, but encouraged hoping in the Lord.

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