While the temple constructed by Solomon was glorious, it would be expanded by both the Hasmoneans and King Herod. Herod was the king of Judea when Jesus was born. He was known as “Herod the great” because of his great building projects. He built huge fortresses in Caesarea and Masada. He made impressive theaters, a hippodrome, a massive harbor, and an aqueduct.

Herod expanded the temple of God to 36 acres! He started the project in 19 B.C., and it wasn’t fully completed until 60 A.D. In 67 A.D., the Jews rebelled against the Romans, the city of Jerusalem was burned, and the temple was destroyed.

Jesus predicted this horrible event in Luke 21. This chapter has nothing to do with the personal return of Jesus and the end of the world. Instead, it speaks of the signs that would occur before the fall of Jerusalem, the temple’s destruction, and the end of the Jewish age.

The Context

  • While leaving the temple, the disciples brag about the temple constructed by Herod (Luke 21:5).
  • Jesus predicted a day when this beautiful temple would be destroyed (Luke 21:6). This would be a “coming” of Jesus in judgment.
  • This prediction stunned the disciples (Luke 21:27).

The Signs

  • There would be many signs that would take place before the Lord’s coming in judgment on the Jewish nation.
  • Many false “christs” would rise (Luke 21:8).
  • There would be wars and disturbances throughout the world (Luke 21:9).
  • There would be kingdoms against kingdoms and nations against nations (Luke 21:10).
  • There would be natural disasters (Luke 21:11; Acts 11:28).
  • Christians would be persecuted by opponents of the gospel (Luke 21:12-19).

Other Key Verses

  • Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20).
  • Disciples needed to leave the city and flee into the mountains (Luke 21:21).
  • It would be difficult to escape for those pregnant and nursing babies (Luke 21:23).
  • They needed to pray that this time of judgment didn’t occur in the winter or on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:20).

What about Luke 21:25-27?

  • These verses are loaded with Old Testament judgment language. God often used strong dramatic figurative language to announce His judgment on a nation (Ezekiel 32:1-8; Isaiah 13:1-10; 19:1; Micah 1:1-5).
  • Jesus uses the language of the prophets to describe a time of God’s wrath, vengeance, and punishment on a rebellious people (Luke 21:22-24).

How should we respond?

  • We need to be comforted. Jesus cares about His people. He warned them about Jerusalem’s destruction so they could know when to leave and avoid being harmed. He also cares about our physical and spiritual safety (1 Peter 5:6-7).
  • We need to be fearful. If things were this bad for the Jewish people who rebelled against God, how much worse will it be for the wicked when the Lord returns and the world is destroyed (Hebrews 10:31)?
  • We need to be preparing for the second coming. There will be no signs to warn us before the Lord personally returns. We must be prepared for it to occur at any moment (2 Peter 3:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-11).

Conclusion:

Are you prepared for the second coming of Jesus?