A.
Jesus
prophesied that distressing events preceding His return would come as a snare to
test all people (v. 25, 35). He called His people to be strengthened to escape the
snare of sin and fear and to stand in victory (v. 36). He warned them not to allow
their hearts to be weighed down (v. 34) and gave pastoral exhortations: to take heed to themselves (v. 34) and to watch and pray (v. 36).
25“There will be…on the earth distress of nations…26men’s
hearts failing them from fear… 28When these things begin
to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption
draws near…32this generation will by no means pass away till all
things take place…34But take heed to yourselves, lest
your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this
life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it
will come as a snare on all those who dwell on…the whole earth. 36Watch…pray
always that you may be counted worthy [have strength] to escape all these things…to stand before the Son of
Man.” (Lk.
21:25-36)
B.
Distress of nations: The intensity
of the distress will continue to increase until the end. People will respond
differently: some will faint with fear
(v. 26), but others will be filled with
faith, “looking up”
to King Jesus instead of only “looking out” at the growing distress (v. 28). The distress will include financial crisis,
terrorism, racial clashes, violent weather, persecution, etc.
48[Jesus said,] “…to whom much is given,
from him much will be required.” (Lk. 12:48)
C.
Your redemption: The ever-increasing
display of God’s power will lead to His return. It will be the optimum context for the greatest number
of people to grow to the deepest levels of love.
D.
Begin: Believers are to recognize when
these things begin in the generation Jesus
returns (v. 28, 32). The end-time distress of nations will have a recognizable
beginning, increasing in intensity over a generation, and culminating at His return. A generation may last 100 years (Gen. 15:13-16).
E.
Unexpected: People surprised by the increasing distress
will be more vulnerable to fear (v. 34).
F.
Snare: Snares, or traps, were used in
NT times to capture animals for food. A baited snare was hidden to lure prey into the trap and designed
to hold its prey by
making escape difficult.
G.
Jesus highlighted three emotional snares that will weigh
hearts down and cause people to fall.
1.
Carousing
(dissipation): This
speaks of over-indulgence that
dissipates or diminishes one’s spiritual strength—through immorality or other pleasures outside of God’s will.
2.
Drunkenness: Many people seek to escape their pain and pressure
by finding comfort in mind-altering substances rather than seeking freedom by connecting
with Jesus.
3.
Cares
of life: Many
will be overcome by anxiety, leading to bitterness toward those who block their
goals for position, provision, protection, happiness, etc. (v. 26, 34).
II.
two
exhortations: take heed, and watch and pray (Lk. 21:34, 36)
A.
God’s people must be strengthened to escape the snare of sin and fear and stand in victory (v. 36).
34“Take
heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing,
drunkenness, and cares of this life…36Watch…and pray always
that you may be counted worthy [have strength] to escape all these things…and to stand
before the Son of Man.” (Lk. 21:34-36)
B.
#1
Take heed to yourselves: We must make it a priority to access
God’s grace made available in Christ. Defilement of the heart will
be far more dangerous than the external distress of nations.
1.
Have strength: A vibrant spiritual
life leads to courage and zeal for God. The phrase be counted worthy (v. 36, NKJV) is translated as have strength in most modern translations.
An NKJV footnote offers to have strength as
an alternate translation. The idea is that we would be strengthened to respond to the Lord in a way that is worthy of who He is.
2.
Weighed down: A heart weighed down
with lust and fear is unresponsive to Jesus.
What we do with our body greatly affects the spiritual condition of our heart;
drunkenness, immorality, etc., cause us to lose godly perspective, courage, and
motivation to seek God.
4.
To escape: God’s
people are to be prepared spiritually
to escape the trap of falling into sin and giving way to lust, drunkenness,
fear, deception, etc.
C.
#2
Watch and pray: Jesus gave His people practical pastoral
counsel to watch and pray. Both Jesus and Paul emphasized the call to “watch” in the context of describing pressure in the end times (Mt.
24:42; 25:13; Mk. 13:9, 33, 34, 35, 37; Lk. 21:36; Rev. 16:15; cf. 1 Thes. 5:6).
1.
Watch: This exhortation focuses on the mind—we grow in
understanding by watching the biblical signs of the times unfold. As
our understanding increases, it produces greater urgency in us. By watching what the prophetic scriptures
say about the end-time distress in the nations, people can see prophecy progressively
unfold before them. As people watch, they inevitably talk about what is
occurring and how it lines up with biblical prophecy. Thus,
they connect with more people who have a common urgency and vision.
2.
Pray: This exhortation focuses on the heart—we grow in strength
by connecting with Jesus. Prayer
strengthens our heart and releases His resources into the earthly realm.
(Prayers to Strengthen Our Inner Man: see mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3637).
(Prayers to Strengthen Our Inner Man: see mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3637).
D.
Summary: We are to position ourselves to
receive greater insight (by watching)
to understand what the Lord is doing, and greater strength (by prayer) to love well as pressures increase.
Those who grow in understanding and strength will be strengthened to stand as
overcomers.
E.
Jesus’ call to
watch and pray is a call to empower believers to love others well. Multitudes
will need the help of those walking in power and courage with insight into what
God is doing. People with understanding will be a part of the solution rather
than contributing to the confusion.
No comments:
Post a Comment