Jesus Is Coming
by Abraham Wright
Jesus is coming and we need to pray.
In Luke 21, from verse 5 to the end of the chapter, Jesus talks about the temple's destruction in Jerusalem (which happened in 70 AD by the Romans), and he also seems to speak of events that will occur leading up to his return. There’s one primary reason some believe Jesus speaks of his second coming and not only the temple's destruction.
The parallel passage of Jesus describing the temple's destruction is in Matthew 24. In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ disciples not only asked about the temple's destruction, but they also asked about his coming and the end of the age. One way to interpret this is Jesus’ second coming, which has not occurred yet.
Now, getting back to Luke 21. At the end of this chapter, Jesus says something to his disciples about his return. Jesus’ words are very challenging and convicting for me. Notice what Jesus said to his disciples about his return.
Luke 21:34–36 says, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
A couple of things I want to highlight about Jesus’ words concerning his second coming.
1. People will be consumed with this life.
Jesus says in verse 34 that people will be carousing (or partying), getting drunk and filled with the anxieties of life prior to His return. These things will so consume people that Jesus says his return will “close on (them) suddenly like a trap.” His return is described as catching people off guard who are consumed with this world.
2. This judgment is global.
In verse 35, Jesus seems to be speaking beyond the temple's destruction in Jerusalem because he said this event will come upon the earth. This is one reason some believe Jesus is speaking of his future return. Now, if Jesus is speaking of his return, he is either describing persecution or judgment that will precede his return, or Jesus is simply speaking of his return itself. Possibly both.
This is a good reminder that Jesus’ return will not be something done in secret. For John writes when Jesus returns, “Every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7).
3. We need to pray.
In light of the temptation to be consumed with this life (Luke 21:34), and in light of Jesus’ soon return, we are encouraged to do one major thing:
Jesus did not say “work harder” or “be better.”
Instead, in light of these things, Jesus said, “…pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen…” (Luke 21:36).
Take a moment each day and pray that God helps you be ready for his return.
Author Bio
Abraham Wright is a teaching pastor at Council Road and leads the Spiritual Formation Team. He has a master’s degree in Apologetics and is married to Marjorie. They have four children: Trinity, Bailey, Isaac and Jacob.