"... there shall be signs in the sun,
and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25).
The Greek "aporia" (Strong 640) translated "perplexity" is derived from "aporeo" (Strong 639), which conveys the idea of being "without resources". Far from the view of modern scientific man being in control of himself and of his world, the bible paints an opposite picture of the end times and that picture is true to life, though increasingly unpopular in the established "church".
We live in a run-away world with ever increasing problems that will take us to the brink of destruction with no human solution—"with perplexity" = no human way out. An interesting and encouraging thing is that the signs are here just as our Lord predicted. For those who read their bibles, with their spiritual senses attuned, the signs are everywhere—in the sun, moon and stars as well as upon earth and even in the sea.
Interspersed among the various signs that our Lord refers to in answer to the question about the destruction of the temple (see Luke 21:5-7) are two negative and three positive instructions:
1) Don't be Deceived _ verse 8 _ "…Take heed that you are not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ (= anointed); ...don't go … after them";
2) Don't be Afraid _ verse 9 _ "...when you shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet";
3) Be Patient _ verse 19 _ "In your patience possess your souls";
4) Look Up _ verse 28 _ " ...when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near"; and
5) Watch and Pray _ verse 36 _ "Watch … and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Our regular readers will know that we teach a panoramic view of bible prophecy i.e. that there is usually more than one application and interpretation to a particular prophetic passage. In the immediate context the warnings and instructions of Luke 21 refer to the events of AD 70 when Jerusalem was razed and the temple destroyed. Verse 20 is particularly pertinent: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near". It happened in AD 70 but it has happened since and it`s happening or about to happen again.
God bless you
[ TOP ]
Appeared in Issue CETF 6.2 December 2000
|
