Luke 21 - How Can You Be Ready for the Second Coming of Christ?

Luke 21 - NIV 

Luke 21 Enduring Word Commentary

Key Verses for Today

34 “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.” Luke 21:34-36

Commentary

This chapter can be a little confusing. Is Jesus talking about the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, or about the end times? 

I think this is the best explanation. 

Luke 21 addresses both the destruction of the Temple and the end times, often weaving them together as a "prophetic type" where one event serves as a precursor or foreshadowing of the other. 

After describes the imminent destruction of the temple, he talks about the signs which will precede Jesus' second coming. These include persecution even leading to death, Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, a long exile until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled, signs in the sun, moon, and stars, terror of the seas being shaken, and fainting at the shaking of heavenly bodies.

Luke concludes, "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:27

When you read the accounts of the end times in Matthew and Luke's gospels, they are similar but different. What are the distinctives of both? (From GotQuestions.org)

Key Differences in Focus

The Immediate vs. The Ultimate: Matthew’s account tends to blend the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) with the final Second Coming (Parousia), viewing them as part of a single complex of "end-time" events.

Luke more clearly separates the two, providing specific details about the Roman siege of Jerusalem as a distinct historical event that precedes the final end.

Target Audience:

Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience, focusing on the "Abomination of Desolation" (a reference to the book of Daniel) and the arrival of the Messiah to restore Israel.

Luke wrote for a Gentile audience, replacing the cryptic "Abomination of Desolation" with the literal description of "Jerusalem surrounded by armies" (Luke 21:20).

At the end of the day since we don't know when Jesus will return what shall we do as we wait. 

Luke says not to let our hearts get weighed down by the things of this world. I.e. carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life. Jesus says that for these people His return will be like a trap. The world promises everything, but delivers nothing, and it blinds us from being ready for Jesus' return. 

So how should be ready for Jesus' return since it can happen at any time?

Here is what Jesus taught. 

"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.” Luke 21:26

The Greek word for "watch" (agrypneite) implies a state of being "sleepless" or alert. 

How do we stand watch? By praying. Praying keeps us alert, focused on Christ, and keeps us from being distracted by the world. Maybe that is why Paul says to, "Pray unceasingly" in 2 Thessalonians 5:17 It's interesting that Paul focuses a lot on the end times in 1 Thessalonians. The theme of the second coming is brought up in every chapter. 

What does he mean when he says, "You may be able to escape all that happens". Again this could have the dual meaning for imminent destruction of the temple in A.D. 70, and/or the escape Christians will need at Jesus' second coming. Part of it may be "physical deliverance" from the calamities that will happen. Or, it could also mean deliverance from the "divine wrath of God" at the end of time.  

It would appear it is the latter because Jesus concludes, "So that you may be able to stand before the Son of man." 

The reward for Christ followers who maintain faith throughout the end times is that we will stand with Jesus and reign with him forever. We know this is not suggesting works righteousness but more in line with being faithful to Jesus, as we have been given the gift of faith. 

We also know this is not just all our own doing because Paul says in Philippians, "He who began a good work in Your will be faithful to complete it!" 1:6

And in his final instructions he says to the Thessalonians, "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-34

Application for Life

1. If Jesus were to return tonight, would you be ready? If not, what would you have to change to be ready?

2. Are you being weighed down by the desires and worries of this world? How can you escape that? 

Having other Christian friends in your church may really help here, especially those you can be honest with is extremely helpful to stay on track in your Christian walk! 

Prayer

Jesus, you have called us as your disciples and given us the gift of faith. Help us to be faithful in all we do. Help us to escape the worries and desires of this world. Help us to stay alert by always praying and maintaining a close relationship with you. Give us other brothers and sisters in Christ that can walk alongside of us as you continue to do a good work in us until You complete it. Amen. 


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