Turn now if you will in your Bibles to Luke chapter 21 on page 1120 of your pew Bibles. Luke chapter 21 beginning with verse 20. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it. For these are days of vengeance to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days. For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves. People fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken and then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place straighten up and raise your heads. because your redemption is drawing near. As we look at this passage here today, we'll be breaking it into three parts. First of all, looking at these days of vengeance as described by Christ in verses 20 to 22. Secondly, we will examine the worldly response to these days of disaster in verses 23 to 26. And lastly, There is to be anticipation for the people of God. Anticipation for the people of God in verses 27 to 28. As you may recall as Christ first shocked his disciples as they left Jerusalem by noting that this glorious temple of Herod, this wonder of the world would not last forever. but would soon be torn stone by stone apart, not two stones left standing. That caused a lot of consternation in the minds of his disciples. Those who understood that for such a thing to happen in Jerusalem was a sign that yet another nation would sweep against Jerusalem and have victory over it. of another humbling that was to come yet for that city of David. And you may recall that some of his disciples then pulled him aside after they had found that place where they would stay on the Mount of Olives and began to inquire of him to know when this would take place. And by what signs might they know when this would happen? And as you reflect upon where we have already studied in chapter 21, Jesus's reply was not initially to answer those two questions. You may recall that He was pointing out something to them that was of far greater importance for them, though they know this day was coming when the temple would be destroyed. He was seeking to impress upon them the importance of their continuing to focus upon the mission that he had made for them. You see, our tendency when we ask the question of when will these things happen? As the children of God is very much like how our children respond when we give to them a task and they ask when do you want it done? Because our answer of I want it done before supper this evening means it is likely not to be undertaken until half an hour before the appointed time, right? And when we ask the question of when, we look at what time remains that we might use for ourselves. And Christ is trying to impress upon his disciples, those who love him, that this is the season of our service of Christ. This is the time that he has given to us that we might engage in those things for which we have been created. not putting it off until the last minute, not allowing those temptations to be lazy or lackadaisical to enter in, but to faithfully serve Him. And he goes on along the way to describe to them things that they ought to be Understanding would come even before that day of the destruction of the temple. He alerts them that before that day comes, you'll be persecuted. Before that day of the destruction of Jerusalem arrives, the persecutions will begin. And as we begin to study through the book of Acts, we see that is the case. That before the destruction of Jerusalem, the persecution begins. We have the stoning of Stephen that stands as a testimony of the truthfulness of what Christ has here given to his disciples of those things that are to pass. He says, there are other things that you need to be aware of. And yet he gives to them assurances along the way of his protection. Telling those who may face persecution, though they may suffer in body, though their life may be forfeit, he says of them that they might know their heavenly father's awareness and care for them. Not one hair upon your head shall perish." Now, as we come to verses 20 to 28, After he has described these other important matters, Christ now comes and gives to them somewhat the answer to their initial questions of when and by what signs shall we know them. So we look here first at his response relative to the destruction of Jerusalem in verses 20 to 22 that he describes as days of vengeance. He tells them, you will know when these things come to pass when you look out and see that the armies are beginning to surround Jerusalem. Now many of us, when we think in terms of the surrounding of Jerusalem, we tend to think in terms of the last occasion in which that happened. When Titus' armies came down and surrounded Jerusalem, laid siege to it, and proceeded to destroy it. But if you happen to know a little bit of the history of that area you would know that three years prior to Titus coming down another general of Rome came down and sought to take Jerusalem. And it's interesting that three years prior to the destruction this other army would come and many at that time of the believers within Jerusalem and the area remembered these words of Christ. For at that time we hear by historians like Josephus that many Christians left Jerusalem and went to a town called Pella and established themselves there. They were responding to these things that Christ had described in Luke chapter 21, where he gave instruction to his disciples what they were to do when these threats would arise that would be the precursors of the destruction of Jerusalem. And you see that the instructions that he gives may seem counterintuitive. For Jerusalem was a city that had impressive walls all around it. Typically, when armies would approach, the response of those in the countryside and within was to make sure they came within those walls and enjoyed the security of them. And yet we see here that Christ's instruction to his disciples when these days approach is to leave the city, is to flee Jerusalem, is to block the entry to Jerusalem from those from the countryside who would naturally have gone in to be within the walls of Jerusalem. To flee to the mountains, to a safe place, to escape the days of vengeance. And as Christ is describing this coming judgment upon Jerusalem, He is here beginning to put in the mind of his disciples the reality of that fact that our God knows, just as Psalm 78 referred to, our God knows, is aware of all our sins. These things do not escape his notice. Some grow very confident in their sin. Over time, don't they, because they begin to be comforted thinking that perhaps their sin goes unnoticed. Perhaps God's sight has grown dim as our sight often grows dim with age. Perhaps his warnings are just empty threats. And these words of Christ stand as a great warning to the people of Jerusalem, to those who had grown lax in their religious affections, to those who had become pursuers of their own selfish desires rather than the things of God. that God notes these things. And the judgments that we've recently been studying, those things that have been expressed time and time again as warning from God, will come to pass. As we began our time in Psalm 103, we were reminded that God does not make empty promises. But that those warnings that he gives, those promises that he makes, his plans will continue and be fulfilled, unthwarted by the efforts of man. That we might better understand that those things that we might define as a slow response stand in reality as expressions of God's long suffering with us as sinners. that he has chosen and has dealt patiently with us though we have sinned, though we have failed to hear his warning time and time and time again, generation after generation after generation. And yet as Christ is describing the fall of Jerusalem he is showing and reiterating to his disciples lest they think that there will be no judgment until Christ comes again in power and glory. Some of God's judgments he is pleased to meet out today. Some of these things he brings about before that last day. Sometimes he has in his mind that these things stand as disciplining acts of a loving heavenly father for his children that they might abandon the folly of their course and return to him just as he had done when he saw them scattered and sent into captivity in Babylon. So here he describes this as an event, the days of vengeance where God's wrath will burn against those who will forsake his chosen Redeemer and those who will lay a hand to his destruction to fulfill all that has been written. He finishes that section by reminding his disciples where these things may be found, impressing upon them their need to continue to be students of the word of God. That these things are not new, these things are not contrary, but rather stand as a testimony to the truthfulness of all of God's prophecies to this point. And so he sends them back to the book. Look and see these things he has already spoken of in his and by his prophets. These days of vengeance will be hard. And yet here as he describes these things and the things that are about to happen to Jerusalem, we need to understand this was a particular discipline that was carried out. This wasn't the final judgment to be carried out but it does stand as a type of or an example of that we might realize the true seriousness of sin. That if he would so deal with Jerusalem at this point will he not with even greater vigor deal with all those who stand opposed to him at the end when Christ comes finally to put an end to the rebellion of man, to deal with in its entirety sin. He describes these things because he is soon to describe a stark contrast from that which will befall those who continue on in their rebellion with those who are his. So how is it that the world will respond to these difficulties, to this disaster that is soon to befall Jerusalem? In terror. How is it that they will be treated through these things? Verse 24, they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations. And that great city of Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles. We see here what might be likened to a great humbling of that city. The removal of that pride that had grown up within the hearts of that rebellious group within. And that they would be once again put under the foot of the Gentiles. That God here is giving some expression of how it is he will carry out his purposes. And after a season in which his beloved people will find themselves under the foot of these other nations. He will choose to utilize the Gentiles as his agents for the establishment of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, for the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. Now even as he describes this, this humbling of the people of Israel, He still leaves this last little phrase, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, that we might again be reminded, as we were in Psalm 103, that God's promises are never abandoned. He will fulfill what he has promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. He will complete those things that he promised to Moses. And yet he will not do so at the expense of his justice but he will do it through the gospel of Jesus Christ, that life-giving word, that redeemer of Israel. He will be glorified. Now as he comes to this disaster he talks about their being disciplined, this domination by Gentiles. And yet as he is describing these things to his disciples who could have so easily become disheartened as they saw the nation of Israel again brought under the domination of other powers and people carried away, they could have thrown up their hands in despair and given up. And yet Christ is telling them these things that they might realize these are all part of that great plan of God that must be carried out. And that the mission or the ministry which Christ has given them to do is the means by which he is pleased to work despite this destruction of Jerusalem. And he has given them these instructions to flee the city, another expression of our good shepherd's care for his precious sheep, that they would not be caught unaware but that they would be in safety kept by him to accomplish that purpose that he had set before them. Now he comes to the third part. He says, there will be signs in sun and moon and stars and on the earth, distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and of waves. He says, there are going to be things, difficulties that will arise and you will see amongst those of the world fear and dread, consternation. As they see these things happening, as they are shaken to the core. And along the way in this age of the church, there have been events that have occurred that have been and served as reminders of these truths. The world does not know how to handle it when terra firma begins to shake. That which they assume will always be secure. And thus you see the looks of fear and dread upon the faces of those who have recently endured such things as earthquakes. When things that are to remain steadfast are shaken, things that they had put their hope and their trust in this life and in the world are shaken. And yet God is pleased in those great events to use those things in order to draw men and women to himself as the gospel is proclaimed and a foundation that is far more sure is put forth. One that cannot be shaken, cannot be destroyed. One that they might effectively hang all their hopes, the Lord Jesus Christ. He says there are going to be these signs and people look to the heavens. We talked last week of those who would look to the heavens and seek to discern from them indications that Christ is at hand. And we have seen the destruction that has been wrought on the lives of many as cult leaders have looked to the heavens and sought to discern for themselves the time and the hour, a time and hour that is not known to us. and have led to the destruction of many people who are moved out of their fear and dread to great acts, even laying down their life. As we were studying that book of Revelation, we were reminded of the great fear that takes hold of the world, that even the thought of seeing the wrath of the Lamb, such that they would cry out to the mountains to fall upon us. He says these will be the signs, these will be the indication of the drawing near of the time of Christ's return. And you might think to yourself as you watch this, that and the other political ad, as you read your papers and read the various news agencies online that these things seem to be beginning to take place all around us. That we live within an age that is filled with fear that seeks to try to overcome every possible threatening by human means and strength and wisdom. And all of these technological advances that we have been blessed to enjoy have done nothing to remove the fear of the worldly. But rather some new fear is waiting in the wings to undermine their confidence in themselves. Brothers and sisters, we know it isn't going to be by our technology that we're saved. We understand that these things aren't in and of themselves salvific. There's only one way that men, women and children can be saved and it is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. And it is for this reason that we see the stark contrast between the response of the world to those growing expressions of the frustrations caused by sin within the world. The world fears, dreads, faints out of apprehension of these things and yet all will see the coming of Christ. All will see the Son of Man as He returns in power and glory, just as He went to be with the Father. Here we see that Luke harkens back to Daniel chapter 7 verses 13 and 14, that we might again have impressed upon us, these things have been described for you before. God's story, God's plan hasn't changed at all. Rather, through progressive revelation, he has been increasingly making it clear that we might know these things and enjoy the confidence he desires for all those who are his. He says, all, even those who would rise up against him, will see the coming of Christ in glory. Their response will be one of dread. And yet, brothers and sisters, he gives to us here a word of encouragement. He shares with his disciples that they ought not to be ruled by fear, though persecutions and even martyrdom may be in their future. They should not be filled with dread, though things as glorious as the Temple of Herod may be torn down block by block. For he is reminding them what he told that woman by the well in John chapter 4. A time is coming when you will not worship upon this mountain or in Jerusalem, but you will worship in spirit and in truth. He's giving to them insights of these things that they might know the great lengths that God has gone to protect those who are most precious to him such that as the day of arrives approaches that if our hope is in Christ we are not overcome by fear. We do not dread his coming. Rather, those whose hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ cry out, come quickly, Lord Jesus. He says to his disciples who maybe were showing forth those signs of the heavy burden of this news that he has shared of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and reminding them of the ultimate coming of the day of judgment. He says, but you, you who believe, You who hope in Christ do not be downcast, rather straighten up and hold up your heads for the approach of Christ is an expression of our being one day closer to being with him for all eternity. You see here what serves as the fuel of the servants of Christ as we go throughout this life. And those who are older can testify that each day as we grow older seems a little more difficult than the preceding day. And yet here is Christ saying, but with every day that he supplies you, he affords you yet another opportunity to serve him. Another expression of his safekeeping of you for yet another day. And you have grown yet one day closer to Christ's return." He says, these things ought to lift your spirits. These things ought to send you forth as his ambassadors with enthusiasm to speak of that one whom you love and whom you know so loves you. Jesus wants his disciples, though they hear these heavy matters, to realize who it is that is sovereign, who it is that rules, how it all ends, that they might go forth with confidence. You know, we have hearkened back to that widow who gave her last two mites in the offering box there in the temple. And I think Jesus even has her in mind as he is teaching these things, as he is seeking to apply those lessons which they had beheld with him within the temple that they might again be reminded of what their true treasure is that would cause one like that widow to with confidence put her last two mites within that offering box, confident because she knows she is safely within his hands and he will provide for her what she needs. Brothers and sisters, that is the confidence Christ wants us to have in him. That is the means by which God has been pleased through us as instruments to build his church that we with that confidence go forth bearing a message of life to those who are perishing for the glory of his name. Let's pray.