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Comfort & Reassurance
This Holy Scripture study has focused me upon two main themes. The first is one of remaining steadfastly with the Lord and secondly we come to what has, for many years, been a most perplexing verse for me & one that trips up many of the Faithful.
Jesus reminds us that God is in control, and if you believe in God and His promises, all we then need is to stay strong in our Faith. Through thick & thin, through tragedies both public and personal He is with us always and God is in control. The Lord actually describes particular weaknesses and afflictions which will be visited upon the Faithfull during this time of trial near “the End”. Specific warnings are in verses 34-35.
Lastly, we come to a verse that has vexed me for my entire life. I have now found a reassurance which is almost stronger than that from any other scripture. Conversely, the same confusion that I faced is used to deceive both the Faithfull and those who have not made their decision.
32″I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
What we have here is a gift from the Lord. Unfortunately, if we are deceived by others or ourselves, we will stumble. My study for this included some research in interpretations and particularly Luke 21 – IVP New Testament Commentaries (on line). The crux of the matter from this source was this. Which generation was He speaking about? Was it the one He was speaking to, there, over 2000 years ago? Rather, it is the generation who is living at the time the prophesied tribulations occur.
For me, it is also the preferred. It makes perfect sense. What had deceived me for so long was that, being human, I forget the great things He has done in my life just like I forgot the detail in the preceding verses. Read again, Luke 21:20-26. This is not like trying to decipher Revelations. At least to me, what Jesus is telling me is much clearer now. What to look for is spelled out. The WHY of the confusion for over 2000 years seems plain. Of course, it wasn’t some brilliant academic conclusion. It came from prayerful study of His Word. Seems I have heard that recommended a time or two.
Thank you, Pastor Alan, for this opportunity and this reassuring gift of verse 32.
Thanks Ed. It is a joy to know you and have you at CCC. The question that you asked about the generation has never bothered me. The date and time of Christ return are a mystery and we only have signs or pictures of when that will occure. I have always asked what my job is to be. In this case it follows 32. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 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.”
Be careful Be watchful. Be prayerful stand firm
well… this whole passage (Luke 21:5-38) is a real hum-dinger, isn’t it? We’ll be unpacking it all on Sunday — on a holiday weekend!! Whew!
I appreciate everyone’s thoughts this week on Feed One Another. I believe God has give me some practical application of this “hard” passage.
What you/I do… while I’m’ waiting?
Blessings!
alan
I got a say i really dig your shirt ,where did you get it?it is amazing how getting feed another every morning has acted as a clarifying spiritual tool for me.he is everywhere and he wants us ,thanks guys.
peace,Bobby
Ed, what a joy to log on & see your smiling face! Isn’t it great to have the all-encompassing living within us through His Spirit! His revelations are incredible.
Edd,
Thanks. People get all wrapped around a tree over these verses: Is it End Times? Is it then times? Is it for now? Yes. Certainly we’re blessed when we dig deep into the mysteries of God. But we miss the point if we don’t recognize what you present here, the encouragement of Scripture and understanding that God is taking care of us.
I loved the song we sang on Sunday.
“I will serve You while I wait,
I will worship while I wait on You, Lord.”
I sometimes (now, actually) I feel like I am hovering somewhere between the Rapture and the ‘Rough Stuff’, and wish I could land SOMEWHERE. Anywhere. Even into more of the rough stuff would be OK.
But, like you said, Edd, timing is all in God’s hands. And what a beautiful picture Alan shared of the little girl in the ocean… just floating, waiting for her Daddy to come and get her.
service. worship. word.
Thank you <