Watch!

Luke 21:29-38, “Watch!”

We’ve all been there: those times when we’ve been barely alert, and basically sleepwalking through the day. For some, it’s occasional; for others, it’s a daily basis…at least until the 3^rd cup of coffee. That kind of drowsiness isn’t just inconvenient; it can be downright dangerous. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of adult drivers have admitted to driving while drowsy, and 37% have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. (http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/) That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

But it could be worse! Far worse than falling asleep at the wheel is falling asleep at life, finding oneself unprepared to see God for the judgment. The Bible makes it clear that it appointed to every person once to die, then to face judgment. (Heb 9:27) The only way to be ready for that judgment is to be ready to see Jesus – for we will see Him. Whether by death, by rapture, or at His 2^nd Coming & His Kingdom, all people everywhere will see Jesus. For that, we need to wake up & watch!

Chronologically in our text, Jesus is in the very last week of His earthly ministry. We may have just come out of Christmas & New Years, but Jesus is mere hours away from the cross on Good Friday & a few short days from His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Earlier in the week, He entered Jerusalem in triumph, with His followers openly proclaiming Him as king. The religious authorities, however, were not so generous. They consistently opposed Jesus, attempting to discredit Him…and failed miserably in the process. In the end, Jesus exposed them as the hypocrites they were, finding the true worship of God not among the religious elite, but among those would were ordinarily forgotten, yet still came to the temple to worship. (Such as the widow who gave to the Lord her entire livelihood in an act of worship and sacrifice.)

While in the temple, Jesus’ disciples took some time to admire the craftsmanship, which gave Jesus the sad opportunity to prophesy of its future destruction. Not one stone would be left upon another – everything they admired would soon be thrown down and destroyed. When the disciples asked for more details, Jesus launched into a teaching that has become known as the Olivet Discourse. Sitting on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus began telling the disciples what to expect in the future: both near and far. In the near future, it would be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple at the hands of the Romans. One day soon (in the year 70AD, as we now know) Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies, and its destruction would be swift and terrible.

Yet that wasn’t all that awaited Jesus’ followers in the future. Many trials would come – some which would span the entire world. There would be political wars, global catastrophes, supernatural events, and more…all eventually ending with the return of Jesus. The Son of Man will come with the power of God (because He is God), and He will institute the Kingdom of God all over the world.

That’s all future. What should we as Christians do in the meantime? Watch! We watch for our Jesus, and at the same time, we are to be ready & beware. Beware that we do not become complacent & fall asleep in this world. Jesus is coming back, so while we wait, we watch. 

Luke 21:29–38

• Watch the signs (29-33)

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

1. As Luke narrates for his readers, he notes that Jesus spoke a “parable,” but this isn’t only Luke’s interpretation of the genre of Jesus’ teaching. In Matthew & Mark, it is Jesus who specifically tells the disciples to “learn this parable from the fig tree,” (Mt 24:32, Mk 13:28). Why is this important to note? Because it tells us immediately how we are to interpret the symbolism. Parables are symbolic, but they are normally singular in purpose. It’s not a matter of trying to line up every detail with an interpretation; we’re looking for a simple, single point. (Even in an extremely short parable such as this.)
2. Why does this matter? Because many interpreters look for two interpretations in this parable instead of one. They look at the genus of the tree, as well as the budding. Because Matthew and Mark record Jesus as saying to learn the parable of the fig tree, they look at possible interpretations of fig trees – the most natural being that of the nation of Israel. Since Israel is sometimes likened to a fig tree in Scripture, they argue that the “budding of the fig tree” is the budding or flourishing of the state of Israel. Yet that goes beyond the singular point of the parable. Jesus points to the trees in order to point to the budding; the genus type of the tree is incidental. And if there were any question of this from Matthew or Mark, Luke puts it all to rest when he records the rest of Jesus’ words. He tells them to “look at the fig tree, and all the trees.” The fig tree is common in Israel, so it would have been easily pointed to as an example by Jesus – but it was by no means the only tree in Israel, nor was it the only potential symbol of Israel. A far more common symbol of the nation would have been a grapevine or vineyard (which Jesus has already used in a parable as a symbol of Israel – Luke 20:9-16). In this particular case, the fact that the tree is a fig tree isn’t the point; it’s what the tree does that Jesus tells the disciples to observe. Budding is seen among fig trees, but it’s also seen among dates, almonds, olives, and every other fruit-bearing tree.
   1. Fun fact: the nation of Israel is a major exporter of fruit around the world, even though the majority of the tiny country is desert. This itself is a wonderful sign of God’s blessing upon the people, demonstrating how Israel’s existence is supernatural in origin.
   2. Keep in mind that the renewal of Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy, and a sign that we are indeed in the end times. The Old Testament is full of all kinds of prophecies which speak of an existing nation of Israel prior to the Day of the Lord. Even Jesus in the Olivet Discourse has done the same. Although Luke recorded Him prophesying of the destruction of Jerusalem (the sign of it being the day when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies), Matthew and Mark each recorded Jesus speaking of the sign of the Lord’s soon return, which was vastly different: Matthew 24:15–16, “(15) “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), (16) “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Please note what is involved in the fulfillment of this particular sign: a pre-existing temple in the city of Jerusalem. That means there must be an existing nation of Israel – one that has been reborn enough to even rebuild its temple. So yes, the re-establishment of Israel is incredibly important from the standpoint of Biblical prophecy & is most definitely a confirmation that we are living in the end-times. It just isn’t Jesus’ point in this particular parable.
   3. Be careful to interpret Scripture as is. It is easy to read into Scripture the things we want to see, but we need to limit ourselves to the things that are there. Even when our end conclusions may be right, we want to ensure we reach those conclusions the right way. What’s the best way to ensure we’re sticking to Biblical interpretation? By sticking to the Bible itself. (Be a Berean!)
3. That all being said, look to Jesus’ primary point. A budding tree is indicative of seasonal change. Fig trees bud for a summer harvest, just like all fruit trees bud prior to producing their fruit. Different trees bud at different times of the year, but when they bud, it is confirmation that the time of year is approaching.
4. That’s the parable. What’s the interpretation? Jesus gives it to us in vs. 31…

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

1. What are the “things” of “these things”? That’s the $1M question. That’s the key to the whole parable – the ability to observe “these things” is the ability to observe the bud on the tree. That being said, Jesus has taught of three different timeframes throughout the Olivet Discourse. (1) In vss. 10-17, Jesus taught of things that are expected to happen during the entire age of the church. His disciples aren’t to panic, worry, or be deceived regarding world events and persecutions, because these things should be expected to take place long before the end. (2) In vss. 20-24, Jesus spoke of things that would accompany the destruction of Jerusalem. The city would be surrounded by armies & Jews would need to flee or be killed or captured. This would institute the times of the Gentiles in the land of Israel until the time that Israel was reborn. (3) In vss. 25-26, Jesus taught of the things that would take place during the days of the Great Tribulation: massive signs in the heaven and other supernatural things that would take place on the earth just prior to Jesus’ glorious return. – So three timeframes of “things”…which one is it? The last. Contextually speaking, the “these things” are the last things Jesus just got done teaching. Additionally, this is the only interpretation that makes sense with the parable. A tree buds in order to bear flowers and fruit. If the “things” are the bud, then what’s the culminating flower & fruit? The kingdom. The signs of the Great Tribulation lead directly to the return of Christ & the Kingdom of God – and these are things that Jesus’ disciples would be able to watch & witness.
   1. The objection comes that Jesus was speaking to twelve specific disciples, and He said “when you see these things happening.” The original disciples are thousands of years removed from the Great Tribulation, which still has not yet begun. How could the signs Jesus tells them to observe be the signs of the Great Tribulation? Answer: the twelve disciples aren’t the only disciples. The Jewish believers to which He spoke are not the only Jewish believers. It is not at all uncommon in prophetic statements for oracles to look forward to future generations, even when originally speaking to a specific people. The same thing takes place here. Although we as the New Testament church will be raptured to heaven just prior to the Great Tribulation, there will be Jewish people who become believers in Jesus, as well as many other Gentiles who convert to Christ during those days. Those disciples of Jesus will “see these things happening,” and it is to them that Jesus gives this word of comfort.
2. What can be comforting about signs in the heavens & the hearts of men failing because of fear (vss. 25-26)? When they take place, the kingdom is at hand! The things that will take place during the Great Tribulation are no joke. It will be the greatest crisis this world will ever see, as literally billions of people will die. As of December 2017, it was estimated there are over 7.6 billion people in this world, yet at the very beginning of the Tribulation when the 4^th Seal is opened, one-quarter of the world population will die (Rev 6:8), on top of the other deaths that take place with the other seal openings. That’s 1.9 billion people right from the start, and that doesn’t include the later trumpet and bowl judgments. Those days will be truly awful, and something which no human anywhere will want to endure. (Fortunately, it’s something no one has to endure! Anyone can be spared from it, when they put their faith & trust in Jesus, asking Jesus to save them!) Yet even with the terrible tragedy that it is, Jesus tells the disciples that there is still a grand hope: the nearness of the kingdom. The Great Tribulation will be awful, but it will be limited. The trials of those days will be such as have never been seen, but they will be temporary. At the end of it all, Jesus will return in power & glory, instituting His righteous kingdom all over the earth. The horrors of that age will be wiped away in a heartbeat, the very moment Jesus returns!
3. As to Jesus’ point, these things are observable. The hope of His coming kingdom isn’t something that is subjective; this is something that can known. He tells us to “know that the kingdom of God is near.” Trust it – believe it – know it. Know it deep in your heart, just as surely as you know any other factual matter. Just as you know that yellow pollen from East Texas pine trees tell us Spring has come, the events of the Great Tribulation will tell people at the time that the King is coming and His kingdom is on its way. They just need to hang on and be ready.
4. Question: If this is spoken for the benefit of later Christian believers for the Tribulation age, does it mean anything for us in the church? After all, if we’re going to be raptured away from the Great Tribulation (as the Bible indicates we will), why bother spending any time on this? It’s important for several reasons:
   1. Jesus spoke it. That itself is reason enough to pay attention!
   2. Hope given to future generations is hope that we can proclaim to them. We have to know it in order to teach it. When we’re gone, our example will still remain.
   3. Hope of a future kingdom is still hope for us. This is a kingdom in which we’ll live & participate. The only difference is that we will be coming with Jesus, instead of watching for His arrival.
   4. Even if our role in the kingdom is different, the application is still valid today. Tribulation believers will look to the signs for confirmation of Jesus’ coming in His return; Church-age believers look to the signs of our day for confirmation of Jesus’ call in the rapture. We still anticipate our Lord Jesus, and we can still know His arrival and have hope.
5. Not only can the arrival of the kingdom be known, but Jesus gives His personal assurance that it will come. 32…

32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

26. If you thought the “these things” of vs. 31 were debated, the “this generation” of vs. 32 is far more so. Among those who study the end-times (eschatology), this is one of the most debated passages in all of the New Testament. What did Jesus mean by “this generation”? As with the previous verse, we have to ask if He was speaking to the people right in front of Him, or if He was speaking of something more general. Those of the preterist camp hold strongly to this verse, claiming that the “this generation” refers to the Jews of 33AD, and everything Jesus prophesied in the Olivet Discourse has already come to pass…including that of His return, even though it had to have been unseen & unknown by the world. (Which is exactly why full-preterism is heresy.) Partial preterists hold to this verse saying that while Jesus has not yet returned, everything else Jesus prophesied had to have already come to pass, precisely in order to fulfill this prophecy of “this generation.” Yet in so doing, they write off scores of other prophecies as symbolic & meaningless, including the signs mentioned by Jesus in vss. 25-26. Liberal scholars simply shrug & claim that Jesus was downright wrong. Jesus said that the precise hour of His return had not yet been revealed to Him (Mk 13:32), so He simply demonstrated His ignorance here in vs. 32. (Of course, that would make Jesus fallible & a false-prophet, and thus a mere human & not God. This is another heresy to be rejected.) Some have argued that “this generation” could possibly be interpreted as “this race,” in a reference to the Jewish people as a whole – meaning that the Jews would not pass away until all the prophecies throughout the whole of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse would be fulfilled. Although that fact is certainly true, it’s questionable whether or not that’s the best & intended meaning for the word translated “” Out of the 42 times it’s used in the NT, it is almost always translated “generation.” There might be an oblique reference to this from Jesus, but He probably means something a bit more direct. Once again, our context is key. The immediate preceding verses have Jesus teaching of the signs of His coming & of His kingdom, thus the generation that witnesses those things will see them through to the end. This all goes back to the idea of the brevity of the Great Tribulation. The events will be intense, but they will be temporary. The Great Tribulation is a terrible seven years, but it’s only seven years. Once they begin, they will soon end, in full view of the generation that witnesses it.
27. The debate aside, don’t miss Jesus’ main point. The kingdom will come! This is something which we can know & of which we can be sure. Jesus gives His own personal guarantee of the matter. The only question is whether or not you’ll be ready, when it comes.
28. How certain is it? It is more certain than creation itself! 33…

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

1. This is true not only of Jesus’ words regarding His 2^nd Coming, but of the word of God as a whole. The words of the Bible will never pass away. The promises of God never fail. Jesus keeps His word!
   1. What is it you have trouble trusting Jesus for? His promises are more certain than the ground upon which you stand!

• Watch yourselves (34-36)

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

1. The trees & signs were to be observed – seen with the eyes of the people. But we aren’t just to watch the outside; we are to watch ourselves – “take heed.” We are to be alert & be on-guard, not only for the things on the outside, but things on the inside. Sometimes we are our own greatest dangers, so Jesus tells us to be alert & beware.
2. Of what should we beware? Distractions – the distractions offered by sin & this world. These things can burden us & weigh us down. Have you ever gone swimming with all your clothes? Blue jeans quickly become a burden when they get water-logged. That’s what distractions do in the life of a Christian: they hold us back from following Jesus in true unfettered freedom. The funny thing is, we tend to think it’s the opposite. We hold on to sinful practices because we think that in them, we’re exercising our freedoms. In reality, all it’s doing is holding us back. We could be following Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, worshipping God in truth, ever-ready to share the gospel with those around us – but instead we get caught up with distractions. We end up serving ourselves, rather than living for Jesus.
3. Jesus points out three specific distractions: “carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life.” The first two are closely related. The word used for “carousing” refers to a period of unbridled drinking – the word even sometimes used as a synonym for the hangover that follows. “Drunkenness” is self-explanatory, and always shown as sinful throughout the Old and New Testaments. Although the Scripture occasionally shows God’s people drinking wine in joy, it never shows drunkenness as anything other than disobedience and dangerous. Christians have no business drinking to excess – and if someone has a tendency to do so, it would be far better not to drink at all. – It’s the third item mentioned by Jesus that stands out. The “cares of this life.” Although the first two things are inherently sinful; the third is not. Certainly, the cares of the life could be sinful, as people become obsessed with selfish pleasures rather than praising God (which is pleasurable!). But the cares of this life could include other important things, such as providing for our families, worries over sick loved ones, etc. There are all kinds of ordinary sorts of things which can cause us anxiety. Those things aren’t necessary sinful, but they’re still distractions. They still take our eyes off of Jesus, burdening us down in our daily walk & relationship with Him.
   1. What can we do about it? Some distractions are easier to deal with than others. Regarding sin, the answer is easy: don’t sin! Repent from the sin we’ve done, confessing it to the Lord, and be done with it. For the cares of this life that take our eyes off of Jesus, the answer just as simple (though not easy): put our eyes back on Jesus. When we find ourselves turning away, then we purpose in our hearts to turn back. That’s exactly what happens through prayer. Philippians 4:6–7, “(6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The cares of life can make us anxious, so when you’re anxious, pray! Give your anxiety over to Jesus, trusting Him to lift it from you…and He will. (His words never fail, remember?)
4. What’s the danger of distraction? We won’t be ready. We won’t be ready for His coming, or for His Kingdom. We will see Jesus, but we won’t all be ready to see Jesus when the time comes. Keep in mind that although Jesus specifically refers to the generation of believers alive during the Great Tribulation, this is true for all people everywhere. We will see Jesus, but few people are ready to see Him. It could be by death, or by rapture, or by the Great Tribulation & His return, all depending on when we come to faith. But we will see Him.
   1. This is what so few people understand, and of what we need to convince them! So many people live their lives believing that they are unaccountable to anyone. Atheists who go to their graves proclaiming that there is no God will still stand before God for judgment. Muslims who vehemently deny that Jesus is God the Son will still give account to the resurrected Lord of all the earth. Simply because someone goes through life with their own version of religion or spirituality does not mean that they will experience their version of religion in eternity; all peoples everywhere will answer to Almighty God, as revealed in the pages of the Bible. They will see Jesus, though they will not be ready. 
   2. This is what we proclaim to them when we share the gospel. We tell them the good news of how they can be prepared to see Jesus. … No one need go into eternity unprepared; we can know that we are ready to see Jesus & be welcomed into His kingdom!
5. Jesus emphasizes the world-wide nature of distraction. 35…

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

1. Jesus’ return will be unexpectant for more than just a few people; it will be that way for all! Jesus describes it as a “snare” (trap) for everyone dwelling all over the earth. Despite all of the teaching in the Bible of how people can be prepared for the judgment of God, few people actually are. And during the final days of the Great Tribulation, it will be no different. Multitudes of people around the world will spend their last moments shaking their fists in rebellion against Jesus, up till the time He arrives in power and glory on the Mount of Olives. Even with all the warning & signs, His arrival will be unexpected & a snare.
2. What’s the key? Not to be on the earth when Jesus returns! 36…

36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

1. How does someone escape the trials of the Great Tribulation? By being included in the rapture of the church. This is the moment when Jesus shouts from heaven, sounding the trumpet of God & those who have died in Christ will rise, while those who are alive in Christ will rise split-seconds later to meet Jesus in the air. Quite literally, Christians at the time will “escape all [the] things that will come to pass,” as Jesus removes us from the earth before the wrath of God is poured out upon it. Why will He do it? Because that wrath isn’t meant for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11, “(9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (11) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” We are not only saved from the eternal wrath of God in hell, but we are saved from all the wrath of God, whenever it is poured out. Jesus has taken that wrath in our place, and we have been saved in order that will should forever be with Him.
   1. Question: Is this escapism? No – this is good news! This is part of the joy of being in Christ, that we look forward to participating in the blessed hope of the rapture. The hope of the Pretribulational rapture doesn’t exempt us from trials of today – it doesn’t excuse us from future preparations; it is the fulfillment of the direct promise of Jesus that where He is, we will be also. It is the trust that Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to fulfill all of the wrath of God on our behalf, and that not a drop of it is left over. It is trusting the sufficiency of Christ: His word & His work.
2. That being the case, our response to this good news is simply: watch! Watch & pray! Be vigilant – be awake! Again, don’t get distracted – don’t be weighed down & burdened by the things of this world (be they sinful or not). Keep looking for Jesus at all times. Whereas Christians in the Tribulation age are to watch for Jesus’ return on the earth, Christians in the present Church age are to wait for Jesus’ call in the rapture from the clouds. We have been counted worthy of escape, not because of our own inherent worth, but because of the work of Jesus on our behalf.
3. Question: Does Jesus leave open the possibility of some Christians not being “counted worthy to escape”? No – not if they are true born-again believers. Those who have confessed with their mouth Jesus as Lord & believed from their heart that God has raised Him from the dead can have complete assurance that they are saved (Rom 10:9). Those who believe upon Jesus can know that we will not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). We who have been born-again by the Spirit into Jesus’ church have assurance that we are part of His church. Yet not everyone who lives among the church is a born-again believer. Jesus made it clear that there would be tares among the wheat – that there will be people who will claim to do things in Jesus’ name that never truly knew Jesus at all. These will be found unworthy. Those who are false converts will not be counted worthy to escape, for they will not have truly surrendered their lives to Jesus.
   1. Don’t leave this as an open question! This is why Jesus told people to watch & pray. This is why Peter told his readers to make their call & election sure (2 Pt 1:10), and why Paul told his readers to examine themselves to ensure they were in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). We don’t want to go through life as false converts only to discover at the judgment that all our doubts of salvation were true. We don’t want to discover too late that we could have been included in the rapture if we had moved off the fence to true faith. 

Thus ends the Olivet Discourse…

• Conclusion of discourse (37-38)

37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. 38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

1. Luke sums up Jesus’ words of the Olivet Discourse by showing what He was doing the rest of the time He was in Jerusalem: teaching. He entered the city every day, taught at the temple, and camped outside the city at night. Jesus wasn’t unique in camping outside the city – this was a practice done by many pilgrims every Passover. What made Jesus unique in this was His activity in the meantime. Despite the opposition against Him, Jesus never went into hiding. He taught publicly right up till the very end. He had no fear, and He took advantage of every single moment He had. He was fully in control of His surroundings, waiting only on the perfect timing of God, which had been planned since before the foundation of the world.

Conclusion:

Jesus was certainly awake & active, fully engaged in the work of God. He called His disciples to do the same. Be it the twelve men in front of Him who needed to be steadfast and prepared for the destruction of their beloved city – be it the men and women throughout the church age who need to be watchful & alert, ready for the call of our Lord to take us home – be it the saints of the Tribulation who need to be alert, always ready to see the return of the King…Jesus calls His people to watch.

Watch the signs – be aware of the times around us. It is evident that we are in the last days, and we have not a moment to waste! And because of this, we need to be ever-mindful to watch ourselves, that we do not get distracted. We dare not sleepwalk through life, or get weighed down by the things that pull our eyes off of Jesus. Time is short…don’t squander it!

Beloved, take heed! Watch! Watch the signs on the outside, but don’t be so consumed by the outside that you never look on the inside. Far more dangerous to the Christian than the trials of this world are the distractions of this world. Those are the things which take our eyes off Jesus. It’s when we spend more effort binge-watching our favorite shows – living for the weekend parties – or engaging in drunken evenings alone when we find ourselves unprepared to see our Lord. And remember, it’s not just the openly sinful things – but we can be distracted by the ordinary cares & anxieties of this life. How often has it been that we’ve plunged into our daily routine, giving all our time & energies to our jobs & families, only to go to bed at night not even realizing we never cracked our Bibles or prayed beyond a meal-time blessing? Take heed & watch!

As this new year begins, if we do any sort of resolution, let us resolve this: that we keep our focus on our Lord Jesus, being vigilant in our watch for Him. May we be ready for His call, and may we help others be ready to see Him as well.

Maybe you fell asleep in 2017. Wake up & watch in 2018! Maybe you weren’t ready in 2017. You can be ready in 2018! False converts don’t have to stay that way. Lazy Christians need not remain so. Rebels can cease their rebellion & atheists can come to faith. None need stay the same as they were before; anyone can be ready to see Jesus. All you need do is humble yourself in faith.