#129 Luke 21:29-32 A Parable for the Signs of the End Times
On June 23, 2023 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode #129 Luke 21:29-32
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you are here! I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.
Christgazing, kind of like stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Jesus. This podcast makes room for that. Amid a world of many words, we slow down here and make space for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly comfort, correct, and lead us. Each week we read a portion of scripture several times and create stillness after each reading so we might also be still and know God more.
We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before we read today, take time to share your heart with God. We do this each week; we draw intimately close to God, pouring out our hearts to him, and then make room for him to pour out his heart to us. So bring God your thanksgiving, grief, fear, joy, anger, excitement, questions, and concerns in this next minute.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking about the end times, when people will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, when the heavenly bodies are shaken. He told his disciples, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” As I continue the words of Jesus in today’s passage, consider the question, what does this say about God?
Luke 21:29-32 “ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Again?
Luke 21:29-32 “ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Take the next few moments to consider what this says about God.
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking about the end times, when people will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, when the heavenly bodies are shaken. He told his disciples, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” As I continue the words of Jesus in today’s passage, consider the question, what does this say about people?
Luke 21:29-32 “ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Take a minute to consider what this says about people.
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?
Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking about the end times, when people will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, when the heavenly bodies are shaken. He told his disciples, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” As I continue the words of Jesus in today’s passage, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?” If it helps, put yourself in the narrative.
Luke 21:29-32 “ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Take a minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do in response to this passage?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you keep your face turned Jesus today and know him more.
One Response
Amy:
In this episode and the last three episodes, Jesus has been talking about the end times. I am so very blessed by God’s desire to help us know what to expect and how to respond. He does not wish to terrify his children and he does not make it tricky for us to understand. He speaks plainly, “look at the trees, when they spout their leaves, you can see for yourselves and know.” We do not need a college degree to understand his plan. God wants his children in the know. He readies and equips us for what is to come. This makes me smile big – I will love him forever, for he is good!
I keep thinking about the shaking of the heavenly bodies. I am reminded of his unshakeable kingdom. Both of these are mentioned in Hebrews 12. I will read it to you from the English Standard Version.
Hebrews 12:26-29 “At that time God’s voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken – that is, things that have been made – in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews says his voice shook the earth. I think it may be safe to conclude, it is his voice, which will also shake the heavens. His voice. His words. His words will never pass away. It makes me want to cling to them even more.
I will close with his words in Revelation 22:1-7 from the New International Version, the usual version from which we read.
Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”
This is the Word of the Lord. Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refugee in Him (Proverbs 30:5)
Closing
Amy:
You can find a transcript of this episode and all our episodes at amyburgin.com. Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his righteous and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.
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