Look Up

“Look Up” by Pastor Bob Rasmussen

Prayer
One of the things that has happened in recent current events is happening in Israel – the attack by Hamas and the resulting response from Israel.
- Describe Start
- Evil
- Hamas
- Hamas has in it’s charter, at it’s very core of its’ existence, the goal of Jihad and an end to Israel
I have heard a lot of inference of what is happening there and how it relates to the bible and end times
So I thought, maybe, we could look at Luke 21 together and see what we can see
Now when it comes to eschatology, (Es-ka-tol-o-gee) or the study of end times or the final judgement, I will most certainly defer to Pastor Jeff, who has even published about the subject
But I did want to talk about it this morning in Luke 21.
Matthew and Mark also have an account of this last week of Jesus’s life.
Matthew and Mark, they also have a record of this same dialogue, but they have quite a few different details and that’s not because Luke misheard or Matthew misheard, you put them all together and you get one whole dialogue, you get all of Jesus’s teaching.
There is no discord between them, amen?
If we start in Luke 19, we can kind of get a picture of what Jesus’s heart and frame of mind is as he heads into Jerusalem.
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And Jesus’s three-year earthly mission is coming to a conclusion in this week. This final week of his ministry, right before his crucifixion, and he’s making quite the scene, isn’t he? He’s clearing out the temple. He’s turning things over. He says you guys got this all wrong. It’s upside down. The things you’re doing are corrupt. They’re unjust. And he’s reclaiming His rightful Lordship of his house, he says my house is to be a place of prayer but you’ve turned it into a den of thieves.
That is not the church I want to be in, and I certainly do not want to be the type of place where Jesus walks in and says all that, amen?
And then if we go forward a chapter, to chapter 20
Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Then there is a weird chapter break because the scripture and the subject seem like they should have just continued. But maybe that was for effect – so that when you read that last line you would ponder how you treat the widows
Luke 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
This poor widow has put in more than all. Of them, for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on. They devoured her house. What the temple leader should have done was take notice of this poor widow coming and taking her hand when she was about to put her last breath in the offering box. It should have been, no sister. Keep it. You need this. Their offerings that were in that box should have been taken care of her. But when instead what they were doing, they were sucking every last penny dry.
And Jesus, this is the reason that he turned over tables in the temple. This is the reason that he was saying this, this is all coming to an end.
Jesus simultaneously commends the widows faithful obedience to the things that she’s been taught by those who are supposed to be taking care of her. What a faithful woman. But he condemns that whole system. And this leads to Jesus’s next statement. He’s watching all of this corruption. And then somebody makes a statement.
5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts
This was the temple of all temples in Jerusalem
Gold – it would shine so brightly it would blind you – 220 tons
So much marble that it would reflect for miles
It’s worth was incalculable
But what does Jesus say?
he said,
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Destruction is coming. On this mighty fortress. This supposed place of worship. This supposed symbol of religious power. The supposed sign of God’s presence and protection over his people. It’s a perversion in the eyes of Jesus. It’s going to be torn down because of their corruption, their error, their neglect of God’s ways. In 37 years, it’s going to be leveled by the Roman Empire. Jesus knows this.
This would be shocking for anybody hearing this. This holy place of God, destroyed, what are you talking about Jesus? This really cool and super beautiful building? Gone.
But Jesus came so that the temple of God would be living in His people, moving forward. Jesus came so that It’s not about the building or the temple, it’s about relationship, it’s about the life and the heart of the believer!
So after this, as one would imagine, they have a question or two.
7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
So to start his answer. It will help us to understand that Jesus gives us 4 categories of things that do not signal the end. 4 categories of things that are going to happen to people but do not signal the end. At least that is how I see it
8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
That one is pretty easy to understand, there will be those that will say that they come in my name and will bring false testimony or witness.
I think that now, especially the last 50 years with the advancements in communication and the ability to reach larger audiences through television, books, media, and the internet, it has never been easier for false prophets and fools to do exactly that, amen?
But what He is saying is that it will happen, that there will be people that will come saying I am a prophet, and I have heard from God – Jesus is coming! Jesus is warning us to be aware and be ready for this to happen.
I so want Jesus to come back, soon. But I also have some people that I hope come back into relationship with Jesus, and it is my duty, out of love, to try to help foster that, amen?
We need to share the gospel with as many folks as we can. Just because there are idiots out there using the internet and other media sources for dumb and sometimes, blasphemous things, we can use it for good, amen?
But the false ones, do not follow them! Do not be led astray.
And then Jesus gives us another insight into things that are going to happen.
9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Jesus says, “these things must first come to pass”
To me this means that all of the political things that are going on and have gone on. All the wars. All of the nations that have risen and fallen.
All of that junk, Jesus said it would happen – and as far as I can tell, it will continue to happen until He comes back.
He also says “be not terrified”, because these things have to take place and that the end is not by and by, or to put it another way, the end is not going to come right away.
If the return of Jesus was dependent on the failures of man, he probably would have returned immediately after He ascended. No, we are on the schedule of God, not what man wants to predetermine or fitting some narrative.
A lot of popular preachers and prophets have tried to use what Jesus talks about in the next verse. They use it not for good, but for prosperity, or likes, or whatever – they use it to make money.
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
The third category. Natural disasters and celestial signs in verse 11. There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. If you don’t know that word, pestilence, it’s the word plague. Maybe even the word pandemic. There will be great terrors and great signs from heaven.
So that next category natural disasters, they can be quite terrifying. Can’t they? Famine. Starvation. That can be quite disturbing. These make us afraid. Anxious, suspicious. It is unsettling for us.
World Food Program USA says In the Congo, 26 million people face severe hunger, primary cause – conflict and displacement. Afghanistan – 19.9 million, cause – 40 years of conflict .
Yemen – 17 million people – cause – civil war. Syria – 12 million – Civil war
Millions and millions of people are starving, yet Jesus told us this would happen.
Blood moons. Celestial signs, constellations, planets coming into alignment, they will happen.
NASA says this about the last “blood” moon in 2022 Earth passes in between the moon and the sun and cuts off the sunlight, causing an eclipse. The last total lunar eclipse occurred on Nov. 8, 2022, producing a striking “Beaver Blood Moon” which thrilled observers around the world. This was the last blood moon until March 13/14, 2025
So these events are now predicted and explained as mankinds knowledge has increased
But sometimes tragedies are used by people to say, see, God is coming! See, that is God’s judgement. Look at me! Look at me! Listen to me! Shame on them.
Run, do not walk away from these people!
Then there is the 4th category. And probably the hardest to get our heads around is increasing persecution. Again, I do not think that Jesus was saying this is the sign that I am returning right this minute, He is saying these are the things that you will experience.
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
I take some comfort in that, that He knew what we were going to go through – when He said those things He also knew that after He had been crucified, as payment for our sin debt, that He would rise again, and that He would send His Helper for the times that He is talking about – that we would not be alone, That He would be with us, I love that.
Brothers and sisters, there may come a time when we are arrested for our faith. All around the world right now and for the last 2000 years people have been dragged before political officials and persecuted for their faith, yes.
Video
This is not a sign of end, rather, what does Jesus say? It’s part of the mission. This is part of the life of a follower of Jesus, and it comes with a promise. And it will only get worse I think.
This is going to be your opportunity to bear witness. Have you all heard what the Greek word for witness is? It’s martyr. Jesus is saying this is your opportunity for being a martyr. Not only do we get an opportunity to talk about our faith before high political officials. We get an opportunity to follow in Christ’s sufferings, even unto death.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Settle it therefore, in your minds not to meditate beforehand. How you’re going to answer, what’s he saying? Don’t worry about it. What am I going to say when I’m arrested and dragged before the prosecution? He says. Make up your mind right now, before it happens. Don’t worry about. Don’t worry about what you’re going to say. Why not? I will give you a mouth and wisdom.
What a promise. You’re going to know what to say. He’s going to give you wisdom and words. On that day, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict, yes. We’re going win the argument.
The bible continues that You will be delivered up even by your parents and brothers and relatives and friends, yikes! Another warning of what will come.
And then this in verse 20
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Jesus is Lord, Jesus is God. What I believe He is talking about was the destruction of the temple by the Romans about 67 AD. It was the absolute destruction of Israel.
I did some reading and I saw that about 1.1 million Jews were killed and about 100,00 were shipped out to various corners of the Roman empire as slaves.
The temple’s destruction that Jesus talked about in verse 6
6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
I read that when the Romans tore it down they destroyed it by breaking down the stones so much so they could smelt every bit of gold out of it, which may explain why there are no remains at all. I’m not a historian by any means, but what He said happened, amen? Then Jesus says this
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
I think this is where we are at, we are at the look up, lift up your heads as our redemption draweth nigh time.
There are 3 views on this from what I can discern. That the destruction of the temple was for that generation and things are over.
Another believes that everything that Jesus talked about was yet to happen, and speaks to all the destruction that will occur before His return.
I am of the third view, that Jesus spoke about the destruction of the temple and what His return might be like
Regardless of what view I hold
Do I know the day? No
Do I know the time? No
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Do I now how close? No
How will we know? Jesus left nothing to the imagination on this point
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Everyone will see Him. Every single person on the planet will know. He says that He will come with power and glory, hallelujah! There will be no doubt, no guessing, it will be glorious!
Do I know the decade? No
Do I know He is coming, yes!
Do I now what to do? Yes
Regardless of what view I have, they all point to what we should do, and that is to look up. To keep my heart and my eyes on heaven.
I will look up, but how?
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
I love that it says to rest in the Lord, God knows how many times I have enjoyed that opportunity, resting in the Lord.
The waiting patiently part is a little harder.
I usually need God to do what I need on my timetable, but as I look up and focus on heaven, it helps me with the patience part.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
This life that we live, this race we are in – it is not for the faint of heart, is it?
When I was young, I did not think about getting old. But as I am getting older, and my body is not cooperating. There are things that hurt that shouldn’t.
But the thing that can grow and become more, no matter my age is my faith in Jesus amen?
The longer I live in His grace in Mercy, the more in love with Him and in awe of Him I become. As He reveals Himself in Spirit and His Word, He does renew my strength – so I keep walking.
(Grab Phone) All these wars, political upheavals, all the strife that I can read looking down on my phone or tablet. I can read all the drama on social media, keeping my eyes focused down and on the earthly things
Or I can choose to look up and know that He is with me.
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
No matter how crazy this world gets, no matter how hard it gets, I know who will get me through anything, even when I do not see a way.
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
So this morning I encourage you to look up, to look up to heaven. Jesus is coming back, let us be ready.
Altar
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.