ESOCS Devotional 14 December 2024 – Redemption is Near
MEMORY VERSE: ““And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”Luke 21:28 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 21:20–28
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
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This text has a mixture of the terrible destruction of Jerusalem and the signs that will signal the end of the world. The final sentence sounds strange in the light of the signs mentioned. What is Christ saying to us here? Despite these happenings, the thought of Christ’s Second Coming gives us the hope of redemption.
Again, there is a bringing together of two events: the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming of the Son of Man. One happens within history; the other marks the end of history. Notice how aware Jesus is of the horrors of war, especially how the innocent and vulnerable suffer.
The Second Coming will be announced by strange cosmic happenings. These will cause terror and confusion among all earth’s peoples. But believers need have no fear. Indeed, they are to “stand up and raise their heads” because Christ’s coming is the final stage of their redemption (or liberation). They actually desire His coming: “The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon’. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20). Is this my desire today? Do I long to be with Him?
Let us live now with this end in mind, and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and ever more so, as we see the day of His return drawing near. Take this moment to spend time reflecting on the return of Jesus. Because of the controversies in Christian circles around the interpretation of the minutiae of the end times, we spend less time thinking of Jesus’ return than previous generations of Christians. But Jesus will return. And He will come in power and great glory.
Think on it. Think on that day. Prepare yourself for it. Trust in Him, and follow Him by His Spirit. So that when that day is coming, you can indeed “raise your head” and rejoice!
- The Lord is near, and His return can come at any time. Have you been redeemed?
- Father, help me to be fully prepared for the Second Coming of my Lord Jesus and use me to help others prepare for that day and to be ready to greet it with confidence, in Jesus name.
Further Reading: Isaiah 5:24–end; Zechariah 9:9–12; I Thessalonians 4:12–end
ESOCS Devotional 14 December 2024
