| JERUSALEM WILL BE TRAMPLED |
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| The explanation of the Great Tribulation in Luke’s Gospel has a different focus than Matt 24:15-32 and Mark 13:14-28. Luke does not mention the end time revelation of the Antichrist, but he helps us to understand the initial deception of the Church, described in Revelation Chapters 11 and 12. |
| 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. |
| Luke 21:20 surrounded by armies – on a natural level Jesus seems to be describing to the armies of Rome that surrounded Jerusalem in AD 70. But the spiritual message is confirmed in verse 24. These are the armies of Satan that surround New Jerusalem, as described in Dan 8:12, and Dan 11:31. |
| 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. |
| Luke 21:21 Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains – in Matthew’s gospel the expression “flee to the mountains” told us what we must do when the Antichrist is revealed, we must “flee to the mountains” to the mountain of the Lord’s house where we will find our salvation. The same expression “flee to the mountains” is used here, but with a different meaning. Here, “flee to the mountains” describes the Woman, New Jerusalem, the saints, in Rev 12:6 who fly into the wilderness. The same Greek word is used in Luke 21:21 and Rev 12:6, φεύγω, meaning to flee, or escape. Let those in the middle of her depart . . . those in the country not enter – the middle of her is “the Great City” of Rev 11:8, Rev 17:18, the corrupted New Jerusalem. Jesus is telling us not to become a part of it. that all things which are written may be fulfilled – as described in the Book of Daniel, etc. |
| 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. |
| Luke 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant – Satan will make war with the Woman, the male child and the rest of her offspring, as described in Rev 12:17. |
| 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. |
| Luke 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive – from Dan 11:33, “they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.” Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles – as described in Rev 11:2, “they shall trample the Holy City underfoot for 42 months” until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled – from Dan 9:26, “till the end of the war desolations are determined.” The desolation of the kingdom of heaven by the Gentiles will continue until the end, and when sanctuary is cleansed, then the time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled as Paul describes in Rom 11:25-26, then “all Israel will be saved.” |
| 25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; |
| Luke 21:25 signs in the sun, moon, and stars – these are the seven trumpets described in Revelation Chapter 8. the roaring of the sea and waves – one might think this describes “climate change” but it is roaring of the sea and waves that occurs when “the great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea” in Rev 8:8. The “sea” represents salvation in Revelation. The roaring of the sea and waves describe the tumult caused by the end time outpouring of the holy spirit. |
| 26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. |
| Luke 21:26 fainting for fear – as the signs of the end intensify, those who refuse to accept God’s salvation will “desire death” as John says, in Rev 9:6. |
| 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.” |
| Luke 21:27 look up and lift your heads – the saints are encouraged to endure to the end. |
| 29 He told them a parable. “See the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. |
| Luke 21:29 see the fig tree – the fig tree describes the end time Israel, from Joel 1:7. Luke 21:30 summer is near – that will be the end of the Engagement year for Christ and His Bride from the Song of Songs, “let us see if the vine has budded” (Song 7:12). |
