Those who govern people must be patient. The Presence of God in its fullness will be given to us at the appearing of the Lord. We do not overcome the adversary by our proclamations of faith or our boastful attitude. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. "- World English BibleAnd whanne these thingis bigynnen to be maad, biholde ye, and reise ye youre heedis, for youre redempcioun neiyeth.- Wycliffe Bibleand these things beginning to happen bend yourselves back, and lift up your heads, because your redemption doth draw nigh. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. You and I would be very glad to have the same privilegeto walk in Paradise with God! 24. This is why there will be a resurrection from the dead. The spirit Paradise still exists. March forward in the name of the Lord Jesus.. Copyright 2022, Bible Study Tools.
We are to lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near: redemption that will bring to us the Presence of God; redemption that will produce a personality and behavior that are free from sin; redemption that will change our corruptible body to an incorruptible body. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.". When Christ came to destroy the Jews, he came to redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them; and then had the churches rest. 3.
But this will not bring about the desired redemption. 1. looked up--He had "sat down over against the treasury" ( Mark 12:41 ), probably to rest, for He had continued long standing as he taught in the temple court ( Mark 11:27 ), and "looking up He saw"--as in Zaccheus' case, not quite casually. This is true today. ", So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!, Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.". But God will not dwell where there is disobedience, whether on the part of an unbeliever or a believer. When he comes to judge the world, he will redeem all that are his from their troubles. To our knowledge, there is no verse of Scripture in the Old Testament or New Testament that suggests we are saved to go to Heaven or to live in a mansion in Heaven. As we eat of His flesh and drink of His blood we have eternal life. It is still guarded. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. Now they came to know the severity of the Father of spirits (Leviticus 26:16). The church people are sinning because of the overemphasis on grace and the teaching of the any-moment pre-tribulation rapture. The Christian churches are filled with immorality, rebellion, striving for preeminence, bitterness, covetousness, feminism, hatred, sorcery, and every other evil imagination, motive, word, and deed. Almost 2,500 years ago the prophet Zechariah said this about Jerusalem: "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it" (Zechariah 12:3). . What is stressed in the Gospels and the Epistles? When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near., Luke 21:28 (NKJV) We are to lift up our head. the rich, &c.--"the people," says Mark 12:41 "cast money into the treasury, and many rich east in much"; that is, into chests deposited in one of the courts of the temple to receive the offerings of the people towards its maintenance ( 2Kings 12:9 , John 8:20 ). Luke 21:28 (ESV) ", Luke 21:28 (GNTA) ", When these things begin to take place, stand up. Redemption is coming! Whether Americans or Russians, Arabs or Africans, Europeans or Asians, each and every nation on the face of the earth is trampling down the city of Jerusalem in their hate and fury. We have come to accept physical death as a natural eventpart of human life on the earth. In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die, not you shall go to Hell. . Telephone: 1-800-845-2420 or (803) 755-0733 Exactly when and under what conditions the idea of the believers making Heaven their eternal home was added to Christian doctrine would be an interesting dissertation for a candidate for the Doctor of Divinity degree. The spirit realm is very good for the angels. Up from the pews. Having given an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next to come, Christ shows what all those things would end in, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation; which would be a type and figure of Christ's second coming. 29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. of her penury--or "want" ( Mark 12:44 )--her deficiency, of what was less than her own wants required, "all the living she had." Eternal life is in the body and blood of Christ. The Body must be made perfect before it can successfully bring the Presence of God and eternal life to the saved peoples of the earth. And when the Reshit (the Beginning) of these things occurs, stand erect and lift up your roshim (heads), because your Geulah (Redemption) draws near. Luke 21:28 (RHE) This great and mighty people will be filled with both the goodness and severity of God. Matthew adds the following ( Matthew 24:12 ): "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many," the many or, the most--the generality of professed disciples--"shall wax cold." '- Youngs Literal Bible. not . Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Jesus was speaking to His disciples about His return. The attempt to force Christian moral values on local and national governments sounds like a Christian effort. Luke 21:28 (KJV) What then did mankind forfeit? - Webster's BibleBut when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. At that moment, when the last from among the Gentiles has been added to the Church, 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 will be fulfilled: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. "- Weymouth BibleBut when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near. Perhaps at one time the spirit realm and the material realm were blended as one environment. Indeed, the Jews were "led away captive into all nations." Therefore, we know that Jesus is not speaking of a short time period such as the seven-year Great Tribulation, but He describes a time period of about 2,000 years. When the Day of the Lord is mentioned there sometimes is a reference to an army of saints who will appear along with Christ. When the Lord commanded them to lift up their heads because their redemption was near, the Jews would picture the exalting of the people and land of Israel and the bringing of justice and Paradise to the earth. The exaltation of Jerusalem and all Israel. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!, Luke 21:28 (NRS)
"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). ", Luke 21:28 (NLT) Redemption will come at first through a warlike remnant, a firstfruits to God and the Lamb, and then will be maintained by the entire Church, the Israel of God, the new Jerusalem, throughout the eternal ages to come. Blessed Lord!
When we contemplate how marvelous the spirit Paradise is, how desirable, we begin to wonder why the Lord Jesus has promised to raise our body from the grave. The message of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus, Redemption as the receiving of eternal life, the Presence of God, Redemption as forgiveness of sin and deliverance from sin, Redemption as the change from bodily corruption to bodily incorruption, Redemption as the exaltation of Jerusalem and all Israel, Redemption as the bringing of justice and the rule of God to the meek of the earth, Redemption as the restoration of Paradise to the earth, Why There Will Be a Resurrection of the Body. The suffering the saints experience teaches them stern obedience to the Fatherthe first requirement of a ruler. ", When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near., Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. ", Luke 21:28 (WYC) perish--He had just said ( Luke 21:16 ) they should be put to death; showing that this precious promise is far above immunity from mere bodily harm, and furnishing a key to the right interpretation of the ninety-first Psalm, and such like. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. . Rather, the grace of God enables the sinful and rebellious to turn from their wicked ways and to serve God with a glad heart, to behave righteously and do Gods will. If you choose to meekly wait on the Lord you will be scorned by many. The Spirit of eternal life was not in us. What Is the Nature of the Kingdom, the Redemption That Is Drawing Near? But the memory of the garden seems to be present in the subconscious mind of the human race. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. The moral law of God as expressed in the Law of Moses was the standard for moral behavior for all the peoples of the earth. . The sons of God shall release the creation from bondage at the time of the coming of the Lord from Heavenbut not before His coming. The experienced saint learns that only in Jesus are our needs met. resolution def reflections But woe to the hypocrites in the churches and to the wicked in that day! Though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot be losers by him, in the end. The redemption that is coming will restore Paradise to the earth. Children are being sold into prostitution. And when these things begin to come to pass , then look up , and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh . And they are calling on the worldly governments to repent? 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Hold your head up with joy and hope. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. They also remind us to pray for those times when neither the real, nor the spiritual Jerusalem, shall any longer be trodden down by the Gentiles, and when both Jews and Gentiles shall be turned to the Lord. 12. brought before, &c.--The book of Acts verifies all this. But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. The believer is not to go to war, he is to go to the cross. Physical death is an enemy, the last enemy. Their misguided hope is the result of the spirit of error that is in Christian teaching. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Pauls emphasis on the resurrection of our body from the grave reveals that the purpose of salvation is to restore our body to life. Matthew ( Matthew 24:30 ) says, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven," evidently something distinct from Himself, mentioned immediately after. In fact, every single nation would have the same answer. Those who look to man to bring to us the good things of the Kingdom of God are looking in the wrong direction. Sad illustrations of the effect of abounding iniquity in cooling the love of faithful disciples we have in the Epistle of James, written about this period referred to, and too frequently ever since ( Hebrews 10:38 Hebrews 10:39 , Revelation 2:10 ). . But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This generation--not "this nation," as some interpret it, which, though admissible in itself, seems very unnatural here. Such a withdrawal would account for the spiritually dead, decaying nature that surrounds us today. Verses 1-4 From the offering of this poor widow, learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor, and the support of God's worship, is given unto God; and our Saviour sees with pleasure whatever we have in our hearts to give for the relief of his members, or for his service. When the Lord spoke of the coming of redemption the Jews who were listening would think of deliverance from the rule of the Roman Empire, of the restoration of the glory of the kingdom of David and Solomon, and also of the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth. Then . Luke 21:28 (KJVA) ", But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!". (verse 7). But physical death is not part of the creation of God. While physical persecution is limited to some African, Middle Eastern and Asian nations, we must never think that we have been spared from persecution. [+Soothly these things beginning to be done, behold, and raise your heads, for your redemption nigheth. The question is, will the redemption, the Kingdom all believers hope for, come into being through the efforts of the Christian people, or will the Kingdom of God come from Heaven with the appearing of the Lord? E-mail: info@midnightcall.com, Return to Colleagues in Bible Prophecy Index. And so we lift up our head because our redemption draws near. Jesus then lists the events that will take place. Man lost the Presence of God by listening to the enticement of Satan. Luke 21:28 (TMB) They are being trained to follow the Lamb closely because the war of God against His enemy, the enemy who at this time is occupying our inheritance, must always be guided and empowered by the Lord. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. Matthew 24:3 reveals more details: "Tell us, when shall these things be? Mankind and the Jews forfeited all that God had given them. Obviously we are raised from the dead so we can live once more on the earth. Whenever Christ is near there always is an abundance of false christs. The Lord Jesus has done both. We know from the writings of Paul that the resurrection of the physical body is the central hope of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. ", Luke 21:28 (RSVA) Will you do this? Lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near. And when these things begin to come to pass , then look up , and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh . No one is allowed to partake of the tree except as he or she gains victory over sin. . Numerous believers of our day are living as children of Adamin the wisdom and energy of the natural man. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." The role of Gods Israel, of everyone who belongs to Christ, is to install and maintain on the earth all that mankind forfeited through the cunning of Satan: When we see the heavens shaken, the powers of nature seemingly out of control, then we are to lift up our head. Redemption as the bringing of justice and the rule of God to the meek of the earth Order this book today through Amazon.com and your purchase will help to support According To Prophecy Ministries. Church of God, on your feet. Will you turn away from your religious planning and programs and wait until you hear the quiet whisper of the Lord Jesus? The next aspect of redemption to be brought to the attention of Gods people is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.". Babylon (human-activated Christianity) will make a great noise, but the noise is confusion and will not affect the Kingdom of God. Will the Lord Himself build His own Church on the Rock, or does He expect us to build the Church? ", When these things begin to happen, look up and hold your heads high, because the time when God will free you is near! If we are to understand the drawing near of our redemption we must adopt the frame of mind of the Lords listeners. 10. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. 34-37. surfeiting, and drunkenness--All animal excesses, quenching spirituality. Proud member And when these things begin to be made, behold ye, and raise ye your heads, for your redemption approacheth. How, then, will the wonderful works of redemption take place? We must possess a physical body if we are to aid the Lord Jesus in driving out the evil from the earth and rebuilding that which has been destroyed.
Lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near. For several centuries the Catholic Church used every ability of the flesh, including political intrigue, treachery, and the torture and murder of its adversaries, in its attempt to establish what it believes to be the Kingdom of God, the will of God, on the earth. But [when] these [things] begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near! Christian believers are at a crossroads. The persecution Jesus was speaking of is primarily targeted to Israel. 2. two mites--"which make a farthing" ( Mark 12:42 ), the smallest Jewish coin. Such efforts have not endured and shall never endure. P.O. Those who are abiding in the Lord Jesus shall be made alive in Him at His coming. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. No person will be permitted to eat of the tree of life until he or she overcomes sin. Of righteousness! They have never been crucified to the point that their life has become the Life of the risen Christ. And he said--"to His disciples," whom He "called to Him" ( Mark 12:43 ), to teach from it a great future lesson. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. The redeemed earth will be a more joyous, more loving, more satisfying, more wonderful environment than ever could be true of the spirit Paradise. Our Redeemer has come to drive the evil spirits from the material realm so the earth once again may be a wonderful garden. As we stated previously, it appears there were ingredients in the tree of life that prevented corruption in the physical body. Rather, they both spoke of a kingdom that was at hand, a kingdom that was to come from Heaven and be installed on the earth. The tree of life is still in the middle of Paradise. 36. The fruit of the tree of life apparently changed the chemistry of the physical body, making the body incorruptible. The six aspects of redemption we have mentioned will not pour from the skies, they will be given at the hands of people, at the hands of the Servant of the Lord. Then the poor of the earth will rejoice. ", When these things start to happen, stand up and hold your heads high; because you are about to be liberated! This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. The Lord Jesus came to give righteousness and eternal life to those whom the Father gave Him, to those who believe in Him and receive Him. Will all these wonderful aspects of redemption drop down from Heaven some day as a persecuted remnant waits patiently before the Lord, or are the Christians to use their faith and energy to produce a triumphant Church that will take its place as the head of the nations? Luke 21:28 (DBY) At the coming of the Lord, all that was sinful in us will have been judged previously and its power broken as we have lived in open confession and repentance. A Man-directed or Christ-directed Kingdom? And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. As we obey the Lord, read the Scriptures, pray, gather together with fervent saints, give, serve, forgive those who harm us, are ministered to and minister the gifts we have, the Lord removes the graveclothes from us. trodden down . Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. Even Satan must have felt this way and left the spirit realm in order to walk about in the earth. 20, 21. by armies--encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" ( Daniel 9:27 ) "standing where it ought not" ( Mark 13:14 ). flee, &c.--EUSEBIUS says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart. We have eternal life now. . 4. of their abundance--their superfluity; what they had to spare," or beyond what they needed. The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. It is eternal life that was lost originally. 21:28 Now when these things - Mentioned #Lu 21:8|,10, &c, begin to come to pass, look up with firm faith, and lift up your heads with joy: for your redemption out of many troubles draweth nigh, by God's destroying your implacable enemies. of The Servant of the Lord is ChristHead and Body. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. 8. the time--of the Kingdom, in its full glory. What Is the Nature of the Kingdom, the Redemption That Is Drawing Near? Interestingly, he doesn't identify a certain group of people such as Arab settlers in the land of Israel but literally says "All the people of the earth. Climb down from the wall, Nehemiah, and listen to us. Our redemption always is drawing near, always is coming from above. This is tribulation in the land of Israel. But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.". Let us arise and put a stop to this corruption. ', Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Inspirational Bible Verses and Scripture Quotes, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Persecution continues until this very day. Perhaps it would be a better idea for the organization to stress moral behavior among its own people. , . It is hard to believe such a paradise as the garden in Eden ever actually existed on this earth. (2) Christ's standard of commendable offering is not our superfluity, but our deficiency--not what will never be missed, but what costs us some real sacrifice, and just in proportion to the relative amount of that sacrifice. The popular concept of salvation, that it is an escape from Hell and a ticket to Heaven, is certainly not the emphasis of the New Testament writings. Through the blood atonement made on the cross of Calvary He has gained forgiveness, freedom from condemnation, for all who truly repent of their sin and worldliness and put their trust in Him. and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" In order to understand, we must read Luke 21 and Matthew 24. In every nation of our day there is injustice because of the wickedness of the rulers. after them--"I come not so very soon" ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1 2 Thessalonians 2:2 ) [STIER]. We do not understand Pauls groaning today because we view the Lord Jesus as a ticket to Heaven. Come down from the cross and do something. . But again we ask the question: If the spirit Paradise is marvelous beyond our most extravagant dreams, and indeed it is, what, then, is the purpose of raising us from the dead? Mankind and the Jews need a redeemer. The punishment of God came upon them, as Moses had warned. Redemption as the restoration of Paradise to the earth We do not, as someone said, put on our administrative hat and command the works of Gods hands.
Also, physical bodies are necessary for all saved peoples if they are to enjoy their future life on the earth. Satan, the adversary led them into Divine condemnation, the same condemnation he himself is under. Eternal life is stressed. Let me explain. The oppressed of the earth are to lift up their head. The Redeemer has come. ", Luke 21:28 (CJB) Luke 21:28 (CEB) Now we have come to the most important issue found in this booklet. Because of their continued sin and disobedience the Jews lost the blessing of God. Your Redemption Draweth Nigh A Man-directed or Christ-directed Kingdom? Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. For example, you will find that the overwhelming majority of Christian churches reject any attempt of practical interpretation. , . The Apostle Paul did not view the Lord Jesus as a ticket to Heaven but as the One who would crown him with righteousness and eternal life. Luke 21:28 (LEB) All that Satan has stolen is to be restored to its original and rightful owners. Adam and Eve lost Paradise. Verses 29-38 Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. All rights reserved.
We are to lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near: redemption that will bring to us the Presence of God; redemption that will produce a personality and behavior that are free from sin; redemption that will change our corruptible body to an incorruptible body. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.". When Christ came to destroy the Jews, he came to redeem the Christians that were persecuted and oppressed by them; and then had the churches rest. 3.
But this will not bring about the desired redemption. 1. looked up--He had "sat down over against the treasury" ( Mark 12:41 ), probably to rest, for He had continued long standing as he taught in the temple court ( Mark 11:27 ), and "looking up He saw"--as in Zaccheus' case, not quite casually. This is true today. ", So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!, Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.". But God will not dwell where there is disobedience, whether on the part of an unbeliever or a believer. When he comes to judge the world, he will redeem all that are his from their troubles. To our knowledge, there is no verse of Scripture in the Old Testament or New Testament that suggests we are saved to go to Heaven or to live in a mansion in Heaven. As we eat of His flesh and drink of His blood we have eternal life. It is still guarded. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. Now they came to know the severity of the Father of spirits (Leviticus 26:16). The church people are sinning because of the overemphasis on grace and the teaching of the any-moment pre-tribulation rapture. The Christian churches are filled with immorality, rebellion, striving for preeminence, bitterness, covetousness, feminism, hatred, sorcery, and every other evil imagination, motive, word, and deed. Almost 2,500 years ago the prophet Zechariah said this about Jerusalem: "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it" (Zechariah 12:3). . What is stressed in the Gospels and the Epistles? When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near., Luke 21:28 (NKJV) We are to lift up our head. the rich, &c.--"the people," says Mark 12:41 "cast money into the treasury, and many rich east in much"; that is, into chests deposited in one of the courts of the temple to receive the offerings of the people towards its maintenance ( 2Kings 12:9 , John 8:20 ). Luke 21:28 (ESV) ", Luke 21:28 (GNTA) ", When these things begin to take place, stand up. Redemption is coming! Whether Americans or Russians, Arabs or Africans, Europeans or Asians, each and every nation on the face of the earth is trampling down the city of Jerusalem in their hate and fury. We have come to accept physical death as a natural eventpart of human life on the earth. In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die, not you shall go to Hell. . Telephone: 1-800-845-2420 or (803) 755-0733 Exactly when and under what conditions the idea of the believers making Heaven their eternal home was added to Christian doctrine would be an interesting dissertation for a candidate for the Doctor of Divinity degree. The spirit realm is very good for the angels. Up from the pews. Having given an idea of the times for about thirty-eight years next to come, Christ shows what all those things would end in, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter dispersion of the Jewish nation; which would be a type and figure of Christ's second coming. 29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. of her penury--or "want" ( Mark 12:44 )--her deficiency, of what was less than her own wants required, "all the living she had." Eternal life is in the body and blood of Christ. The Body must be made perfect before it can successfully bring the Presence of God and eternal life to the saved peoples of the earth. And when the Reshit (the Beginning) of these things occurs, stand erect and lift up your roshim (heads), because your Geulah (Redemption) draws near. Luke 21:28 (RHE) This great and mighty people will be filled with both the goodness and severity of God. Matthew adds the following ( Matthew 24:12 ): "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many," the many or, the most--the generality of professed disciples--"shall wax cold." '- Youngs Literal Bible. not . Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled. Jesus was speaking to His disciples about His return. The attempt to force Christian moral values on local and national governments sounds like a Christian effort. Luke 21:28 (KJV) What then did mankind forfeit? - Webster's BibleBut when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. At that moment, when the last from among the Gentiles has been added to the Church, 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 will be fulfilled: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. "- Weymouth BibleBut when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near. Perhaps at one time the spirit realm and the material realm were blended as one environment. Indeed, the Jews were "led away captive into all nations." Therefore, we know that Jesus is not speaking of a short time period such as the seven-year Great Tribulation, but He describes a time period of about 2,000 years. When the Day of the Lord is mentioned there sometimes is a reference to an army of saints who will appear along with Christ. When the Lord commanded them to lift up their heads because their redemption was near, the Jews would picture the exalting of the people and land of Israel and the bringing of justice and Paradise to the earth. The exaltation of Jerusalem and all Israel. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!, Luke 21:28 (NRS)
"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). ", Luke 21:28 (NLT) Redemption will come at first through a warlike remnant, a firstfruits to God and the Lamb, and then will be maintained by the entire Church, the Israel of God, the new Jerusalem, throughout the eternal ages to come. Blessed Lord! When we contemplate how marvelous the spirit Paradise is, how desirable, we begin to wonder why the Lord Jesus has promised to raise our body from the grave. The message of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus, Redemption as the receiving of eternal life, the Presence of God, Redemption as forgiveness of sin and deliverance from sin, Redemption as the change from bodily corruption to bodily incorruption, Redemption as the exaltation of Jerusalem and all Israel, Redemption as the bringing of justice and the rule of God to the meek of the earth, Redemption as the restoration of Paradise to the earth, Why There Will Be a Resurrection of the Body. The suffering the saints experience teaches them stern obedience to the Fatherthe first requirement of a ruler. ", When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near., Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. ", Luke 21:28 (WYC) perish--He had just said ( Luke 21:16 ) they should be put to death; showing that this precious promise is far above immunity from mere bodily harm, and furnishing a key to the right interpretation of the ninety-first Psalm, and such like. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. . Rather, the grace of God enables the sinful and rebellious to turn from their wicked ways and to serve God with a glad heart, to behave righteously and do Gods will. If you choose to meekly wait on the Lord you will be scorned by many. The Spirit of eternal life was not in us. What Is the Nature of the Kingdom, the Redemption That Is Drawing Near? But the memory of the garden seems to be present in the subconscious mind of the human race. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. The moral law of God as expressed in the Law of Moses was the standard for moral behavior for all the peoples of the earth. . The sons of God shall release the creation from bondage at the time of the coming of the Lord from Heavenbut not before His coming. The experienced saint learns that only in Jesus are our needs met. resolution def reflections But woe to the hypocrites in the churches and to the wicked in that day! Though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot be losers by him, in the end. The redemption that is coming will restore Paradise to the earth. Children are being sold into prostitution. And when these things begin to come to pass , then look up , and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh . And they are calling on the worldly governments to repent? 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Hold your head up with joy and hope. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. They also remind us to pray for those times when neither the real, nor the spiritual Jerusalem, shall any longer be trodden down by the Gentiles, and when both Jews and Gentiles shall be turned to the Lord. 12. brought before, &c.--The book of Acts verifies all this. But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. The believer is not to go to war, he is to go to the cross. Physical death is an enemy, the last enemy. Their misguided hope is the result of the spirit of error that is in Christian teaching. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also. Pauls emphasis on the resurrection of our body from the grave reveals that the purpose of salvation is to restore our body to life. Matthew ( Matthew 24:30 ) says, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven," evidently something distinct from Himself, mentioned immediately after. In fact, every single nation would have the same answer. Those who look to man to bring to us the good things of the Kingdom of God are looking in the wrong direction. Sad illustrations of the effect of abounding iniquity in cooling the love of faithful disciples we have in the Epistle of James, written about this period referred to, and too frequently ever since ( Hebrews 10:38 Hebrews 10:39 , Revelation 2:10 ). . But when all this is beginning to take place, grieve no longer. Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This generation--not "this nation," as some interpret it, which, though admissible in itself, seems very unnatural here. Such a withdrawal would account for the spiritually dead, decaying nature that surrounds us today. Verses 1-4 From the offering of this poor widow, learn that what we rightly give for the relief of the poor, and the support of God's worship, is given unto God; and our Saviour sees with pleasure whatever we have in our hearts to give for the relief of his members, or for his service. When the Lord spoke of the coming of redemption the Jews who were listening would think of deliverance from the rule of the Roman Empire, of the restoration of the glory of the kingdom of David and Solomon, and also of the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth. Then . Luke 21:28 (KJVA) ", But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!". (verse 7). But physical death is not part of the creation of God. While physical persecution is limited to some African, Middle Eastern and Asian nations, we must never think that we have been spared from persecution. [+Soothly these things beginning to be done, behold, and raise your heads, for your redemption nigheth. The question is, will the redemption, the Kingdom all believers hope for, come into being through the efforts of the Christian people, or will the Kingdom of God come from Heaven with the appearing of the Lord? E-mail: info@midnightcall.com, Return to Colleagues in Bible Prophecy Index. And so we lift up our head because our redemption draws near. Jesus then lists the events that will take place. Man lost the Presence of God by listening to the enticement of Satan. Luke 21:28 (TMB) They are being trained to follow the Lamb closely because the war of God against His enemy, the enemy who at this time is occupying our inheritance, must always be guided and empowered by the Lord. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. Matthew 24:3 reveals more details: "Tell us, when shall these things be? Mankind and the Jews forfeited all that God had given them. Obviously we are raised from the dead so we can live once more on the earth. Whenever Christ is near there always is an abundance of false christs. The Lord Jesus has done both. We know from the writings of Paul that the resurrection of the physical body is the central hope of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. ", Luke 21:28 (RSVA) Will you do this? Lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near. And when these things begin to come to pass , then look up , and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh . No one is allowed to partake of the tree except as he or she gains victory over sin. . Numerous believers of our day are living as children of Adamin the wisdom and energy of the natural man. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." The role of Gods Israel, of everyone who belongs to Christ, is to install and maintain on the earth all that mankind forfeited through the cunning of Satan: When we see the heavens shaken, the powers of nature seemingly out of control, then we are to lift up our head. Redemption as the bringing of justice and the rule of God to the meek of the earth Order this book today through Amazon.com and your purchase will help to support According To Prophecy Ministries. Church of God, on your feet. Will you turn away from your religious planning and programs and wait until you hear the quiet whisper of the Lord Jesus? The next aspect of redemption to be brought to the attention of Gods people is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.". Babylon (human-activated Christianity) will make a great noise, but the noise is confusion and will not affect the Kingdom of God. Will the Lord Himself build His own Church on the Rock, or does He expect us to build the Church? ", When these things begin to happen, look up and hold your heads high, because the time when God will free you is near! If we are to understand the drawing near of our redemption we must adopt the frame of mind of the Lords listeners. 10. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven. 34-37. surfeiting, and drunkenness--All animal excesses, quenching spirituality. Proud member And when these things begin to be made, behold ye, and raise ye your heads, for your redemption approacheth. How, then, will the wonderful works of redemption take place? We must possess a physical body if we are to aid the Lord Jesus in driving out the evil from the earth and rebuilding that which has been destroyed.
Lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near. For several centuries the Catholic Church used every ability of the flesh, including political intrigue, treachery, and the torture and murder of its adversaries, in its attempt to establish what it believes to be the Kingdom of God, the will of God, on the earth. But [when] these [things] begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near! Christian believers are at a crossroads. The persecution Jesus was speaking of is primarily targeted to Israel. 2. two mites--"which make a farthing" ( Mark 12:42 ), the smallest Jewish coin. Such efforts have not endured and shall never endure. P.O. Those who are abiding in the Lord Jesus shall be made alive in Him at His coming. We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. No person will be permitted to eat of the tree of life until he or she overcomes sin. Of righteousness! They have never been crucified to the point that their life has become the Life of the risen Christ. And he said--"to His disciples," whom He "called to Him" ( Mark 12:43 ), to teach from it a great future lesson. Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. The redeemed earth will be a more joyous, more loving, more satisfying, more wonderful environment than ever could be true of the spirit Paradise. Our Redeemer has come to drive the evil spirits from the material realm so the earth once again may be a wonderful garden. As we stated previously, it appears there were ingredients in the tree of life that prevented corruption in the physical body. Rather, they both spoke of a kingdom that was at hand, a kingdom that was to come from Heaven and be installed on the earth. The tree of life is still in the middle of Paradise. 36. The fruit of the tree of life apparently changed the chemistry of the physical body, making the body incorruptible. The six aspects of redemption we have mentioned will not pour from the skies, they will be given at the hands of people, at the hands of the Servant of the Lord. Then the poor of the earth will rejoice. ", When these things start to happen, stand up and hold your heads high; because you are about to be liberated! This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. The Lord Jesus came to give righteousness and eternal life to those whom the Father gave Him, to those who believe in Him and receive Him. Will all these wonderful aspects of redemption drop down from Heaven some day as a persecuted remnant waits patiently before the Lord, or are the Christians to use their faith and energy to produce a triumphant Church that will take its place as the head of the nations? Luke 21:28 (DBY) At the coming of the Lord, all that was sinful in us will have been judged previously and its power broken as we have lived in open confession and repentance. A Man-directed or Christ-directed Kingdom? And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. As we obey the Lord, read the Scriptures, pray, gather together with fervent saints, give, serve, forgive those who harm us, are ministered to and minister the gifts we have, the Lord removes the graveclothes from us. trodden down . Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. Even Satan must have felt this way and left the spirit realm in order to walk about in the earth. 20, 21. by armies--encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" ( Daniel 9:27 ) "standing where it ought not" ( Mark 13:14 ). flee, &c.--EUSEBIUS says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart. We have eternal life now. . 4. of their abundance--their superfluity; what they had to spare," or beyond what they needed. The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. It is eternal life that was lost originally. 21:28 Now when these things - Mentioned #Lu 21:8|,10, &c, begin to come to pass, look up with firm faith, and lift up your heads with joy: for your redemption out of many troubles draweth nigh, by God's destroying your implacable enemies. of The Servant of the Lord is ChristHead and Body. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions. 8. the time--of the Kingdom, in its full glory. What Is the Nature of the Kingdom, the Redemption That Is Drawing Near? Interestingly, he doesn't identify a certain group of people such as Arab settlers in the land of Israel but literally says "All the people of the earth. Climb down from the wall, Nehemiah, and listen to us. Our redemption always is drawing near, always is coming from above. This is tribulation in the land of Israel. But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.". Let us arise and put a stop to this corruption. ', Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Inspirational Bible Verses and Scripture Quotes, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Persecution continues until this very day. Perhaps it would be a better idea for the organization to stress moral behavior among its own people. , . It is hard to believe such a paradise as the garden in Eden ever actually existed on this earth. (2) Christ's standard of commendable offering is not our superfluity, but our deficiency--not what will never be missed, but what costs us some real sacrifice, and just in proportion to the relative amount of that sacrifice. The popular concept of salvation, that it is an escape from Hell and a ticket to Heaven, is certainly not the emphasis of the New Testament writings. Through the blood atonement made on the cross of Calvary He has gained forgiveness, freedom from condemnation, for all who truly repent of their sin and worldliness and put their trust in Him. and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" In order to understand, we must read Luke 21 and Matthew 24. In every nation of our day there is injustice because of the wickedness of the rulers. after them--"I come not so very soon" ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1 2 Thessalonians 2:2 ) [STIER]. We do not understand Pauls groaning today because we view the Lord Jesus as a ticket to Heaven. Come down from the cross and do something. . But again we ask the question: If the spirit Paradise is marvelous beyond our most extravagant dreams, and indeed it is, what, then, is the purpose of raising us from the dead? Mankind and the Jews need a redeemer. The punishment of God came upon them, as Moses had warned. Redemption as the restoration of Paradise to the earth We do not, as someone said, put on our administrative hat and command the works of Gods hands.
Also, physical bodies are necessary for all saved peoples if they are to enjoy their future life on the earth. Satan, the adversary led them into Divine condemnation, the same condemnation he himself is under. Eternal life is stressed. Let me explain. The oppressed of the earth are to lift up their head. The Redeemer has come. ", Luke 21:28 (CJB) Luke 21:28 (CEB) Now we have come to the most important issue found in this booklet. Because of their continued sin and disobedience the Jews lost the blessing of God. Your Redemption Draweth Nigh A Man-directed or Christ-directed Kingdom? Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. For example, you will find that the overwhelming majority of Christian churches reject any attempt of practical interpretation. , . The Apostle Paul did not view the Lord Jesus as a ticket to Heaven but as the One who would crown him with righteousness and eternal life. Luke 21:28 (LEB) All that Satan has stolen is to be restored to its original and rightful owners. Adam and Eve lost Paradise. Verses 29-38 Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. All rights reserved.