OUTREACH SITE: John Kerry is to tour Europe and the Middle East beginning on Sunday but will not visit Israel as formerly planned. Kerry to Skip Israel Visit Until New Government Formed Livni First to Enter New Israeli Coalition
I am also working on a post about Esther, Purim and its lessons for Friday; and also doing a post on the papacy hopefully for Sunday which is most important. The Zechariah study is also being readied for publication at the Outreach Site.
Luke 21
There are numerous links in this post. Please take advantage of them. Simply run your cursor over any red text and if it changes colour it is a link.
In the example of the widow’s mite, Jesus points out that we are not to judge by the seeing of our eyes but justly according to the truth, for appearances are often deceiving.
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 21:3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 21:4 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.
Luke begins a counterpart to Mat 24 adding to the biblical signs of the coming tribulation and the resurrection.
He speaks of the destruction of the temple which was fulfilled in circa 70 AD. The first half of Rev 12:1-6 explains the first half of the seventieth week, to be followed by the second half in our day.
21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 21:6 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.
Christ explains these things ot his disciples and later explains further with the Revelation to John on Patmos, after he had been resurrected and more had been revealed to the son by the Father, Rev 5.
21:7 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?21:8 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.
Various wars will come, and even this coming war is NOT the tribulation.
21:9 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. 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
The persecution would begin with the persecution of Jesus himself.
21:12 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.
These things will be an opportunity for you to testify and witness of the teachings and commandments of Christ.
21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
If we study and meditate on all the ways of God without ceasing, then we shall be prepared and need not worry for God’s spirit will bring the right words to your lips.
21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
All shall betray, let us forgive even that as Christ forgives those who crucified him.
Zech 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
Though we die physically for our zeal and faithfulness, we shall not perish for we shall be raised up by our espoused Husband
21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Continue in zealous overcoming and wait patiently for that day. by patient endurance and overcoming sin you shall be saved. Those who are NOT zealous for all of the teachings and commandments of Christ; who tolerate sin and compromise with his commandments, shall not be saved in the resurrection of the just.
21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Here is another key sign of the tribulation. As Jerusalem was surrounded by the armies of Titus; she shall again be surrounded by armies in this latter day. Armies of peacekeepers will come to defend the peace deal of 1 Thess 5:3, and when the extremist settler movement sabotages the peace; Jerusalem and Judea shall be occupied by these peacekeeping armies.
21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Flee when you see these things happening, for the desolation of the tribulation is near, and if you wait until the final false prophet goes to the holy mount; you have waited too long, Mat 24:15.
21:21 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 [into Judea or Israel wherever it is spread out] . 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
21:23 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.
The times of the gentiles is not some complicated hard to understand issue. It simply means the 1,260 days of the tribulation.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
21:24 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.
Next is mentioned the heavenly signs.
Joel 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
This is the sixth seal of Revelation; please see the article: Revelation: The Seven Seals Explained
Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
The stars of the heavens suddenly disappeared as the tremendous light and glory of the risen Christ is revealed to all nations. Imagine the light of a pinpoint in a dark room and suddenly someone turns on a thousand watt bulb! the pin light would simply disappear in the brightness of the new light. Even so Jesus Christ will reveal his glory which will make the glory of the heavens disappear in the brightness of Christ’s appearance. At his appearance the whole earth shall shake.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
The very next thing that happens is the sealing with God’s spirit of 12,000 of each of the tribes of Israel, to protect them from the trumpet plagues that are about to blast the rulers and nations of the earth. No doubt they are only a part of the total of those sealed, for many others will have repented and been converted and sealed before that time.
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Luk 21:25 And 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; 21:26 Men’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.
After the sealing of the 144,000 the seven trumps are sounded and when the seventh trump BEGINS to sound the resurrection will take place.
Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Please see Revelation: The Seven Trumpets Explained
For the seven viols please see: Rev Bible Study: THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
For the explanation of the days of Daniel 12 and how all this fits together please see: Daniel 12: The 1,290, the 1,335 Days; and the 1,260 Days of the Two Prophets Explained
The Marriage of The Lamb, at The Resurrection of The Elect
Then the seven viols of wrath shall be poured out on the earth during the wedding feast in heaven, where each is told his inheritance and given his responsibilities before returning to the earth.
Please see this study into the marriage of the Lamb: Will People Never Be Able to Visit Heaven?
21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When you see the tribulation and the Kingdom of God nearing; rejoice that your deliverance from the flesh and all sin is at hand!
Those who diligently seek God in obedience to all of the teachings and commandments of Christ, who are eagerly looking forward to the resurrection and Kingdom of God, may rejoice at these events; not rejoicing over the suffering, but rejoicing over the coming END of SUFFERING, for they will KNOW that their expectation is at hand.
The wicked who tolerate sin and compromise with the teachings of Christ should fear the judgment that is at hand for them.
21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
When you see the biblical signs beginning as we do today; then we can know that our redemption is close at hand.
21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation [in which these thing begin] shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled [for it will take only a maximum of 1,335 days from the empowerment to do miracles of the final abomination].
These things are set and WILL come very soon now.
21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Take heed not to focus on worldliness and the pleasures of this world, but be always focused on the riches of spiritual unity with the Father!
Those who are not focused on zealously LEARNING and KEEPING all the teachings of Christ; shall not understand the signs of the times and shall be taken by surprise, caught NOT doing their Master’s will; and will be rejected by Christ, unless they quickly repent, and then prove their repentance by being faithful through ultimate persecution.
21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth [except the diligent elect].
We are NOT worthy to escape these things; yet we can be accounted worthy through enthusiastic faithfulness to all the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ; If we are so doing, the worthiness of Christ will be applied to us.
21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Jesus spent the nights with his apostles on the Mount of Olives and by day taught in the temple.
21:37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
21:38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Luke 22
The people called Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, simply Passover; just as today we say, “The Feast of Tabernacles” without mentioning the Eighth day; everyone assuming that we all understand that we mean to include the Eighth Day as well, in the phrase Feast of Tabernacles.
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
Two days before the Passover was about to come, Mark 14:1, Mat 26:2.
22:7 Then came [approached] the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
Peter and John sent to sacrifice and prepare the Passover lamb to be eaten at a banquet room. Notice that Peter and John had about two days to make all the Passover preparations.
22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 22:9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 22:10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 22:12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
The Lamb would have been killed soon after sunset and taken several hours to prepare and cook. The meal would have begun perhaps nine or ten at night.
22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Jesus said that he will not eat another Passover until he is resurrected.
22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
The FIRST cup beginning the meal was blessed and divided among the disciples. In those days there were two cups of Passover wine; a FIRST cup of wine called opening the meal called the “Cup of Deliverance“, to be followed at the end of the meal with Unleavened Bread and the second cup of wine called the “Cup of Redemption”.
They would then have eaten the Passover lamb with bitter herbs and Unleavened Bread as was commanded, while at the same time discussing the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the first Passover.
In the day’s of the Temple, we know for sure that two sanctified cups of wine were employed.
From that period, the first cup handed to the disciples to share was called the “Cup of Deliverance” and opened the Passover meal; and the second the “Cup of Redemption” was drunk at the end of the meal.
Christ gives then the first cup of wine and says that after this Passover he will not again drink any Passover wine until he has been killed and resurrected.
22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Then, as the meal was ending; Christ handed out the unleavened bread that had always been commanded to be eaten with the Passover. This was nothing new, however Jesus explained the meaning of the broken unleavened bread at the Passover.
Ex 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
The second blessed cup of wine The “Cup of Redemption”; was then blessed and shared at the end of the meal.
This two cups of Passover wine were apparently instituted by Ezra under God’s inspiration. The first Cup of Deliverance, in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt; and the second Cup of Redemption, looking forward to the redemptive sacrifice of Christ.
22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Christ then speaks of betrayal (by Judas). This is covered more thoroughly by the other Gospel writers.
22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Then AFTER the Passover meal was ended and AFTER the unleavened bread was eaten and Cup of Redemption shared; the disciples began once again to argue which of them would be first in the kingdom.
22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Jesus knowing what was in their hearts rebuked them and explained that they were called to serve God and humanity and were NOT to be abusive Nicolaitane dominators, but were to serve humbly.
At this point the foot washing takes place, as a rebuke to the bickering disciples, and an object lesson of service and humility.
John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet [we are to serve the Father, Christ and one another; and NOT covet to be the greatest].
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Virtually all the leaders of the church, from Herbert W Armstrong to today, have been doing what Jesus Christ has forbidden and played political king of the hill. seeking to exalt themselves; They SHALL BE ABASED and rebuked by Jesus Christ.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Only a very few good elders have served God in sincerity and humble fullness of heart, to KEEP ALL of God’s commandments and teachings, and to teach the brethren to do likewise.
22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
The servant is NOT greater than his Lord. If Christ serve the Father and humanity, and the elders are to serve Christ; the elders should be following the example of Christ and diligently enthusiastically serve the Father, Christ and humanity.
22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
As the eleven receive a reward in the kingdom for their loyalty; so all those loyal and faithful to all the things of Christ, seeking to please him with all their beings by KEEPING all of his sayings, shall also have eternal life and a good reward!
22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Peter is gently forewarned of a coming failure of loyalty so that when it comes, he might repent having remembered the warning.
22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Jesus warns of being taken and killed later that day.
22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
They were to have a sword among them so that they would be counted as rebels and transgressors, even though there was no intent to take the kingdom then or to do any wrong.
22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
Jesus admonishes his disciple to pray for God’s strength to be steadfast in the trials to come, to pray that we not be tempted away from him. We should all pray the same thing as very many have been tempted to fall away.
22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Jesus prays for deliverance yet seeking the Father’s will; and the Father sends an angel to encourage and strengthen him.
22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Jesus began to sweat great drops in his agony and intensity.
22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
When his prayers were completed, he arose and the enemy came to take him.
22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 22:47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 22:48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 22:49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Jesus said that is enough violence.
22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Jesus rebuked the priests who had taken him in the dark, for fear of the people to take him in the light an din the public.
22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Peter denies Christ.
22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 22:57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
Peter remembered the warnings of Christ and was crushed by his failure, repenting bitterly.
When the tribulation falls upon those called out who are rejecting the warnings today; they, like Peter, will be humbled and their pride will be crushed by the reality that has struck them down. They shall then repent in sincerity and whole heartedness as Peter did, and as Saul/Paul would later do.
Very many who are arrogant and prideful today, rejecting the word of Christ for their traditions, out of a misguided idea of equating loyalty to tradition as loyalty to Christ; shall be devastated in spirit when they realize that they were not rich and increased with spiritual goods, needing nothing, as they had thought, Rev 3:16.
Many shall repent and rise up to do mighty works in the tribulation, as did Peter and Saul when they are forced to face reality
22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 22:65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
22:66 And as soon as it was day [light], the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 22:67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 22:68 And if I also ask you [to let me be], ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
Jesus says that he shall sit with the Father as the son of God.
22:69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 22:70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
The priest’s, eager to have an accusation, then declared that Jesus had blasphemed by making himself the son of God the Father.
22:71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
Tim McCaulley
February 23rd, 2013 at 03:00