He Comes Again!

Jesus lives and will come again!

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”-Luke21:20-28

Jesus prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem. In 70 AD, Jerusalem was destroyed. Many were put to death, many were slaughtered, many fled to the mountains and neighboring cities, the Temple was looted before destroying it... nothing was left. These days, the Gospel readings were about "destruction" and hope in preparation for Advent and Christmas seasons. Jesus spoke of wars, insurrections, powerful earthquakes, famines, plagues, persecutions, desolation, falling by the sword and escape for those who were fortunate. Many died. Many accounts where written about Jerusalem's fall and what sad state it came into.

Then, there was another prophecy about His coming. But I noticed one thing - the signs. Signs will be seen in the sun, moon and stars. But it does not necessarily mean destruction. Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the seas. But it does not necessarily mean destruction. People will faint in terror of what is to come into the world and of what the heavenly bodies are saying as it shakes. But it does not necessarily mean destruction. Though Jesus speaks of many signs, He did not say anything of death explicitly. Jesus' coming is not something to be feared at because it means 'the Shepherd has come to take home His sheep.' Jesus' coming is not death to those who remained in Him, but of redemption, salvation and eternal happiness with Him. When Jesus comes today, what will He find in your heart?

Image courtesy: Francesco Hayez (Destruction of Jerusalem), artists