Day 65 – Tuesday, April 1, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Luke 21

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Christ Teaches on the Widow’s Mites

Mark 12:41-44

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ² and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. ³ So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴ for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:1–4, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus sat in the temple watching people put their offerings in the box for the treasury.
• Some gave great amounts, because they had plenty. But one little woman, a widow, put in two mites, a nearly worthless amount.
• But then Jesus said something that was completely counterintuitive. He said that she gave more than them all.
• The lesson was not that it is not the amount that matters, but the spirit and the sacrifice.

The Disciples’ Two Questions

Matt. 24:1-3; Mark 13:1-4

⁵ Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ⁶ “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

⁷ So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:5–7, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus made another statement that was puzzling to the disciples. He said that the beautiful temple in Jerusalem would one day be destroyed without one stone left on another.
• They were perplexed and asked when these things would happen, and then asked what sign would signify they were near.

Signs of Christ’s Coming

Matt. 24:4-13; Mark 13:5-13

⁸ And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. ⁹ But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

¹⁰ Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. ¹³ But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. ¹⁴ Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head shall be lost. ¹⁹ By your patience possess your souls. (Luke 21:8–19, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• In response to their questions, Jesus told them not to be deceived.
• He warned of false Christs and false prophets that would claim to have answers. He told them that wars and commotions would come, but the time would not yet be for the end.
• Nations would fight, earthquakes would come, persecutions would start. He told them to testify and witness for Christ. He told them to trust in the Holy Spirit for what to say. He even told them that their families could turn against them for their faith in Christ.
• Yet He also told them that they would be preserved, and that He would save them.
• The moral is to trust God, even in the midst of turmoil and danger.

Destruction of Jerusalem

Matt. 24:15-21; Mark 13:14-19

²⁰ “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. (Luke 21:20–24, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus then spoke of the siege of Jerusalem that would come. It would signify that the destruction was near.
• He warned that all should flee Israel and seek safety.
• Great distress would come upon the land, and captivity could follow.
• Jerusalem will become a place overrun by Gentiles
• This is part of the end times process.

The Second Coming

Matt. 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27

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.” (Luke 21:25–28, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus speaks of other signs that would point to the coming of the Lord.
• There would be great sorrow and discouragement.
• But then, the Son of Man would come in a cloud with great glory.
• When this happens, the redemption draws near.

Parable of the Fig Tree

Matt. 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31

²⁹ Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰ When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. ³¹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Luke 21:29–33, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus then compared the budding of the fig tree to the signs leading up to the coming of the Lord.
• He even puts a general timetable on it. The budding (signs) would signify that the generation who saw them would not completely pass away before the Lord’s coming.
• As I have said before, this has been speculated to be the reformation of Israel as a nation in 1948. In that case, the Lord would come before all the people alive in 1948 were to pass away. While this is not certain, it does seem to suggest that Jesus coming is very soon.
• Be ready!!
• Jesus then speaks of the eternal veracity and power of His teachings and words. They will never pass away.

Warning to Watch for His Coming

Matt. 24:36-44; Mark 13:32-37

³⁴ “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵ For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷ And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. ³⁸ Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. (Luke 21:34–38, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Finally, Jesus warns the disciples to be watching for His coming.
• He specifically tells them not to be caught up in the pleasures and carousing of this life. The day will come unexpectantly, and there is no time to be unaware.
• He calls Christians to watch and pray always, and to be ready.
• During this stage of His ministry, leading up to His passion, Jesus boldly taught in Jerusalem, and stayed each night on the Mount of Olives.
• He saw the end of His earthly life coming, and also wanted to teach about the end of the world.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.