(Luke 21:25–36; see also Daniel 7:13; Acts 1:9–11)
Even before the Gospels were written, the early church was asking a question that still stirs hearts today: “When will Jesus return?”
They were eager for the end of the old order — for the final defeat of evil, the renewal of creation, and the visible reign of God’s Messiah. They believed the Kingdom of God would come to earth in power, and they lived with an eager expectation that Jesus would soon return to make it so.
Jesus did, in fact, speak of an event that would mark the close of one chapter and the opening of another — the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. That tragic moment in A.D. 70 would bring an end to the old order of worship and usher in the full recognition of God’s new temple: the people of faith, indwelt by His Spirit, through whom His Kingdom would spread across the earth.
This movement of God is already underway but not yet fully complete. It will be brought to its final fulfillment only when “the times of the Gentiles” — the season of God’s redemptive work among all nations — has reached its appointed end.
The Times in Which We Live
We live today in what Scripture calls “the times of the Gentiles.” This phrase doesn’t describe race or ethnicity, but the spiritual condition of unbelief that still influences the world. We live in an age where humanity, apart from God, remains captive to sin and death — a world shaped by rebellion, confusion, and spiritual blindness.
But God’s people live in this age as a witness to another Kingdom — the Kingdom that is and is coming. Even as spiritual warfare intensifies, as evil appears more open and destructive, the faithful are reminded that the shaking of heaven and earth is not chaos beyond control. It is the final tremor before redemption’s completion.
Jesus’ imagery of cosmic signs — the sun, moon, and stars shaken, and the roaring of the sea — points not to scientific events but to a spiritual upheaval. Ancient peoples worshiped the heavenly bodies and feared the sea as a symbol of evil. Jesus was saying that every false power, every source of idolatry, and every force of rebellion will be shaken to its core.
When that happens, the nations will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Jesus draws directly from Daniel’s vision — the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days, victorious over evil and given everlasting dominion. What Daniel saw in promise, Jesus will fulfill in person.
And so He says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28).
That is not a call to fear — it’s a call to faith. For those who belong to Christ, the final shaking of the world will not destroy but complete what God has begun. The salvation that has been growing within us — the daily work of faith and perseverance — will finally be made perfect. We will stand before our King, made whole and holy by His grace.
Learning the Signs, Living with Hope
Jesus used a simple image to teach His followers to discern the signs: the fig tree. When its leaves begin to bud, you know that summer is near. In the same way, as you see these things unfolding — the intensifying of evil, the spread of the gospel, the perseverance of the faithful — know that the Kingdom is drawing close.
But the focus is not on predicting the day. Jesus warned that no one knows the exact time — only the Father. His concern was preparation, not speculation. The “generation” that will see these things fulfilled, I believe, refers to the redeemed — the church — those who will recognize the signs because they live daily in communion with Christ and the truth of His Word.
Be Ready
Jesus’ closing words are direct: “Be on your guard… be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.”
Many will face the troubles of this age by trying to escape reality — dulling their pain with distraction, or drowning in fear and anxiety. But neither of those responses will prepare anyone for the Lord’s return. The only way to be ready is to stay spiritually awake — living in faith, praying for strength, and walking in obedience.
Readiness is not about looking to the sky in worry; it’s about living faithfully on the ground in hope. Christ has already conquered sin and death. He is already reigning at the right hand of the Father. When He returns, He will simply bring to completion what He has already secured — the redemption of His people and the renewal of all creation.
So, lift up your heads. Keep your heart steadfast. Live in expectation that your Savior is fighting for you even now, and that soon — in the Father’s perfect time — He will come to take His church home.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep our hearts awake to Your promise. Help us to live not in fear of the times, but in confidence of Your coming. Strengthen us to endure, to love, and to hope until You return. Let our faith be steady, our prayers unceasing, and our lives ready to stand before You in joy. Amen. –Pastor Mark
