LUKE 21:25-38 LOOK UP AND LIFT UP The picture of the future the Lord Jesus Christ verbalized in those last meetings at the temple certainly painted a gloomy, dark future ahead for the nation of Israel. Some people resent those who predict dark days ahead. They naively think everything will soon get better and all we need to do to make that happen, is to maintain a positive outlook. The idea of evil increasing and moral degradation as a reason for judgment - they don't want to hear. The Lord used the word "perplexity," which really means at wit's end as a word to describe how people in that coming day will feel. The word "waves," indicates things will be out of control by any or all men. "Roaring" create confusion and chaos, and people will not know where to turn. With "hearts failing for fear," they will be "looking after" those things that fall upon the earth in such a short time with the expectation of dying at any moment.
Things on earth are not presently like that, but the shadows of these coming events are already being cast. What are believers to do in these times or those dark days in the future when the whole world is in upheaval? Most people will have their faces down and will be hunched over in fear seeking shelter from the disastrous events happening all around them. The Lord intends those who know Him and put their faith in Him, to look up and stand up erect so others around may see the faces of believers lit up with expectation looking for the appearance of the Lord. If people can see someone standing erect and with neck craning as high as possible, they will know something more is going to happen. The tendency of the disciples when the Lord Jesus was crucified was to hide in fear and keep hidden from those around. But they knew the promise of the Lord, that they would receive "power from on high," was real. When that power was evident, they looked up, lifted up their heads and stood up to testify for the Lord. People "took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus."
It is our privilege to be identified with Him today, so our faces should be seen looking upward as we wait for our Lord to come for us. Our backs should be erect and our steps firm as we continue to walk in the light of the word of God, in the middle of increasing darkness everywhere we look. People are afraid of what is coming next. The unknown is happening in spite of false optimism that deceptive leaders and teachers give. Designating places to pray and the words to use; controlling the parts of the Bible that can be read publicly, dictating the location, time and number of people who can come together to worship God - are all dark shadows foretelling coming events. Shining “uplooking” faces and the straight backs of God's people in spite of all of this, gives power to the words they say.
When the cataclysmic events the Lord Jesus Christ taught the people about in the temple begin to be felt in their reality, it won't go on and on for a lengthy time. The generation alive then will see it in its' entirety. The word of God will not change. It will happen as the Lord said. That is reason enough to be committed to consistent, godly living now as we are giving our testimony to the veracity of the word of God. As for believers today, we can heed the injunction to "take heed" to ourselves, to "watch" and to "pray always" in view of what we know and why we are still here. We can apply these urgent commands to ourselves to look up, lift up, stand up, pay attention, keep our eyes and hearts open and pray that God will give us opportunities to testify and present the Gospel to this generation. They may be the ones who go into the terrible times of tribulation unprepared unless they hear the way of salvation now.
The example of the Lord during those last few days of public ministry show us the value of keeping at the work to which He has called us - whether it be preaching the Gospel or teaching the Lord's people. He camped out on the Mount of Olives at night and went back early in the morning to again teach God's truth to those who gathered early to hear Him. There would have been crowds of people from many distant places who would have only this opportunity to hear Him, believe on Him and be saved. This is a challenge to us to do whatever is necessary, go where we are sent and pay whatever cost is needed to reach lost souls before this day of grace is ended.
The future for earth does not look bright ahead.
There's a lot of doom and gloom to face instead. But all of this the Savior previously said - Just before He died.
When all the dark signs begin to come to pass. Be aware it will get worse, but it will not last Forever, and those who themselves on the Savior cast - Will by His grace survive.
For us today there are lessons to learn. We must from all forms of careless living turn Lest those unbelievers around God's offered grace do spurn - And will find no place to hide.
We are not looking for the tribulation. From the consequences of God’s wrath, we have salvation. But we should look up and speak with dedication - And daily in our Savior abide.
The days will get darker, of that there's no doubt. We need to be alert to needs as we look; all about. And at the same time, be erect and awake as we await the shout - When the Lord calls us to His side.
"I am not sure Father , how many responded to the warnings of the Lord Jesus in those final days of His ministry on earth But I am thankful that in spite of what the people did or did not do, is did not stop Him from going to the cross and finishing His saving work. May Thy presence and power enable this servant to finish the work Thou hast given me to do. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."