“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads—for your Redemption draws nigh.”
Luke 21:28
Like one stopped at a railroad cross, the “signs of the time” are telling us to “Stop, look and listen.”
Dr. Luke’s version of Jesus’ “Last Day Sayings” (cp. Mt. 24:29-31; Mk. 13:24-27) is definitely worthy of our careful consideration and prayerful application in these days of ever-escalating evil and deepening spiritual darkness. We may not understand much about eschatology (the study of end-time events), but a simple reading of our Lord’s words will help us realize the lateness of the hour:
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear. . .a looking after those things that are coming on the earth. . .the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (v.26).
Sounds like the morning headlines, don’t they?
Most assuredly they do.
And, when we further flesh them out with Jesus’ words in Mt. 24:4-25:46 and the Apostles’ prophecy of coming events (I Thess. 5:1-11; II Thess. 2:1-3:5; II Tim. 3:1-17; II Pet. 2:1-3:18; Jude 5-25), we realize we’re closer now to Christ’s Return than ever before—not just from a logical standpoint, but from a Scriptural one.
Look at Jesus’ words once again:
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear.”
Has there ever been a time when this has been truer worldwide than in this generation? No, not likely. Everywhere we look today. . .on broadcasts and in print. . .in every nation of the world. . .“men’s hearts are failing them for fear.”
Faltering economies. The threat of terrorism and nuclear holocaust. “Nations rising against nations. . .famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places. . .false prophets arising, deceiving many and saying ‘I am the one’. . .the love of many growing cold because of abounding iniquity. . .stars falling from the heavens, etc.” (Mt. 24:6-7, 11-12, 29).
Yet, into this dismal, contagious climate of “doom, despair and agony on me,” the Savior’s Voice comes, saying “The Son of Man is coming in a cloud with power and great Glory. And, when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads—for your Redemption draws nigh.” Hallelujah!!
Look at those pro-active words once again, dear Pilgrim:
“Look up”—don’t look inward at yourself or outward to others; “look up”—keep your eyes on the eastern sky and your soul’s eye fixed on “Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith” (Heb. 12:2).
Then, “lift up your head.” God’s Sonshine cannot warm your face when it’s bowed down toward the ground. “Lift up your head and those hands which hang down. Strengthen those feeble knees that are wobbling and make straight paths for your feet” (Heb. 12:12-13). Others are looking to you, Pilgrim. Show them the way Home. Point them to Jesus.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 28, 2010
