Luke 21-5-19
Will Shewey: Jesus Makes an Amazing Prediction
We are winding down more than six months of a spiritual journey
through the Gospel of Luke. Jesus is teaching a few final lessons
and sharing last minute instructions on what the disciples could
expect and prepare for since he would be soon executed by
crucifixion and ultimately return to Heaven.
1. (5-6) Jesus makes an amazing prediction concerning the
temple.
Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful
stones and donations, He said, “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.”
As some spoke of the temple: This temple was originally rebuilt by
Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15), but greatly expanded and improved by
Herod. It was the center of Jewish life for almost a thousand years. The
temple was so revered that it was customary to swear by the temple
(Matthew 23:16), and speaking against the temple could be considered
blasphemy (Acts 6:13).
King Herod more than doubled the temple mount area, increasing it to
about 36 acres (150,000 square meters). Herod’s rebuilding work started in
19 B.C., and was only completed in A.D. 63, taking more than eighty years.
It was finished only seven years before it was destroyed.
b. How it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations: The
temple wasn’t just big; it was also beautiful. The Jewish historian Josephus
said that the temple was covered on the outside with gold plates, that were
so brilliant that when the sun shone on them, it was blinding to look at.
Where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such pure white
that from a distance, travelers thought there was snow on the temple
mount.
As great as the temple was, Jesus never hesitated to claim that He was
greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6). For many Jews of that day, the
temple had become an idol – it began to mean more to the people than
God Himself did.
Good things can become the worst idols; and sometimes God sours or
takes away even good things that we make our idols
Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown
down: Some 40 years after Jesus said this, there was a widespread Jewish
revolution against the Romans in Palestine. The rebels enjoyed many early
successes but ultimately, Rome crushed the rebellion. Jerusalem was
leveled, including the temple – just as Jesus said.
It is said that at the fall of Jerusalem, the last surviving Jews of the city
fled to the temple, because it was the strongest, most secure building in
the city. Roman soldiers surrounded it, and one drunken soldier started a
fire that soon engulfed the whole building. Ornate gold detail work in the
roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and
to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be
dismantled stone by stone. The destruction was so complete that today
there is truly difficulty in learning exactly where the temple was.
We do know where the western wall of the temple was and the teaching
steps where rabbis gathered groups of students around to teach scriptures.
2. (7) His listeners ask about the events connected with the
temple’s destruction.
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?”
Teacher, but when will these things be? Astounded by the prediction of
Jesus, the disciples asked a logical question. This question begins one of
Jesus’ most famous teachings, often called the Olivet
Discourse because Matthew 24:3 tells us Jesus said these things seated on
the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 24 seems to have a more complete account of this teaching, and
it is helpful to answer questions about the Luke account from the more
complete recording in Matthew.
Both Matthew and Luke make it clear that Jesus spoke both coming
destruction of Jerusalem, and of the ultimate end of the age and his
glorious return. Prophetically, the two are connected, though separated by
many centuries.
“We must regard the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple
as being a kind of rehearsal of what is yet to be.”
Some theologians teach that God in the destruction of Jerusalem intended
to give an example of the great fiery destruction, and ruin of the world at
the last day; so, as the signs of the same kind with those seen before
Jerusalem was destroyed, shall be seen before the great and terrible day of
our Lord’s coming to judge the world.”
What sign will there be when these things are about to take place: The
reply of Jesus to these questions, recorded in both Matthew 24 and here
in Luke 21, has in mind both the coming destruction to come upon
Jerusalem in the near term and the ultimate return of Jesus at the end of
the age. Luke’s record focuses more on the first aspect.
Matthew recorded the much more specific answer to this question, pointing
to what Jesus called the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15 and
following).
3. (8) To walk in these dangerous times, do not follow false
leaders.
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.”
Take heed that you are not deceived: From the outset, Jesus warned the
disciples that many would be deceived as they anticipated His return.
There have been times in the history of the church when rash predictions
were made and then relied upon resulting in great disappointment,
disillusionment, and falling way.
One notable example of this was the prophetic expectation in 1846 with
William Miller in the United States. Because of his prophetic interpretations,
calculations, and publications, there were hundreds of thousands in the
United States who were convinced that Jesus would return in 1846. When
He did not, there was great disappointment, with some falling away, and
some cultic groups spawned from the prophetic fervor.
For many will come in My name: Jesus knew that many would come
after Him, claiming to be the political and military messiah for Israel. One
striking example of this was a man named Bar Kokhba, who 100 years
after Jesus many Jews considered to be the Messiah. He started a
widespread revolution against the Romans and enjoyed early success but
was soon crushed.
Therefore, do not go after them: Tragically, those who rejected Jesus
when He came to them as Messiah ended up falling after false messiahs
who led them into nothing but death and destruction. In rejecting the
truth, they were vulnerable to greater deception.
When the Romans came against Jerusalem, “Josephus tells, too, of six
thousand refugees who perished in the flames of the temple porticos
deluded by a ‘false prophet, who had on that day proclaimed to the people
in the city that God commanded them to go up to the temple court, to
receive there the tokens of their deliverance”. They were deluded by
charlatans and self-proclaimed messengers of God.”
4. (9-11) To walk in these dangerous times, do not be frightened
by catastrophes commonly associated with the end times.
“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.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great
earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and
there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.”
When you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified: What
Jesus said here applied both to the coming destruction of Jerusalem and
the yet to be fulfilled return of Jesus at the end of the age.
In some sense, there were wars preceding the destruction of Jerusalem,
because the Romans were frequently at war with the Jews, the Samaritans,
the Syrians, and others during this period. In the broader Roman Empire,
there were notable earthquakes before Jerusalem was destroyed. There
were famines, such as the one mentioned in Acts 11:28. In the greater
Roman Empire, there were fearful sights such as the destruction of
Pompeii, only seven years before Jerusalem was destroyed. There
were signs in the heavens, such as a comet that looked like a sword in
the sky over Jerusalem before its destruction.
For these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come
immediately: Yet Jesus specifically said that none of these things are the
specific signs of His immediate coming. Matthew 24:8 described these
things as the beginning of sorrows, more literally the beginning of labor
pains. Just as is true with labor pains, we should expect that the things
mentioned – wars, famines, earthquakes, and so on – would
become more frequent and more intense before the return of Jesus –
without any one of them being the specific sign of the end.
These things must come to pass first: “These things must happen
because they are part of the prophetic program of the End-time in general
and so are divinely decreed; but they do not usher in the immediate end.
The fall of Jerusalem and the events leading up to it were morally, though
not chronologically, were sure signs of the time of the end.”
5. (12-15) Jesus describes what His disciples must expect to
endure.
“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. But it will
turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore, settle it in
your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I
will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not
be able to contradict or resist.”
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and
persecute you: This was and is true both time preceding the destruction
of Jerusalem and the time preceding the ultimate return of Jesus in glory.
Disciples will be persecuted, but they must not regard any season of such
suffering, no matter how severe, as the specific sign of the end.
Delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons: This indicates
persecution from both religious and secular sources. Disciples of Jesus
must expect both. But it will turn out for you an occasion for testimony: From the Book of
Acts on, there have been countless times when persecution has given
Christians the opportunity to preach and give testimony to those they
could otherwise never reach with the message, such as kings and rulers.
I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not
be able to contradict or resist: Jesus personally promised special grace,
special help to His people in such circumstances.
Not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer: “The Greek word
for ‘to prepare beforehand,’ promeletan, was a technical expression for
practicing a speech in advance.”
6. (16-19) To walk in these dangerous times, when all others turn
against you, persevere and take a firm stand.
“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and
friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated
by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By
your patience possess your souls.”
a. You will be betrayed: Christians must expect to suffer not only from
enemies outside the church, but also from traitors among believers
(parents and brothers, relatives and friends). Because of this some
would even die (put some of you to death).
b. You will be hated by all for My name’s sake: It is strange to think that
men and women would be hated for the sake of Jesus, who was and is
only love and goodness. Yet of course it is true.
c. By your patience possess your souls: The word for patience here is
the Greek word that speaks of a strong endurance, not a passive waiting.
We endure, trusting the promise of Jesus that ultimately,
in eternal perspective, not a hair of your head shall be lost.
Link to YouTube Video – “Jesus Makes an Amazing Prediction”
We have friends who sleep in the streets, abandoned buildings and automobiles. Yes,
these include children and women. Our facilities offer lunches five days a week to anyone hungry from the broader community, hot showers, birth certificates, mail service, emergency clothing and groceries.
For many who die alone and unclaimed, we help provide cremation and a final resting place. All services are free and without any strings attached. Many churches, caring citizens and civic organizations make this all happen.
Our Mission Statement is “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world.” Many thanks to all who join hands and hearts in unity as together the work of the “Church” is carried out.
We are zero tolerance when safety issues arise. Our goal is to make every worshiper, guests, and volunteers experience an atmosphere of security at all times. We are serving a unique sector of the city’s residents. East Sullivan Street is a safer place and the United Methodist Church is a positive permanent presence there.
Yes, we pay for extra security service, as all other similar organizations are required to do. We are doing our part of building healthy relationships and faithfully follow God’s call to reach the last, least, lost and lonely of our works.
NEWS AT SHADES OF GRACE – RESUMES IN SPRING 2026:
Pastor Regina and/or Dr. Smiddy holds Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
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PAL – A group that is being formed for support parents of children with addiction.
Sunday is my true time of Sabbath, and I am grateful to be scattering gospel seeds along my path.
One of the vital services performed by Shades is the purchase of birth certificates for anyone who needs it. These documents are necessary for housing, jobs and many other reasons. Many of those who come to us are homeless and alienated from any family connection. So they don’t have access to this information, Jimmy secures the document and keeps a duplicate on file.
On July 1, 2014, I was appointed by the United Methodist Bishop to serve the streets of Kingsport, Tennessee.
As we prepare to begin our 10th year of ministry, we offer thanks and praise to God for more miracles than we could ever imagine. We are equally grateful for all our partners and friends who helped the ministry be where we are today. I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and experiencing many more virtual worship services. God be with you all.
Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation is living proof of our living God who loves each one unconditionally and gives us all a reason to keep pushing forward in faith.
Join us online Sunday and revisit this very unique and enlightening worship event. And invite a friend to tune in too! I believe you will be inspired.
Ministry at God’s Living Room is a most life changing and rewarding experience. It is at times the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences. Only the Lord knows the true impact on lives of the least of these. There aren’t enough words to describe this storefront house of worship.
The one thing that has never changed in our ever evolving congregation is the acceptance of ALL people. I have said many times if everyone is not welcome, then no one is welcome. It’s all or nothing. I firmly believe this commitment of caring for the least of these is the reason for our miraculous success and growth in the city. I’m thankful to represent Jesus in the United Methodist Church.
We formerly live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in real time. We continue streaming at that same time by edit\redaction and upload of previous Saturday service. Through it all, no aspect of our outreach and ministry ceased. We remain strong and vibrant as we seek to live into the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of our world. We are a safe sanctuary that welcomes and embraces ALL persons in the name of Jesus!
People come to the doors of Shades of Grace at all hours. People come in every size, shape, color, condition, circumstance, and unimaginable lifestyles. They come unhappy, high, hungover, ill, angry, rejected, dissatisfied, lonely, confused, unloved and feeling unworthy.
When they come, we do not ask them to answer questions or try to determine whether or not they are worthy.They simply come because the word ‘Church’ is on our windows. And Jesus says “Come.” We feed them, clothe them, give hot showers, medicines, and pray with those who are open to it. But all is done in Jesus’ Name. They know we will meet them where they are and not necessarily where we want them to be. A song we sing simply says, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, Christ is the open door.”
God loves all people. We are called to love all people. God is love. We’re simply scattering seeds and the Holy Spirit helps them grow. The end result belongs to God. We will continue to welcome, accept and embrace all people in the Name of Jesus Christ. We are the Church. We are the people of God. This is the Kingdom of God. It’s where I desire to be. Grateful for a storefront house of worship called Shades of Grace: A United Methodist Congregation. It is called God’s Living Room.
“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new Church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan Theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.
The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Please share this ministry. It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL. As Oscar often says, “Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”
Challenging all to exercise and walk. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible to serve and witness for the Lord…Let’s get it done! Keep moving.
May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we “walk each other home”. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!
You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1
Everyone continue to pray for all who are feeling hopeless and helpless.
Luke 10:27 “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It’s amazing how so many wandering souls make their way to our doors every day. Lord, May we be faithful to your call.
Serving the Last, Lost, Least and Lonely:
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
FYI – Coming Events
Wednesday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Regina Shelton, Will Shewey and Dr. Joe Smiddy
Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.
Would you like to share cards of encouragement with local persons in Recovery? Please write a note inside and drop them off at Shades of Grace at 313 E Sullivan Street anytime this week. Thank you friends!
“Link to YouTube Video – Watch Pastor Michele Beck’s Words of Inspiration
You Can Also Watch the Video of Sunday’s Service on the Shades of Grace UMC Facebook Page
We Have Provided a Donate Button for an Opportunity to Give. You will also be able to add prayer requests
