Luke: 21: 29 – 38 End Times, continued

Luke: 21: 29 – 38 End Times, continued

He taught them a lesson. "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." During the day, Jesus was teaching in the temple area, but at night he would leave and stay at the place called the Mount of Olives. And all the people would get up early each morning to listen to him in the temple area.

Jesus continues to talk about the end times and the signs that will foretell that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Then he makes what appears to be a specific prediction “Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” What does that mean? The first Christians took that passage quite literally, and behaved accordingly. Many of the passages from the book of the Bible that record the happenings immediately following Christ’s death (Acts of the Apostles) are very inspiring, pointing to a community that worshiped together, shared their possessions with all, and by their love for each other and for those around them gained many converts. When the Apostles began to pass away without the Kingdom of God coming, they began to cast about for explanations. Now more than 2000 years later we still have not had that day come to pass. Is this indicative of God’s patience with us – that more may come to know him? Or has he given up on us? Let’s hope not. Meanwhile, we can only do as Jesus has recommended - be vigilant, don’t get caught up in anxieties and bad behavior, and pray. Or perhaps, even better, live as the Apostles lived in those first heady days of the church – praying, sharing what we have, and loving one another. If we do that we will be ready for the Kingdom to come whenever that happens.