90. Coming

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[hanks]

1. According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of His return? (21:20-24a) 
This will be signalled by the city of Jerusalem being surrounded by armies. At this sign people in Judea were to flee to the mountains, those in the city were to get out, and those in the country were not to enter the city. Many did escape and went out to a place called Pella, and any attempt to re-enter the city would be fatal. The city was about to be punished for its rejection of the Son of God. Jesus also said that pregnant women and nursing mothers would be at a distinct disadvantage; they would be hindered in escaping from the judgment of God on the land of Israel and the Jewish people. Finally, many would be slain, and the survivors would be carried off as captives in other lands. 
 

[hanks]

2. What are the Times of the Gentiles (21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ? 
The Times of the Gentiles is the period that Jerusalem will be conquered and subject to Gentile rule. It really began with the Babylonian captivity in 521 BC, and will extend to the time when Gentile nations will no longer assert control over the city of Jerusalem – until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. In Jesus’ day, Israel was governed by the Roman Empire, and a Roman general would destroy the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. After thousands of years of exile, a Jewish state was miraculously established in Israel again in 1948. It was not until 1968 that Israel controlled Jerusalem, but still today they yield the rule and the administration of the most central piece of Jerusalem - the Temple Mount - to Gentile rule (the Palestinian Authority). It can be argued that prophetically speaking, Jerusalem is still trampled by Gentiles. A time will come when it will be inhabited by true believers of Christ, where God will be worshipped in sincerity, and pagan and anti-Christian dominion will end. Only God knows when this will be (Acts 1:7). 
 

[hanks]

3. What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? What effects will these have upon people? 
The sky - there will be signs, in the sun, moon, and stars, before Jesus’ second coming. These combination of signs will be disturbances visible in the sky to everyone, and all will then realise that the Messiah is coming. The earth - nations will be in anguish, that is gripped by severe emotional stress, and in perplexity, which is in a state of mental distress and acute anxiety. The sea – roaring and tossing – will mean that there will be great tidal waves sweeping over land areas. This is an image of great distress with disasters coming upon the nations in successive floods, each one more violent than the previous one. The people – people will be fainting from fear. 
Meaning that the terror would be so great that people would faint and be ready to die as they realise the extent of the approaching calamities. This kind of total chaos and calamity is described in horrific detail in Revelation. The heavenly bodies – they will be shaken. Meaning that such vast cosmic upheavals will affect the weather, tides, and seasons on earth. All this will culminate in the dramatic, spectacular return of Jesus.  
 

[hanks]

4. What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when He describes His coming? 
The sign is the Son of Man, Jesus Himself coming on the clouds and visible for all to see. Christ’s appearing will be sudden, glorious, and with great power, and there will be no doubt as to His identity. Jesus was referring to Daniel 7:13-14, a messianic passage that must have been familiar to the disciples. “This one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Dan 7:13) is the Messiah. In Acts 1:11, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." The angels promised that Jesus would return to earth in the same way He departed. Revelation also records Christ coming with the clouds of heaven (Rev 1:7). We might think that we have been waiting more than 2000 years, and He not returned yet! But we have to remember that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet 3:8). Also, our Lord wishes that all should come to repentance, not wanting any to perish. He is patient, purposely extending the time of grace so that we might have every opportunity to be saved (2 Pet 3:9). 
 

[hanks]

5. If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28) 
For believers this will be a time of joy. We will know that the return of our Messiah is near, and we can look forward to His reign of justice and peace. To the unbeliever these are signs of dismay and terror, but to the believer they signify hope and freedom. Instead of being terrified and living in fear, because of what is happening in the world, we will confidently await Christ’s return. When Jesus comes again in the clouds, all His people will stand and lift up their heads, knowing that our redemption is drawing near. All the pains and sorrows of this life of toil will pass away, because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will have returned to this earth to claim His people for Himself. That will certainly be a great and glorious day for all those who belong to Him. 
 

[Irmela]

1. According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (21:20-24a)

It is not at the same time. Two separate "times/dates" are described. 

The siege of Jerusalem happened gradually. (The encircling, that Jesus spoke about) The people could still escape. Jesus warned them ahead of time, to do so. 

For those who remained in Jerusalem, it was horrific. 

2.What are the Times of the Gentiles (21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ?

The times of the Gentiles is the time period that Jerusalem will be possessed by the "Gentiles/non-Jews". 

The temple mount is still under (Islamic rule) Muslim control. 

When it has all been taken back and is again under Jewish rule, then, Christ's return will be imminent. 

3.  What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? What effects will these have upon people?

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. 

Roaring and tossing of the sea. 

The people will be fearful and in great anguish and distress. They will not know what to do. 

4.  What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when he describes his coming?

He will come in a cloud with power and great glory. 

He is referring to the passage in Daniel 7:13-14. 

5.  If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28)

Believers should stand up and lift up their heads, because our redemption will be near. We should be filled wirh joy. 

[Old Jerry]

According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (21:20-24a)

 

A. I don’t see that the destruction of Jerusalem is related to the end times. The Bible just says that it will happen to fulfill that was written about it.

 

What are the Times of the Gentiles (21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ?

 

A. The Bible doesn’t tell us what the Times of the Gentiles represent. I suppose it is when God gives back to Israel the land that was taken away.

 

What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? What effects will these have upon people?

 

A. The very end will happen when all kinds of natural disasters happen. The powers of heaven will be shaken. Men will be scared and will faint.

 

What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when he describes his coming?

 

A. We will Jesus coming in a cloud with power and great glory. I think that Daniel prophesied that this was going to happen.

 

If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28)

 

A. We believers should have open arms to accept Him. We will be glad about His coming.

[Katy]

Q1. Apart from the fear and trembling associated with the destruction of Jerusalem  and the Coming of the Son of Man there probably is no relationship between the two. They are two separate happenings recorded in Scripture. 
Q2. The time of the Gentiles is the time that Gentiles are in control of Jerusalem. It started with the capturer and destruction of Jerusalem in70AD. This continued until 1968 Israeli war. After this time and up to the present time the Temple Mount is still in the hands of ‘Gentiles’. We do not know if the time of the Gentiles will end when the Temple Mount returns to the Jewish nation or whether the Lord has something else in mind. We must wait patiently to find out.

Q3.There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. The sea will be roaring and tossing. People will be worried and frightened at these unusual events.They will faint, from sheer terror fearful of all that is happening. 
Q4.All people on earth will see the ‘Son of Man’ coming in a cloud. All His power and glory will be evident to everyone. No one will be in any doubt as to what is happening. Jesus refers to Daniel 7 v 13 where we are told that Daniel in his vision saw before him “one like aSon of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven”.

Q5. When Christian look up and see what is happening they should be filled with joy because the end is coming. All we have waited for and worked for is coming to fruition. All that Jesus promised is actually happening . We will soon be in His presence for evermore. 

[haar]

1.    According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (21:20-24a)

It shows that His time to return is near.

2.    What are the Times of the Gentiles (21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ?

The times of the Gentiles could mean the times of their occupation of Jerusalem. This indicate that the coming of the Lord Jesus was near.

3.    What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end?

Anguish…perplexity… roaring and tossing of seas…terror.. are some of the words in the two verses and they indicate the great worrisome situation people will find themselves at time.

What effects will these have upon people?

Fear, pain and even death will be some of the consequences of the happenings.

4.    What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when he describes his coming?

He will be seen coming in the cloud with power and great glory.

Daniel: 7:13-14 is the old Testament

5.    If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28)

Joy, because their redemption is drawing near.

[kreilly]

According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (21:20-24a)

This event precedes Jesus' return. 

What are the Times of the Gentiles (21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ?

This also appears to precede the return of Christ. 

What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? What effects will these have upon people?

Upheaval in the heavens and in the seas will occur.  These will likely cause all manner of death and destruction, especially to people and cities along the coasts.  The people will be terrified, but I wonder if they will recognize these signs or find some other excuse to blame it on so that they can continue to deny the existence of the One True God. 

What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when he describes his coming?

He will come on the clouds with great power and glory, as prophesied by Daniel 7:13-14.  Everyone will recognize what is happening at that time, believer and unbeliever alike.  

If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28)

He tells us to lift up our heads because our redemption is near.  We will have joy because victory is at hand and our suffering is finally coming to an end. 

[George L]

1. According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (21:20-24a) It will preceed his return.
2. What are the Times of the Gentiles The time alloted to ungodly kingdoms to flourish.(21:24b). What significance does it have for the return of Christ? The seeds of the gentile nations beliefs, standards, and lack of justice will bear full fruit. The traps and snares they used and planned for others will be their own ending tribulation.
3. What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? Nature which is violent and held in check by the word of God shall be loosed. What effects will these have upon people?Psalm 114:4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs…. Terror as nature returns to its creative violent character. Earthquakes terify, imagine the mountains beginning to dance again.
4. What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? Jesus coming in a great cloud.(21:27) What Old Testament Scripture passage is Jesus referring to when he describes his coming?Daniel 7:13-14.
5. If fear will characterize unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterize believers? (21:28) We will be delighted to see the true signs of His impending arrival. Oh the joy and knowing to save that last few that can be rescued.