91. Wars

[Pastor Ralph]

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

[hanks]

1. What does Jesus say will happen to Herod's Temple? (21:5-6) When did this take place? 
In answer to His disciples remarking how beautiful the temple was, Jesus said the day will come that everything you admire here will be utterly destroyed. It will all become a heap of rubble!” And that is exactly what happened. The Jews rebelled against the Romans, Jerusalem was taken by Titus, son of the emperor Vespasian (69-79 AD), and in 70 AD Herod’s Temple was destroyed. This was roughly forty years after Jesus predicted it. It is believed that more than a million Jews, who had crowded into the city, perished. The temple has never been rebuilt; the stones that we can see today, commonly called the “wailing wall” are part of the foundation. 
 

[hanks]

2. What kinds of signs will be seen that do NOT portend the immediate return of Jesus? (21:7-19) Why are people tempted to see them as signs of the end? 
Jesus tells us that many things will occur that by themselves are not signs of His soon return, and that these things must first occur. We are not to be deceived by the many false Christs that will appear. He tells us not follow them. When He does return, His appearance in the clouds will be unmistakable, and will be seen by all people (Mar 24:30, Rev 1:7). Jesus mentions wars, and uprisings that will occur but they are not signs and we are not to be frightened. There will be conflicts among nations. 
This world chaos is ongoing as a result of sin, and such upheavals are not portents of Christ’s return. Then, there will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences that have been going on throughout the history of the world. To these can be added fearful events and cosmic upheavals. This is all part of God’s plan which will culminate in the creation of a new earth and a new Kingdom (Revelation 21:1–3). Why are people temped to see these as signs? I’m not sure, is it perhaps that they are hoping it’s a true sign, giving them confirmation of the truth of God. Or perhaps, things are going so bad with them that they are hoping for the Lord to return soon; so, they believe any sign, hoping it’s true. 
 

[hanks]

3. What good results from a disciple's persecution and death, according to verse 13? 
Jesus mentions the persecution that would come upon His disciples; they would be arrested, tried before religious and civil powers, and imprisoned. There would be relatives betraying their own Christian families. Some would even be killed because of their stand for our Lord. This all might seem like a massive failure and tragedy to the disciples, but Jesus said all this suffering would result in bringing glory to God, in being able to testify about Christ, and the salvation that He had come to bring. They were not to prepare their defence in advance, for God would give them special wisdom. This confirms the promise Jesus made earlier, that the Holy Spirit would put the proper words in their mouths whenever it was necessary (12:11-12). They will give them an opportunity to testify (20:13). This prophecy was fulfilled as seen on the Book of Acts. Peter testified before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:7–12). Stephen made a speech to the high priest (Acts 7:2–53) and Paul spoke of Jesus before Felix (Acts 24:10–25). 
 

[hanks]

4. Why will people hate Christians? (21:17) 
People hate us because of our love of God and our obedience to the Word of God, which makes us not part of their world, its false ways, its **** of the flesh, its **** of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). We expose their sinfulness by living our righteous lives. They see this as a type of hypocrisy and a “better than you attitude” on our behalf. Especially when we slip-up now and then. We might not experience extreme hatred and animosity experienced in certain Muslim countries. Whatever hatred we face we can take comfort from the fact that God permits this to come into our lives so that we may conform to the image of His Son. For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). When I think of the dangers one faces for loving Jesus, it reminds me of one of my favourite verses: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Amen. 
 

[hanks]

5. If Christians will be condemned and executed, what does it mean, "Not a hair of your head will perish"? What does Jesus mean by this? 
The promise of 21:18 that “not a hair of your head will perish” appears to contradict the prediction in verse 16 that some disciples will be put to death. What Jesus meant by this, was that they may harm the body but cannot destroy what really matters, one’s spiritual being. We are called to spiritual steadfastness, to persevere and remain strong. Our bodies may be destroyed, but our souls cannot be harmed. Matthew 10:28 tells us “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Physical death is not the supreme tragedy for the Christian. It is deliverance from sin, sorrow, sickness, suffering, and death, and it is transformation into eternal glory. So, the worst thing that can happen to us, in a real sense, is the best thing that can happen to a believer in Christ. To die is to be with Christ and thus far better. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Php 1:21). And to die is gain; to be with Christ and to be like Him forever. 
 

[hanks]

6. What does the phrase mean, "By standing firm you will gain life." (21:19) Is this "faith by works" or something else? 
Those who stand firm prove the reality of their faith. They are the believers who have been genuinely saved and will stand true and loyal at any cost. We can easily be misled into thinking that this verse (21:19) might imply that salvation can be earned by steadfast endurance. But, we know it cannot mean this because throughout the Scriptures salvation is presented as a free gift of God's grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). In other words, not “faith by works”. It can also not mean that those who remain faithful to Christ will be saved from physical death, since verse 21:16 predicts the death of some faithful disciples. Those who endure to the end in times of persecution show by their perseverance that they are true believers. 
 

[Irmela]

1.  What does Jesus say will happen to Herod's Temple? (21:5-6)

The temple will be destroyed. "Not one stone will be left upon another, they will all be thrown down", meaning that it will be demolished. 

When did this take place?

This took place in AD70. The temple as known to them was destroyed. What is left is what is commonly known as the "Wailing Wall". 

2.  What kinds of signs will be seen that do NOT portend the immediate return of Jesus? (21:7-19)

False christs will appear. Persons claiming to be the messiah. Even performing "miracles". 

Wars and disturbances, disorder and confusion will occur. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. (Great turbulances within nations) 

Natural disasters, like earthquakes etc will occur.

There will be famines and pestilences. 

Plagues, malignant and contageous or infectious epidemic diseases (deadly and devastating) will break out. 

Great signs from heaven. 

Why are people tempted to see them as signs of the end?

Many people are wiped out in these disasters. With the Bubonic Plague that time they also believed the end had come. Taking it to be the fourth seal being opened and "death" come to wipe out a quarter of the world's inhabitants. (Rev 6:7&8) As now again with the 'corona virus' it is taken to lead into the time of the end. 

3.  What good results from a disciple's persecution and death, according to verse 13?

They will be a witness or testimony to them. In persecution the 'masks' normally worn, fall off and the real person emerges. Then our faith in Jesus will be displayed. If it is a sham that will be revealed and if it is real, even in distress a powerful witness will be revealed. We read about many of the martyrs, how they stood for Christ. The saying "if a seed dies and is put in the ground, it grows again and bears much fruit" is so true. Because by the witnesses of these persecuted Christians, many turned to Christ. 

4.  Why will people hate Christians? (21:17)

Because of Christ. 

They will be hated for what they stand for. They will be hated for standing for the Truth. 

5. If Christians will be condemned and executed, what does it mean, "Not a hair of your head will perish"?

What does Jesus mean by this?

He is no longer talking about the physical realm but is referring to the spiritual. We die physically but spiritually we are alive. It might be a martyrs death but we will "forever be with our Lord". 

6.  What does the phrase mean, "By standing firm you will gain life." (21:19)

Is this "faith by works" or something else?

If we remain standing and do not give in to the whims of the enemy we will gain eternal life. It takes faith to remain standing. So it is faith in action. So we see it is "By grace through faith" that we are saved. 

[Katy]

Q1. Jesus told His disciples that the temple that Herod had built would be demolished not one stone would be left on another. As Jesus predicted this happened in 70AD following an uprising by the Jews against Rome. The only remaining part is what is known today as the ‘wailing wall’. A most holy place for the Jewish people. 
Q2. Jesus told His disciples to beware of different people who will come and claim to be the Messiah. We are not to have anything to do with them. When the Messiah returns we will have no doubt as to whether or not it is Him. 
Jesus also told His disciples and us that many things will happen in the world before He returns but they are not signs of His imminent arrival. There will be wars among nations. There will be earthquakes and famines, pestilence and disease , these will all happen before He comes. People are constantly trying to predict ‘End Times’. I am not sure why , it goes against what we are told in Scripture about waiting patiently for the Lord. Also we should be working as diligently as we can to get the Lord’s work done and to trust in Him for our future. Is it another way of trying to be in control of something we have absolutely no control over? 
Q3.When Christian’s are persecuted and put to death for their faith in Jesus, it can speak loudly and clearly to others that if they are prepared to actually die for their beliefs well maybe it is worthwhile. Martyred Christian deaths can speak louder to some than their Christian lives!

Q4. This world has no time for God and hasn’t had since the fall. Jesus has warned us that He was hated and likewise we will be hated. In the West we don’t experience persecution and hate as in other countries but it can be subtle and abrasive. I wonder are we heading more towards persecution than ever before. With issues such as abortion, gay marriage and gay rights. Once upon a time a Christian’s point of view would at least be respectfully listened to. Today one is just labelled as bigot, or outdated or racist. If we are going to speak out, we will be labelled and persecuted! 
Q5.Jesus is not talking about physically . If we are put to death for our faith we will enter glory intact. We will bring Glory to God and we will be complete!

Q6.If we stand firm, are strong in our faith, do not deny Jesus whatever the consequences we will emerge victorious, even after death. We will spend eternity in His presence knowing we were faithful in standing up for our Lord and Saviour. We will have proved that our faith and trust is in the Lord Jesus. We are truly saved by grace. 

[kreilly]

 

What kinds of signs will be seen that do NOT portend the immediate return of Jesus? (21:7-19) Why are people tempted to see them as signs of the end?

Wars, and rumors of wars, earthquakes, plagues and famines.  I think people are tempted to see them as signs because they want to know what the future holds.  This has been going on since the beginning of time-people seeking to know what the future holds through omens, oracles, divination.  People want to know for sure what is going to happen even though Jesus makes it clear that there is no way to know "it will come like a thief in the night" and our purpose is to be ready at all times.  These things have been happening always so I don't think they mean that Jesus won't come back today or tomorrow just because they are going on.  He will come back at at time that will unexpected to us.  His teachings for us were always to be ready and expectant of His return at all times.  I think one of the most important things He said here was not to be afraid.  This is so important.  I know many people who are very afraid and preparing for a tribulation by stocking up food and other supplies rather than preparing spiritually for His return.  

What good results from a disciple's persecution and death, according to verse 13?

It is a testimony.  If someone is ready to die for their belief in Jesus, it is a true demonstration of faith.  Unbelievers take notice of that and some will come to faith because of this witness. 

Why will people hate Christians? (21:17)

People hate Christians, because people hated Jesus.  Those who align themselves with the enemy can't help but hate us.  We are the "aroma of death" to them.  

What does the phrase mean, "By standing firm you will gain life." (21:19) Is this "faith by works" or something else?

I agree with Irmela's answer to this question.  Faith is action.  We see a person's faith by the things they do and decisions they make.  

[George L]

1. What does Jesus say will happen to Herod's Temple? It will be destroyed, demolished. (21:5-6) When did this take place? Roman seige ending in 70AD.
2. What kinds of signs will be seen that do NOT portend the immediate return of Jesus? Wars, rumors or wars, nation upon nation, famine, crop failures, disease. False messianic claims etc.(21:7-19) Why are people tempted to see them as signs of the end? They desire to know even though none will know but the Father. No profiteering allowed..
3. What good results from a disciple's persecution and death, according to verse 13? History of early evangelism shows many conversions due to the unexplainable love, prayers for those persecuting them being demonstrated by those being persecuted even to death.
4. Why will people hate Christians? (21:17) Because we will remain loving, blessing, caring for as the society around us disintegrates,
5. If Christians will be condemned and executed, what does it mean, "Not a hair of your head will perish"? We shall not experienced the second death. What does Jesus mean by this? We shall come home. To our true home as He did.
6. What does the phrase mean, "By standing firm you will gain life." Maintain your purpose and calling on earth, salvation of as many lost sheep as possible.  (21:19) Is this "faith by works" or something else? It is obedience, which is a very special form of worship to the one who loved us first.