“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  

One of the greatest truths we have is that Jesus is alive and promises to return.  The hope in this promise is an enduring strength that no other religion can demonstrate and that many would find preposterous since Jesus is dead.

Yet, it is the picture of our Lord and Savior returning in a physical manner that brings a tangible reality to the promise and will bring immediate attention to the unbeliever that Jesus was resurrected and now returns with ultimate authority, “the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (verse 27).  

Verse 28 refers to the things that will take place pointing to His return, which Jesus outlines in the preceding verses of Luke 21. The temple will be destroyed, “not one stone shall be left upon another” (Luke 21:6). Jesus goes on to foretell other frightful events but notice that He brings guidance and promises of comfort in each situation. He warns of false prophets who will come in His Name pretending to be Him and “that we should not go after them”. There will be wars, but these should not shake us as “these things must come to pass first”.  

Persecution of believers will occur, and they will be brought before earthly authorities but not to worry because those are opportunities for us to witness and He “will give you a mouth and wisdom which all you adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (verse 15).

Christians will be betrayed even by family members and friends and even hated but Jesus promises “not a hair on your head shall be lost”. Even death will not separate us from the bodily resurrection He has secured for His followers.

Verses 25 and 26 tell us of global and heavenly events, signs that fill humanity with fear to the point of their “hearts failing them”. And then Jesus returns. The groaning of earth and mankind is a crescendo that precedes the coming of the One who created both and has returned to set all things in its proper order.

Jesus tells of His return and the seemingly dreadful things that must and will occur prior to that event. But He doesn’t intend to frighten us, only prepare us, and give us confidence in His promises as we see these things come to fruition. Like a loving parent, He wants us to be prepared for the trials to come.  

We don’t know the exact time of His return, but He promises not to abandon us and will fill us with His words and guidance. We are to look for these things and be prepared for there will many on earth who will be caught unaware. He warns us to “take heed, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come upon you unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34). In other words, His return should be one of joy and celebration, not dread.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to hold loosely the earthly things that tend to entangle me and take my eyes off you. Remind me that these are temporary and passing and that the things of Christ have unequal and eternal value. I long to see your return! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.