Events Before the End, Part 1

Sermon 88 in Series

Luke 21:5-11

[5] And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, [6] “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” [7] And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” [8] And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. [9] And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

[10] Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [11] There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How much exposure have you had to the Olivet Discourse? How has it factored into your own view of the end times?
2.  What was so impressive about the temple structure? How does the admiration of the disciples parallel some of our propensities in viewing the world around us?
3.  What does Jesus say will happen to the temple? What reason has he already given?
4.  How does separating vv. 8-9 from vv. 10-11 add clarity to the passage? What textual basis do we have for dividing the content in this way?
5.  As we think about Bible interpretation, why is it so important to give due consideration both to the uniqueness of Luke’s words and layout and to the parallels in other Gospels? How does neglecting one or the other skew our interpretations?
6.  What are the three categories of signs that Jesus identifies here as preceding the Second Coming? How does the connection between v. 11 and vv. 25-26 help us put this together?
7.  What does it look like for you to be actively “waiting” per Titus 2:13? How does it impact our daily living when we don’t maintain this mindset?

References:Matthew 24:1-14 (corporate reading); Mark 1:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Luke 13:35; 19:43-44; John 2:16; Acts 21:38; Luke 21:25-26; Mark 13:8; Titus 2:11-14.