“A strange telescoping of time”
By Rev. Michael Stonhosue
Meditation – Monday, December 5, 2022
Luke 21:20-28 (Forward, p. 37) CEV p. 1091
There is a rather strange property to predictive prophesy. It can include, almost within the same range of vision, events both near and far, events that are immanent and events that are far off. I have often experienced this phenomenon in the natural realm. When driving towards the mountains the foothills, and indeed, the whole of the initial mountain ranges, seem only a few miles away—and indeed, the foothills may actually be quite close. But then the mountains themselves seem to keep on fading into the distance as one travels towards them.
We see something of this in today’s passage. The initial verses speak of the future destruction of Jerusalem, which actually happened in AD 70. But is the accompanying description detailing that event, or one some other time in the future. The warnings about expectant and nursing mothers, about persecution, death and exile sound quite horrific. Did those things actually take place in AD 70—or this something that is still to come? It is hard to tell from this narrative.
The succeeding verses are even more problematic, even more difficult to figure out. They speak of disturbances in the heavens and rising sea levels and increased problems with tides and storm surges, all happening before the Son of Man returns. But, where do these things stand timewise, in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem? We are never told. With problems with sea levels and such like, these certainly seem to be increasing over time, but what about the heavens? Nothing unduly strange, unusual or frightening seems to be happening there.
Much of this could simply be put down as matters of ‘idle speculation’ except for one thing. These events are given by Christ as a kind of early warning system: “When all of this starts happening…”. It is a call to action, to perseverance, to courage and to hope: “When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free” (verse 28).
The problem is that we don’t know what this ‘all’ constitutes, what it includes. Does it include the destruction of Jerusalem, the signs in the heavens, and the problems with the seas, or only part of this? We simply are not told.
So, my guess is that the best we can to do is be observant and wary and ready, no matter what. And, most of all, to remain firm in our faith and in our trust and dependence upon the Lord Jesus. After all, He does know what is going on, and can safety and confidently guide us through it. And so, more than all else, we should trust, not the signs, but the Saviour. Amen.
Forward notes: “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, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (verses 27-28).
“’Stand up straight,’ my mother said. ‘Raise your chin and look a person in the eye.’ I wonder if Jesus is sharing his mother’s advice with the disciples in today’s text. When things get hard, that’s the very time to look fear squarely in the eye.
“Earlier in this chapter of Luke, Jesus warns his disciples that following him won’t be easy: in fact, it will be a wretched existence at times, and near the end they can expect earthquakes and famines and plagues. But just when things seem unbearable, God’s grace and mercy will be revealed in the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud.
“Anytime we sense the nearness of God’s care, no matter the time of trouble, Jesus suggests we square our shoulders, stand up straight, raise our heads, and say thank you for the time of our redemption. Even during the worst of times, we are surrounded by God’s love for us and all creation; our work is to stand up straight and pay attention because surely it is God who saves us.”
Moving Forward: “How do you look fear-filled times in the eye?