"So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!"
Luke 21:28
Luke 21:28
Ya'll (I know that sounds Southern and believe me, I say it with a draw.) when I read verses 27 and 28 I almost had to do a hallelujah dance. Here they are together. They sound so good when you read them together. Go ahead, read them out loud.
"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
If they doesn't make you want to dance the Hallelujah I don't know what will. Well, maybe this will. The word used for salvation in the Greek is redemption. It means...are you ready for this? Redemption or Apolutrosis (ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis) a releasing effected by payment of ransom, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom. Ransom is the sum or amount demanded or paid.
Can you picture this day? He, the King of Glory in all His splendor, our Father will come on a cloud with power and great glory. When this happens there will a releasing. Does anyone besides me look forward to some releasing?
Releasing of pain. Releasing of fear. Releasing of loneliness, doubt, and indecision. Releasing of sickness. Releasing of strongholds. Releasing of burdens carried way to long. Releasing of cruel behavior and treatment. Releasing of misunderstanding, unmet expectations, and unfulfilled dreams. We will be released because our ransom has be paid! Our redemption draws near!
Are you dancing yet? If not, maybe you should check your pulse and listen to this.
12 Comments:
Thank you Wendy,
The song did get me going!
I was struck today by Mark 13:30 (Matthew 24:34) "I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. "
I was especially confused since this verse is right after the description of the second coming;
24"But in those days, following that distress,
" 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
26"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."
Part of these gospel accounts are of the over-throwing of Jerusalem by the Romans and the destruction of the Temple (70 AD); the other part is about the second coming and the verses that immediately follow today's readings go on to say "no-one knows the day or hour, not the angels in heaven, nor (even) the Son" so why does Jesus say what He does in verse 30?
Matthew Henry describes, in his commentary, that the question in Matthew 24:3 ("3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”) indicates that the disciples had confused the two events together; the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming. His interpretation is that Jesus was making the distinction here; you will be around (or this generation will be around) for the temples destruction (both the physical temple with the beautiful walls, and the death of the Messiah), but no-one knows when the return of the Son of Man will happen, not even the Son himself, so don't let that keep you from you work here on earth.
I think you could also interpret Mark 13:30 as a promise. The "fruit" the disciples will produce in their work, the starting of the Church, will not pass away before the Son returns. Their "generation" will continue as we are all sisters and brothers in Christ; adopted children of the Father. I think that thought gives me comfort, along with the assurance that everyone will see the Son return and He will send His angels to gather (this generation)from all the ends of the earth when He comes!
Amen!
Karen, Basel
Thank you Karen, I did not understand Mark 13:30 either. Have a great day!
Jeannie, Virginia
I'm excited! Thanks Wendy.
Wendy Yes I am excited!
Joy and Susan... Praise His Holy Name! I am so Happy for each of you.
Lynn - OR
:)
"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven." Luke 21:26 & 27...
Behold, He comes!
Lift your voice~
Salvation comes!
There is no god like Jehovah!
The verses...Twila's song...oh, it's a good day today, ladies! Hold on to these verses! Is this not something to REALLY look forward to! I'm one that really enjoys the anticipation of an event. This is one event that I really can look forward to with a smile on my face! Can you just sit back (I know it's hard to sit back with something as magnanimous as this!) and imagine? Ah! Let's anticipate and hold on to this event today!
Love ya'll! :) I can just hear that drawl coming out of you, dear Wendy!
Lori - AZ
PS Thank you Karen for digging deep for us!
I can't wait for this day! Hallelujah!
Super busy week here in TN with a field trip to the pumpkin patch, class party and cooking for that. Ladies, P31 got in over 800 prayer requests last week! People are hurting so desperately. This world needs Jesus, our country needs Jesus. Come Lord Jesus and may there be no more sorrow, no more tears and no more pain.
You ladies have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Brandee, TN
PS Lori, hope you had a fabulous weekend at your church celebration :)
Wendy, Thanks for the song. I had to get out Gwen Smith's CD just so I could play it again in the car. I love her version so much, too.
Thank you Karen for the words of wisdom from Matthew Henry. I really needed the explanation.
What stood out to me today was Mark 13:9-10. I kinda misread v.9. (Or was it a misread? I doubt it with God.)
This is how I read it as I skipped down a line too soon...
"You will stand trials...But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations."
Sweet Ladies, even when we are experiencing trials, God can use them to reach others for Him. Are we using our trials for His glory?
I certainly see evidence of that in all of you here!
May we be so bold as to tell others about our hope and glory so that they can also loudly say "Hallelujah, He is coming on the clouds for Me."
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Wendy,
I'm new here so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post. But I just want to tell you that the Days of Elijah song is one of my favorites. God used it to minister to me in a low point in my life. And I get goosebumps everytime I hear, "Behold He comes riding on a cloud, shining like the sun at the trumpets call."
I enjoy reading your posts and the comments. Your name was mentioned a couple of times at Lysa's blog and that's how I found you.
Oh, I can't wait. Yes Wendy I get holy goosebumps! It reminds me of the song, What A Day That Will Be. Here is the Chorus.
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I Shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand (can you imagine it??? Can you feel His hand???)
And leads me through the Promised Land.
What a day, glorious day that will be!!!
It keeps getting gooder and gooder!
Jan TN
Grace and Peace-
Thanks for visiting my site today. You and your comments are welcome anytime.
Makes me feel like singing, "Zippity do da, zippity aaa, my oh my what a wonderful day!"
Bring it on, Lord Jesus!!
Morgen - MN
:) Morgan...your comment made me smile! Thinking of that hymn, "what a day of rejoicing that will be..."
Kristen, I too heard the Lord speaking to me re:trials. Luke 21:6 said, "The time is coming..."
What do we do when a time of trouble comes? What do we do when difficulties arise? How are we to respond?
Almost five years ago now one of the Pastors at my church taught these lessons from this passage of scripture. Pastor Jonathan shared three “don’ts” and three “be’s” in times of uncertainty.
Don’t be deceived (vs.8)
Don’t panic (vs.9)
Don’t worry (vs.14)
Be firm in your standing (vs.19)
Be on guard (vs.34)
Be prayerful (vs.36)
Jesus promised us that we will face adversity, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33) Times of destruction come, but we don’t have to despair. Our times are in His hands. Let’s trust Him with our times…our troubles…our todays…and our tomorrows.
Love to ya'll,
Joy
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