To read the text click on the texts:Rev 14:14-19 ; Lk 21:5-11
Luke follows Mark 13:1-8 quite closely in these verses, though
he also makes some changes. While in Mark 13:1 Jesus comes out of the Temple
and predicts its destruction when his disciples point to it magnificence, in
Luke, Jesus is within the Temple when he predicts its destruction when some
(not the disciples) speak of its magnificence (21:5-6).
This is why unlike in
Mark 13:3 he is not on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, but within its
precincts when he is asked about when this will take place (21:7).
Mark 13:3
has Peter, James, John and Andrew who ask this question; Luke has the people
pose the question. Jesus responds by stating not the hour when this will take
place, but by issuing a set of three warnings.
The first warning is not to
allow oneself to be led astray and be led into believing that the ones’ who
come in his name are the Messiah. The meaning of this warning is broad and
encompasses being led to sin, being taught false teachings, and being deceived
regarding apocalyptic events.
The second warning follows the first: the disciples of Jesus
must not go after these false Messiahs.
The third warning is not to be terrified when they hear of wars
and insurrections, because they are part of God’s plan in bringing about the
kingdom and must out of necessity happen before the final coming.
However, idle preoccupation and speculation of what will happen at the end times is not called for. It is a distortion of the Gospel message of Jesus who asks that we concern ourselves not with gossip and guesswork, but in how we must do what we have to do in the present.
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