Look Up!
                                                                                      By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                      November 6, 2017
     "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh."  
                                                                                                                 Luke 21:28
Introduction
     They all got up yesterday morning, dressed, ate their breakfast, and then went to church services, looking foward to another time of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, and worship of the Lord Jesus, as the Word of God was being preached.  But at the 11 oclock worship hour, when the morning message is usually preached, their plans were changed for time and eternity.  
     At that time a well armed gunmen walked into their service and began shooting.  A few minutes later, when he left, 26 of those attending church services had been killed, their souls ushered into eternity by the bullets from his gun, and others were wounded; some critically.  
     A church service that the survivors will never be able to forget in this present life!   
The Context
     Should this terrible tradgedy keep true believers from attending church services?  Not at all!  After all, the Lord Jesus Himself warned us that these kind of things would be coming upon us in this end-time repetition of "the days of Noah," Luke 17:26-27.    The inspired Apostle Paul explicitly said, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," 2 Timothy 3:12.  Are our readers listening to, and believing God's Word?   If so, then listen with your heart to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.....
     "And when these things begin to come to pass.....
     What things?  I'm so glad you asked!
      Any reader who carefully studies this chapter can easily see that the Lord Jesus was, first of all, speaking to and  about the Jewish people, 21:1-6.  But as the chapter progresses, it is obvious that the prophecies given by the Lord Jesus would ultimately extend to people all over the earth, including His people saved in this present Dispensation of Grace.  Let's just examine the chapter a little closer.    
     In Luke 21:7, some asked the Lord, "...Master, but when shall these things be?  and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"  And the Lord God graciously answered their questions.   
     First, by warning them of deceivers that would come, 21:8. Notice that the Lord warned those Jews explicitly that "the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."  Did Christ speak the truth?  Of course He did!  There were a number of men who rose up among the Jewish people after the crucifixion of Christ, who claimed to be the true Jewish Messiah.  Most prominent and convincing among them was Bar Kochba.  This deceiver caused the deaths of many of the Jewish people who followed him, and brought down upon the Jewish people the wrath of the Roman Empire, finally causing the destruction of Jerusalem and causing the Jewish people to be driven out of their land, and scattered into all the nations of the world.  
     But do we believers living today see any deceivers in the churches and the ranks of Christianity?   If so, then this could also be a  warning for God's people living today.  Think about it!   
     Next, Christ also warned them about "wars and commotions," 21:9-10.  The "commotions" would be types of disturbances other than wars, such as racial strife, homosexuality, different cultures and beliefs pitted against one another, etc.  
      Now have we believers living today seen any such disturbances?  Every honest reader knows that such is going on all over the world today, even as I write.   
      Then the Lord God warned,  ".....great earthquakes in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven," 21:11.   
      Every honest reader knows that there have been many "earthquakes" all over the world, since the turn of the century, and they have been increasing in both frequency and intensity.  Likewise, there have been, and still is, "famines and pestilences" occurring  in various countries all over the world.  
     And "fearful sights and great signs.....from heaven?"  Surely our readers still remember the asteroid or planet which crashed into Jupiter, causing an explosion on Jupiter larger than our whole  earth.  Then there have been the "blood moons," and in September the "Solar Eclipse" and the movement of the constellations in the heavens to form the "sign" in the sky plainly predicted in Revelation 12.   But the Lord God is not through yet!  On November 13-14, there is to be a conjunction of the Planet Venus with the Planet Jupiter.  What will be the results of this conjunction?  I haven't the slightest idea, but it is going to happen in just a few more days from right now.  And according to reports received in just the last day or two, Planet X is still inbound coming towards the earth.  I think this is enough to convince any reader with an open mind, that this prophecy of the Lord has been, and continues to be, literally fulfilled.  
     Then in 21:12-19, the Lord warned of persecution coming against the Jewish people, and not them only, but also against those believers who have placed their faith in Christ.   Has any of this come to pass?  Every honest reader knows that it has!  And such persecution against the Jews and New Covenant believers continues right to this present day.  
     At the time Christ Jesus gave these warnings, He knew that in the near future Jerusalem would be encircled with armies bent on destroying Jerusalem and the whole nation of Israel, 21:20-24, as it literally came to pass in 70 A.D.  But that was by no means the end of it.
      As I write today, Israel is faced with hostile armies setting on her Northern border, her Eastern border, and her Southern border.  It is known that there are at least 160 missiles aimed at every major city in Israel by these hostile forces hellbent on destroying Israel as a nation and a people.  If our readers care for Israel, the chosen nation and people of God, then we should be praying for them daily and often.  
     No, I don't believe for a minute that the Lord God will allow Israel and Jerusalem to be destroyed, but they still need our prayers like NOW.  
     Then finally, in 21:25-26 the Lord warned that people living on the earth would become so filled with fear "for looking after those things which are coming on the earth," that some would die of heart failure.  And the Lord directly connected this prophecy with "the powers of heaven.....being shaken."   
     In other words, the planets within the solar system, which mankind in the past has always considered as being very stable, are going to run wild and cause all kinds of chaos.  Are there any "signs" today, that this is about to happen?   Folks, I have lived 83 years, and this has been the most unusual fall season I have ever experienced in my entire life.  When the weather should be turning cold at this time of year, we here in Missouri have had a whole series of blistering hot days and nights.  Yesterday, Sunday November 5th, the temperature reached 80 degrees.  Today, our temperature is 44 degrees, and this will likely be our high temp for the day.  Only the Lord knows what the rest of this fall season will be like.  
     But if the reader believes this prophecy of the Lord in 21:26, it is going to get worse, not better, 2 Timothy 3:13.
     The Literal, Visible, Coming of Christ
     The Lord God then brought this discourse to an end, beginning with His prediction of His own return in 21:27, and then continuing through the end of the chapter.
     The Lord's Encouragement to All True Believers
     But it is 21:28 in particular which I want to call to the attention of our readers in this study.....
     In this Scripture the Lord Himself encourages those who will believe by saying,  "And when these things begin to come to pass....."  In the text and context this has to refer to the "signs" prophesied to occur in the heavens and upon the earth shortly before the Lord comes.  Glory!  
     Folks, we believers living today have seen these "signs.....begin to come to pass,"  so let's not give up or stop "watching" now.  At this point in time, don't allow the flesh or the Devil to discourage or defeat you.  
     The Lord in His statement then continued to encourage His people by saying,  ".....then look up, and lift up your heads....."  In other words, do not simply be looking down all the time, as you see how wicked and evil the world is around us today.  Indeed we are living in a world today that is wicked and evil, and only becoming worse with every passing day, 2 Timothy 3:13.   However,  do not dwell on this, as always dwelling on the present state of the fallen, unbelieving world, will keep you in a state of constant depression.  Rather, stay in the Word of God, and especially pay attention to the wonderful prophecies of the Word, Psalm 119:105;  2 Peter 1:19.   
     The Lord Jesus then gave us the reason why we believers should be looking up, lifting up our heads,  and encouraging ourselves in the Lord and His Word, ".....for your redemption draweth nigh."  Glory!  Glory!  Glory!   Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  
     When our Lord comes, we will instantly leave this present evil world, Galatians 1:4.  We will at that time, each and every true believer, see the Lord who died for us for ourselves, 1 John 3:1-2.  And seeing Him for ourselves, our whole body will be instantly transformed into His image and likeness, Philippians 3:20-21.   Oh, glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  
     To be set free from this body of corruptible flesh, and be clothed upon with our new body from Heaven, will indeed be glory, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:40-58.   Then and only then, our redemption will be complete!   What a glorious future awaits every true believer.   
Conclusion
     If this study is neither a blessing nor encouragement to those readers who claim to be true believers, may I suggest that you read 2 Peter 1:10-11, believe what it says, and ask the Lord in humble prayer, to give you the GRACE to apply it to your soul.  I really do want to meet every reader in glory when our Lord comes.  Please don't disappoint me!  
     Nearly 2,000 years ago, the beloved Apostle Paul, and his companion, Silas, were beaten and thrown into jail for preaching the gospel of Christ.  By all human concepts, they should have been very discouraged.  But they weren't!  Rather at midnight in their dungeon, they prayed, then broke out into singing praises to the Lord.  Read it for yourself in Acts 16:16-25.  The jailor in charge of the prison was so effected by their attitude and witness, that he brought them out of their dungeon, and asked them the question, ".....Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  16:30.  Their reply was ".....Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house," Acts 16:31.  
     Dear readers, what Paul and Silas told that Philippian jailor some 2,000 years ago, still stands as the unshakeable truth of God's way of salvation today.  If the reader is unsaved, try it for  yourself, and see the truth of salvation in Christ Jesus.  And may God grant every sincere truth seeker the GRACE to believe, Ephesians 2:8-10.  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others.  
     Thank you again, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for your prayers and the gifts some send.  Every kindness is appreciated so very much.  
     My phone has been down again, but it is up and working at the present time.  Call me at 573-201-0491 if you want to speak with me personally.  Otherwise, send your cards or letters to me at: Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401.  
     May our gracious Lord bless every reader, and give you the grace needed to keep "Looking up."  Jesus is coming SOON!  
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