Luke Chapter 21 # 5

Luke Chapter 21 # 5

We should notice, lastly, in this passage - Christ's gracious promise to His disciples. He says, "but not a hair of your head shall perish." Out blessed Lord well knew the hearts of His disciples. He saw that the prophecy He had just spoken, might well make them faint. He supplies them with a cheering word of encouragement, "But not a hair of your head shall perish!"

The promise before us is wide and comprehensive, and one which is the property of all believers in every age. A literal interpretation of it is clearly impossible. It cannot apply to the bodies of disciples. To say that, would be contradictory to the obvious fact that James and other apostles died violent deaths. A figurative interpretation must evidently be placed upon the words. They form a great proverbial saying. They teach us that whatever sufferings a disciple of Christ may go through - his best things can never be injured. His life is hidden with Christ in God. His treasure in Heaven can never be touched. His soul is beyond the reach of harm. Even his vile body shall be raised again, and made like his Saviour's glorious body at the last day.

If we know anything of true religion - then let us lean back on the words of the glorious promises in every time of need. If we believe in Christ - then let us rest in the comfortable thought that Christ has pledged His word that we shall never perish. We may lose much by serving Christ - but we shall never lose our eternal souls. The world may deprive a believer of property, friends, country, home, liberty, health, and life. It has done so in innumerable cases from the days of Stephen to the present time. The roll of the noble army of martyrs, is a very long one.

But there is one thing the world cannot do to any believer. It cannot deprive him of his saving interest in Christ's love. It cannot break the union between Christ and his soul. Surely, it is worth while to be a thorough-going believer! "I am persuaded," says Paul, "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature - shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).

Section 123. The Destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20:24

And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is near: Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereunto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

The subject of these verses before us, is the capturing of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans. It was fit and right that this great event, which wound up the Old Testament dispensation - should be especially described by our Lord's mouth. It was fitting that the last days of that holy city, which had been the seat of God's presence for so many centuries - should receive a special notice in the greatest prophecy which was ever delivered to the Church.

We should mark in this passage - our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge. He gives us a fearful picture of the miseries which were coming on Jerusalem. Forty years before the armies of Titus encompassed the city - the dreadful circumstances which would attend the siege are minutely described. The distress of weak and helpless women - the slaughter of myriads of Jews - the final scattering of Israel in captivity among all nations - the treading down of the holy city by the Gentiles - are things which our Lord narrates with as much particularity as if He saw them with His own eyes!

Foreknowledge like this is a special attribute of God. Of ourselves we "know not what a day may bring forth." (Prov. 27:1). To say what will happen to any city or kingdom in forty years from the present time - is far beyond the power of man. The words of Isaiah are very solemn, "I am God - and there is no other. I am God - "and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times - what is still to come. My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." (Isaiah 46:9, 10).

He who could speak with authority of things to come, as our Lord did in this place - must have been true God as well as true man.

The Christian should continually keep this perfect knowledge of Christ in mind. Past things, present things, and things to come - are all naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do! The recollection of the sins of youth, may well make us humble. The sense of present weakness, may make us anxious. The fear of trials yet to come, may make our hearts faint. But it is a strong consolation to think that Christ knows all. For past, present, and future things - we may safely trust Him. Nothing can ever happen to us - that Christ has not known long ago.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 6)