Luke 21:28 - JESUS IS COMING!
Luke 21:28 (NKJV) Now when these things
begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near."
INTRODUCTION
The picture of the coming persecutions and
natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately it is a
cause not for worry but for great joy. As
believers see these events happening, they will know
that the return of their Messiah is near, and
they can look forward to his reign of justice and
peace. Rather than being terrified by what is
happening in our world, we should confidently await
Christ's return to bring justice and restoration to
his people. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Labor Pains
One question people have been asking me
rather frequently is whether COVID-19 is a sign of
the last days.
I would say the answer is yes. Now, the
word pandemic is not in the Bible. Thats a
modern word. We do, however, find the words
pestilence and plague mentioned many times in the pages
of Scripture.
In the Bible, pestilences and plagues
always were a form of judgment. And Scripture does
tell us that in the end times, there will be
horrible diseases that will come upon the planet.
There also will be earthquakes and wars and rumors
of wars.
We are not in the Great Tribulation
period yet, but Jesus said that as we get closer to
His return, it will be like a woman in labor. As
she gets closer to the time of delivery, her
labor pains will become closer together.
So as we see more of these big events, we
can recognize them as signs of the times. He
said, Now when these things begin to happen,
look up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption draws near (Luke 21:28 NKJV).
Maybe today youre afraid of the
afterlife. Youre not sure that your life is right
with God. If you want God to forgive your sin, if
you want to know that youll go to Heaven when
you die, and if you want to be certain that when
Christ returns, you will be ready to meet Him, then
you need Jesus in your life.
Simply say, Lord Jesus, I know that
Im a sinner. I believe that Youre the
Savior, and I ask You to forgive me my sin. I want
to be ready for Your return. Come into my life,
Jesus. I ask it in Your name, amen.
Jesus will give you the meaning of life
on Earth, and He will give you the hope of life
beyond the grave. [Greg Laurie from Harvest
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
CLOSING PEARL
Look To God.
If you've ever flown in an airplane you
know that your perspective of the earth is far
different from what it was when you were on the
ground. Pictures of the earth that have been taken
from the moon and from space show an earth that
looks much different from what we see down here.
This is the kind of perspective God wants
to give us concerning our lives. As we look to
God, instead of to ourselves and our
circumstances, our perspectives change.
Don't get bogged down in the
circumstances of life. At the moment we see only our
immediate problems and burdens, but God sees the
whole. He sees not only the present, but the future
as well. He wants to lift us above ourselves.
He wants us to see everything in light of His
plans. The Psalmist said, "The LORD will perfect
that which concerns me" (Ps. 138:8).
Don't get bogged down. Keep your eyes on
God, for He sees the whole picture, and He knows
what is best for you. You can trust Him, because
He loves you.
Its easy to become preoccupied with
trying to understand why certain situations happen
or how they can be used for something good.
Choose, instead, to focus on Who is working behind
the scenes; it is the only detail that matters.
[Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
John 14:1-3 - Comfort for the Stressed-Out;
and Everyone Else Too.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210918-0930.html
John 14:2 - Comfort for the Stressed-Out;
and Everyone Else Too.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220107-0841.html
John 14:3 - If I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again....
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220616-0941.html
Psalm 55:22 - Cast Your Burden On The LORD,
And He Shall Sustain You.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150312-1916.html
1 Peter 5:7 - Winning Over Worry.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210906-1105.html
GREAT PRAISE SONG
One Day (When We All Get To Heaven)
First Dallas Choir & Orchestra | May 30, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_q2xxKeLiI
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
