Luke 21:25-33

Luke 21:25-33

1. We see how terrible will be the circumstances accompanying the second advent of Christ.
2. We see how complete will be the security of true Christians at the second advent of Christ.
3. We see how needful it is to watch the signs of the times in the prospect of the second advent of Christ.
4. We see how certain it is that all our Lord's predictions about the second advent will be fulfilled.

"Happy will they be in that day who have fled beforehand from the wrath to come, and been washed in the blood of the Lamb!"

"The servant of God should often look forward to Christ's second advent. He will find the thought of that day a cordial to sustain him under all the trials and persecutions of this present life."

"That Christ should come again in power to judge the world and reign, is not half so improbable as it was that Christ should come to suffer and die. If He came the first time, much more may we expect that He will come the second time. If he came to be nailed to the cross, much more may we expect that He will come in glory and wear the crown."

Questions:

1. When we think about the day of the Lord, do we see it as a day of fear and terror? Does such a thought not encourage us to persuade others to be reconciled to Christ?

2. Although a day of terror, it will not be so for the believer. Ryle encourages us that looking forward to that day, which Jesus says is our redemption, should be a cordial in days of trial and persecution. Can we say, it is well with my soul?

3. We are told to watch for the signs of the times, and Ryle exhorts us to do so by marking politics, not be absorbed in them, and to not turn prophets ourselves, but watch for the signs. Undoubtedly, there are many who fall on either side of either ignoring the signs or be obsessed with them. Which one are you, and how might this encourage us to either not obsess or to be more watchful? Also, isn’t it interesting hearing the different signs Ryle noticed in his day, about 150 years ago?

4. The second coming of Christ is one of the leading truths of Christianity. Are we longing for this return with confidence that we, even now, have found refuge in Christ? May our confidence be that if Christ came the first time to suffer and die, He will certainly come a second in power and glory!