Picture Jesus
painted!
By carefully looking at a painted scene you could possibly
identify the place, the time of the day and the time of the year.
Landmarks, and the position of the sun, and the leaves and flowers
would all be useful clues.
Jesus painted a picture for us, a word picture, describing
in detail the world scene as it would be just before His return as
the great King of kings. From it we are meant to be able to
discover some idea of the time He had in mind.
He told them this parable: 'Look at .. the trees. When they sprout
leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see these things happening, you know
that the kingdom of God is near.' 1*.
I'm sure you are familiar with the 'things' Jesus was talking
about. You would think today's news readers were just listing off
all 'these things' described in the picture
Jesus painted 2,000 years ago:-
Increasing unrest within many countries around the world,
great earthquakes, famines and epidemics in various places, and
fearful events and great signs from heaven. 2*. Jesus compared these to the birth pains
of an expectant mother that increase and become more violent as the
due time approaches. 3*.
Jesus' picture also revealed that the Jewish nation would return to
Israel after having been scattered into many lands and terribly
persecuted. Their land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem would no
longer be controlled by non-Jewish people. 4*.
Israel only became a nation again in 1948, after nearly 2,000 years
of forced exile while their homeland was occupied by various people
groups.
Although Jesus did say that no one knows the actual day or
hour of His return, He went on to say we can know the
approximate time! 5*.
He told us that the generation who would be alive at the time
Jesus' picture described would live to see His kingdom come.
6*. I'm excited to be
living at this time, even though wickedness is on the increase.
Here are some other details of the picture Jesus paints in the New
Testament.
A great increase in wasteful spending and pleasure seeking, people
being lovers of themselves, immoral living increasing, abusiveness
and pride and mockery of God increasing along with disobedience to
parents, violence and homosexuality - as in the days of Sodom.
7*.
You have only to listen to today's news to know that this
picture Jesus painted almost 2,000 years ago is of here and
now!
Are YOU content to be part of that sinful, sickening picture that
Jesus is about to come to judge and destroy? 8*. God's message for you is
urgent: 'Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die.'
Jesus offers to forgive and change you now if only you will turn in
faith to Him and call on Him to be your only Priest and Saviour.
9*.Then you will be
ready 'to stand before the Son of Man' 10*.when He returns.
'Be careful,' Jesus warned His followers; not wanting
them to be overcome with these sickening world events that
would announce His soon return. 'Be always on the watch, and pray
that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.'
10*.
Read the words of Jesus yourself in Luke chapter 21, verses
29-38.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
For the next reading from Luke's Gospel go to NEXT
In order to browse further "Good News Compage" prompts and
commentary for Luke's Gospel check out the review index.
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke
21:29-31.
2Luke 21:10-11.
3 Matthew 24:8.
4 Luke 21:24. Isaiah
43:4-6.
5 Matthew 24:36.
6 Luke 21:32-33.
7 Luke 21:34. 2 Timothy
3:1-5. Luke 17:26-30.
8 Jude 14-19.
9 Ezekiel 33:11. Acts
26:18-20.
10Luke 21:34-36. Romans
5:1-11.
